Music Makes You Smarter!

The bands at Oshkosh West have been positively impacting the lives of our students and community for more than 100 years! Click here for some interesting information on our long history.

The West band program offers 4 concert bands, a jazz ensemble, a field marching band, a parade marching band, 3 pep bands, a competitive drumline, and several small ensembles.  All students are invited to participate in as many of these groups as they like — from just a single band class to all that are offered.  There are even students who choose to play with all four concert bands!  We like to provide as many opportunities to our students as we can — but we also understand that high school is a busy time and believe that students should participate in as many activities as they like.  Our program is set up in a way that allows students to participate in as much or as little as they desire.

Average GPAs

Students who participate in the West Bands are often at the top of their classes and have better GPAs than those not enrolled — this could be you!  Of current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are in West Bands, more than 32% have an A average (3.7 to 4.0) and over 46% have B average (2.7 to 3.699). (Freshman GPAs have not been calculated yet.)  The average West Band GPA is 3.28, while the school average is only 2.39.  The average for students who have dropped band after their freshman year is 2.78.  Our students have also shown higher test scores. 

Average ACT Scores

Of those current band students who have taken the ACT, their average is 24.8; the statewide average is only 20.5 and the national average is 20.8.  The average for students who have dropped band after their freshman year is 21.0.  In essence, being in the band will help you continue to develop positive study habits and time management skills transferable to all aspects of life.