Waconia High School is the home of the Wildcats and serves more than 1,300 students in grades 9-12. We are a growing, thriving and comprehensive four-year high school located in Waconia, MN. WHS has a great balance of academic, athletic, and fine arts opportunities available to the students while maintaining a great sense of community and individual attention.
Our philosophy at WHS is one based on a dedication to excellence in education and the development of each student to his or her full potential for the leading of a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life. Our mission is to create students who are purposeful thinkers, effective communicators, self-directed learners, productive group participants, and responsible citizens.
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Junior Jack Anderson Named a Triple Threat on Hennepin
Congratulations to Waconia High School junior Jack Anderson for being named one of 24 Triple Threat on Hennepin students for 2023, a program sponsored by Hennepin Theatre Trust. Junior and senior students with interest or experience in singing, acting, dancing and leadership are invited to audition for Triple Threat on Hennepin with a submission of required materials including: headshot, resume, video audition and personal essay. Select students are then invited to a live audition where a panel of theater professionals determine the 24 Triple Threat students.
Anderson will now have the opportunity to participate in an intensive coaching, rehearsal and performance process for Hennepin Theatre Trust's Spotlight Showcase (June 12-13) at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The 24 triple threats also have the option to be considered for the Triple Threat New York Experience or to become a Minnesota nominee for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Senior Claire Canfield Named 2023 Athena Award Winner
Waconia High School senior Claire Canfield is the recipient of the school’s 2023 Athena Award. Canfield earned seven varsity letters during her athletic career, including six in swimming and one in lacrosse. In swimming, Canfield was a three-year captain, a two-time All-State recipient, earned three All-Conference honors, one All-Conference Honorable Mention honor, and qualified for the state championship meet five times. She was a team MVP and earned the prestigious Girls’ Swimming Wildcat Award and Iron Cat Award three times. During her senior season, Canfield won the section title in the 100-yard backstroke and set a school record of 2:12.50 in the 200-yard individual medley.
Academically, Canfield has earned a MSHSL Spotlight on Scholarship award in each of her activity seasons, maintains a 3.85 GPA, and has been named an AP Scholar with Distinction. Canfield has also been active in school and community activities, participating in a variety of National Honor Society offerings as well as volunteering for Feed My Starving Children. Next fall, Canfield plans to swim and major in Chemistry at the College of St. Benedict.
Six Waconia High School Students Named to All-State Choirs
Six Waconia High School students have been selected to participate in various Minnesota All-State Choirs sponsored by the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA). Juniors Jack Anderson and Mara Giesen were named to the All-State Mixed Choir; juniors Jocelyn Heinrichs, Jessica Larson and Tessa Paulson were named to the All-State Soprano/Alto Choir; and sophomore Mathias Pierce was named to the All-State Tenor/Bass Choir. Selected students attend camp August 1-5 at St. John’s University in Collegeville, where they will meet their guest conductor and attend hours of rehearsals and sectionals. All-State students will then meet again Feb. 16-17, 2024 to perform at Orchestra Hall as part of the MMEA Midwinter Convention.
Senior Berit Fitzsimonds Named 2023 WHS Triple 'A' Award Recipient
Waconia High School senior Berit Fitzsimonds has been named the school’s 2023 recipient of the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) Triple ‘A’ Award. Established in 1988, the Academics, Arts and Athletics Award (Triple “A”) is a unique recognition program sponsored by the MSHSL. The award goes to high school seniors who have a “B” or better grade point average and who are active in fine arts and athletic activities.
Visit https://bit.ly/WHSAwards23 to read more about Fitzsimonds and her accomplishments and accolades during her time as a Wildcat.
Juniors Amelia Herold and Carben Dock Named ExCEL Award Recipients
Waconia High School juniors Amelia Herold and Carben Dock have been named the school’s 2023 recipients of the ExCEL Award. Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for high school juniors. Students who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities, who show leadership qualities, and who are model citizens are eligible for the award.
Click here to read more about Herold, Dock and their accomplishments and accolades during their time as Wildcats.
Junior Abigail Voelker Qualifies for 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to Waconia High School junior Abigail Voelker for qualifying to enter the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Voelker qualified to enter the program by achieving a top-50,000 score out of the 1.3 million students who took the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test across the country. Voelker will be notified in the Fall if she is one of approximately 16,000 students named National Merit Semifinalists.
June 1 | Last Day of School (Gr. K-11)
June 17 | Lake Waconia Band Festival
August 28, 2023 | First Day of 2023-24 School Year
September 29, 2023 | Homecoming Parade/Football Game
