School type Public Secondary School district Chicago Public Schools Principal Alahrie A. Aziz–Sims Mascot Bengals Colors Black, Orange | Opened 1959 CEEB code 141387 Phone +1 773-535-2180 District Chicago Public Schools | |
Motto "Excellence Today, Success Tomorrow: Bogan Today, College Tomorrow." Address 3939 W 79th St, Chicago, IL 60652, USA Profiles | ||
Bogan High School or BHS (also known as William J. Bogan Computer Technical High School) is a public 4–year high school located in the Ashburn neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Operated by Chicago Public Schools district, Bogan opened in 1959. In 1999, the school began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program; and becoming an International Baccalaureate World School in 2004.
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History
The school opened in 1959 in a building designed by the architectural firm of Naess & Murphy. This was the same firm that had completed the Prudential Building in 1955. The building was designed in a "casual style" which included non-traditional building materials such as "aluminum window frames, concrete columns, and porcelain wall panels."
Integration protests
In 1963, Bogan High School was the site of much protest against the integration of Chicago's public schools. The school was originally designated as a destination for students being bused to relieve overcrowding in majority African American schools. A group of parents met privately with Superintendent Benjamin Willis after which he "removed Bogan from a list of schools eligible to receive voluntary transfer applications." This act unleashed a storm of protest from civil rights activists and African American parents. At the same time, white opponents of desegregation became vocal supporters of Willis. Hundreds of parents from Bogan High School attended Board of Education meetings cheering the superintendent loudly and carrying signs that read "We Support Dr. Willis." By becoming responsive to their demands, Willis was able to stake out his own position as a champion of the white anti-integration activists that became his major supporters.
Athletics
Bogan competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Bogan sport teams are nicknamed Bengals. The boys' wrestling team were Public League champions in the 1993–94 season. The girls' volleyball team were public league champions in the 1984–85 and 1988–89 seasons.