Warhawk Family Update
March 15, 2026
In this Edition......
Warhawk Culture - Integrity and Bravery
OST Testing Information
Graduation Banners
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Career Center - Senior Only Programs - Attention Current Juniors!
Class of 2026 - Cap & Gown Pick Up Information
Clinic Updates
Upcoming Dates and Events
March 16 - Regular Bell Schedule
March 17 - Regular Bell Schedule
March 18 - Extended Flytime
March 19 - Regular Bell Schedule
March 20 - No School for students
Warhawk Culture
At Westerville Central High School, our Warhawk Blueprint challenges us to Pursue Excellence in everything we do. To live out this mission with authenticity, our district and building administrators are currently engaged in a book study of Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. We are dedicated to bringing these leadership elements back to our building to ensure our culture is one of trust, courage, and accountability.
In our most recent session, we focused on two core pillars that define how we show up for our students and each other:
Living with Integrity
We are leaning into a specific, powerful definition of integrity: it is choosing courage over comfort. To truly pursue excellence at WCHS, integrity means:
Choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy.
Practicing our values, rather than just professing them.
Showing up with the "dare to lead" spirit by doing the hard work even when it is uncomfortable.
Trust is the foundation of the Warhawk spirit. We are using the BRAVING Inventory as a tool to continue to create a culture where every student and staff member feels safe and supported. This acronym breaks trust down into seven actionable elements:
Boundaries: Making clear what is okay and what is not okay, and why.
Reliability: Doing what we say we will do and staying aware of our limitations so we don't overpromise.
Accountability: Owning our mistakes, apologizing, and making amends.
Vault: Not sharing information or experiences that are not ours to share.
Integrity: Choosing courage over comfort in our daily actions.
Nonjudgment: Creating a space where we can ask for what we need and talk about how we feel without judgment.
Generosity: Extending the most generous interpretation to the intentions and words of others.
The Warhawk Challenge
To strengthen and protect the culture we love at WCHS, we are challenging our families and students to move from professing these values to practicing them.
This week, we challenge you to:
Identify one "Courage over Comfort" moment: Whether it’s standing up for a peer, admitting a mistake (Accountability), or asking for help when you're struggling (Nonjudgment), choose the brave path over the easy one.
Use the Generosity Lens: In your next disagreement or misunderstanding, practice Generosity by assuming the best possible intent of the other person before reacting.
By integrating these principles into our Warhawk Blueprint, we ensure that excellence isn't just a goal we chase, but a standard we live by every day. Go Warhawks!
Wings Up,
Dawn Sayre
Principal
Westerville Central High School
Our Warhawk Blueprint outlines what we believe, how we behave and outcomes we hope to achieve together at WCHS. These beliefs are our guidepost that provide alignment in all we do.
Follow me on X: @dsayre32
Stay Connected to WCHS
Follow us on X: @WarhawksWCHS
Follow us on Instagram: @warhawkswchs
OST Testing Information
Ohio State Testing Information:
Academic Enrichment Center
336 S. Otterbein Avenue, Westerville, OH 43081
Main Office (614) 797-7750 Fax (614) 797-7751
Mr. Nicholas S. McIlwain
Director, Assessment & Alternative Education
Visit us at www.westerville.k12.oh.us
English - Important school information. Please have someone translate.
Spanish - Informacion importante de la escuela -- por favor que alguien traduzca.
Nepali - �ु लको मह�पुणर्जानकारी हो- कृ पया कसैलाई अनुवाद गनर्लगाउनुहोस्
Somali - Akhbaar muhiim ah oo ka socdaa dugsiga. Fadlan qof haa ku turjumo.
March 2026
Dear High School Parents/Guardians,
As indicated in previous district communications, the State of Ohio has specific graduation requirements consisting of two components:
• The Credit Component, which requires all students to earn a minimum of 20 high school credits in specific subjects; and
• The Competency and Readiness Components, which offers students several ways to become eligible for their high school diploma.
For a list of current graduation pathways specific to your student’s graduation cohort year, please visit this link:
If your student is currently enrolled in a tested subject or has not yet met the required competency for graduation in that tested subject, your student is expected to take one or more of the State’s upcoming End-of-Course Assessments, also referred to as Ohio’s State Test (OSTs).
OSTs will be administered on the following dates:
• Tuesday, April 14 – English Language Arts II
• Wednesday, April 15 – Biology
• Tuesday, April 21 – Algebra I / Geometry
• Wednesday, April 22 – American History / American Government
Ohio’s State Tests are produced by Cambium Learning (formerly American Institutes for Research) and taken online. For additional information and resources on State assessments, please visit
https://tinyurl.com/State-Test-Resources.
