Willowbrook High School
Address
1250 South Ardmore Avenue

Villa Park
,
Illinois
60181

United States
Coordinates41°51′53″N 87°58′57″W / 41.8647°N 87.9825°W / 41.8647; -87.9825
Information
School typepublic secondary
Opened1959 (1959)
School districtDuPage HSD 88
SuperintendentDr. Jean Barbanente[1]
CEEB code144232
NCES School ID171394001738[2]
PrincipalDr. Daniel Krause[3]
Staff121.89 (FTE)[4]
Grades9–12
Genderco-ed
Enrollment1,931 (2018–19)[4]
Average class size24.5[5]
Student to teacher ratio15.84[4]
Campussuburban
Campus size44 acres
Colour(s)  columbia blue
  silver[6]
Fight songFight Roman Warriors[7]
Athletics conferenceWest Suburban Conference
MascotWilly the Warrior
NicknameWarriors[6]
PublicationMindprints[8]
NewspaperSkyline[8]
YearbookCenturion[8]
Websitewww.dupage88.net/site/sub/3

Willowbrook High School (WBHS) is a public four-year high school in Villa Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The school is located approximately half a mile north of Illinois Route 38 on Ardmore Ave. It is a part of the DuPage High School District 88,[9] which also includes Addison Trail High School. Willowbrook draws its students from Villa Park, Oakbrook Terrace, and portions of Elmhurst, Oak Brook and Lombard.

History

Planning for the school began as early as 1950 when projected growth for the area suggested that a new high school would soon be needed.[10] In January, 1958, the school board not only decided that the new school was to be called Willowbrook (referring to a nearby creek running through a stand of weeping willow trees), but that the school would be prepared to admit students in all four grades once the school opened in 1959.[10]

When the school opened, the principal drafted a group of upperclassmen to help shape the schools traditions (colors, team nickname, student council constitution, etc.).[10] Until the middle of the 1969-1970 school year, students were required to follow a dress code which prohibited (among other things) jeans for all students and long hair for young men.[10]

In 1961, a bust of what was alleged to be Thomas Jefferson but has since been determined to be German Composer, Franz Joseph Hayden was added to the southeast wall of the school's music wing. The bust had been recovered from the demolition of the Louis Sullivan designed Garrick Theater in Chicago by relatives of a (then) current student who were contractors in the theater's demolition.[10]

In 1963, a north wing was added, including district offices located on the first floor portion of the wing.

In the 1980s, improved vocational education areas were added, as was a greenhouse, and expansion of the library.[10]

In 2007, a referendum was passed to make infrastructure improvements and help improve the students' learning environment. Groundbreaking began the week of June 9, 2008 and continued year-round. Some holidays were ignored in order to allow construction to be continue longer during summer recesses. Such improvements included the expansion of music facilities, addition of a fieldhouse and other athletic areas, enhancements to existing science labs, mass improvement to electrical/plumbing, technological enhancements, a more student-centered foyer/commons and guidance areas, renovation to the library/media center, expansion of learning spaces and classrooms, installation of air-conditioning, enhancement to traffic flow and parking, the updating of handicap accessibility, and funds put toward the improvement of the auditorium/drama facilities.[11]

In 2008, the district offices were relocated from the first floor of the north wing to the building previously used by the Addison Public Library.

In 2010, referendum totals came out to be $115.3 million among Willowbrook and sister school Addison Trail High School. After completion of "Building the Future" in the Fall of 2010, dedication ceremonies were held at Willowbrook and Addison Trail on October 17, 2010.[11]

Academics

In 2008, Willowbrook had an average composite ACT score of 21.6 and graduated 94.2% of its senior class.[5] Willowbrook made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievements Examination, which with the ACT, are used as the assessment tools to fulfill the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[5]

In June 2009, Newsweek, using the Challenge Index, ranked Willowbrook #1464 on their annual list of top American high schools.[12] The school had been on the list once before; ranked #1343 in 2008.[12]

Student life

Athletics

Willowbrook competes in the West Suburban Conference. The school is also a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which governs most interscholastic sports and competitive activities. Teams from the school are stylized as the "Warriors" (in the tradition of a mj≠Roman soldier).

The school sponsors interscholastic athletic 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, bowling, cheerleading, and softball.[13] While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors a poms team, as well as a basketball, volleyball, and track and field team which competes in the Special Olympics.[13]

The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournaments or meets:[14]

  • Badminton: 4th place (1999—2000, 2005—06); 3rd place (1994—95, 2002—03); 2nd place (1985—86, 1995—96, 1996—97); State Champions (1997—98, 1998—99)
  • Baseball: Regional (1962—63, 1972—73, 2011—12, 2016—17, 2017-2018); Sectional (1972—73); State Final Qualifier, Semifinals (1973)
  • Basketball (boys): Regional (1962—63, 1969—70, 2003—04, 2017—18)
  • Cross Country (boys): 2nd place (1978—79)
  • Football: quarterfinals (1990-1991, 2016—17, 2017—18, 2018—19); semifinals (1974—75, 1975—76, 2019—20)
  • Gymnastics (boys): 4th place (1959—60, 1964—65, 2014—15); 2nd place (1961—62, 1965—66); State Champions (1963—64)[15]

Theatre

Theatre at Willowbrook High School is one of the largest student organizations at the school, with over 200 students involved across three yearly productions, performing in the historic Doris E. White Auditorium. Students run every facet of the program under the guidance of several tech and acting directors. Opportunities for students include acting, instrumental performance, and the following technical crews: Sound/Projection Crew, Lights Crew, Props Crew, Construction Crew, Paint Crew, Costumes Crew, and Student Leadership.[16] Since entering the Illinois High School Association Drama & Group Interpretation competition in 2014, the Willowbrook High School Theatre contest play has received the following accolades:

  • Sectional Runner Up (2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18)
  • 2nd Place State Drama Production (2021–22)
  • 3rd Place State Drama Production (2013-2014, 2016–17)[17]
  • 5th Place State Drama Production (2020–21)
  • All-State 1st Place Technical Performance Midsize set (2021–22)
  • All-State Technical Award (2017–18)

Music

The Willowbrook High School music department hosts several levels of auditioned curricular ensembles: three choral ensembles, three concert bands, and two string orchestras; as well as an extracurricular show choir, dubbed "Center Stage", rock band, marching band, and two levels of auditioned jazz ensembles. Music at Willowbrook has always been distinguished, yet there has been a recent uptick in musical accolades for the department.

Under the direction of Mr. John Clemons, bands at Willowbrook High School have received the following accolades:

Jazz I:

  • Illinois State University Jazz Festival: Division III 2nd place (2017), Division III Champions (2018, 2019)
  • Chicago Area Jazz Festival: "Outstanding Jazz Performance" (2019)

Jazz II:

  • Illinois State University Jazz Festival: Division II 3nd place (2017), Division II 2nd place (2018), Division II Champions (2019)
  • Chicago Area Jazz Festival: "Outstanding Jazz Performance" (2019)

Wind Ensemble:

  • Midwest Music Festival: 3rd place (2019), Esprit de Corps Award (2019)

Under the direction of Mrs. Karyn Wolcott, the Willowbrook High School Concert Choir has earned the following honors:

  • Featured IMEC Choral Division Choir (2010, 2018)

Math Team

Willowbrook used to compete in the North Suburban Math League (NSML), however since the founding of the West Suburban Math League (WSML), it has opted to compete only in the WSML, the West Suburban Gold math league, and the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) math league. The team has four coaches and is open to grades 9-12, utilizing both group teams as well as individual competitors.[18] In recent years, the team has earned a plethora of individual awards as well as the following group titles:

  • WSG Conference: Champions (2017)
  • ICTM Regionals: 2nd place (2016, 2018, 2019),[19] Champions (2017)
  • WSML Conference Orals: Champions (2019)

The Rock

The Rock is a tradition in Willowbrook High School. It was dug up when the new Doris E. White auditorium was built in the 1960s. It was then positioned outside the main athletic doors of the high school. Students usually paint it at night with various slogans or colors to celebrate accomplishments or mark special occasions.[20]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ District 88 Administration; accessed 01 October 2022 District 88 Administration at the Wayback Machine (archived 28 January 2023)
  2. ↑ "Search for Public Schools - Willowbrook High School (171394001738)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ed.D". www.dupage88.net.
  4. 1 2 3 "Willowbrook High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "DuPage High School District 88" (PDF). www.dupage88.net.
  6. 1 2 "Page Not Found". www.ihsa.org. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  7. ↑ Lyrics to Fight Roman Warriors; accessed 18 July 2009
  8. 1 2 3 "DuPage High School District 88". www.dupage88.net.
  9. ↑ Staff (8 December 1960). "Crowd Hears Defense of School's Design". Addison Register (clipping). p. 1. Retrieved 2015-07-26 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 School history; excerpted from DuPage H.S. District 88 History Lessons 1918-2001; Mahoney, Greg; WHS website; accessed 18 July 2009
  11. 1 2 Building the Future; excerpted from DuPage High School District 88: Building the Future; DuPage High School District 88; accessed 11 December 2010
  12. 1 2 "The Top of the Class - the complete list of the 1,500 top U.S. high schools; newsweek.com; accessed 18 July 2009". Newsweek.
  13. 1 2 "Willowbrook High School - Home". www.athletics2000.com.
  14. ↑ "Page Not Found". www.ihsa.org. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  15. ↑ IHSA. "Records & History". ihsa.org. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  16. ↑ "Clubs and Activities, Theatre".
  17. ↑ "IHSA DGI Willowbrook History".
  18. ↑ "Clubs and Activities, Math Team".
  19. ↑ "ICTM Regional Results, 2019" (PDF).
  20. ↑ "DuPage High School District 88". www.dupage88.net.
  21. ↑ David "Hawk" Wolinski at IMDb
  22. ↑ Tino Insana at IMDb
  23. ↑ "Steve Beshekas".
  24. ↑ "Redirecting to Google Groups".
  25. ↑ Tom Hicks stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 17 July 2009 Archived 12 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ Bell, Taylor (October 26, 1997). "Schatzeder has great memories". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 22.
  27. ↑ Tapp, Maria; Dramatic Effect; September 2006; Chicago Magazine; "He just asked questions like mad," recalls Ralph Amelio, Falls 's cinema studies teacher at Willowbrook High School.; accessed 17 July 2009
  28. ↑ "Willowbrook Distinguished Alumni Awards 2011".
  29. ↑ "Rick Santelli". CNBC. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Rick Santelli Gets Credit for Tea Party Movement". U.S. News. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Register". Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  32. ↑ Mike Sheldon stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 17 July 2009 Archived 23 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ↑ Mitchell, Fred; Former White Sox fan changes his allegiance; 20 July 2005; Chicago Tribune; acquired Gerut in a trade with Cleveland for outfielder Jason Dubois after Monday night's game. He starred at Willowbrook High School; accessed 17 July 2009
  34. 1 2 Swade, Alison; Plain White T’s come home to play DuPage County Fair; 24 July 2007; My Suburban Life - Clarendon Hills; Higgenson, the lead singer from Villa Park, attended Willowbrook High School with the band’s guitarist, Dave Tirio.; accessed 18 July 2009
  35. ↑ "Cover Story: Hey Punk! : Illinois Entertainer". illinoisentertainer.com.
  36. ↑ "Willowbrook Distinguished Alumni Awards 2011".
  37. ↑ Reaven, Steve (for ChicagoSports.com); Keeping up with ... Willowbrook's Matt Roth; 7 January 2008; Chicagotribune.com; "I can't remember losing more than two or three weeks in a row," said Roth of his previous football stops at Willowbrook High School ...; accessed 17 July 2009
  38. ↑ "Matt Roth". NFL.com.
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