The school earned widespread media attention in 2008 following former pupil Governor Sarah Palin's nomination as the Republican vice-presidential running mate to John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential election.

[3] WHS also participates in the University of Alaska Anchorage's Tech Prep program, which allows students to receive college credit for automotive technology classes.

The administration of Wasilla High announced they would work with the Knik Tribal Council to "design a more culturally appropriate WHS Alaskan Native warrior to reflect the indigenous people of our area.

"[7] With input from the local Knik Tribe the prior logo, a Lakota Sioux warrior, was replaced with an image of the Dena’ina Athabascan Chief Wasilla, the community’s namesake.

[10] A Johns Hopkins University study named Wasilla High School as a "dropout factory".

[11] The study was conducted by finding the difference between a class with 400 freshman students which ended up with 260 seniors four years later.

School Board President Sarah Welton said that the study was flawed and that the false impression made on others in the country would be unfortunate.