Glenbard West High School Explained

Glenbard West High School
Streetaddress:670 Crescent Boulevard
Zipcode:60137
Country:United States
Coordinates:41.8794°N -88.0603°W
Superintendent:David Larson[1]
Principal:Ben Peterselli (2023-)[2]
Staff:208[3]
Teaching Staff:131.76
Ratio:17.65
Avg Class Size:26.1[4]
Act:22.9
Gender:coed
Type:Public secondary
Grades:9-12
Campus:Suburban
Motto:Pride, Tradition, Excellence
Nickname:Hilltoppers[5]
Yearbook:Pinnacle[6]
Publication:Byzantium
Newspaper: The Glen Bard
Enrollment:2,324 (2022-23)[7]

Glenbard West High School is a public four-year high school located at the corner of Ellyn Avenue and Crescent Boulevard in Glen Ellyn, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Glenbard Township High School District 87.[8] The West campus draws students from Glen Ellyn (primarily north of Illinois Route 38), a small portion of Lombard, and portions of Wheaton, Glendale Heights and Carol Stream.

History

Glen Ellyn High School 1915−1922

The need for high schools arose with developed communities in the late 1800s. Wheaton voters wanted their own high school but accepted Glen Ellyn students on a tuition basis. In the fall of 1915, Wheaton raised the tuition rates and Glen Ellyn residents decided to start their own high school. Classes were rented on the second floor of the DuPage Bank Building, founded by Arthur. W. Holzman as Principal on October 4, 1915, hosting to fifty Freshmen and Sophomores.[9] From 1915 to 1918 the first high school that area students attended was called Glen Ellyn High School. By 1916 the bank built on a third floor to accommodate the growing student body.

America entered World War I on April 2, 1917, and Glen Ellyn residents petitioned the school board citing that the German language fueled propaganda which they did not want in their school curriculum. Arthur Holzman, an American citizen who was born Canadian, became a controversial topic which put newly elected Glen Ellyn school board president Louis J. Thiele in a difficult predicament, to delegate a successor. (As for the school's future of teaching German, a German Club would not form for another 45 years, 17 years following the end of World War II.)

When Fred L. Biester took over this office in 1918 at Mr. Holzman's recommendation to Mr. Thiele, the faculty consisted of five members who instructed 120 students in a basic curriculum. By 1920, class enrollment quickly outgrew the space and spread between the bank building and local church basements. The administrators decided to search for a site to build a dedicated high school building.

Glenbard Township High School 1922−1959

In preparation for this growth, the district purchased a site on Honeysuckle Hill from Charles R. Raymond[10] in April 1919. Twenty-five acres for the price of US$8,000 ($, accounting for inflation). Lake Ellyn, which then covered the present football field, was purchased for an additional dollar. In 1923, the high school deeded the lake to the park board with the stipulation that it revert to the high school should it ever cease to be a lake.

Neighboring Lombard residents learned that Honeysuckle Hill was within one-half mile of the geographical center of the proposed district and their unification would enable the towns to establish a school as large as any in the county, with an attendance of about two hundred pupils. A contest was held among the students to name the districts and the merging of 'Glen' Ellyn and Lom'bard officially became "Glenbard" on May 15, 1923.

The current building opened in 1923 as Glenbard Township High School, the first of the district's high schools. It was built in the style of a castle, complete with roof turret by the firm of Coolidge and Hodgeson, the architects who planned Chicago's Art Institute, the Chicago Public Library (a.k.a. the Chicago Cultural Center), and Saint Olaf College.

Glenbard West (GBW) 1959−Present

Glenbard East High School opened in Lombard, September 1959. Glenbard North High School opened in Carol Stream, August 1968. Glenbard South opened in Glen Ellyn in 1972.

Facilities

Glenbard, as it was named by Glen Ellyn and Lombard townships, was constructed in 1922 atop Honeysuckle Hill, overlooking Lake Ellyn. Built with dark red brick, the building was built with castle-like design, complete with a turret and other minor castle details. Glenbard West also has a tower known as the sixth floor. From the window of the sixth floor tower, the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in downtown Chicago can be seen on a clear day.

Athletics were initially played in a gymnasium, built in 1936, in the school building itself, but with the construction of a $12 million state of-the-art field house across the street (nicknamed the Peter "Commish" Mastandrea Field House after the long time and beloved P.E Teacher who retired at the end of 2021-22 school year), the former gym was turned into the Robert D. Elliott Library, named after one of the most influential principals in the school's history. Biester Gym was built in 1958.

Across the road from Glenbard West is Bill Duchon Field, where football, boys' and girls' soccer, and track are played. Originally built in 1923, it was renamed in 1980 in honor of a head football coach who led West to several conference championships.[11] The stadium seats up to 5,000 spectators, with the home side overlooking Lake Ellyn. In 2001, Duchon field was named by USA Today as one of the top 10 places to watch high school football.[11]

Additions to the school were added beginning in 1926. The auditorium was built in 1931, and the East Wing in 1953. Glenbard East was built in 1959 in Lombard, and the original school became Glenbard West. There was a complete renovation of the school during the 1964–1965 school year, adding new choral, band, and physical science facilities. The George Zahrobsky Botanical Garden, Shakespeare Garden and Poets' Corner were added in later years. A new library and field house were completed in 2001, and the most recent additions, the science wings, were added in 2016.

