Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School, commonly known as W.T. Woodson High School or simply Woodson, (in the process of renaming to Carter G. Woodson High School[3]) is a high school located in Fairfax County, Virginia, just outside the east end of the city of Fairfax limits, opposite the shopping center on Main Street.
Last updated: March 28, 2023; 14 months ago (2023-03-28)
It is consistently ranked in the top 10 schools in Virginia by U.S. News and World Report and is one of the top schools in the United States.[4]
The school opened in 1962 and was once the largest school in the state. It is named for W. T. Woodson, who served as Fairfax County School Superintendent from 1929 to 1961.[5] As of 2022-2023, the student population was 2,220.[6] Woodson has the largest campus in Fairfax County in size of area, and also houses Woodson Adult High School, a separate education facility run by FCPS that allows adults to earn their GEDs and HS diplomas. Woodson has appeared multiple times on Newsweek magazine's lists of top or best high schools, including #23 (2003),[7] #34 (2005),[8][9] #90 (2006),[10] and #74 (2008).[11] Woodson has also appeared on the top high schools lists from U.S. News & World Report: #90 (2008),[12] #116 (2013),[13] #200 (2016),[14] #365 (2019),[15] and #280 (2020).[2]
For the 2021–22 school year, Woodson High School's student body was 48.68% white non-Hispanic, 25.23% Asian, 13.37% Hispanic, 5.18% black, and 7.54% Other.[16] During 2024, the school was renamed after Carter G. Woodson, who is often called the founder of black history week.
Woodson began the process of renovating all of its facilities in 2005 and adding several classrooms. The project was paid for in bonds that were established in 2003 by a voter referendum. The issue of whether to renovate had been debated for several years before the plan was approved. Woodson was one of the oldest schools in Fairfax County Public Schools, as the main facilities (plumbing, heating/cooling, floors, electrical) were still fundamentally the same as they were when the structure was built. The renovations nearly doubled the square footage of the school.
The project was completed in 2009. The renovation consisted of complete renovation to all existing interior spaces, as well as adding to the performing arts and athletic wings, creating a new administration wing with a new front entrance, highlighted by a large tower and the addition of a new science classroom wing and two student drop off areas.
Several unincorporated areas, such as Mantua,[19] Olde Creek, Canterbury Woods, Truro, Rutherford,[20] Long Branch, and Wakefield Forest are served by Woodson.
The W.T. Woodson BandOn April 1, 1973, a strong tornado struck Woodson High School and ripped off the roof.[21][22] It was hit on a Sunday and no injuries were reported among the 65-75 people playing basketball in the school gymnasium.[23] The students did a split shift with Oakton High School to finish out the school year.[24] Graduation ceremonies were held on their home football field.
A second tornado spawned by the remains of Hurricane David severely damaged the school's stadium on September 5, 1979, causing an estimated $45,000 in damage.[25][26]
On October 30, 2015, five students and a teacher were injured in an accidental fire caused by a chemistry experiment. Two of the injured students were airlifted to a local hospital, one of whom was left in critical condition.[27] The incident received coverage from the Washington Post, and New York Times. The event also prompted a statement from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, who considered launching an investigation into the incident, but eventually opted against doing so.[28]
On January 30, 2022, a fire broke out in one of the school's administrative buildings adjacent to the main school building.[29] Investigators did not determine a reason for the fire, which was reported to have caused $8.8 million in damages. The remains of the building would eventually be scheduled for demolition.[30]
Between 2011 and 2014, six Woodson students died by suicide.[31] Woodson continues to be considered among the top high schools in Virginia, and some parents pointed to the school's competitive environment as a possible cause for the poor mental health of its students.[32] Following the suicides of 2014, the Virginia officials requested assistance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the primary public health agency of the US federal government. CDC officials were sent to Northern Virginia to conduct focus group activities that attempted to identify possible causes of the suicides. Woodson itself also received $50,000 in federal aid for use in implementing mental health resources for its students.[33] Another suicide of a Woodson student was reported in 2017.[34]
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