Willis High School

Not to be confused with the former Willis High School in Willis, Kansas.

Public school in Willis, Texas, United States

Willis High School

Address

1201 FM 830

Willis

Texas

77378

United States

Information
School type| Public high school
Motto| "One Team, One Purpose"
Established| 1995
School district| Willis Independent School District
CEEB code| 447565
NCES School ID| 484590005228[1]
Principal| Eric King
Faculty| 138.40 (on an FTE basis)
Grades| 9-12
Enrollment| 2,496[1] (2021–2022)
Student to teacher ratio| 18.03
Campus| Rural: Fringe
Color(s)|  Purple & White
Athletics conference| UIL Class 6A
Mascot| Wildkat
Website| Willis High School

Willis High School is a public high school in Montgomery County, Texas.[2][3] It is a part of the Willis Independent School District. In 2022, the school received a C grade from the Texas Education Agency.[4]

## History[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2023)

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The school was opened in 1995 and replaced the previous Willis High School now known as Lynn Lucas Middle School.[5] In 2004 the school had about 1,440 students.[6] Ben Cooper was the principal until 2006. That year, Tim Patton became the principal.[7] On June 10, 2010, he was reassigned to a position in the district's headquarters.[8] In 2023 the school had an enrollment of 2,496.[9]

## Demographics[edit]

In the 2021–2022 school year, there were 2,496 students enrolled at Willis High School. The ethnic distribution of students was as follows:[1]

* 50.8% White
* 36.9% Hispanic
* 7.9% African American
* 1.0% Asian
* 0.5% American Indian
* 0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
* 2.7% Two or More Races

45.6% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The school received Title I funding.

## Academics[edit]

For each academic year, the Texas Education Agency rates school performance using an A–F grading system based on statistical data. For the 2021–2022 school year, the school received a score of 77 out of 100, resulting in a C grade.[10] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, every school received a label of Not Rated for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years.[11][12] For the 2018-2019 school year, the school received a score of 81.[13]

## Programs[edit]

The district offered a "Kats at Night" (KAN) night school program. The State of Texas provided a $80,000 grant to Willis ISD to establish the program. The first students graduated in October 2004.[6] At an unknown date, this program was removed.[citation needed]

### Fine Arts[edit]

The school offers the fine arts programs of Band, Choir, Theatre, Dance, and Visual Arts[14]

#### Marching Band[edit]

The Willis Wildkat Band has appeared in two UIL State Marching Band Championships. In 2017, Willis placed 7th in their area competition with their show entitled "Aurora," and finished 25th at State in conference 5A.[15]. In 2019, Willis placed 1st in their area competition and finished 26th at State in conference 5A. Both performances were under the direction of Band Director Chris Allen and Assistant Band Director Andrew Hicks.

### Advanced Academics[16][edit]

#### Dual Credit (DC)[edit]

Dual Credit is the most challenging advanced class type offered in the school. DC classes are college classes designed for college students. Students earn LSC course credit by passing the class, which is transferable to public 4-year colleges and universities in Texas.[17] Taking the class's respective College Board AP exam is a way to receive credit valid at any college that accepts a score of 1-5.[18]

#### Advanced Placement (AP)[edit]

Advanced Placement is the second most challenging advanced class type offered in the school. AP classes are college classes designed for high school students.[19] In order to receive college credit for the class it is required to take the College Board AP exam.

#### Honors [formerly Pre-AP][edit]

Honors classes are the least challenging advanced classes offered at the school. Honors classes are more challenging versions of their level variants, but easier than their AP/DC variants.[citation needed] These classes do not offer any sort of college credit but do give an advantage in GPA.[citation needed]

## Athletics[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023)

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Willis competes athletically in District 13-6A of the University Interscholastic League.

### Football[edit]

Rick Cullum served as the head American football coach until May 2006. Mack Malone, who was already a part of the athletic staff, replaced him as coach. By 2007 the school was looking for a new coach, and Malone was given a new job.[20]

In 2023, Willis finished first in their district with an 8-0 record under Head Coach Trent Miller and nationally-ranked quarterback DJ Lagway.[21] Willis reached the third round of the UIL 6A Division 2 playoffs. Willis finished their 2023 season with a 12-1 record, and was ranked 65th in MaxPreps national football rankings.[22]

### Basketball[edit]

Danny Freeman served as the varsity baseball team coach until 2000, when he became the American football defense coordinator at Montgomery High School.[23]

### Softball[edit]

As of 2004 Amanda Bussell served as the varsity softball coach; she graduated from Oak Ridge High School and previously was an assistant at Montgomery High School.[24]

For UIL events, Willis High School will compete in class 6A, the classification for the largest schools, for the 2020–2022 cycle. The school was only three students above the threshold for entering class 6A. For athletics, the school will compete in District 13 with five Conroe ISD schools as part of the smallest 6A district in Texas.[25]

## Controversies[edit]

After a local drag queen was invited as a guest speaker for a cosmetology class, community backlash resulted in more stringent regulations regarding school speakers.[26]

In December 2023, a Willis High School student was arrested for assaulting his coach after he was benched for unsportsmanlike conduct.[27][28]

