Whetstone High School is located in the Columbus neighborhood of Clintonville nestled along the Olentangy River.  It was opened in 1961 and currently serves grades 9-12 as a full service learning institution with a great community feeling.  Whetstone offers something for everyone… extensive course offerings ranging from those needed to earn a CCS Diploma of Distinction or Certificate of Specialization to remedial and special education courses to ATEC (Alternative Technology Education Curriculum).  We offer many Advanced Placement classes and have a wide variety of Post-Secondary Education Opportunities offered both at Whetstone and through WHS at area college campuses.  Whetstone complements its academic offerings through a broad range of vocal, visual and performing arts, clubs, extracurricular activities and athletic teams.  To schedule a tour, please contact Whetstonehs@columbus.k12.oh.us or give us a call at 614-365-6060... come see the great things Whetstone High School has to offer!

 

Looking for WHS Alumni groups?  Go to "About Us" and scroll to Community Links.

http://cpsuni.mecdc.org/opac/CPS/WHHS/ is the school's library online catalog.

Access the SRI at https://h100000219.education.scholastic.com/slms/studentaccess

Naviance student login at http://connection.naviance.com/whetstone

http://www.worldbookonline.com/training/ is for staff to learn how to use the World Book Online Resources.

The following is the login page to access the resources for staff and students in Columbus City Schools:  http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb 

Cite it Right (MLA format) directions

Online Gradebook

Nearly all of our teachers are using Engrade for their online gradebook. You can access Engrade at http://www.engrade.com Email any of your student's teachers on the staff page for the code to see your child's classes.

Student Handbook

Please click here to access the student handbook. 

Grants:

Whetstone PTA offers Educator and Student Organization Grants to support Academics at Whetstone High School.  To download a grant application or learn more about the process, please email WhetstonePTA@gmail.com.

Clubs, Extracurricular Activities, Music & Sports

Whetstone has a wide variety of activities available for students to enhance their educational experience.  Students wishing to start new activities at WHS are welcome to do so by finding an advisor and presenting their ideas to administration.  Current options include:

Perhaps our most significant collegial collaboration occurs with The Ohio State University’s Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing. Professors, graduate students and outreach consultants continuously assist in the development of innovative initiatives that assist students in becoming 21st Century learners, including the development the Whetstone Opportunity for Writing Center, where students can gain assistance with any writing or career-based form at any time throughout the school day. Honda of America has been assisting the Lugnuts, our robotics team in developing our robot for competition. Whetstone has also worked with and depended on the Global Gallery, Mozart’s Café and the Xenos Christian Fellowship who have provided venue services for our students to showcase their artistic talent.

Community Links

WHS Alumni - Whetstone High School has two Alumni Associations... they can be found on the Web at www.whetstonehsalumni.org or www.alumniclass.com/whetstone.  A group can also find them on Facebook. These sites are not affiliated with Columbus City Schools but are run by WHS Alumni.

Clintonville Area Commission - Area commissions are established to afford additional voluntary citizen participation in decision-making in an advisory capacity and to facilitate communication, understanding and cooperation between neighborhood groups, city officials and developers.

Autism Information - The Ohio Department of Education has instituted a new website via its Interagency Work Groups on Autism.  This website offers excellent information, resources and features.

Whetstone is a comprehensive High School with college prep emphasis.  Whetstone offers many opportunities to earn college credit through Advanced placement (AP) courses, PSEO college credits, and the Seniors-to-Sophomores programs.  Whetstone is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities and by the State of Ohio Department of Education. 

Whetstone offers college preparatory courses in English, Science, Math, Social Studies and Foreign Language.  Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in English Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus AB and American Government (Calculus BC is offered based on student need). Hocking College offers Post Secondary Education Opportunity (PSEO) classes held at Whetstone in Psychology, Sociology, Government and Comm. I and II.  Students meeting the academic requirements are also eligible to apply to take PSEO courses at area colleges/universities on the college or university campus.  PSEO courses provide students both high school and college credits.

Grades for all subjects taken at Whetstone HS are included in the computation of a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA).  Middle School courses which were taken for high school credit are also included.  Only Advanced Placement and Post-Secondary courses are weighted.  If a subject is repeated, only the higher grade is used.  For G.P.A. purposes, A=4:  B=3:  C=2:  D=1:  F=0 points.  For weighted courses, A=5:  B=4:  C=3:  D=1:  F=0.

