[8] According to the Fox Valley Association, 40 students of West High have been given a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" for excellent performance since the 2014–15 school year.

[9] As of the 2019–20 school year, West High had an enrollment of 1,336 students and 69.51 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis) for a student-teacher ratio of 19.22.

On March 13, 1970, an arson fire caused by a Molotov cocktail would set Appleton West ablaze, damaging one classroom and a faculty room as a result.

Although a perpetrator was never caught, some believe that it had to do with a rise in political climate at the time, supported by similar happenings from radical activist movements such as the Weather Underground Organization and the Student Strike of 1970.

In August 2014, a new football stadium was built on school grounds, but lacked the proper seating requirements issued by the FVA.

Appleton West currently provides football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, volleyball, wrestling and lacrosse as options for student athletes.

[19] In the 1969–70 school year, the Appleton West Terrors, led by coach Richard Emanuel, won the WIAA Boys Basketball Tournament undefeated.

As well as hosting daily rehearsals after school hours, the Appleton West Theatre constructs and paints their own sets from scratch over the weekends leading up to the opening day.