Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, Illinois) Explained

Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Streetaddress:1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire, IL
Zipcode:60069
Country:United States
District:Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125
Superintendent:Eric Twadell [1]
Principal:Troy Gobble
Established:1965
Grades:9–12
Act:26.9
Enrollment:4,489 (2022–2023)[2]
Faculty:252.63 (on FTE basis)
Ratio:17.77
Avg Class Size:22[3]
Campus:Suburban, 76 acres
Newspaper:The Statesman
Publication:The Minuteman (magazine)
Yearbook:The Ambassador
Homepage:http://www.d125.org/

Adlai E. Stevenson High School (AESHS), commonly called Stevenson High School (SHS), is a four-year public high school located in Lincolnshire, Illinois, United States. It is named after Adlai E. Stevenson II, the 31st Governor of Illinois.[4]

History

In 1964, growing disagreement between the western (Lake Zurich) and eastern (current Stevenson) sections of the district emerged regarding the school's direction. Before the opening of Stevenson, the students in the Stevenson area attended Ela-Vernon High School in Lake Zurich. Stevenson was planned to be a second school for the growing district, but the western side (Lake Zurich) of the district decided to build their own district. Adlai E. Stevenson High School opened in September 1965.[5] This left Stevenson with an unfinished building, no board or administration, and no faculty. When Stevenson opened to 467 students and 31 teachers in 1965, the building was not carpeted, the library was empty, most classrooms were without desks and athletic fields were non-existent, as most of the school furniture had been shipped to Prairie View, Texas instead of Prairie View, Illinois.[6] [5]

In the 1980s, the release of "A Nation at Risk" and the arrival of Richard DuFour as school principal marked pivotal events. During the 1980s and 1990s, the school's student activities program expanded, providing over 100 clubs and teams for students. By the late 1990s, intense student competition led to the formation of a task force to find solutions to issues like grading system manipulation. In 1992, a community referendum determined that Stevenson would remain the district's only high school, with 52% supporting this option. In 1995, Stevenson underwent its largest expansion, growing by more than 50% with a $25 million project.[5]

Stevenson has grown since its opening to become one of the largest high schools in the area.[7] The school has undergone various additions over the years, the first being in 1970 where the school gym and pool were renovated. To accommodate the increasing student population, another round of remodeling occurred in the mid-1990s. After the addition of the three-level east building in 1995, the physical size of SHS increased to more than six times its original size of 113,000 square feet. The new east building included 60 new classrooms, a new Performing Arts Center (PAC), the Patriot Aquatic Center, Field House, and the Technology Center, among other projects as well. Also built was a new indoor walkway ("The Link") between the original west building and the new east building.

In 2002, a referendum seeking an increase in the education tax rate received nearly 70% support from the community, stabilizing the district's finances. Since 2002, DuFour's retirement year, he had become a leading voice for school reform within the education community until his death in 2017.[8] In April 2008, Education Week featured Stevenson High School in an article about its successful implementation of professional learning community practices.[5]

In 2004, the main entrance to the school was completely rebuilt and transformed into another commons area now known as "The Point." Other renovations that year included more fine arts areas around the band, choir, and orchestra rooms in the west building.[9] Around 2008, many of the athletic fields were expanded and the football field received new turf. In that same year, the original auditorium was renovated as well.[10]

In the 2005–06 school year, Stevenson had its highest enrollment of 4,573 students. Between the 2005–06 and 2014–15 school years, each school year saw progressively declining enrollment in the student body. In the 2014–15 school year, Stevenson had its first enrollment increase since the peak in the 2005–06 school year.[11] Stevenson's enrollment was 4,337 for the 2018–19 school year,[12] and enrollment is expected to surpass 4500 by 2020.

In 2011, the school library and student resource center in the old/west building were renovated for the first time in Stevenson's history. The project was finished in 2015 when the removal of the two lecture halls was completed to make way for the Quiet Learning Center (QLC).[13] In addition to the new ILC/QLC, the photography studio was also renovated in the summer of 2013.