In media

Film and television

Bill Duchon Field was used to stage the football field scenes in the 1986 film Lucas,[11] [12] which featured rising stars such as Corey Haim, Charlie Sheen, and premiered Winona Ryder, Courtney Thorne-Smith, and Jeremy Piven. The school building was also used for shooting scenes. Glenbard West cheerleaders appeared as extras in the film, though the school colors and school name were changed.

The 1991 television documentary Yearbook was also filmed here.[13] [14]

Literature

It was also featured in the juvenile post-apocalyptic book The Girl Who Owned a City by O. T. Nelson.[15]

Academics

Glenbard West has made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, which with the ACT, comprise the assessments used in Illinois to fulfill the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[4]

In 2015, U.S. News & World Report ranked Glenbard West #520 in the nation and 20th overall in Illinois.[16]

Glenbard West has been ranked among the top 1500 public schools in the United States six times, according to Newsweeks challenge Index. In 2010, the school ranked #900.[17] The school was previously ranked #1022 (2009), #954 (2008), #673 (2007), #626 (2006), #684 (2005), and #711 (2003).[17]

Activities

Active Clubs for the class of 2025

Source:[18]

  1. The Forensics Club (Speech, Individual Events) won the team IHSA state championship trophy in 1991. Since then, the team has won numerous individual awards in State Finals. In 2010, the team tied for second overall.[19]
  2. The Theatre program performs in the Larry Shue Auditorium. In 2008, the school's production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was performed at the Illinois Theatrefest.[20]
  3. The Model United Nations team coached by Richard Kotrba, regularly annually competes at the Brown University, Harvard University, Northwestern University, University of Virginia, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Model UN Conferences.[21] The team has received numerous awards at each of those conferences.

Annual Dances

The West Nation "Back to School" Dance, Homecoming, Heart Hop, and Prom.

Athletics

Glenbard West competes in the West Suburban Conference. The school is also a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which governs most sports and competitive activities in Illinois. Teams are stylized as the Hilltoppers.

The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, boys' lacrosse, and volleyball.[22] Young men may compete in baseball, football, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, track & field, and cross country, while young women may compete in badminton, field hockey, gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, tennis, golf, swim, basketball, track & field, wrestling, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, cross country, and softball.[22]

State championships

School Spirit: Glenbard West Fight Song!

Oh, it's G-L-E-N-B-A-R-D

Oh, well, it's Glenbard, Glenbard fight again!

And for the school and team we love so well,

We're going to yell and yell and yell and yell and yell!

And when the teams in green and white appear,

With heads held high we stand and shout and cheer,

And for the school and team go on to fame

win this game.

Fight, team fight!