On average, approximately 65% of Whetstone HS graduates enter either a four-year college/university, a two-year institution, or a technical program.  Approximately 50% of graduates acquire the CCS Certificate of College Preparation and 30% receive the Certificate of Specialization.  Read below for requirements for these certificates.

Diploma Requirements for Columbus City Schools for the class of 2013 are as follows (Please go to the table below to see requirements for the Class of 2014 and beyond):
Basic Criteria - Twenty-one (21) credits, to include 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies, 3 units of Math, 3 units of science (including 1 physical and 1 biological), 1 unit in Health/ Physical Education, 1 unit of required electives, 1 unit in Technology, 1 unit of Internship and the passage of the Ohio Graduation Test.

Certificate of College Preparation-  This requires the above basic criteria plus the following additions/variations – a total of 22 units, 3 science units (including Chemistry or Physics), 3 math units (including Algebra II), 3 units in one Foreign Language and 1 unit in the area of Fine Arts.

Certificate of Specialization-  This requires the basic criteria along with a total of five units in a specialized elective area such as a vocational program, technology, foreign language, art, music etc.

The State of Ohio adopted the Common Core Standards in June of 2010.  These standards bring the State of Ohio in line with a large group of States in establishing common basic graduation requirements for all students.  These new common core requirements are in effect beginning with the class of 2014.  Please use the chart below to view the new graduation requirements for all students in Columbus City Schools who will be graduating in the 2014 or later.

Additional Requirements/Terminology

Certificate of Specialization
The student must earn five or more credits in a specific area of academic or elective studies and a minimum of 23 total credits (fulfilling the CCS Diploma of Graduation requirements).

Senior Capstone
The Senior Capstone is a method to organize teaching and learning around authentic student projects, integrating academic and technical disciplines. Teachers facilitate connections between academic and technical course work and challenge students to use prior knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems related to their chosen career pathways.

Physical Education Option
Columbus City Schools shall excuse from the high school physical education requirement any student who, during high school, has participated in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons. However, the student shall be required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least 60 hours of instruction in another course of study and have carried a full course load all years. 

Credit Flexibility
Credit flexibility is the opportunity for students to create unique learning experiences by allowing them to demonstrate (through individual proposals or credit by examination and demonstration) their understanding and skills according to individual learning styles and experiences.

Virtual Credit Advancement Program (VCAP)
The Columbus City Schools Virtual Credit Advancement Program provides non-traditional students with an alternative method of earning their high school credits towards graduation.  The program serves students in grades 9 – 12, ages 14 – 21.  VCAP offers students an individualized, blended approach to earning course credit through online instructional delivery utilizing Plato Learning Environment software.   Available courses are updated on a regular basis.  For the most current information, visit the CCS website (www.columbus.k12.oh.us) and click the “parents and students” link.  Follow this to the “Pre-K-12 Curriculum Services & Programs” link.

The I Know I Can foundation partners with Columbus City Schools to promote student success and provide access to college.  Visit their website for more information on their programs.  They recommend the following websites for students: knowhow2goohio.org which gives information about getting ready for college or collegesearch.collegeboard.com which allows students to see which universities offer majors that may be of interest to them.

WHS does not require uniforms; however, appropriate dress is expected based on the district wide dress code policy. 

Whetstone High Schools offers many fun activities for students, Whestone families and community members.  Every August, there is a Community Grounds Clean-up day to encourage the community to come out and help beautify their neighborhood school.

HOMECOMING WEEKEND is the first major event of the year. Activities kick-off Friday afternoon with a parade through the neighborhood.  The Homecoming King and Queen Candidates will ride in limos and Whetstone feeder elementary and middle school groups march along with WHS groups and many community groups and local businesses.  It is always a fun time.  The homecoming game begins at 7pm and is always exciting to watch.  The Queen candidates are announced at half-time.  The Homecoming Dance is Saturday evening in the school café.   The Queen is announced at the dance.  It is a weekend filled with fun!

There is a 5K Run/Walk hosted every year by the WHS PTA at the end of October.   This “race” begins in the stadium parking lot and winds through Whetstone Park.  It is open to anyone.  Advance registration is recommended.  Watch the WHS homepage for details.

Whetstone offers many clubs and extracurricular activities in addition to a full array music, art and athletic programs for both boys and girls.  For a comprehensive listing of Clubs, Extracurricular Activities, Music and Sports, visit the “About Us” section of our website and scroll down to Clubs, etc.

Whetstone has a long history of excellence in academics, athletics and the arts.  Stay tuned to our website to learn about upcoming activities and events from sporting events to musical performances and theater productions.  There is something fun for everyone at Whetstone High School! 