In 2019, the school added an extension to the east building, including 22 new classrooms, conference rooms, a green roof and flower garden, multiple living walls and solar panels, with the intent of making the new addition a net-zero building.[14]

In 2020, Stevenson began planning for an additional expansion, with new athletic courts, an artificial turf playing field, a larger running track, an area for exercise equipment, and other features to be built in the enlarged field house.[15] This addition was finished in August 2022.

Demographics

In 2023, the demographics were: White: 46.6%, Asian: 39.3%, Hispanic: 9.0%, Black: 1.7%, Two or More Races: 3.2%, and American Indian: 0.2%.[16]

Communities served

The school serves students in the area's District 125 coming from Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Prairie View, portions of Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Kildeer, Hawthorn Woods and smaller portions of Vernon Hills, Lake Zurich, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and Mettawa.[17] [18]

Feeder schools

Public schools

Name of feeder schoolName of feeder school's school district
Daniel Wright Junior High School[19] <-- 103 --> Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103
Aptakisic Junior High School[20] <-- 102 -->Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102
Twin Groves Middle School<-- 96 -->Kildeer Consolidated School District 96
Woodlawn Middle School<-- 96 -->Kildeer Consolidated School District 96
Fremont Middle School<-- 79 -->Fremont School District 79
West Oak Middle School<-- 76 -->Diamond Lake School District 76

Controversies and incidents

Newspaper censorship

In November 2009, a dispute erupted between school officials and the student newspaper, The Statesman, regarding censorship of stories. The administration stopped publication of the November 20 issue, objecting to stories regarding drugs, teen pregnancy, and shoplifting. When students wanted to leave the front page blank in protest of the censorship, the officials instead required the students to produce other stories approved by the administration.[21] [22] The Stevenson public information officer released a statement November 20 stating the administration did not think anonymous sources discussing alleged illegal activity was fit for print.[23]

The Chicago Tribune, in a November 26 editorial, said the school was wrong to force students to produce administration-approved stories. "This isn't editing, it's censorship," wrote columnist Zak Stambor.[24] The Society of Professional Journalists' Freedom of Information chairman called the censorship "immoral, un-American, irresponsible and not fit for education."[25]

Following the censorship fiasco, 11 of 14 Statesman staffers — and all the paper's top editors — resigned from their positions at the start of the spring 2010 semester.[26]

Confiscation of student cellphones

In February 2012, the school administration initiated an investigation into marijuana sales at the school, during which the cellphones of students suspected of marijuana sales were confiscated, and the text messages stored on the phones were read. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois described the incident as a "fishing expedition", while school officials stated they were "perfectly within our rights". In one instance a student was suspended for five days and barred from participating in extracurricular activities because he refused to provide the password to his cellphone. The probe resulted in two arrests on misdemeanor drug charges.[27] [28]

Student altercations

In 2017, three female students were put on academic suspension when a video surfaced of a student attacking another student on a bus. The student was later charged in juvenile court for aggravated battery.[29]

Discrimination against Black students

In January of 2020, a black student at Stevenson was allegedly targeted and disrespected by dean Nick Valenziano on a recorded video. This led to student protesting and an uproar in the Stevenson community. School administrators accepted Valenziano's resignation around June of 2020,[30] and hired a diversity director to address racial issues within the school.[31]

Athletics

The Stevenson Patriots compete in the North Suburban Conference.[32] The following is a list of sports Stevenson lists for the 2023–24 school year: [33]

Stevenson High School is a member of the IHSA, the athletic teams are stylized as the Patriots. Many of its teams are top-ranked nationally and have a history of producing collegiate and professional athletes.

