WOPSArts & STEM

West Ottawa has a rich tradition of excellence in its Music Program. West Ottawa Public Schools was named a NAMM Foundation Best Community for Music Education in both 2023 & 2024. In 2016, West Ottawa High School was named a GRAMMY Signature School for its outstanding music program. The five choirs, three bands, three orchestras and two jazz bands at WOHS perform at MSBOA, MSVMA and other festivals throughout the year – consistently receiving top ratings and glowing comments from adjudicators. The top performance group in each area (Orchestra, Choir, Band, and Jazz Band) have all been featured at the Michigan Music Conference at least twice. In addition to festival and school performances, several ensembles also perform in the community for various retirement communities, elementary school students and local service organizations. The music staff regularly brings in professional musicians and master educators to give clinics to their students. West Ottawa has a very active Music Booster program that helps host numerous festivals throughout the year as well as raise funds for music activities. To learn more information on how to get involved, please go the Music Boosters website: www.westottawamusicboosters.org.

The West Ottawa Theater Department is dedicated to producing high quality, educational theater at both the Middle School and High School levels. Each year the Theater Department puts on a high school musical, a high school play, a middle school musical, and a theater caravan traveling production that takes theater into our elementary schools. West Ottawa Theater is celebrating its 39th season of quality comedies, dramas, and musicals. West Ottawa Drama Boosters is a parent organization dedicated to supporting the performing arts at West Ottawa. For more information, please visit our website.

Meet Our Instructors:

Emily Ekdom

Brian Kelly

Brad Vredevoogd

Middle School Art Department

Lori Worley
Christina Mol-Moffat

The goal of Science Olympiad is to create a passion for learning science by participating in science related competition. In Science Olympiad there are 23 different events which are categorized into Life Sciences, Earth and Space Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Science Process. Events involve rigorous testing, lab process skills, engineering and computer science. Students compete in invitational and regional tournaments with the possibility to advance to the State and National level. The West Ottawa Science Olympiad Team was founded in 1999 and has seen consistent success, advancing to the state finals for 17 of its 20-year history. WOSO has advanced to the National finals 5 times and were State champs once, this puts us in the top 3 or 4 best programs in the State.

FIRST Robotics is a “sport for the mind” where everyone can go pro! In partnership with local visionary companies, our students take on the annual challenge of building a state-of-the-art 130-lb. robot in order to compete with like-minded students around the world in “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” WOBOT is the longest continuously running FRC program in the state of Michigan, celebrating our 25th season in 2019. We hold a world record for the number of Engineering Inspiration Awards won, including one at the 2010 World Championship. Our team prides itself on preparing students for the world of work and engineering. Practical experiences are the ultimate training ground for all we learn in school!

The STEM Programs at West Ottawa include curriculum from Project Lead The Way and other resources that support the ISTE Standards and MITECS. Our goal is to create innovative thinkers and problem solvers using STEM concepts to facilitate learning outcomes. STEM courses are offered in the following areas: