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Coordinates: 0°0′0″N 0°0′0″E 0, 0

West Orange High School

• Location & Contact Information
  • Address, Directions, & Map:
    • 1625 South Beulah Road, Winter Garden, Florida, United States of America
  • Telephone Numbers: 407.905.2400
  • Official Website: [1]
• History & Memorable Moments

Completed in 1975 at a cost of 6.5 million dollars, West Orange High was formed as a consolidation of two over-crowded high schools within western Orange County: Lakeview High School and Ocoee High School. Ocoee High School has since been rebuilt and reinstated due to overcrowding in West Orange and Apopka High School. The Lakeview High School site became Lakeview Junior High School. In recent times, Lakeview has undergone a campus expansion and renovation as Lakeview Middle School. ^[1]

The first classes were held at Lakeview High School in 1975. The first principal of the school was Lester Dabbs. ^[1]

Many of the teachers that first year transferred from Lakeview and Ocoee. Some of the individuals comprising the faculty included: Raymond Tripp, Jan Pratt, James Creech, Fred Savage, Maxine Lee, Harold Cooper, Ellen Harmeling, Ms. Galbraith, Ms. Eckinroth, Mr. Webb, Mr. Fortson, Ms. McMillan, Trina Lummus, Coach Kneipp, Mrs. Brinson and Rod Reeves. ^[1]

The West Orange High School building design was extremely innovative and modernistic for its time. In fact, Apopka High School, is the only school in existence with the same exact building format. ^[1]

All academic classrooms are housed within a circular floorplan design, with each of the three circular wings arranged and interconnected in the shape of a triangle. New to Central Florida high schools at the time, all classrooms and common areas were located within one contiguous building complex so that the weather did not affect the school day. The lunchroom "commons", as well as the library "media center", and auditorium were designed to be located centrally within the complex. The band room, gym, and industrial arts wings were located along the periphery of the structure. ^[1]

Designed in the aftermath of the 1973 energy crisis, the architectural design also called for a minimum of windows to maximize energy efficiency, as the building was 100% air-conditioned. Large portions of the building were also designed with removable partitions to allow for the easy re-configuration of classrooms as needs changed. Also contemporary with the 1970s, nearly all floors were carpeted and many of the interior walls were either covered with carpet or high-grade vinyl wall texturing. In recent years, however, the building interior has been modified, removing most of the carpeting on the walls and floors. ^[1]

The school opened with a population of nearly 1800 students for the 1975-1976 school year. As a result of the rapid growth brought on by the earlier opening of the Magic Kingdom and the more recent opening of Epcot, the school was at or past maximum capacity at about 2400 students by the 1977-1978 school year. As a side note, much of the original landscaping and palm trees near the front entrance portico were donated by a foundation associated with Disney. Despite uniqueness of building design, the size of the community student body was already at the bursting point. ^[1]

A science wing was added to the original structure, being both the first and last major addition to the school main building. ^[1]

One of the school's earlier principals, Raymond Screws, was assassinated in his own office after being gunned down by a co-worker who had been accused of misconduct on December 12, 1977. The football field, Raymond Screws Field, is named in his honor. ^[1]

Ocoee High School opened in 2005, nearly half of West Orange's student body was sent to the new school, along with some West Orange teachers. Ocoee's first principal, Michael Armbruster, was also a former principal of West Orange. ^[1]

In April 2006, WOHS held a gala to celebrate 30 years with performances by the drama and choir departments and the marching band and ensemble. Several graduates shared fond memories of their high school days, and the school honored six teachers and/or staff members who have been at the school since it first opened its doors: Pat Moran, Karen Whidden, Maxine Lee, Fred Savage, Gay Annis and Rick Stotler. ^[1]

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  • Barnes, Kevin (August 1980 - June 1982)
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