The following teams have won their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournament or meets:[34]

Sporting Achievements
SportAchievementsYears
FootballState Champions2014–2015
Boys BasketballState Champions2014–2015
Girls BadmintonState Champions2016–2017
Boys GymnasticsState Champions2001–2002, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2009–2010, 2014–2015
Girls BasketballState Champions1994–1995, 1995–1996, 2021–2022
Girls GymnasticsState Champions2000–2001, 2001–2002, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2008–2009
Girls Water Polo [35] State Champions2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
Boys BowlingState Champions2016
Boys Water PoloState Champions2017, 2021[36]
PatriettesState Champions2017, 2020, 2021
FencingMidwest High School Championships2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2023, 2024
Boys Ice HockeyAHAI State Champions2021–22[37]
National Runners-Up2021–22[38]
Girls TennisState Champions2017
Academic Achievements
EventAchievementsYears
Science OlympiadNational Champions2023
Chess TeamState Champions2007–2008, 2021–2022[39]
Scholastic BowlState Champions1999–2000, 2004–2005, 2009–2010, 2017–2018
Debate TeamHarvard National Champions2008, 2011, 2019
Math TeamState Champions1991, 2023[40]

Awards and recognition

Stevenson High School is one of the only high schools in the country to receive the United States Department of Education's "Excellence in Education" Blue Ribbon Award five times.[41] [42] In addition, Stevenson has been named one of America's top high schools by both U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek magazines, and has been named a National School of Distinction in Arts Education by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.[43]

Niche ranked Stevenson as one of the best public high schools in America in 2017.[44] In 2016, Niche gave A+ ratings in the following areas: academics, teachers, educational outcomes, health and safety, resources and facilities, sports and fitness, co-curricular activities, food service, and administration and policies.

Several national publications have regularly included Stevenson in their lists of America's best public high schools. Stevenson was the top-ranked open-enrollment public high school in Illinois in 2021, 2015, and 2014 in U.S. News & World Report, and was the top-ranked open-enrollment school in Illinois in the Washington Post’s rankings in 2014, 2013, and 2012.

In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Stevenson as 171st in national rankings and 6th in Illinois.[45]

For the class of 2016, 99.9% attended college.[46] In 2015–2016, 360 students were named Illinois State Scholars. In addition, there were 32 National Merit Semi-Finalists in the Class of 2016 and 38 Commended students.

