Additionally, students are given the option to dual enroll and attend classes at Northwestern Michigan College.

[5] In addition to the dual enrollment program, a wide variety of honors and AP classes are offered.Prior to 1997, Traverse City only had one public high school, Traverse City Senior High School, built in 1959 at the base of the Old Mission Peninsula.

[10][11] In 2022, after 25 years of competing in the Big North Conference, Traverse City West and rival Traverse City Central moved their football programs into the North Division of the Saginaw Valley League.

[12] In October 2023, construction began on a new "Innovation & Manufacturing Center" at the school, focusing on STEM education.

These neighborhoods offer smaller learning communities and the chance to form better bonds with their peers and educators.

[24][25][26] Since Traverse City Senior High School split in 1997, there has been a natural rivalry between West and Central.

Traverse City West also has a football rivalry with the Buccaneers of Grand Haven High School in Ottawa County.

[33][34]In 2017, the "spirit rock," a large stone often painted by students to celebrate various victories, suddenly went missing.

Superintendent Paul Soma reported that, upon initial questioning, both conspirators denied any knowledge of the events.