Township High School District 211

Township High School District 211 is a school district located in Cook County, Illinois, the largest high school district in Illinois [http://www.isbe.state.il.us/research/htmls/directories.htm Illinois Public School Districts By County] Retrieved on November 8, 2007] . District 211 serves most of the Palatine and Schaumburg townships, including significant portions of the city of Rolling Meadows and the villages of Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Palatine, and Schaumburg, as well as smaller corners of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove, Hanover Park, Roselle, and South Barrington.

History

High school education in the Palatine-Schaumburg Township area began in 1875, with the first graduating class in 1877. Charles S. Cutting was the first principal. Palatine High School is one of the four oldest suburban high schools and the first established northwest of Chicago.The Palatine Township High School District was formed in 1914. Its first classes were held in space rented from the elementary district on the top floor of a school on Wood Street between Hale and Benton. In 1928, a separate high school building for 300 students was built on a four-acre site at 150 East Wood Street. The school opened with 125 students. Schaumburg Township was not part of a high school district, so some Schaumburg students came to Palatine on a tuition basis. Between 1928 and 1950, the enrollment grew from150 to 391 students and projections indicated dramatic growth ahead. In 1952, an addition to Palatine High School was completed, increasing the capacity to 700 students.

In 1954, Schaumburg formed elementary District 54 and joined Palatine Township High School District 211. After 1954, enrollments mushroomed at all levels. A second addition was approved for Palatine High School and a second site of 40 acres was purchased at Quentin Road and Illinois Avenue.

The second school opened in 1961, and was named "William Fremd High School." Mr. Fremd had been a member of the high school Board of Education for over 30 years and had served on school boards in the area for a consecutive period of more than 45 years. From 1961 to 1964, the district was organized as a 2-2 system with juniors and seniors at Palatine and freshmen and sophomores at Fremd. This system was phased out when James B. Conant High School, the district's third school and the first located in Schaumburg Township, opened as a three-year school and Fremd High School converted to a three-year program. In 1967, an administration center was built on Roselle Road near Algonquin Road. It houses all district staff, Board of Education meeting room, and a storage area for school supplies. The center was named to honor Gerald A. McElroy who served District 211 for 38 years as a teacher, coach, principal, and Superintendent.

In 1967, building additions increased capacity at Conant from 1,700 to 2,600 students and Palatine's capacity from 1,000 to 1,800 students. In 1969, an addition to Fremd expanded its capacity from 1,600 to 2,700 students. Schaumburg High School opened in September, 1970. This structure, except for the gymnasium and parking site, was constructed by the Illinois Building Commission, a method of financing made necessary by the district's lack of sufficient bonding power in the late 1960s. Hoffman Estates High School, built to house an enrollment of 2,500 students, opened in 1973 as a freshman-sophomore school in Schaumburg Township.

On October 19, 1974, district residents approved a $22 million referendum which provided funds for a sixth high school; an addition to Schaumburg High School which increased its capacity to 3,000 students; the addition of auditoriums and pools at Conant, Schaumburg, and Fremd High Schools; a pool at Hoffman Estates High School; and a district warehouse.

In 1976, the Board of Education decided that the building housing Palatine High School was unsuitable for future use as a four-year high school. Insufficient land to expand the building for future growth and the cost of needed repairs necessitated that decision. The building was closed in June, 1977.

The sixth high school, located near the intersection of Rohlwing and Cunningham Roads, opened in September, 1977, and was named Palatine High School. The newest building can accommodate 2,500 students and their mascot is a pirate.

In 1983, physical education additions were completed at Fremd and Conant High Schools, and a physical education addition was completed at Palatine High School in 1997.

Demonstrating districtwide quality, all five District 211 schools were named among the top in the nation in the United States Department of Education's National Secondary School Recognition Program. Hoffman Estates High School was recognized in 1985, William Fremd High School received the award in 1987, Palatine and Schaumburg High Schools were honored in 1993, and James B. Conant High School was recognized in 1996. Also, in 1991, Palatine High School was nationally recognized for its exemplary anti-drug program.

chools

* James B. Conant High School
* William Fremd High School
* Hoffman Estates High School
* Palatine High School
* Schaumburg High School

Feeder school districts

* Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15
* Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54

References

External links

District 211 Teachers Union website [http://www.local1211.org]

[http://district211.wordpress.com The District 211 blog]