On each day of testing, there will be a late start schedule with a double bus run available for those that need transportation. If students are not scheduled to be in the building for an assessment, they can anticipate being picked up 3 hours later from their usual pick-up time.
WCHS OST Spring 2026 Bell Schedules
With the passage of House Bill 96, Ohio law now requires all school districts to provide advanced learning opportunities in mathematics for students who demonstrate an advanced level of skill on a state mathematics achievement assessment or end-of-course exam. This requirement applies to students in grades 5–7, as well as students enrolled in Algebra I and Geometry. As a result, students who meet the advanced performance level will be offered appropriate advanced mathematics learning opportunities in the following school year to ensure continued academic growth and challenge. If you have any questions regarding the scheduling process, please contact your child’s school counselor or building administrator.
Should you have any questions regarding the spring administration of Ohio’s State Test End-of-Course Assessments, please contact your student’s school counselor. Thank you for your continued support and assistance as we work together to ensure that your student is prepared for these assessments.
Sincerely,
Nicholas S. McIlwain Ms. Monica Asher
Director, Assessment and Alternative Education Executive Director of Secondary Schools
Prior to testing, we are required by the Ohio Department of Education to remind our faculty, parents, and students that should they become aware of a testing irregularity or security infraction, to please contact their building principal so concerns can be
Cap & Gown Pick Up Information
Attention Seniors
It’s time to pick up your graduation items from Jostens during Lunches.
Jostens will be on campus in the auditorium lobby Tuesday, March 24th during lunches to deliver your graduation items, including your cap and gown.
- Orders must be paid in full to receive your items.
- Please have your parents check their email to confirm that your final payment has been completed.
- If you still need to place an order, please do so as soon as possible at Jostens.com.
Congratulations, seniors—your big moment is getting close.
Clinic Updates
Hello Warhawk Families!
We have officially arrived at the peak of cold and flu season, so I wanted to share a few reminders to keep our students as healthy as possible and our school running smoothly.
Under the weather? Stay home please 🙂
If your student is ill, please keep them home, even if they are scheduled to take a test or submit an assignment. Absences due to illness are excused, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Anytime there is a fever of 100.1°F or greater, students are required to stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Keeping sick students at home helps protect the health of our entire school community, and we appreciate your partnership in this effort.
If your child starts feeling unwell during the school day, they should come to the school clinic for support and evaluation. If they reach out to you first, remind them to check in with me as well.
REQUIRED Meningitis Booster for Juniors
The required meningitis booster must be completed before students return to school in August. Please plan ahead to ensure your student meets this requirement on time. Proof of vaccination or a signed exemption form is required by the 15th day of schoolAppointment information and scheduling can be found at the links below. Walgreens CVS Columbus Public Health Franklin County Public Health
Delaware General Health District
Questions? Reach out anytime!
Amanda Ward, RN
614-797-6812
WCHS Yearbook
The Westerville Central Warhawk Yearbook can be ordered at
http://www.yearbookordercenter.com/
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Deborah Jones, room 2203, Jonesd@wcsoh.org.
Athletic Information 2025-26 School Year
2025–2026 Ultimate Warhawk Season Passes for students, adults, and families are now available! These passes provide access to all Westerville Central home athletic events throughout the year
🎟️ Click here to purchase your pass now!
Fall Sports Practices officially begin at the end of July, but many teams are already holding workouts and conditioning sessions. Reach out to the coach of your sport for more details.
📬 View the Coaches Directory
📅 Click here for the complete Warhawk Athletic Schedule
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Westerville Central Athletic Department at 614-797-6827 or visit our website.
Athletic Director: Andy Ey Eya@westerville.k12.oh.us
Support Staff: Teressa Snedegar snedegat@westerville.k12.oh.us
Upcoming Dates
March 18 - Winter Sports Award Ceremony 6pm
March 20 - No School for students
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break
April 14, 15, 21, 22 OST Testing
April 24 - Arts Alive 2026
April 25 - Prom
May 13 - Senior Evening of Excellence
May 15 - Seniors Last Day - Senior Cookout and Clap Out
May 18 - Senior Cedar Point Trip
May 19 - Senior Night of Reflection
May 21 - Last Day of School 9-11 grades
May 23 - Graduation 2pm
Westerville Central High School Warhawks
Principal: Dawn Sayre
Assistant Principal: Max Gunn A-G
Assistant Principal: Eric Nickel H-N
Assistant Principal: Stacy Smith O-Z
Athletic Director: Andy Ey
Important Numbers:
Main Office 614-797-6800
Attendance 614-797-6820
Fax 614-797-6801
Instructional Time: 7:25 AM - 2:05 PM
Office Hours: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Website: https://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/29/home
Location: 7118 Mount Royal Avenue, Westerville, OH, USA
Phone: 614-797-6800