Community High School (West Chicago)

History

From 1904-1926, the old junior high school (since torn down and now the present location of the West Chicago Fire Department) and various buildings in the city of West Chicago were used as high school classrooms. On December 28, 1924, the citizens voted to construct a new high school at the present site.

The opening date of the new high school was September 23, 1926. The 21st annual commencement (the first at the new high school) was held on June 11, 1927. The graduating class consisted of 27 students (20 girls and 7 boys).

In 1954, Community High School experienced its first addition to the building. That addition is the area that now includes the cafeteria, small gym, and some classroom facilities. In 1964 another major addition was approved by the Board of Education. This area includes the Bishop Gymnasium and all of the new classroom facilities in the northern part of the building. In 1978 additions were added to the north and south ends of the building providing a swimming pool, fieldhouse, greenhouses, library, commons, and administrative offices. In the summer of 1998 ground was broken for the addition of twenty-eight classrooms, a fitness center and dance studio, and the construction of a new sports stadium. The new classrooms, fitness center and dance studio are located on the west side of the building. In addition to new construction, the building referendum passed in 1997 included monies for the installation of new heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning systems for the remaining parts of the building.

The referendum allocated 1.8 million dollars for technology. Technology has been integrated into all classrooms in the school. The high school now has 12 fully equipped computer labs, an Online College and Career Center,a Yearbook Production Lab, and mobile laptop computers Department labs.

Academics

In 2008, West Chicago had an average composite ACT score of 20.4 and graduated 96.1% of its senior class. West Chicago has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievements Examination, which with the ACT comprise the assessment tools used in Illinois to fulfill the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Four of the school's five student subgroups did not meet minimum expectations in reading, while three did not meet minimum expectations in mathematics. Overall, the school has not met minimum expectations in reading and mathematics.

Athletics

West Chicago formerly competed in the DuPage Valley Conference (DVC), and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which governs most interscholastic sports and competitive activities in Illinois.

As of the 2013-14 school year, West Chicago will compete in the Upstate Eight Conference (UEC or U8C). This comes after initially requesting and accepting an invitation to join the Metro Suburban Conference which was later rescinded.

West Chicago's teams are stylized as the Wildcats.

The Athletic Department sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Young men may also compete in baseball, football, and wrestling, while young women may compete in badminton, cheerleading, and softball. While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors a lacrosse team for young men.

The following teams have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournament or meet:

Activities

West Chicago offers over 40 clubs and activities for students, ranging from academic and vocational, to cultural and leadership (the entire list of which can be found here). Among the clubs which are chapters or affiliates of more national notable organizations are: Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, National Honor Society, SADD, and SkillsUSA.

The following activities have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament:

Notable alumni