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: District 125 Administration. Adlai E. Stevenson High School.
  2. Web site: Adlai E. Stevenson High School. National Center for Education Statistics. April 7, 2024.
  3. Web site: About Stevenson High School. Adlai E. Stevenson High School. 25 June 2012.
  4. Web site: Adlai Stevenson High School. 1997-12-26. C-Span. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812072650/https://www.c-span.org/video/?97646-1/adlai-stevenson-high-school. 2023-08-12.
  5. Web site: About. 2023-08-12. D125. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812061505/https://www.d125.org/about. 2023-08-12.
  6. Web site: About. Adlai E. Stevenson High School. 11 July 2016.
  7. Web site: Largest Illinois Public Schools (2020) . www.publicschoolreview.com. 2020-03-07.
  8. Web site: Former Stevenson High School Superintendent DuFour Passes After Battle With Cancer. 2017-02-10. Journal Topics. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812065939/https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/former-stevenson-high-school-superintendent-dufour-passes-after-battle-with-cancer/. 2023-08-12.
  9. Web site: Adlai E Stevenson High School. 2013-04-09. US Green Building Council. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409160855/https://www.usgbc.org/projects/adlai-e-stevenson-high-school. 2013-04-09.
  10. Web site: Modernizing a campus for a growing student body. June 2022. Wight & Company. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812072036/https://www.wightco.com/work/adlai-e-stevenson-high-school/. 2023-08-12.
  11. Web site: Enrollment History. Adlai E. Stevenson High School. 11 July 2016.
  12. Web site: About – Stevenson High School. www.d125.org. en-US. 2020-03-07.
  13. Web site: About the ILC. www.d125.org. 2016-07-11.
  14. Web site: A $27M building addition, expanded lunch menu greets Stevenson High School students for the start of new year. Staff. chicagotribune.com. 26 August 2019 . 2020-03-07.
  15. Web site: Stevenson High School details plans for massive expansion. Lissau. Russell. 4 Jan 2020. Daily Herald. 14 Feb 2020.
  16. Web site: Adlai E Stevenson High School (9–12) . illinoisreportcard . 28 March 2024.
  17. Web site: Communities Served. 2023-08-12. D125. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812061505/https://www.d125.org/about. 2023-08-12.
  18. Web site: D125 Map. 2022. Lake County IL. 2023-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812062216/https://maps.lakecountyil.gov/Output/DistrictMaps/schl/AdlaiEStevensonDistrict125.pdf. 2023-08-12.
  19. Web site: Consortium/Feeder Schools . www.d125.org . 18 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150317121028/http://www.d125.org/about/consortium-feeder-schools . March 17, 2015 . en.
  20. Web site: District 102 Information. Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102. 16 November 2013.
  21. Web site: Suburban high school's editors ordered to publish. 24 November 2009 . Chicago Breaking News Center.
  22. Web site: High school journalists ordered to print administration-approved newspaper. 25 November 2009. Student Press Law Center.
  23. Web site: Students say school forced them to publish paper. https://web.archive.org/web/20100306034409/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/stevenson.school.paper.2.1337362.html . 2010-03-06. WBBN Channel 2. 2015-05-15. dead.
  24. News: Muzzling students. Chicago Tribune. Zak . Stambor . November 26, 2009.
  25. Web site: Illinois high school principal/censor needs civics lesson. 30 November 2009. FOI FYI blog.
  26. News: Top editors resign from Stevenson High newspaper. Chicago Tribune.
  27. Web site: Stoffel . Michelle . 2 Juveniles Charged in Stevenson High School Drug Bust . Chicago Tribune . February 9, 2012 .
  28. Web site: Keilman . John . Stevenson Student Curtis Hill Details How he Was Searched in Drug Probe . Chicago Tribune . February 2, 2012 .
  29. Web site: Stevenson girl charged in juvenile court in beating of classmate, police say. 2017-01-30. Chicago Tribune. 2023-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621182149/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lincolnshire/ct-lsr-stevenson-facebook-attack-punishments-tl-0202-20170130-11-story.html. 2021-06-21.
  30. Web site: Stevenson High School Board Accepts Dean's Resignation – Journal & Topics Media Group . June 17, 2020 .
  31. Web site: Stevenson High hires diversity director after racial controversies . https://web.archive.org/web/20200927113144/https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200810/stevenson-high-hires-diversity-director-after-racial-controversies . 27 September 2020.
  32. Web site: North Suburban — 2023–24. 2023-08-03. IHSA. 2023-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20230805200155/https://www.ihsa.org/data/fb/conf47.htm. 2023-08-05.
  33. Web site: Athletic Schedule. 2023-08-05. D125. 2023-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20230805195614/https://athletics.d125.org/teams-schedules. 2023-08-05.
  34. Web site: IHSA Season Summaries. Illinois High School Association (IHSA). 25 June 2011 . 25 June 2011.
  35. Web site: Records & History . www.ihsa.org . 15 December 2020.
  36. Web site: Gordon . Stephen . Stevenson Wins Boys State Water Polo Title Journal & Topics Media Group . Journal Online . 2 July 2021 . 31 May 2021.
  37. Web site: 2022 Illinois State Hockey Championships .
  38. Web site: 2022 High School Division I .
  39. Web site: Stevenson wins Chess State! . 15 February 2022 .
  40. Web site: HS History – Past Champions – Math Contests .
  41. [National Blue Ribbon Schools Program]
