George Wythe High School is located in the town of Wytheville. It was constructed in 1951 and named for George Wythe, signer of the Declaration of Independence and regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. New science labs, a media center, a home economics area, marketing classrooms, and a practice gym were added in 1986. At that time the auditorium was refurbished, and the old science labs and the library were converted to classrooms. Recently, a weight room has been added. In addition, improvements to George Wythe High School as well as to the other public schools in Wythe County are ongoing.
Wythe County is in a rural, agricultural community with a population of 22,511 (U.S. Census 2000). The school is located in the county seat and largest incorporated town (2000 Census Population of 7,800). This location gives the school a different climate from the other two county high schools because fewer George Wythe High School students come from a rural background. Many of the students' parents work in more than a dozen major industries located in and around Wytheville.
Approximately ninety-course offerings are listed in the Wythe County Program of Studies. George Wythe shares several members of the faculty with Scott Memorial Middle School since grade eight is no longer housed at the high school. It is still able to offer most if not all of the course offerings listed. Over the years, some electives have been eliminated while others have been created. Courses that are offered include general, vocational, and accelerated courses. Advanced Placement courses are offered in American History, English, and Calculus. An advanced biology class is offered through cooperation with Wytheville Community College. Opportunities for vocational courses are provided by the Wythe County Technical Center, which is located adjacent to the high school's campus. Additional learning opportunities are available through student participation in the Governor's School for Gifted and classes at the Southwest Virginia Governor's School for Math, Science, and Technology.
The needs of special education students are met by the Resource Education Program which develops an Individualized Education Plan for each student. Students unable to attend school due to extended illness receive at least ten hours instruction weekly from teachers cooperating with George Wythe High School staff.
Many students participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular clubs and activities. To encourage participation, club days are provided each year for over twenty clubs.
Over thirty academic/vocational/band teams and over twenty sports teams are involved in a variety of competitions each year. In the spring, academic receptions are held in honor of students who have excelled academically and athletically.