| West Aurora High School |
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West Aurora High School is a four-year comprehensive, public high school in Aurora , Illinois . The school has been referred to as "West Side High School," "West High School," "West High," or "Aurora West" (this last being most frequently used by other schools in the region). "West Aurora High School" or simply "West Aurora" or "WAHS" are the currently accepted names, both by its parent district (the West Aurora School District, which is also known by multiple names) and the city itself. Many of these names are still used interchangeably by the students, staff, faculty and area residents. HISTORY High school classes were first offered in 1867 at Stone School (now defunct). The first graduating class of five students had their commencement in 1870. From 1905 until the 1950s the high school was located in a building (still standing) on Blackhawk Avenue (so named after the school's athletics mascot). This same building was Benjamin Franklin Junior High School until the 1970s, when it was sold to Aurora Christian School , which used it as their school building until 2004. The current WAHS structure was built in the early 1950s, and was dedicated in 1953 as "West Side Senior High." From 1978-1981 the building was briefly known as the "West Aurora South Campus," when two buildings existed on Aurora's west side to house the high school population. The building formerly known as the "West Aurora North Campus" now houses the Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy . The present building has had multiple additions and renovations. RENOVATIONS AND EXPANSION The major additions occurred over four phases. The first added classrooms to an existing two-story classroom wing in the early 1960s. The largest addition, to the north and east sides of the building, added the auditorium, classroom space and other amenities in 1966-1967. This addition was responsible for the creation of the building's first two courtyard spaces. The 1997-1998 addition was constructed as a two-story wing on the south end of the building, giving it a new facade, and closing a portion of New York Street. This addition included a new library, a technology center, a new cafeteria, and additional classroom space. The most recent addition was completed in time for the 2004-2005 academic year. This included a new fieldhouse, a new single-story classroom wing on the northwest corner of the building, and a new choral rehearsal space. REPUTATION In Athletics, West Aurora High School has competed in the DuPage Valley Conference since 1997, and was a member of the Upstate Eight Conference until 1997. The West Aurora band program is a respected member of district nine in the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA). The Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Stephen Orland and Melody Baliki, respectively, are known throughout the Chicagoland area as accomplished musical ensembles. Orland is also the president of the IMEA's ninth district, as of 2005. TRIVIA
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