Community High School (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 / 41.8794; -88.2063
Information
School type	public secondary
Opened	1926
School district	Community HS Dist. 94
Superintendent	Mr. Lalo Ponce[1]
Principal	Dr. Moses Cheng[2]
Grades	9–12
Gender	coed
Enrollment	2,130[3]
Average class size	20.0[3]
Campus	suburban
School Colour(s)	navy blue      white[5]
Fight song	We're West Chicago, Brave and Bold[4]
Athletics conference	DuPage Valley Conference
Nickname	Wildcats[5]
Average ACT scores	20.4[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 Journalism/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.^[3]

Athletics

West Chicago competes 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. 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.^[7]

-

The following teams have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournament or meet:^[8]

• 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.^[9]

The following activities have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament:^[8]

• Chess: 3rd place (1996–97); 2nd place (1994–95); State Champions (1995–96)

Notable alumni

• Tony Aiello TV reporter for WCBS-TV in New York City. Class of 1981 (known in high school as Carm Aiello).^{[citation needed]}
• Scott Dierking was an NFL running back (1977–84), spending most of his career with the New York Jets.^[10]
• Harris W. Fawell was a U.S. Congressman (1984–1999), who representing the 13th Congressional District of Illinois.^[11]
• 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.^[12]

References

1. ^ Press Release: Community High School District 94 Names New Superintendent; 2 April 2009; Community High School District 94; accessed 23 June 2009
2. ^ Administrative Directory for WCCHS; accessed 23 June 2009
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Class of 2008 school report card; Information begins on p. 8 of this report; accessed 23 June 2009
4. ^ WCCHS fight song; accessed 23 June 2009
5. ^ ^{a b} School info for WCCHS; ihsa.org; accessed 23 June 2009
6. ^ ^{a b c} Board Briefs; 4 September 2008; vol 8, issue 1; accessed 23 June 2009
7. ^ Athletic Department at WCCHS' accessed 23 June 2009
8. ^ ^{a b} Season Summaries for WCCHS; ihsa.org; accessed 23 June 2009
9. ^ Activities List for WCCHS; accessed 23 June 2009
10. ^ Scott Dierking stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 23 June 2009
11. ^ Profile of Harris W. Fawell; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress; congress.gov; accessed 23 June 2009
12. ^ 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

External links

• Official website