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Incoming 9th Graders

Welcome, Class of 2030!

Did you know a student’s success in 9th grade is one of the top predictors of overall high school success? We do! That’s why when we welcome the Class of 2030 to the W.F. West High School halls this fall, we will offer a robust support system to help you and your student start the four-year journey of high school on the right foot.  

  • Our Freshman Link day from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 18 is a special time for our 9th graders to truly connect with the Bearcat community. This event is mandatory for all incoming freshmen and they will receive their schedules, take a tour and meet some upper classmen who will teach them about The Bearcat Way.
  • All incoming Freshmen are required to take one semester of Freshman Seminar. This class will help orient you to life at W.F. West prepare you for a good start in high school
  • Besides their academic counselor (assigned by last name of student), freshmen also have assistance from Freshman Transition Specialist Adrian Jimenez who can help answer their questions. If you have any questions, CLICK HERE to message Mr. Jimenez

Three young people wearing matching t-shirts pose for a photo outdoors.

Mark Your Calendar:

  • Freshman Link Day – is 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 18. This event is mandatory for all incoming freshmen and they will receive their schedules, have their ASB pictures taken, take a tour and meet some upper classmen who will teach them about The Bearcat Way.
  • First Day of School – The first day of the 2025-2026 school year for all W.F. West students is Tuesday, Sept. 1. There will be a 4-day weekend Sept. 4-7 for the Labor Day Holiday.

Good to Know

W.F. West High School

Hours: 7:40 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. or 7:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. on Early Release Wednesdays

Mascot: Bearcat

Colors: Crimson & Gray

Administrators: Principal Craig Curry, Assistant Principal/CTE Director Donnie Bunker, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Tommy Elder and Assistant Principal Christine Voelker

Meals Aren’t Free: Unless your family has applied for and been accepted for free or reduced lunch prices, all W.F. West students pay full price for meals. Students will not be denied a meal due to lack of funds, but their student account will be charged.

  • If you believe your family qualifies for free or reduced lunch, CLICK HERE to learn more about how to apply.
  • If your student’s meal account becomes negative, you will receive a daily message through ParentSquare until the account is no longer negative

Fees: A complete list of recommended school supplies as well as academic fees for W.F. West High School can be found at this link.

Communication: All parents in the Chehalis School District receive communications through ParentSquare. All 9th graders and their families will become part of W.F. West’s ParentSquare group during Skyward Rollover in mid July. CLICK HERE to learn more about using ParentSquare.

Freshman Stay On Campus: W.F. West is a closed campus for Freshman and Sophomores, meaning you cannot leave campus during the day without a parent signing you out

Attendance: If your student is going to be absent, you can notify the school by sending an email to wfwattendance@chehalisschools.org or through the “Attendance” tab on Skyward Family Access

Stay Informed with Skyward: Skyward Family Access is the tool our district uses to store family and student data. When your student reaches high school, Skyward becomes a tool that allows you to help your student navigate their transition to 9th grade, the road toward graduation and beyond. For example, you can view your student’s:

  • Grades and missing assignments
  • Attendance (including current day)
  • Schedule
  • Fines and fees owed
  • Completion of graduation requirements and progress toward graduation

If your student will ride the bus: CLICK HERE for our transportation page, where you will find helpful information for families of bus riders.

If you plan to drive your student:

  • Enter the parking lot from the driveway on 16th Street and drop off and pick up your student from the front of the building near the commons area.
  • Do not stop or park anywhere on the 16th Street side of the school, which is the bus zone
  • Please do not attempt to bypass the line of parents by driving in through the 18th street side of the parking lot to drop off your student. 
  • Our parking lots can be very congested right before and right after school, especially on the first day of school. Our high school parking lot can have a lot of young and sometimes inexperienced drivers. Please plan your schedule to be able to obey the school zone speed limit of 20 mph, parking lot speed limit of 5 mph and to yield to pedestrains and other vehicles while in our parking lots.