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== History ==
Washburn High School was built in 1925 to meet the demands of the growing South Minneapolis neighborhood. Construction for the new three-story building began in 1924 after the Minneapolis Board of Education purchased unused land in Washburn Park. Land next to the school was occupied by the Washburn Memorial Orphan Asylum, now torn down and replaced with what is now Justice Page Middle School (formerly Ramsey Middle School). Washburn is located in thesouthern [[Minneapolis]]'s [[Tangletown, Minneapolis|Tangletown neighborhood]] of southern [[Minneapolis]], at 201 West 49th Street.<ref name="Mill City"/>
Washburn opened on September 8, 1925, to 1,031 students. When the schoolit opened, it served 7–10 grades 7–10 and added one year each year for the next two years. It served middle school and high school students until 1929.<ref name="WHS_History_Millers">{{cite web | title = Washburn Millers | work = WHS History | publisher = Washburn High School | year = 2007 | url = http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/060e35e4-68de-4e84-8f94-db5774cb7481.html | access-date = 2008-06-14}}</ref> The schoolIt became very popular, and by 1931, 2,370 students attended the school built for 1,500.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://secure.mpls.k12.mn.us/mpshistory/data/documents/Fire-Report-1931-Washburn.pdf |title= Washburn High School |access-date=2008-06-18 |year=1931 |publisher=Minneapolis Public Schools}}</ref> The school has been expanded several times to meet the demands of high enrollment.<ref name="WHS_History_Millers" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://secure.mpls.k12.mn.us/mpshistory/data/documents/PFF-1963-Washburn.pdf |title=Washburn Senior High School |access-date=2008-06-18 |year=1963 |publisher=Minneapolis Public Schools}}</ref>
The school is conventionally named after [[Cadwallader C. Washburn]]. When the school was presented to the school board it was called "[[William D. Washburn]] High School", in reference to theCadwallader's brother of Cadwallader C. Washburn, howeverbut naming the school after William D. Washburn is thought to be an error.<ref name="WHS_History_Millers" /> The school has been heavily influenced by Minneapolis's milling empire. The school'sIts newspaper, ''The [[Grist]]'', involves milling terminology,;<ref name="Mill City">{{Cite book |author1=M. Pennefeather, Shannon |author2=M. Archabal, Nina |author3=Roberts, Kate | title=Mill City: A Visual History of the Minneapolis Mill District | year=2003 | publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press | location=St. Paul | isbn=0-87351-447-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwKVbwCAh50C&q=%22Washburn+High+School%22&pg=PR9 | pages=ix }}</ref> the school's colors, blue and orange, were those of Gold Medal Flour, a company partly run by the Washburn family and a predecessor to [[General Mills]];<ref name="Colors">{{cite web | title = Blue and Orange | work = History | publisher = Washburn High School | date = 2003-09-07 | url = http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/18c232db-a106-4905-b65f-25a07bf7abfe.html | access-date = 2008-06-13}}</ref> and the athletic teams' nickname areis the "Millers".
== Campus ==
Washburn is located on a 4½-city block parcel bordered by West 49th and 50th streets on the north and south side and Nicollet Ave. S. and Pleasant Ave. S on the east and west.<ref name="WHS_google_map">{{cite web | title = 201 W 49th Street Minneapolis, MN 55409 | work = Maps | publisher = Google Maps | year = 2008 | url = https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=201+W+49th+Street+Minneapolis,+MN+55409&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=59.856937,108.984375&ie=UTF8&ll=44.913444,-93.2809&spn=0.00332,0.006652&z=17 | access-date = 2008-06-13}}</ref> In addition to Washburn, Justice Page Middle School shares this parcel of land, with Washburn taking 2/3 of the space. In between the schools is A. E. MacQuarrie Field, which hosts football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field competitions. In addition, the area between the school and field is a green space known as The Mall. Youth soccer teams, specifically the Fuller Soccer program from a neighboring park, use The Mall for games on weekends.
A tunnel under MacQuarrie Field connects the east side of Washburn and the west side of Page, running under MacQuarrie Field. The tunnelIt transports heating and air conditioning between the schools. During the winter, snow melts directly above the tunnel due to the steam pipes within showing the tunnel's location. Decades ago, students used the tunnel during the winter when overcrowding forced Washburn to hold classes in Ramsey.
==Demographics==
The demographic breakdown of the 1,960 students enrolled in 2021-202222 was:
*Male – 53%
*Female – 47%
== Staff ==
Dr. Emily Lilja Palmer, formerly of Sanford Middle School, was named the principal on July 2, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washburn High has a new principal: Emily Lilja Palmer |url=http://www.startribune.com/washburn-high-has-a-new-principal-emily-lilja-palmer/487542701/ |website=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref>
During the 2020-21 school year, Washburn employed 139 staff members, of whichwhom 81 were teachers. The student to teacher ratio was 20:1, with an October 1 student count of 16891,689.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rc.education.mn.gov/#staffing/orgId--30001368000__p--1d|title=Minnesota Report Card}}</ref>
===Past principals===
=== College-credit opportunities ===
Washburn has an [[IB Diploma Programme|International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme]] (IBDP)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/international_baccalaureate_diploma_programme|title=International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme|website=washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us|access-date=2017-01-05|archive-date=2017-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105181815/http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/international_baccalaureate_diploma_programme|url-status=dead}}</ref> available tofor juniors and seniors. WashburnIt also offers [[Advanced Placement Program|Advanced Placement]] (AP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/advanced_academics_brochure_3.pdf|title=Advanced Academics|last=Dobson|first=Jeanne|date=2016|website=washburn.k12.mn.us|publisher=Washburn High School|access-date=January 4, 2017}}</ref> classes for ninth9th- through twelfth 12th-grade students to earn college credit free of charge.<ref name="WHS_CIS_Daily">{{cite news|last=Petersen |first=Joy |title=PSEO gives high schoolers a college experience |newspaper=[[Minnesota Daily]] |date=2008-02-19 |url=http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2008/02/19/72165645 |access-date=2008-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605023137/http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2008/02/19/72165645 |archive-date=2008-06-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Washburn alsoIt uses school-wideschoolwide advisory programs to form trusting and caring relationships for each student. In addition, Washburn students can apply for and enroll in [[Post Secondary Enrollment Options|PSEO]] classes at the [[University of Minnesota]], [[Minneapolis Community and Technical College]], [[Concordia University (Saint Paul, Minnesota)|Concordia University]], [[Normandale Community College]], [[Dunwoody College of Technology]], and [[North Central University]].<ref name=":0" />
===Bilingual support===
===World languages and fine arts===
Washburn currently offers four world languages: [[Arabic]], [[American Sign Language|American Sign Language (ASL)]], [[French language|French]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. The school also offers [[jazz]] band, [[concert band]], [[orchestra]], concert [[choir]], and pop choir, as well as its varsity choir, Miller Voices.
The school also offers [[jazz]] band, [[concert band]], [[orchestra]], concert [[choir]], and pop choir, as well as its varsity choir, Miller Voices.
== Extracurricular activities ==
In line with Washburn's three pillars of Academicsacademics, Artsarts and Athleticsathletics, there are many opportunities in these 3 areas in and beyond the classroom.
===Athletics===
===Clubs===
Washburn students have a variety of opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities, which take place before and after school. Notable organizations include: Model UN, ACE (Architecture-Construction-Engineering), [[Amnesty International]], Art Club, Book Club, College Club, Community Service Club, Dare 2 Be Real, [[Debate]], Feminism Club, Green Team, ''The Grist'' newspaper, [[Gay–straight alliance|GSA]], [[Knitting]] Club, Math Team, [[Mountain biking|Mountain Biking]] Team, [[National Honor Society|National Honor Society (NHS)]], Native Club, the ''Odyssey'' magazine, [[Otaku]] Club, [[Philosophy]] Club, [[FIRST Robotics Competition|FIRST Robotics Team]], [[Scuba diving|Marine Scuba Club]], Silver Ribbon Club, [[Student council|Student Council]], Teen Council, TRiO Educational Talent Search, and Urban Farm.
== Fresh start ==
In March 2008, the Minneapolis Board of Education announced that Washburn would be one of two high schools participating in the Minneapolis Public Schools Fresh Start program. Along with Edison High School, Washburn hired new teachers and staff and examined theirits curriculum.<ref name="WHS_FS_MPR1">{{cite news | last = Nelson| first = Tim| title = Two Minneapolis high schools head for 'fresh starts'| work = News| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-03-21| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/21/mpls_makeover/| access-date = 2008-06-12}}</ref><ref name="WHS_FS_MPR2">{{cite news | last = Nelson| first = Tim| title = Teachers react to plans for a 'fresh start'| work = News| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-03-21| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/21/fresh/| access-date = 2008-06-12}}</ref> These changes were part of a nine-point- plan by the Minneapolis school board to alleviate budget problems and prepare 4 out80% of 5 graduates to be ready for college.<ref name="WHS_FS_MPR1" /><ref name="WHS_FS_MPR2" /> Principal Carol Markham-Cousins returned to lead the school, with the rest of the teaching staff required to apply for rehire or as new to the building.
On May 14, 2008, Markham-Cousins sent letters to students and family members explaining the reasons for the Fresh Start. She cited graduation rates and college preparation as two reasons why the program had to go forward.<ref name="WHS_FS_Letter">{{cite journal|first=Carol |last=Markham-Cousins |title=Letter to Students |version=1 |date=2008-05-14 |url=http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/Fresh_Start.html |access-date=2008-06-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919144002/http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/Fresh_Start.html |archive-date=September 19, 2008 }}</ref> The same day, students staged a walk-out in protest of the program.<ref name="WHS_FS_WCCO">{{cite news| last = Schugel| first = James| title = Students Walk Out To Protest Teacher Lay-Offs| work = WCCO News| publisher = CBS Broadcasting Inc.| date = 2008-05-14| url = http://wcco.com/education/student.walk.out.2.724341.html| access-date = 2008-06-12| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080607021717/http://wcco.com/education/student.walk.out.2.724341.html| archive-date = 2008-06-07| url-status = dead}}</ref> Student drew with chalk on the sidewalk in front of the school in support of the teachers.<ref name="WHS_FS_WCCO" />
Additional changes that came to Washburn duringin 2008-200909 included an increase in the number of art classes and the introduction of the [[International Baccalaureate]] program.<ref name="WHS_FS_MPR1" /><ref name="WHS_FS_MPR2" />
== Notable alumni ==
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