Before 1970, the high school was located on Frey Avenue. Once the new building was finished in 1969, the school on Frey Avenue was used for students third grade through sixth grade, and the class of 1970 was the first graduating class of West Jefferson High School to graduate at 1 Roughrider Drive. In 2005, renovations were made to the high school, and an addition was added so that the building could hold both the middle school and high school.
General Information
West Jefferson High School employs 28 certified teachers. In addition, they also employ two administrators and eight supporting staff members. David Metz has served as either teacher or principal at West Jefferson for the past 45 years. Juniors and Seniors at West Jefferson High School have the option of attending half days or full days at a local technical school called Tolles Career and Technical Center while still earning a degree from West Jefferson. Some non-athletic extra-curricular activities at West Jefferson High School include choir, concert band, jazz band, and marching band, the quick recall team, the competition mock trial team, and many more. Although the marching band has not competed since the fall of 2013, the concert band and choir still compete in OMEA competitions annually.
Statistics
West Jefferson High School's national rank is Bronze. Students representing a minority make up less than one percent. 54% of students identify as male, while female students make up the other 46%. 61% of students enrolled at West Jefferson High School are part of the free lunch program, while an additional 15% get their lunch at a reduced price.
Athletics
West Jefferson High School is in the Ohio Heritage Conference of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. West Jefferson is D5 in Football. The Football Team holds the state record for most consecutive winning seasons of 42 spanning from 1960 through 2001. The Roughriders finished the 2019 season with a Final Four appearance and an OHC North championship. The Riders have won the OHC North 3 years in a row. The Roughriders achieved their first softball Final Four appearance. The baseball team won a district title in the 2019 season.
