Washington County High School (Georgia)


Washington County High School is located in Sandersville, Georgia, United States. It was founded in 1959 from a county-wide consolidation of small community high schools. Because segregation was still active, only white students could attend. A twin school for black students, Thomas Jefferson Elder High School, was built in 1959 on Hines Street in the Tybee neighborhood of Sandersville.
The school got its mascot by student vote among Hawks, Falcons, and Eagles. The colors are derived from the black of Tennille High School and the gold of Sandersville High School.
In 1972, the Washington County school system fully integrated, and Washington County High started housing grades 11–12. T.J. Elder High became T.J. Junior High, and housed grades 9-10. In the 1984–85 school year, the current 9–12 format went into effect.
During the 1980–81 school year, a vocational building was built, housing a bigger library. In 1993, an extensive renovation took place on the original 1959 building, removing the numerous windows that lined the outside walls of most of the original building and enlarging the cafeteria.
In 1997, a gym, front office complex, science classrooms, and labs were built. The old gym complex was renovated into a fine arts wing, adding a larger band room, chorus room, and 300-seat theater.
The school has achieved many distinctions: