Galena High School (Illinois) Explained

Galena High School
Type:Public
Superintendent:Tim Vincent
Principal:Madeline Hawkins
Head Name:Second Master
Head Name2:Assistant Headmaster
Teaching Staff:22.51 (FTE)
Ratio:10.48
Enrollment:229 (2020-21)[1]
Grades Label:Grades
Grades:9–12
Streetaddress:1206 N Franklin St.
City:Galena
State:Illinois
Country:United States
Coordinates:42.4276°N -90.4406°W
District:Galena Unit School District 120
Colors: Royal blue, white
Athletics:Northwest Upstate Illini
Nickname:Pirates
Mascot:Petey the Pirate
Free Label:Emblem
Rival:East Dubuque
Le-Win
Stockton
Yearbook:Ship's Log

Galena High School is the public secondary school in Galena, Illinois, and is part of Galena Unit School District 120., GHS has roughly 240 students. Its current building was built in 1957.

History

The original Galena High School was built in 1861 on Prospect Street and was known as Central High School.[2] In April 1904, Central High School burned to the ground and a new, larger school was built in the same location, opening in 1906.[3] Surrounding communities that may have had rural schools previous to the construction of Central High School were consolidated after the State of Illinois mandated that larger school districts be created in 1949.[4] Opened on September 3, 1957, the new high school immediately brought changes to the curriculum including courses in agriculture and sociology. Outside of the curriculum, the high school building featured a full-size regulation gymnasium along with a modern cafeteria.

Academics

Based on the Illinois School Report Card for the 2018-19 school year, Galena had a graduation rate of 88% and an Advanced Placement participation rate of 43%.[5] Additionally, in 2019, Galena ranked as the 2,745 best school in the United States, and 106 in Illinois based on U.S. News & World Report.[6]

School song

"Old Galena High" (1928)

Battle cry

Galena Pirates we're counting on you

To your colors we'll always be true

Firm and strong united are we

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

that's the Pirate Battle Cry

Onward to victory

YO-HO!

Notable alumni

Athletics and activities

Galena High School competes in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference and is a member school in the Illinois High School Association. Its teams are known as the Galena Pirates, have the mascot Petey the Pirate, and the colors royal blue and white.[7] The school has 3 state championships on record in team athletics, boys' football in 1997-1998 (1A), 2003-2004 (1A), and 2007-2008 (1A).[8]

Football

From 1988 to 2003, the football team was coached by Chuck Korte, a former graduate of the school and 8th grade history teacher who retired in 2006. Coach Korte never played high school football as a student, but turned out to be one of the notable coaches in Northwest Illinois: he was inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame,[9] and the Galena football field is now named for him.[10] The Pirates' rivalries include the East Dubuque Warriors, Le-Win Panthers and Stockton Blackhawks.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Galena High School. National Center for Education Statistics. June 11, 2022.
  2. A TIME OF CHANGE: PUBLIC EDUCATION IN GALENA, ILLINOIS DURING THE POSTWAR ERA Brett H. Noble
  3. https://www.galenahistory.org/research/galena-history/timeline-of-galena-history/ GalenaHistory.org
  4. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=010500050HArt%2E+10&ActID=1005&ChapterID=17&SeqStart=61700000&SeqEnd=86600000 Illinois School Code(105 ILCS 5/10-21.2)
  5. https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=080431200220002 Illinois School Report Card
  6. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/illinois/districts/galena-usd-120/galena-high-school-6741 U.S. News & World Report
  7. Web site: Galena High School. Illinois High School Association. 1 June 2010.
  8. Web site: Galena High School Season Summaries. Illinois High School Association. 1 June 2010.
  9. Web site: IHSFCA Hall of Fame Selections. Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. 10 October 2016.
  10. Web site: Korte Field. Galena Gazette. 10 October 2016.