About West Charlotte High School
West Charlotte High School was founded in 1938 and had a sprawling campus soon after, becoming
the pride of Charlotte’s westside. During the next three decades, the school became a shining star in
the community, and students won statewide competitions, with a strong connection between
students and parents.
Beginning in the late 1960s, Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education ruled that cities
had to desegregate their schools through busing, which created riots at many schools in the district,
including at the WC, as students from West Mecklenburg, Harding, Garinger, North Mecklenburg
and Myers Park were bused to the school, starting in the fall of 1970.
Over time, though, the school became nationally-recognized as a model for student integration, with
students and teachers coming from as far as Boston to view the success of the school. For the next
20 years, WC remained integrated until a series of court decisions stated that integration in Charlotte
was a success and that busing was no longer needed.
Students in what would become the West Charlotte High School class of 1969 arrived at this beacon
on the westside as fresh-eyed sophomores in the fall of 1966. Some 500 of us flowed in from the
feeder junior high schools of J.T. Williams, Northwest and Irwin Ave. We quickly became proud to be
West Charlotte High School Lions and to wear the maroon and gold. We took up leadership roles in
every aspect of the school and drew recognition during our three-year matriculation for academics,
scholarship, sports and service.
Now nearly 50 years later, our love for West Charlotte remains strong. We cherish the memories of
our years as students there and are committed to help the school remain a beacon in the
community.
the pride of Charlotte’s westside. During the next three decades, the school became a shining star in
the community, and students won statewide competitions, with a strong connection between
students and parents.
Beginning in the late 1960s, Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education ruled that cities
had to desegregate their schools through busing, which created riots at many schools in the district,
including at the WC, as students from West Mecklenburg, Harding, Garinger, North Mecklenburg
and Myers Park were bused to the school, starting in the fall of 1970.
Over time, though, the school became nationally-recognized as a model for student integration, with
students and teachers coming from as far as Boston to view the success of the school. For the next
20 years, WC remained integrated until a series of court decisions stated that integration in Charlotte
was a success and that busing was no longer needed.
Students in what would become the West Charlotte High School class of 1969 arrived at this beacon
on the westside as fresh-eyed sophomores in the fall of 1966. Some 500 of us flowed in from the
feeder junior high schools of J.T. Williams, Northwest and Irwin Ave. We quickly became proud to be
West Charlotte High School Lions and to wear the maroon and gold. We took up leadership roles in
every aspect of the school and drew recognition during our three-year matriculation for academics,
scholarship, sports and service.
Now nearly 50 years later, our love for West Charlotte remains strong. We cherish the memories of
our years as students there and are committed to help the school remain a beacon in the
community.
