Shawnee Mission West is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs.

Shawnee Mission West was established in 1962 due to the increasing numbers of students from the Overland Park, Kansas area.

The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes public and private schools which perform at high levels or have made significant academic improvements.

[12] Statistically, Shawnee Mission West is also the most ethnically diverse high school in the county, as 43% of its students are non-Caucasian.

[citation needed] Shawnee Mission West's football program has appeared in eight state championship games, winning in 1972, 1985 and 2012, and losing in 1971, 1973, 1976, 1983 and 2006. Notable coaches include two Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Hall of Famers in Dick Purdy (1967-1980),[14] and Harold Wambsgans (1981-1990).

In 2006, the girls' won the Sunflower League, which had been largely dominated by Shawnee Mission East for the past eight years.

[citation needed] In 2014, the team got 2nd place at the Sunflower League tournament Katherine and Josephine Cao won the doubles State Championship.

The Shawnee Mission West baseball team also has enjoyed their fair share of success, winning state championships in 1977, 1987, and 1988.

In 2016 the girls' soccer team won the Kansas 6A state championship, the Olathe Northwest Invitational Tournament, and the Sunflower League; ending the season with 20 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie.