Joliet West High School Explained

Joliet West High School
Established:1964
Type:Public secondary
Grades:9–12
Streetaddress:401 North Larkin Avenue
City:Joliet
State:Illinois
Zipcode:60435
Country:United States
Principal:Tecara Parker
Faculty:166.90 (FTE)
Ratio:21.27
Enrollment:3,550 (2021–22)[1]
Campus:Suburban
Mascot:Tiger
Colors: Black
Gold
Newspaper:Tiger Tales
Yearbook:Alpha Omega
Website:School website

Joliet West High School, along with Joliet Central, comprises district 204 Joliet Township High School district in Joliet, Illinois. West's mascot is the Tiger.

Construction and expansion

The school was originally constructed in 1964, one year after its identical sister school Joliet East, and has since been expanded four times. The first addition, completed in the early 1980s, added a bookstore to the cafeteria, additional space around the maintenance area, a multi-purpose room by the gymnasiums (primarily used for dance and wrestling), six additional classrooms, and a greenhouse. That greenhouse was later torn down.

The second and third additions were completed as two consecutive projects, adding several additional classrooms, a new band room, cafeteria, conference room, dean's offices, and student commons area. The first phase broke ground on November 4, 2001 and was completed the following school year. The second phase began during the 2002–03 year and was open for fall 2003 classes.

A field house was built in late 2007, and an additional building housing science classes was constructed in 2011.

In 2017, construction began on another smaller section of the building adding a Police Liaison Office, a conference room, and a security entrance. This project would be completed in Spring 2018. The project also added another connection from the main building to the fine-arts building, decreasing hallway traffic congestion. Though efforts are still being made to battle this ongoing problem.

Separation of schools

During the 2008 - 2009 school year, Central and West began to again divide the schools' athletic programs, allowing the West mascot to become the Tiger once again, leaving Central as the Steelmen. The split began with Joliet's freshman football team dividing. As of the 2010 - 2011 school year, Joliet Central and Joliet West have their own, entirely independent sports programs.

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joliet West High School. National Center for Education Statistics. January 23, 2024.
  2. Web site: Charlie Adams. cityofjoliet.com. 13 November 2016. 14 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814103156/http://www.cityofjoliet.com/halloffame/artists/charlieadams.htm. dead.
  3. Anstead. Mark. 11 May 2007. My Best Teacher. Times Educational Supplement. 0040-7887. 13 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20120215114441/http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2382799. 15 February 2012. dead.
  4. Web site: Jimmy Chamberlin. cityofjoliet.com. 13 November 2016.
  5. Web site: Adrianna Curry. cityofjoliet.com. 13 November 2016.
  6. Web site: Andy Dick - biography. biography.com. 13 November 2016.
  7. News: Rackl. Lori. Joliet's Janina Gavankar plays it straight in cop dramedy 'Mysteries of Laura'. 13 November 2016. Chicago Sun Times. 16 September 2014.
  8. News: Clark. Mike. Rockets' new coach has deep roots in program. 13 November 2016. nwitimes.com. 16 June 1998.
  9. News: Joliet native Steve Parris to attend grand slammer. 13 November 2016. oursportscentral.com. 9 March 2011.
  10. News: Jacobs. Jodie. Rapp Session. 13 November 2016. Chicago Tribune. 4 January 1998.