Crystal Lake Central High School

History

Crystal Lake Central High School opened its doors in 1924 as Crystal Lake Community High School. It was enlarged in 1928 with the first addition, with a second addition including the "Fieldhouse" completed in 1953. Another addition was completed to the west-end of the building in the 1964–1965 school year. Prior to its creation, area high school students attend Union School beginning in 1884. Crystal Lake Community (and Union School before it) served students in grades 9–12 from Crystal Lake, Cary, and the surrounding areas of McHenry County. Students in the first graduating class at Crystal Lake Community (Class of 1924) began their school year at Union School and moved to the new high school building just one month before graduation. Prior to relocating, the school was part of the Union School campus located at what is now Husmann Elementary School. The school was renamed as Crystal Lake Central in 1978 when Crystal Lake South opened, reaching an approximate maximum student population of 2100 in 1978. Crystal Lake Central once was the least populated of Community High School District 155's four high schools, as well as the oldest, however, as of the 2015–2016 school year, it is the second smallest, with Prairie Ridge High School having a smaller population size.

Athletics

Its mascot is the Tiger, with school colors orange and black.

The school captured its first individual state title in 1942, when Paul Behan won the state discus championship. Since then, Central's student-athletes have won Illinois High School Association state titles in boys track and field, girls track and field, wrestling, girls tennis (mid 1970s), and girls cross country.

Notable team finishes at the Illinois state level include:

Notable alumni