Shawnee Mission Northwest High School

History

Shawnee Mission Northwest High School was established in 1969 to help educate the increasing populations of Shawnee and Overland Park, Kansas. In 1998, a mural of evolution was painted near the science rooms in the school which created controversy throughout the school and the city. The mural depicted many things including DNA, cells, photosynthesis, and a four chambered heart. In addition to this, the mural also depicted in a series of walking figures, the evolution of man, from a hunched-over, hairy, apelike creature to the modern man. The mural offended many students and their parents and a large debate was held concerning whether to paint over the mural. As of 2025, the mural has been repainted by the school’s Murals Club

Academics

In 2001, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School was selected as a Blue Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes public and private schools which perform at high levels or have made significant academic improvements. In 2008, Shawnee Mission Northwest launched the International Baccalaureate program for the 2008–2009 school year.

Faculty

In 2004, history teacher Dan Fullerton was named the 2004 Kansas Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Kansas Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 2005, social studies teacher Ron Poplau was named a Disney Teacher Award Honoree.

Extracurricular activities

Athletics

The Cougars compete in the Sunflower League and are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas according to the KSHSAA. Throughout its history, Shawnee Mission Northwest has won many state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics. Spanning from 1994 to 2007, the Northwest boys varsity cross-country team won the state title for fourteen consecutive years and nineteen years overall. The Northwest boys basketball team triumphed over Wichita Heights in the 2024 state championship finals, marking the first state title in school history for basketball. They won again next year in the 2025 state championship against Olathe North High, marking a back-to-back championship reign.

State championships

School newspaper and yearbook

The school newspaper is The Northwest Passage and the yearbook is The Lair. The Passage, Lair, and the journalism website have received national recognition at journalism conventions across the country, including awards like the Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Pacemaker awards from the National Scholastic Press Association.

Notable alumni

• 1976 graduate Craig Bolerjack, sport commentator
• 1978 graduate Willie Fritz, Head Football Coach University of Houston
• 1988 graduate Sean Wheelock, sports commentator
• 1998 graduate Holly Lou Teeter, United States District Judge
• 2000 graduate Ryan Lilja, former American football guard for the Kansas State Wildcats in college then professionally for Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts
• 2004 graduate Kyle Vogt, founder of Justin.tv and founder and former CEO of Cruise Automation
• 2004 graduate Mike Rivera, former linebacker for the Kansas Jayhawks, played professionally for five National Football League teams
• 2004 graduate Ryan Torain, former running back for the Arizona State Sun Devils, played professionally for three National Football League teams
• 2008 graduate Alex Carder, former quarterback for the Western Michigan Broncos, plays professionally for the Portland Thunder in the Arena Football League

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References

References

1. [https://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:2099391 GNIS entry for Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; USGS; November 16, 2006.]
2. [http://www.suny.edu/student/search_highschool/index.cfm High School CEEB Code Search]
3. "Shawnee Mission Northwest High". National Center for Education Statistics.
4. [http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Football/PDF/Football%20Classifications.pdf KSHSAA School Classification List]
5. [http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Football/PDF/FBAssignments.pdf KSHSAA School District List] {{webarchive. link. (2010-09-23)
6. "School Search - Shawnee Mission Northwest HS". Kansas State High School Activities Association.
7. "Blue Ribbon Schools".
8. (2010-02-16). "NW Teacher Receives State Honor". Kansas City Star.
9. "Ronald Poplau Shawnee Mission Northwest School, Shawnee, KS".
10. Martin, Francine. (April 26, 2009). "KSHSAA Cross Country". Kansas State High School Activities Association.
11. Green, PJ. (Mar 9, 2024). "KC-area high schools bring home 2024 state basketball championships".
12. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/article302159729.html
13. "State Records & State Champions".