Schools-W.T. White High School

W.T. White High School

4505 Ridgeside Drive, Dallas, TX 75244

Phone: (972) 502-6200
Fax: (972) 502-6201
jm2031@dallasisd.org

School Scorecards Information 2008-2009

English	En Español

Orlando Riddick, Principal
Orlando Riddick
Principal

Tanya Johnson, Barbara Morrison, Kevin Cury, Terry Durr
Assistant Principal(s)

Michael Watkins
Associate Principal-Teaching and Learning

Grade levels:
9-12

Motto/Mission:
The district's mission is to prepare all students to graduate with the knowledge and skills to become productive and responsible citizens. The mission of W. T. White is to successfully meet the principles of effective schools by: proving strong instructional leadership, focusing on academic achievement for all students, implementing instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students, and ensuring a safe, orderly, and positive environment.

School colors: Texas Orange and White

Mascot: Longhorn

Enrollment: 2,279

Number of teachers: 130

Hours/Bell schedule: Beginning Bell: 8:30 a.m.; first period: 8:40 a.m.; second period: 9:36 a.m.; third period: 10:32 a.m.; fourth period: 11:28 a.m.; fifth period: 1:04 p.m.; sixth period: 2 p.m.; seventh period: 2:56 p.m.

Trustee district: District 1

Learning Community:
West Secondary -
Cynthia Goodsell

Other Contacts

Librarian:
(972) 502-6268

Counselor:
(972) 502-6216

Clinic:
(972) 502-6229

Special programs:
Technology partnerships with Brookhaven and Richland Community Colleges, one of the few Marine Corps ROTC programs in the country, Princeton Review classes, AP classes, Scientific Learning, Infinity Project

Extracurricular activities:
Football, tennis, volleyball, cross country, basketball, swimming, soccer, wrestling, track, golf, baseball, softball, hockey, rodeo, lacrosse, Mock trial, Academic Decathlon, Whiz Quiz, math team, Student government, honor societies, art, chess, drama, European history, French, German, key and Spanish clubs, newspaper, yearbook, drill team, cheerleading, junior varsity, varsity

Parent Involvement

Athletic and band booster clubs; PTSA; SBDM; Rotary, DAR, Masons, Civic League and Texas Pilgrims student awards; homecoming parade; community parent training for parents with limited English proficiency

Major Awards and Honors

Highest TAKS scores in DISD for a comprehensive high school, one of three national winners of the College Board's Inspiration Award in 2003, listed in Newsweek Magazine as a top high school in the country in 2005 based on the Challenge Index, 2002 Recipient of the Fordham University School Change Award, one of 75 schools nationwide chosen to participate in The Successful School Program funded by the Gates Foundation

Warren Travis White served as superintendent of Dallas Schools from 1946 to 1968. He led the district through the post World War II Baby Boom years of frenzied school construction. White also led the effort to create the Dallas Independent School District as a separate system with its own budget and tax jurisdiction after 60 years of financial control by the city council. He oversaw construction of 106 new schools, the expansion of 91 and the early years of desegregation, which began in 1961.

The school was named in his honor three years before his retirement. He was 91 when he died in 1987.

Nolan Estes, who succeeded White as superintendent, remembered said about him, "When the history of Texas education is written, White will be identified as one of the most able leaders of education. For more than a quarter of a century, he provided able leadership. We were all fortunate to inherit the product of his fine work. Undoubtedly, he was one of the giants in his day. He made the difference between mediocrity and excellence."