School type Public Website Manual Academy Mascot Ram Color Orange and Black | Nickname Rams Phone +1 309-672-6600 Founded 1909 | |
Athletics conference Big Twelve Conference (Illinois) Rival Peoria High (Central) Lions Address 811 S Griswold St, Peoria, IL 61605, USA District Peoria School District 150 | ||
Manual Academy (formerly Manual Training High School and later Manual High School) is a public high school located in the south end of Peoria, Illinois. It is the southernmost of the three city high schools operated by the Peoria Public Schools. Manual opened as Manual Training High School in 1909, and moved from its Lincoln avenue site to a new building located at 811 S. Griswold in January 1963.
Manual's nickname is the Rams and the school colors are orange and black.
In the 1950s and early 1960s Manual was a central Illinois football powerhouse. Manual was undefeated in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1962 in the mid-state eight conference. The culmination of the season was the traditional "Turkey Day" Thanksgiving game against Peoria Central High School, often drawing 10,000 to Peoria Stadium (where all Peoria high school home games were played). During those years there was no state football playoffs. Ken Hinrichs was the football coach and is in the Illinois coaches hall of fame. His won-lost record at Manual over 17 years was 121-40-7 (.752). This record is the strongest ever compiled by an area coach with a tenure of more than ten years.
Manual won the IHSA state boys basketball title in 1930 and four straight Class 2A titles in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. The 1994 team was coached by Dick Van Scyoc. The 1995-97 teams were coached by Wayne McClain.
Manual alumni number in the many thousands and are involved in all walks of life in Peoria and elsewhere.
In recent years, Manual is increasing student enrollment, in the years that have passed the enrollment got as low as 450 students. Now it has gone back up to where it has been in the past with 1200 students for the upcoming school year.
Manual High School improved its tests scores during the 2009-2010 school year to meet federal safe harbor.
A 100-year Centennial All Class Reunion Weekend celebration was held Friday – Sunday September 11–13, 2009.