Washington's athletic teams are known as the Purgolders, named for the school's colors of purple and gold. It competes in the
Milwaukee City Conference. Washington has garnered four boys basketball Division 1 state titles since 1985. It is part of an intense three-way rivalry with
Rufus King High School and
Vincent High School. These schools have accounted for 14 of the last 23 state titles in Division 1 boys basketball. The girls' basketball team is one of three Milwaukee City Conference girls teams to have won a
WIAA state title (
Harold S. Vincent High School and
Riverside University High School are the others), having done it five times, a Division 1 record. They also won three consecutive state titles (1994, 1995 and 1996). Washington won the state championship in boys'
cross country in 1930 and 1935 and tied for the championship with
Bay View High School in 1932 in single-division contests, won the 1952 championship in the larger of two divisions, and won the 1964 championship in the largest of three divisions.
Athletic conference affiliation history •
Milwaukee City Conference (1911-1980) •
Milwaukee Area Conference (1980-1985) •
Milwaukee City Conference (1985–present) ==Demographics==