School Policy on Make-Up Work
Whetstone High School Make-up work policy If your student is absent from school due to an illness, please remind him/her to get their make-up work. Students will normally have an amount of time equal to the amount of time they have been absent to complete make-up work. Failure to do so or make special arrangements with the teacher will result in all work that has not been completed being counted as failing grades. Students who are likely to be absent more than four days should call the guidance office (365-6066) to request assignments which can be picked up 24 hours after being requested. Following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to check with each teacher regarding make-up work. Once your student receives their make-up work, please make sure they get everything made up as soon as possible.

Attendance

Punctual daily attendance is critical in promoting student success.  Students who will be late or absent from school must have a parent call the attendance office prior to 9am (365-6062).  Whetstone HS follows the CCS attendance policy.  To view this policy in full including acceptable excuses, click here.  Students must submit a note explaining the absence with 48 hours of their return to school.  Notes may be submitted via US Mail, with the student or via email.

Student attendance, including tardies, is a part of the permanent school record.  This record is sent to Universities, employers and scholarship/awards committees as a part of a transcript request.  Punctual daily attendance is a reflection of a student's level of maturity and responsibility. 

7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. 

Click this PAM link to access your child's grades online or send a message to your child's teachers. User ids and passwords were attached to student interim letters and are required to access this site.  If you did not receive this information, please call the school office at 365-6060.

Whetstone High School has three parent organizations, Athletic Boosters, Music Association and Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Listed below is contact information and a brief description of each pareant organization.  Whetstone High School also has two Parent Consultants who focus on parent engagement and communication.  See additional information below.

Athletic Boosters support all aspects of student athletic activities.  They meet monthly on the 3rd Monday in the school library at 6:30p.m.  They operate the concession stand in our school stadium for any event that takes place in the stadium.  For more information, to help with concessions or to be placed on the Athletic Booster list for regular email updates contact them at whsbravesboosters@yahoo.com.

Music Association support all things related to student music at Whetstone High School from marching band to strings to vocal music. They meet monthly on the 3rd Wednesday in the school library at 6:30p.m.  For more information or to receive email updates contact them at whsmusicassoc@yahoo.com.

PTA - Parent Teacher Association is an organization focused on the success of students.  PTA provides support  to parents, students and teachers to promote student academic and social success. PTA meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the school library.  All are welcome to attend.  To view meeting minutes or download a PTA Membership/Volunteer Form, please go the "News" section of this website.  For more information or to receive email updates contact PTA at whetstonepta@gmail.com.

Parent Consultants work to increase parent involvement and communication at Whetstone High School.  Whetstone has two parent consultants who each work five hours a week.  For contact information for our parent consultants, please go to the "Staff" page and look for them under Support Staff.  Our parent consultants send out a weekly email update, the "Braves Bulletin", during the school year and as needed in the summer months.   If you would like to receive the Braves Bulletin via email, please contact BravesBulletin@gmail.com.  You can also access the bulletin from the top of the WHS homepage.  There is a place for everyone...if you would like information about how you might be able to help out at WHS, please contact one of our parent consultants.  Any amount of time you can give will benefit our students.

To see a calendar of events for Whetstone High School, go to the "Events" tab above.  Click on any calendar entry for a pop up box with additional details where available. 

Attendance

Punctual daily attendance is critical in promoting student success.  Students who will be late or absent from school must have a parent call the attendance office prior to 9am (365-6062).  Whetstone HS follows the CCS attendance policy.  To view this policy in full including acceptable excuses, click here.  Students must submit a note explaining the absence with 48 hours of their return to school.  Notes may be submitted via US Mail, with the student or via email.

Student attendance, including tardies, is a part of the permanent school record.  This record is sent to Universities, employers and scholarship/awards committees as a part of a transcript request.  Punctual daily attendance is a reflection of a student's level of maturity and responsibility. 

jroutzong2475@columbus.k12.oh.us 

The Whetstone High School mascot is the Brave.  Our school colors are navy blue and white

One Team, One Goal... Student SUCCESS!!

Professionals dedicated to student academic achievement!  To contact one of our staff, send an email to Whetstonehs@columbus.k12.oh.us with the name of the staff member you would like to be in touch with or call the school office to leave a message - 614-365-6060.

SCHOOL MISSION: The mission of the Whetstone High School Community is learning. Students will demonstrate accelerated growth in core academic areas and essential knowledge skills.