## Notable Alumni[edit]

* Michael Bishop (gridiron football), Former NFL and CFL Quarterback
* Morgan Luttrell, Navy Seal, U.S. Representative
* Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal, Author of Lone Survivor
* D. D. Terry, Former NFL Quarterback
* DJ Lagway, MaxPreps Player of the Year and Gatorade National Player of the Year, University of Florida Quarterback

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Search for Public Schools - WILLIS H S (484590005228)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
2. ^ "City Limits Through June 2019". City of Conroe. Retrieved 2019-07-18. \- See also annexation map which indicates it in parcel 2163-13-1
3. ^ "Home". Willis High School. Retrieved 2019-07-18. "10005 Highway 75 North, Willis, TX 77378"
4. ^ "Accountability". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
5. ^ Willis A Proud Past and Brighter Future...Collector's Limited Edition 1995 (PDF). 1995. p. 11. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
6. ^ a b Breslin, Bill (2004-10-21). "First students earn diplomas from alternative high school program". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
7. ^ Micek, Kassia (2006-08-15). "Patton takes over as Willis High principal". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
8. ^ Micek, Kassia (2010-08-02). "CISD expected to hire Patton". The Woodlands Villager at the Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
9. ^ "Willis High School in Willis, TX - US News Best High Schools". U.S.News. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
10. ^ "Texas Education Agency 2022 School Report Card WILLIS H S (170904002) - WILLIS ISD - MONTGOMERY COUNTY". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
11. ^ "Texas Education Agency 2019-20 School Report Card WILLIS H S (170904002)". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
12. ^ "Texas Education Agency 2020-21 School Report Card WILLIS H S (170904002)". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
13. ^ "Texas Education Agency 2018-19 School Report Card WILLIS H S (170904002)". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
14. ^ "Fine Arts". Willis ISD. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
15. ^ Ellsworth, Meagan (2023-10-24). "Willis HS band trailblazers in state run". The Courier. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
16. ^ "Advanced Academics". Willis ISD. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
17. ^ "UPDATED 10042023 23-24 AP Exam Info.pdf". Google Docs. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
18. ^ "UPDATED 10042023 23-24 AP Exam Info.pdf". Google Docs. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
19. ^ "UPDATED 10042023 23-24 AP Exam Info.pdf". Google Docs. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
20. ^ Roden, Howard (2007-11-13). "WHS makes football coaching change". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
21. ^ Richard Justice, Howard (2023-10-24). "A High School Football Fairy Tale Unfolds in Southeast Texas". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
22. ^ MaxPreps. "Willis Wildkats Varsity Football". MaxPreps at the Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
23. ^ Jones, Mike (2000-04-17). "'Proud to have been Wildkat…excited about being a Bear'". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
24. ^ "Willis High School softball coach has strong ties to Montgomery County". Houston Chronicle. 2004-03-29. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
25. ^ "Realignment notes: 5 Conroe ISD schools, Willis form state's smallest 6A district". Houston Chronicle. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
26. ^ "Community divided over Willis High School drag queen event". 12 November 2019.
27. ^ "HS basketball player, older brother beat up coach in parking lot after game: cops". New York Post. 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
28. ^ "Willis ISD student and adult brother beat up basketball coach for benching 17-year-old, coach says". ABC13 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 2023-12-11.

## External links[edit]

* Willis High School
* Willis High School at the Wayback Machine (archive index)

* v
* t
* e

Conroe, Texas

Government|

* Police Department

Education|

* Conroe ISD
* Conroe HS
* Willis ISD
* Willis HS
* Covenant Christian School
* Lone Star College
* University of St. Thomas Conroe campus
* Montgomery County Memorial Library System

Media|

* The Courier

Transportation|

* Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (formerly Lone Star Executive Airport)

This list is incomplete.
The community is within the district of the Lone Star College System, but no campuses (as of 2019) are in the Conroe city limits.

* v
* t
* e

Education in Montgomery County, Texas

Public high schools|

| Conroe ISD|

| High schools|

* Caney Creek
* Conroe
* Grand Oaks
* Oak Ridge
* The Woodlands
* The Woodlands College Park
* Conroe ISD Academy of Science and Technology

|

Special facilities|

* Woodforest Bank Stadium

Humble ISD|

* Kingwood Park HS
* All other schools are entirely in Harris County

Magnolia ISD|

* Magnolia High
* Magnolia West High
* ALPHA Academy

Montgomery ISD|

* Lake Creek
* Montgomery High

New Caney ISD|

* New Caney High
* Porter High
* Infinity ECHS

Splendora ISD|

* Splendora High

Willis ISD|

* Willis High

Private schools|

| Secular|

* The John Cooper School

|

Religious|

* Covenant Christian School
* The Woodlands Christian Academy

Tertiary|

* Lone Star College System
* Kingwood
* Montgomery
* University of St. Thomas Conroe campus

Libraries|

* Montgomery County Memorial Library System

Some school districts extend into other counties.
Some school districts (Richards ISD and Tomball ISD) serve sections of the county but do not operate high schools in it.

30°23′32″N 95°28′39″W﻿ / ﻿30.3923°N 95.4775°W﻿ / 30.3923; -95.4775

Authority control databases: Geographic |

* NCES

|

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