Community High School (West Chicago)
| West Chicago Community High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
326 Joliet St. West Chicago, Illinois 60185 United States | |
| Coordinates | 41°52′46″N 88°12′23″W / 41.8794°N 88.2063°W |
| Information | |
| School type | public secondary |
| Opened | 1926 |
| School district | Community HS Dist. 94 |
| Superintendent | Dr. Doug Domeracki[1] |
| Principal | Dr. Moses Cheng[2] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | coed |
| Enrollment | 2,124[3] |
| Average class size | 25.89[3] |
| Campus | suburban |
| School colour(s) |
navy blue white[4] |
| Fight song | We're West Chicago, Brave and Bold[5] |
| Athletics conference | Upstate Eight Conference beginning 2013-2014 year |
| Nickname | Wildcats[4] |
| Average ACT scores | 19.9 overall, 21.2 for Core Classes[3] |
| Publication | Mind's Eye[6] |
| Newspaper | Wildcat Chronicle[6] |
| Yearbook | Challenge[6] |
| Website | http://www.d94.org/ |
Community High School, also known as West Chicago Community High School, WCCHS, or simply WE-GO, is a public four-year high school located in West Chicago, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Community High School District 94.
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.[7]
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).[8][9] This comes after initially requesting and accepting an invitation to join the Metro Suburban Conference[10] which was later rescinded.[11]
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.[12]
The following teams have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournament or meet:[13]
- Football: State Champions (1974–75)
- Swimming & Diving (girls): 3rd place (1991–92)
- Volleyball (boys): 4th place (2000–01)
- Wrestling: 4th place (1976–77)
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.[14]
The following activities have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament:[13]
- Chess: 3rd place (1996–97); 2nd place (1994–95); State Champions (1995–96)
- Music: State Champions (1986–87) Music Director Ron Benner
Notable alumni
- Tony Aiello TV reporter for WCBS-TV in New York City. Class of 1981 (known in high school as Carm Aiello).
- Lisa Houle Actress in TV and movies. Scene of the Crime, Seinfeld, Emily of New Moon, Pontypool.
- John Watanabe TV and radio host. TV commentator for Urban Wrestling Alliance and Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling.
- Scott Dierking was an NFL running back (1977–84), spending most of his career with the New York Jets.[15]
- Harris W. Fawell was a U.S. Congressman (1984–1999), who represented the 13th Congressional District of Illinois.[16]
- Chauncey W. Reed was a U.S. Congressman (1935–1956), who represented the 11th and 14th Congressional Districts of Illinois. He was briefly Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.[17]
- Chris Voelz co-authoring the NCAA Guidelines for Gender Equity[18]
- Martin O'Donnell Composer primarily known for his work in game music, most notably the Halo series.
References
- ↑ http://www.d94.org/domain/63
- ↑ Administrative Directory for WCCHS; accessed 23 June 2009
- 1 2 3 School Report Card 2012; accessed 1 March 2013
- 1 2 School info for WCCHS; ihsa.org; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ WCCHS fight song; accessed 23 June 2009
- 1 2 3 Board Briefs; 4 September 2008; vol 8, issue 1; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ Class of 2008 school report card; Information begins on p. 8 of this report; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ Upstate Eight invites three DVC schools accessed 1 March 2013
- ↑ Press Release: Upstate Eight Conference Affiliation accessed 1 March 2013
- ↑ Press Release: Conference Affiliation accessed 1 March 2013
- ↑ Metro Suburban rescinds invitation to West Chicago accessed 1 March 2013
- ↑ Athletic Department at WCCHS' accessed 23 June 2009
- 1 2 Season Summaries for WCCHS; ihsa.org; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ Activities List for WCCHS; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ Scott Dierking stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ Profile of Harris W. Fawell; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress; congress.gov; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ Remarks of Congressman Allen, on "The Late Chauncey W. Reed"; The Congressional Record - proceeding of the House of Representatives; 10 February 1956; p. 2184; accessed 23 June 2009
- ↑ http://www.d94.org/cms/lib09/IL01905539/Centricity/Domain/22//eNews%20Archives/eNews%2009-30-16.pdf News from Community High School District 94 - September 30, 2016; accessed 3 November 2016