2000-2019

Washington-Lee High School History: 2000 – 2019

Milestones

As Arlington County’s population trended north of 200,000 just after the turn of the 21st century, W-L’s student population, its academic and athletic offerings, and its campus all grew. The school was completely rebuilt on the same site with a nod to the size and grandeur of the original 1925 building. Unique among area public schools, W-L offered a growing list of AP, IB, and other advanced elective courses. VHSL sports like volleyball and lacrosse, and club sports like ice hockey and ultimate frisbee, were added. The school continued to place highly in the various annual rankings of public schools.

During the first week in the brand new academic building, students congregate in the new social heart of W-L, the ground floor “concourse,” or main hallway, which terminates in the “commons.” (Photo taken January, 2008)

• In 2000, Arlington War Memorial Stadium was refurbished for the first time in decades. An old asphalt track was replaced with a modern 8-lane regulation track and the visitors side stands were replaced. The end zone seating was removed. W-L was once again able to host regional athletic events.
• In 2004, the school board voted to completely rebuild W-L on its current site.
• The new academic wing opened for students in January 2008. Students had to walk outside to reach Campbell Gymnasium, while a new gym was under construction.
• The 1952 addition designed by architect Rhees Burket was demolished in August 2009. It contained the 2-story Campbell Gym, which could seat up to 2,500 spectators, two auxiliary gyms constructed in 1963, locker rooms, the former “home economics” classrooms, various science labs and classrooms, and the Little Theater.
• In 2009, the new W-L campus was completed. A natatorium, gymnasium, and auditorium opened for student use.

Campbell Gym during demolition in 2009

Pictured in 2009, W-L’s new school building was designed to face Arlington War Memorial Stadium, referencing the orientation and civic presence of the original 1925 building. In the center of the photo, steps lead up to the “commons” from the track. The library balcony, which overlooks the field, is used by students in good weather.

Academics

W-L’s AP, IB, and elective course offerings grew with new hands-on, project-based courses like Film and Environmental Systems. Independent Study allowed students to explore their own academic interests. For Senior Experience during the final three weeks of school, students pursued professional internships, community service projects, and other “real-world” experiences. Beginning in 2014, Arlington high school students received Apple MacBook Air notebook computers, part of an initiative to provide personalized computing devices for every student.

Ryan Miller’s Environmental Systems class in 2016, photo by Zack Danik ’16

Ms. Stallworth, seated in the back, oversees her AP English class during a presentation on African American playwright August Wilson, photo by Theo Shutz, ’16

President Obama Visit

In 2012, President Obama addressed W-L juniors, seniors, and their parents in W-L’s Campbell Gym. After the president’s emphatic “Go Generals” and a few jokes about prom and finals, the speech focused on the need to keep student loan interest rates low.

President Obama addresses W-L juniors, seniors, and their parents in W-L’s Campbell Gymnasium. (Photo is from the 2013 Blue and Gray.)

Principal

• Marion Spraggins from 2000-2003
• Dr. Gregg Robertson from 2003-2020

Famous Alumni

• Brittany O’Grady, class of ’13, starring roles in TV sticoms including Star (2016-2019) and Little Voice (2020)

Sports Milestones

50 years after the legendary 1966 basketball team won its state title, the 2016 boys varsity soccer team, pictured above, won the VHSL 6A state championship for the first time in the program’s history. As in 1966 the school unified around the team, representative of the school’s diverse population.

District titles (where noted, d-district, c-conference)

• Football: 2013
• Boys Cross Country: 2004, 06, 13 (c), 14 (c)
• Girls Cross Country: 2003, 04, 10, 11, 12, 13 (d/c), 18
• Cheerleading: 2009, 12, 13
• Golf: 2014
• Field Hockey: 2004, 11, 13
• Volleyball: 2013, 14, 18, 19
• Boys Swim and Dive: 2000, 11, 12, 13
• Boys Basketball: 2000, 01
• Girls Gymnastics: 2010, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19
• Boys Indoor Track: 2014
• Girls Indoor Track: 2004, 12, 13, 14
• Boys Wrestling: 2018, 19
• Baseball: 2005, 13
• Boys Soccer: 2006, 11, 14 (d/c), 15, 17 (d/c)
• Girls Soccer: 2002, 10, 14 (c)
• Boys Lacrosse: 2010
• Girls Lacrosse: 2015
• Boys Tennis: 2003, 11, 12, 13
• Girls Tennis: 2005, 06, 08
• Girls Outdoor Track: 2013
• Rifle (Eastern Conference Champions): 2018
• Debate: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2014 (c), 2017 (d/c), 2018

Regional Titles

• Girls Gymnastics: 2012, 13, 14, 18, 19
• Boys Soccer: 2016
• Volleyball: 2019
• Debate: 2000
• Girls Cross Country: 2018

State Titles

• Boys Soccer: 2016
• Girls Crew / Varsity 8 (Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships): 2019
• Film (Narrative): 2018
• Girls Cross Country (3rd at States): 2019
• Ice Hockey** (Capital Scholastic Hockey League): 2019
• Girls Ultimate Frisbee / Joint Team with Yorktown: 2015

Notable

• The 2020 Girls Indoor Track team was the Region runner-up and finished third at States.
• The 2019 Girls Crew / Varsity 8 placed second at “National Schoolboy” aka the Scholastic Rowing Association of America Championships.
• The 2012, 2018, and 2019 Boys Basketball teams were the District runners-up. In 2012 W-L reached the finals after defeating crosstown rival Wakefield HS with a half court shot in the final second. (On 27 February 2020, W-L defeated Wakefield to reach the Region Final.)
• The 2019 Volleyball team was the State semifinalist.
• The 2019 Girls Gymnastics team placed third at States.
• The 2019 Football team was District runner-up.
• The 2018 Girls Cross Country team placed third at States.
• The 2016 Debate team placed third at States.

*W-L competed in the Liberty District with rival schools Yorktown, McLean, Langley, South Lakes, and Herndon. Previously, the Liberty Conference included Madison and Fairfax High Schools sans Herndon High School.

**Ice Hockey is not sponsored by W-L but has an informal affiliation with the school.