Got it. I’ll keep the music section essentially the same, but expand the other sections with specific, verifiable facts and avoid opinions or promotional language.
Western Branch High School Western Branch High School (WBHS) is a public high school in Chesapeake, Virginia, United States. It is part of Chesapeake Public Schools and serves students in grades 9–12. The school is located at 1968 Bruin Place, Chesapeake, Virginia 23321. The school's principal is John Close. For the 2025–2026 school year, Western Branch High School was designated Fully Accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.
History Western Branch High School opened on September 3, 1968, serving approximately 1,200 students in grades 6–12. The school was established as part of the development of public education in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake.
The current Western Branch High School building was first occupied in September 1972.
Academics Western Branch High School offers courses for students in grades 9–12. The school's curriculum includes standard and honors courses, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment courses.
The English department offers courses including AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and dual-enrollment English courses through Tidewater Community College. Other English-related courses include journalism, yearbook, photojournalism, creative writing, public speaking, drama, and acting technique.
The school also provides career and technical education programs and college and career preparation. Students have access to college-readiness testing, including the PSAT and SAT.
For the 2024–2025 graduating cohort, the Virginia School Quality Profile recorded 209 Advanced Diplomas and 278 Standard Diplomas among Western Branch graduates.
Athletics Western Branch High School's athletic teams are known as the Bruins. The school participates in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) and offers athletic programs throughout the school year.
Sports offered at Western Branch include:
Baseball Basketball Cross country Field hockey Football Golf Indoor track and field Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Track and field Volleyball Wrestling
Athletic teams are organized by sport and, where applicable, by boys' and girls' programs and levels of competition.
Students participating in VHSL-sanctioned activities are required to meet eligibility requirements. Western Branch High School requires participants to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA under Chesapeake Public Schools' athletic eligibility policy. Students who fall below the requirement can participate in a probationary period if they meet the applicable VHSL requirements and attend required study sessions.
The school has an athletic director who oversees its athletic programs. The current athletic director is Tamekia Foster.
Music Western Branch High School has music programs in band, orchestra, and chorus. Performance music courses are included in the school's academic schedule.
Band The Western Branch High School Band Program includes several ensembles: Band 9, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band. The ensembles perform at concerts and events throughout Chesapeake and Virginia. Students from the program have also been selected for district, All-State, and other honor ensembles.
The Western Branch High School Marching Band is one of the school's performance ensembles. The band performs as part of the school's music program and participates in performances outside the regular concert setting. The band program also includes a pep band and jazz band, giving students opportunities to perform in different musical settings.
Orchestra and chorus The school also offers orchestra and chorus programs. Western Branch's music department has participated in Virginia music assessments alongside its band, orchestra, and choral ensembles.
In 2026, Western Branch High School was one of the Chesapeake Public Schools named a Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Blue Ribbon Award school. The award recognizes schools whose top band, orchestra, and chorus ensembles all receive Superior ratings during the same academic year. The VMEA describes the Blue Ribbon Award as its highest award for school music programs.
Student activities Western Branch High School has student clubs and organizations divided into several categories, including academic and service organizations, special-interest clubs and activities, and class-related organizations. The school also has organizations connected to individual grade levels.
The school offers Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC). In 2026, the Western Branch AFJROTC unit competed in the Virginia State Drill Championship and finished third overall. The unit also placed first in the Unarmed Inspection Team category.
School events Western Branch High School holds school-wide events including homecoming, pep rallies, and other student activities. In 2026, the school's homecoming activities included a homecoming dance and a pep rally.
The school also hosts college and career-related events. These include financial aid information sessions and college entrance testing such as the SAT and PSAT.
Administration Western Branch High School is administered by a principal and assistant principals. The current principal is John Close. The school's assistant principals include Alvetta Alexander, Amanda Biittner, Jodi Howell, Karitta Page, and Conswela Riddick.
The school is part of Chesapeake Public Schools, which operates public schools throughout the city of Chesapeake.
Location Western Branch High School is located at:
1968 Bruin Place
Chesapeake, Virginia 23321
United States
The school's telephone number is (757) 638-7900.
References
Virginia Department of Education, Virginia School Quality Profiles Chesapeake Public Schools Western Branch High School Virginia High School League Virginia Music Educators Association
Notable alumni Mac Quayle (1987), composer Patricia Southall (1988), former Miss Virginia USA Randy Blythe (1989), lead singer for Lamb of God Jimmy Anderson (1994), former MLB pitcher Dre Bly (1995), former NFL All-Pro cornerback, coach for the New York Jets Keith Burnell (1998), former NFL running back and cornerback Andre Douglas (2004), NASA astronaut, Artemis III Mission Specialist Josh Baker (2005), former NFL tight end Byron Robinson (2013), track and field athlete, Olympian Colin Selby (2015), pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles yvngxchris (2022), rapper
References
External links Western Branch H.S. - official site Western Branch H.S. Football