Here at Edmonds-Woodway High School, the motto boldly declares: “There are two kinds of people in this world: Warriors and those who wish they were.” Established in 1990, Edmonds-Woodway High School resulted from the merger of Edmonds High School and Woodway High School. Before the schools joined together, they were rivals. Despite this rivalry, they shared feeder middle schools.
The school’s colors represent this unification with purple, green, yellow and orange. Purple and green are the dominant colors. Edmonds-Woodway High School initially occupied the old Woodway High School building. A new facility was constructed at the old Edmonds High School site. The new school opened in 1998 near Highway 99. It offers easy access from Interstate-5.
Edmonds-Woodway High School’s design features a central courtyard. Classrooms are in small learning communities. It even boasts a separate theater building. The school garnered several design awards. These included the Masonry Institute of Washington’s Masonry Excellence Award. It also won the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International’s James D. MacConnell Award.
Bassetti Architects of Seattle designed the new building. In June 2018, the clock tower was named after Geoff Bennett. He was a long-time administrator. He retired after being honored at graduation. Rainer Houser served as the first principal of Edmonds-Woodway. He held the position from 1990 to 1995. Allison Larsen is the current principal. She took the role in 2022.
Edmonds-Woodway High School became an International Baccalaureate World School in 1996. It offers the IB Diploma Programme. In 2009, Sally Chu became the school’s first US Presidential Scholar. The school had eight National Merit Scholar finalists in 2005. This was the most of any high school in the state.
Edmonds-Woodway High School has a large deaf and hard-of-hearing student population. This is thanks to special programs. The school offers an American Sign Language program. There is also a Lifeskills Program. It supports students with developmental disabilities. Lifeskills students participate in the Washington State Special Olympics.
Edmonds-Woodway High School houses the Edmonds School District Stadium. It is the home field for all high schools in the district. The traditional athletic rival is Meadowdale High School. The boys’ wrestling program has produced multiple state champions.
The Jazz Ensemble I has been accepted into the Essentially Ellington jazz festival five times. The band participates in Starbucks’ Hot Java Cool Jazz. They have attended the Portland Jazz Festival. They also participate in the University of Idaho Jazz Festival. Edmonds-Woodway has three concert bands and several choirs. Orchestral groups include the Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra.
Spring Jazz Night celebrates senior jazz band performers. It takes place at Jazz Alley in Seattle. All current jazz bands perform including an alumni band. The Big Band Dance happens every spring. The school’s jazz bands perform with middle school bands.
Many notable alumni have walked the halls of Edmonds-Woodway. Anna Faris is an actress known for roles in “Scary Movie”. Rick Steves is a travel writer and TV host. He graduated from the old Edmonds High School.
Edmonds-Woodway High School’s commitment to academics, arts and athletics creates a vibrant learning environment. The school continues to shape future warriors.