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Glenbard High School District #87. glenbard87.org. 2 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150622092338/http://www.glenbard87.org/sitepages/staff/contact_us. 22 June 2015. dead.
  2. Web site: Glenbard West High School - Administrative Team . 4 February 2024 .
  3. Web site: Requirements. glenbardwesths.org. 2 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160115015302/http://www.glenbardwesths.org/sitepages/academics/requirements?object=%2Fsitepages%2Fcontact%2Fstaff-departments&infobar=no&templates=RWD&ConfPosition=2. 15 January 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Class of 2008 Illinois School Report Card; accessed 29 July 2009 . 29 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101101232133/http://glenbard87.org/Files/schoolreportcards/Current%20Year/Glenbard_West_Report_Card.pdf . 1 November 2010 . dead .
  5. Web site: Page Not Found. ihsa.org. 2 June 2015.
  6. Web site: Students. glenbardwesths.org. 2 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150902071618/http://www.glenbardwesths.org/sitepages/students/students?object=%2Fsitepages%2FCommunity%2FActivities&infobar=no&templates=RWD&ConfPosition=2. 2 September 2015. dead.
  7. Web site: Glenbard West High School. National Center for Education Statistics. June 21, 2024.
  8. Web site: Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Glenbard West High School. 2021-11-05. nces.ed.gov. EN.
  9. Web site: Glenbard West High School. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150714000057/http://www.glenbardwesths.org/sitepages/about/our_history. 14 July 2015. 2 June 2015. glenbardwesths.org.
  10. Web site: Glenbard West 1920s. 2021-10-21. Glenbard West High School History. en.
  11. News: Glen Ellyn, Ill. Glenbard West High School . USA Today . 25 October 2001.
  12. https://search.proquest.com/docview/290855303 Fuentes, Gabe; HOLLYWOOD ON LOCATION AT GLENBARD WEST STUDENTS GET CLOSE-UP LOOK AT FILMMAKING; 25 June 1985; Chicago Tribune; accessed 30 July 2009
  13. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-03-tv-556-story.html L.L; ""Yearbook": The Real Thing"; 3 March 1991; Los Angeles Times; "Au contraire, say seniors at suburban Illinois' Glenbard West High School, who willingly bared their souls for Fox's new reality series "Yearbook.""; accessed 29 July 2009
  14. https://search.proquest.com/docview/283053624 Rowland, Debran; "A teen drama in Glen Ellyn? Stay tuned..."; 9 October 1990; Chicago Tribune; accessed 30 July 2009
  15. Book: Jolley . Dan . Nelson. O.T.. The girl who owned a city . 2012 . Graphic Universe . Minneapolis . 978-0-7613-4903-7 . 36 . 11 June 2024.
  16. Web site: Glenbard West High School in GLEN ELLYN, IL - Best High Schools - US News. usnews.com. 2 June 2015.
  17. http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160/?q=2009/rank/1001 The top of the Class - The complete list of the 1,500 top U.S. high schools; 8 June 2009; newsweek.com; accessed 29 July 2009
  18. Web site: GW Clubs & Activities Handbook 2021-2022.pdf. 2022-02-11. Google Docs.
  19. Web site: SpeechWire Tournament Services - Forensics Tournament Software - Speech, Debate, Congress. 2 June 2015. speechwire.com.
  20. http://www.illinoistheatrefest.org/main.htm
  21. https://archive.today/20120731133047/http://www.glenbardwesths.org/sitepages/community/S02338B07-02C3D5BF activities
  22. https://archive.today/20130117083814/http://www.athletics2000.com/glenbardwest/ Athletic Department for GWHS; accessed 29 July 2009
  23. Web site: Records & History. 2 June 2015. ihsa.org.
  24. Web site: State Series Information & Results. 2 June 2015. ihsa.org.
  25. Web site: Records & History. 2 June 2015. ihsa.org.
  26. Web site: Records & History. 2 June 2015. ihsa.org.
  27. Web site: Records & History. 2 June 2015. ihsa.org.
  28. Web site: 2023-06-04 . Boys Volleyball: Glenbard West repeats as state champions . 2023-06-04 . Shaw Local . en.
  29. Web site: Records & History . www.ihsa.org . 11 June 2024.
  30. Web site: Girls Track & Field Records Menu.
  31. http://yourseason.suntimes.com/schools/glenbardwest/1493793,032409-glenbard-west.article Wilcox, George M; Glenbard West Hilltoppers; 24 March 2009; Chicago Sun-Times; accessed 29 July 2009
  32. Web site: Swartz. Tracy. 'Ghost Adventures' films at Old Joliet Prison for John Wayne Gacy episode. 2020-07-29. chicagotribune.com. 24 July 2019 .
  33. http://www.glenbard.dupage.k12.il.us/sitepages/aboutus/S01F5318C-03448025 Glenbard Twp. HS district 87 Famous Alumni; accessed 30 July 2009
  34. Web site: Rob Boras . static.clubs.nfl.com . 11 June 2024.
  35. Web site: Matt Bowen . databasefootball.com . 2 June 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903094109/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BOWENMAT01 . 3 September 2014 .
  36. http://www.mwamidwest.org/?tag=jeffrey-deaver "Mystery Writers of America (Midwest Chapter), 8 February 2009 meeting report; 19 February 2009; As a boy, Deaver ... developed his own subgenre about pudgy, clumsy, socially inept boys—wish fulfillment stories in which the nerds got the pom-pom girls. He became editor of the Bard, Glenbard West’s literary magazine; accessed 29 July 2009
  37. Web site: Alex Diab . fightingillini.com . August 11, 2024.
  38. News: Alex Green . January 12, 2019.
  39. https://movies.nytimes.com/person/235512/Sean-Hayes/biography Biography: Sean Hayes; New York Times; accessed 29 July 2009
  40. News: Dann. Gire. Why you can't buy a ticket to the Oscars - and more. Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, IL. 22 February 2009 . 15 August 2009 . To answer this one, I asked a real, live Academy voter: Michael Herbick. He grew up in Glen Ellyn, graduated from Glenbard West High School in 1967 ....
  41. Web site: List of Awards for Michael Herbick. Internet Movie Database. 15 August 2009.
  42. Web site: Henricksen . Joe . Glenbard West senior Braden Huff commits to Gonzaga . Chicago Sun-Times . 27 September 2021 . 25 March 2024.
  43. Herbert, Ian, ed. (1978).Who's Who in the Theatre : A Biographical Record of the Contemporary Stage. London: Pitman Publishing. p. 1088. .
  44. http://www.theatrewesternsprings.com/Actives/archives/Nerd/Nerd.htm Production notes for "The Nerd" by Larry Shue; The Theater of Western Springs; September 2000; About The Author: ... Larry attended Glenbard West High School, and while there, he played Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream.; accessed 29 July 2009
  45. https://search.proquest.com/docview/290869630 Christiansen, Richard; Obituary: ACTOR LARRY SHUE, COMEDY PLAYWRIGHT; 25 September 1985; Chicago Tribune; When his family moved to the western Chicago suburbs, Mr. Shue attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn.; accessed 30 July 2009
  46. Web site: John Shurna . Northweern Wildcats . December 3, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119082137/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/shurna_john00.html . November 19, 2012 .

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