Academic calendar
School Year 2026-2027 runs Aug 1, 2026 – Jul 31, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- School Year 2025-2026
- School Year 2026-2027Relevant now
Campus language
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Showing 27 of 27 terms
A
- A/B/C Lunch
- The three staggered lunch shifts used to manage the student population in the cafeteria throughout the midday periods.
- AchieveTC
- The Career & College Center located on campus for post-secondary and career planning.
- AVID
- Advancement Via Individual Determination, a college-readiness and academic support program.
G
- GSA
- Gender and Sexuality Alliance, a student-led club providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies.
I
- IB
- International Baccalaureate, the rigorous academic diploma program offered at the school.
L
- Laker Locker
- A school-run pantry and store providing free food, hygiene products, and clothing to students in need.
- Laker Pride
- A common phrase used to describe school spirit and community engagement.
- Lakers
- The collective name for Southwest students, derived from the school's mascot.
- Lunch Shifts
- The designated periods (A, B, or C) assigned to students for their lunch break based on their class schedule.
M
- MCC
- Multi-Cultural Council, a student-led group focused on diversity and cultural events.
N
- NHS
- National Honor Society, an organization for students meeting high academic and service standards.
O
- Off-campus
- The privilege reserved for juniors and seniors allowing them to leave school grounds during their designated lunch block.
- Off-campus lunch
- The privilege allowing students to leave the building during their designated lunch period to eat at local establishments.
- Open Lunch
- The privilege granted to seniors allowing them to leave the school grounds during their lunch period.
P
- PTSA
- Parent Teacher Student Association, the primary parent-teacher organization.
S
- SAB
- Student Advisory Board, the primary student government organization at Southwest.
- Southwest Way
- The school's formal framework for behavioral expectations and community values.
- SWHS
- The standard four-letter abbreviation used by students in digital communication and on school apparel.
T
- The Aquarian
- The school's annual yearbook publication.
- The Bridge
- The name of the student-run newspaper and its associated digital platform.
- The Commons
- The central cafeteria and social gathering space where students eat lunch.
- The Lake
- Refers to Lake Harriet, which is adjacent to the school and serves as a primary social hangout spot for students.
- The Navigator
- The current student-run newspaper, which has gone through several name iterations.
U
- Unbound
- The school's annual literary and arts magazine featuring student-submitted work.
V
- VOICE
- A student group focused on social justice, equity, and community advocacy within the school.
W
- Wagastanian
- A historical term for the school's residence or yearbook, often cited in school history and archives.
- Washburn
- The name of the school's primary rival; often used as shorthand for the intense athletic and social competition between the two schools.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- Advisory
- A mandatory homeroom-style period used for school news, social-emotional learning, and administrative tasks.
- East Building
- The newer wing of the campus containing additional classrooms and specialized facilities.
- Infinite Campus
- The online portal used by students and parents to track grades, attendance, and schedules.
- Laker Locker
- A practical, no-questions-asked resource for students to obtain essential household and pantry items.
- Laker Time
- A designated flexible academic period during the school day for students to seek extra help, make up tests, or attend club meetings.
- Late Start
- Scheduled days when the school day begins later than usual to allow for staff professional development.
- Media Center
- The school library and central research hub.
- Natatorium
- The campus swimming pool and aquatic facility used for athletics and physical education.
- North Building
- The 1956 addition to the school containing a second gymnasium and additional classrooms.
- Off-campus lunch
- A logistical privilege that can be revoked by administration if students are not back for their next class on time.
- Parent Portal
- The specific online access point for families to monitor student progress and school communications.
- Passing Time
- The five-minute interval between classes allowed for students to move between the East and West buildings.
- South Building
- The original 1940 school structure and main entrance area.
- southwest_high_school_cafeteria
- Southwest High School Cafeteria
- The Auditorium
- The primary venue for school plays, concerts, and large-scale student assemblies.
- The Bridge
- The iconic enclosed skyway over Beard Avenue that connects the East and West buildings.
- The Commons
- The large, multi-purpose central hub of the school used for dining, studying, and large-scale student events.
- The Link
- The glass-walled corridor that connects the East and West buildings, often crowded during passing time.
- The Media Center
- The school's library and primary technology hub for research and independent study.
- The Navigator
- The student-run newspaper that serves as the primary source for school news and student voice.
- The Stadium
- The outdoor athletic complex used for football, soccer, and track and field competitions.
- West Building
- The original part of the school campus housing the main office and many core subject classrooms.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- School Year 2026-2027 runs Aug 1, 2026 – Jul 31, 2027.
- How much campus context is included?
- 27 approved campus terms and 22 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.