In recent years, the Wilsonville High School parking permit passes have been controversial at times, with students and staff alike. From periods of time where there aren’t enough spots to park, to the underclassmen parking in upperclassmen spots, to students not having passes, and lots of traffic jams.
In the 2025-2026 school year, there have been some significant changes not only to the price, but also to the areas of the parking lot where students park on campus. There are multiple different lots: the blue lot, the white lot, and the grey lot. Names have been created to assign students parking spots during the school day.
In the 2022-2023 school year, in the Performing Arts Center, construction added a new parking lot, increasing the available spots, making it more convenient for students, after many years of complaints of not enough parking.
Students who parked on campus in past years had criticism over the price, voicing their displeasure.
“There have always been mixed opinions about parking spots and certain rules that come with the privilege of parking.” Wilsonville security guard Marcus Washington reflects. He also points out, “The rules are there to make everything go fast and safe for students and to make it more convenient.”
Junior Yehia Moussa is new to parking on campus this school year and believes leaving can be super inconvenient at times.
Moussa states, “At the end of the day, it can take anywhere from 15-20 minutes to get off campus, so I’m hoping it improves throughout the year and everyone can move appropriately.”
Moussa adds, “Everyone departs from the main exit, so I hope people who park on the Boeckman side go out that exit, making it easier for everyone to get into and out of school.”
Past students praise the change in price from the past years, being $50, to this school year being $35, making it more affordable to purchase.
Mr. Washington recognizes the price change being convenient to students, pointing out that “We must listen to students because this is their experience and their school, and they should have an input on some things, and bringing the price down helps make their experience better.”
Mr. Wilse, AP Human Geography teacher, recognizes the changes throughout the years though the bustle of traffic stating that, “When students in the spring get licenses and cars, and get parking passes, it can get hectic at times, so I think it was very important that they added lots for where students park on campus to make sure everyone has a school day”.
Lots of thoughts and conversations have to be made into decisions within the parking lot, from staff to the school district. Mr. Washington states, “We have gone back and forth on how we want to do it, all the spaces were numbered and labeled, and there can be a domino effect doing an area lots, limiting the issues.”
The landscape of where kids park can sometimes be challenging, from the location of classes to where students go after school.
Mr. Washington elaborates by stating, “When, for example, you have a kid who is in football who isn’t supposed to park in the grey lot, parks in the grey lot, it takes spots and creates a mess, and that’s where hopefully the lots help decrease that when more people park on campus going into the winter and spring”.
Students and staff are very optimistic about the changes, hoping to bring a smooth and safe experience for students and staff coming and going to school every day.