  42. https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/reports/2019/1982_to_2019_nbrs_schools.pdf National Blue Ribbon Schools from 1982 to present
  43. Web site: Alliance for Arts Education Network . Kennedy Center . 2012-07-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071009161530/http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/kcaaen/recognition/ctsap_past_win.html . 2007-10-09 .
  44. Web site: 2021 Best Public High Schools in America.
  45. Web site: Adlai E Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL . US News Best High Schools. 6 August 2023.
  46. http://www.d125.org/docs/default-source/College-and-Career-Center/other-documents/2016-17-stevenson-hs-profile.pdf
  47. Staff. "Bozek makes U.S. women's Olympic hockey team", Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), June 24, 2013. Accessed September 11, 2017. "Buffalo Grove native Megan Bozek has been named to the 25-player roster for the U.S. Women's National Team that will compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The Stevenson graduate is one of three Illinois natives to make the roster."
  48. Nenni, Pete. "Stevenson grads make a name for themselves in television roles", Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), May 13, 2003. Accessed January 20, 2008.
  49. Ryan, Shannon. "Stevenson's Jalen Brunson impresses at Villanova as a freshman", Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2016. Accessed September 11, 2017. "After leading Stevenson to a Class 4A state title last season, Brunson should feel comfortable with the No. 1 Wildcats."
  50. Williams, Lena. "OLYMPICS; Taking a Legacy To New Heights", The New York Times, August 3, 2004. Accessed November 4, 2007. "Even now that Tamika, 25, is a star in her own right, her father's legacy continues to shadow her. It was there at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Ill."
  51. Web site: Brad Cieslak stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 12 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20100919055249/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=CIESLBRA01. dead. September 19, 2010.
  52. Web site: Players/People. https://web.archive.org/web/20080725231338/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/Kevin-Frederick.shtml. dead. July 25, 2008. TheBaseballCube.com.
  53. http://www.mybooksaboutme.net/ronald-goldman-biography
  54. Web site: Ron Goldman . Nndb.com . 2012-07-07.
  55. Web site: O.J. Simpson trial Summary, History, & Facts. 2021-02-12. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  56. Yannis, Alex. "SCOUTING; An Early Finish", The New York Times, March 12, 1983. Accessed November 5, 2007. "Andrea Jaeger didn't want high school studies to interfere with her busy tennis schedule in the spring and early summer. So she took extra credits the last few weeks and graduated from Adlai Stevenson High School in Prairie View, a Chicago suburb, yesterday rather than in June."
  57. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/07/29/why-cant-that-be-me-um-gymnast-paul-juda-shines-in-olympic-debut-for-team-usa-gymnastics/74585916007/
  58. http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8002aa49&template=without-video&confirm=true "Dolphins sign three rookies"
  59. Web site: Maema Njongmeta Football . Wisconsin Badgers . en.
  60. Web site: Matt O'Dwyer stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 12 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20100218094105/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ODWYEMAT01. dead. February 18, 2010.
  61. Web site: Robservations: New boss for 'CBS Evening News' hails from Prairie View – Robert Feder. 2021-05-28. www.robertfeder.com.
  62. Web site: Richmond to Rockford . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026063813/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10166850.html. dead. 2012-10-26. Chicago Sun-Times. October 26, 2012. August 6, 2023.
  63. http://www.pioneerlocal.com/buffalogrove/sports/highschools/1471715,bg-bghky-031209-s1.article Buffalo Grove natives switch NHL teams; 12 March 2009; Buffalo Grove Countryside; accessed 12 July 2009
  64. https://web.archive.org/web/20090123184051/http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/coach/1413-rex-ryan Rex Ryan : Head Coach : Official Jets Bio : New York Jets Team
  65. Pompei, Dan/ "Rex Ryan family standard-bearer in NFL", Chicago Tribune, May 17, 2009. Accessed September 11, 2017. "When he left the NFL 14 years ago after the Cardinals fired him, the legacy he left the league was his twin sons, Rex and Rob. They had been ball boys for the Bears back in the heyday when they were students at Stevenson High School, and later they were assistants on their dad's staff with the Cardinals."
  66. Web site: Official Site of the Dallas Cowboys | Bios | Coaches and Executives . DallasCowboys.com . 2011-01-15 . 2012-07-07.
  67. Web site: Kiki Van Zanten. July 2, 2019. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website.
  68. Daday, Eileen O. "On the road to the Olympics Local athlete sets her sights on the gold", Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), September 2, 2006. Accessed November 6, 2007. "A mini-class in rhythmic gymnastics enthralled Buffalo Grove native Lisa Wang as early as third-grade with its graceful routines filled with ribbons and balls. It still does, though now the Stevenson High School senior is competing in the sport at its highest level."
  69. http://csnchicago.com/pages/landing_hawktalk?Hawk-Talk-Breaking-Down-the-Blackhawks-D=1&blockID=43183&feedID=666 Mora, Josh; Breaking Down the Blackhawks' Deal; 5 March 2009; csnChicago; HawkTalk; accessed 12 July 2009

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