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Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, Illinois)

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Stevenson High School
Location
Map
1 Stevenson Drive

Lincolnshire
,
Illinois
60069

United States

42°11′57″N 87°56′44″W / 42.1993°N 87.9455°W / 42.1993; -87.9455
Information
TypePublic
Established1965
School district
Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125
SuperintendentWendy Custable [1]
Principal
Troy Gobble[1]
Faculty281.60 (on FTE basis)[2]
Grades9–12
Enrollment4,719 (2024–25)[2]
Average class size
22[3]
Student to teacher ratio
16.38[2]
Campus size
76 acres (31 ha)
Campus type
Suburban
ColorsGreen and gold    
Team namePatriots
PublicationThe Monthly Minuteman (magazine) "The Daily Digest" (newsletter)
NewspaperThe Statesman
YearbookThe Ambassador
Websitewww.d125.org

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

History

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In 1964, disagreement between the district's western (Lake Zurich) and eastern (current Stevenson) sections emerged over the school's direction. Before Stevenson opened, students in the area attended Ela-Vernon High School in Lake Zurich. Stevenson was planned to be a second school for the growing district, but the district's western side (Lake Zurich) decided to build its 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 lacked desks, and athletic fields were nonexistent, 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 were pivotal. 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 solve problems 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 to become one of the area's largest high schools.[7] It has undergone various additions, first in 1970, when the gym and pool were renovated. Another round of remodeling occurred in the mid-1990s to accommodate the increasing student population. After the three-level east building was added in 1995, the school was more than six times its original size of 113,000 square feet. The east building included 60 classrooms, a Performing Arts Center (PAC), the Patriot Aquatic Center, Field House, and the Technology Center. Also built was a new indoor walkway ("The Link") between the west and east buildings.

In 2002, a referendum seeking an increase in the education tax rate received nearly 70% support, stabilizing the district's finances. After retiring in 2002, DuFour became a leading voice for school reform.[8] In 2008, Education Week featured an article about Stevenson High School's implementation of professional learning community practices.[5]

In 2004, the school's main entrance was rebuilt and transformed into a 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. Also in 2008, the original auditorium was renovated.[10]

In the 2005–06 school year, Stevenson had its highest enrollment, 4,573 students. From 2005–06 to 2014–15, enrollment declined every year. In 2014–15, Stevenson had its first enrollment increase since the peak in 2005–06.[11] Stevenson's enrollment was 4,337 in 2018–19[12] and surpassed 4,500 in 2020.

In 2011, the west building's library and student resource center were renovated for the first time. The project was finished in 2015 when two lecture halls were removed to make way for the Quiet Learning Center (QLC).[13] The photography studio was renovated in 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 2022.

Demographics

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In 2025, the demographics were: White: 40.8%, Asian: 44.6%, Hispanic: 8.6%, Black: 1.9%, Two or More Races: 3.6%, and American Indian: 0.4%.[16]

Communities served

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

Feeder schools

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All students from Aptakisic Junior High School,[19] most students from Twin Groves Middle School, Woodlawn Middle School,[20] and Daniel Wright Junior High School, half of West Oak Middle School students, 18% of Fremont Middle School students,[21] and a small portion of Hawthorn Middle School South students attend Stevenson.[22][23]

Name of feeder school Name of feeder school's school district
Daniel Wright Junior High School[24][23] Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103
Aptakisic Junior High School[24][25] Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102
Twin Groves Middle School[24] Kildeer Consolidated School District 96
Woodlawn Middle School[24]
Fremont Middle School[24] Fremont School District 79
West Oak Middle School[24] Diamond Lake School District 76
Hawthorn Middle School South[22] Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District 73

Controversies and incidents

[edit]

Newspaper censorship

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In November 2009, a dispute over censorship erupted between school officials and the student newspaper, The Statesman. The administration stopped publication of the November 20 issue, objecting to stories about drugs, teen pregnancy, and shoplifting. Students wanted to leave the front page blank in protest of the censorship, but officials required them to run other stories approved by the administration.[26][27] On November 20, Stevenson's public information officer released a statement saying the administration did not think anonymously sourced allegations of illegal activity were fit for print.[28]

In a November 26 editorial, the Chicago Tribune wrote that Stevenson was wrong to force students to produce administration-approved stories. "This isn't editing, it's censorship", columnist Zak Stambor wrote.[29] The Society of Professional Journalists' Freedom of Information chairman called the censorship "immoral, un-American, irresponsible and not fit for education".[30]

After the censorship, 11 of 14 Statesman staffers—and all the paper's top editors—resigned at the start of the spring 2010 semester.[31]

Confiscation of student cellphones

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In February 2012, the school administration initiated an investigation into cannabis sales at the school, during which the cellphones of students suspected of selling cannabis were confiscated and text messages stored on the phones were read. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois called the investigation a "fishing expedition"; school officials said they were "perfectly within our rights". One student was suspended for five days and barred from participating in extracurricular activities because he refused to provide his phone's password. The probe resulted in two arrests on misdemeanor drug charges.[32][33]

Student altercations

[edit]

In 2017, three students were put on academic suspension when a video surfaced of a student attacking another student on a bus. The student was later charged with aggravated battery in juvenile court.[34]

Discrimination against Black students

[edit]

In January 2020, dean Nick Valenziano allegedly targeted and disrespected a black Stevenson student while being recorded on video. This led to student protests and an uproar in the Stevenson community. School administrators accepted Valenziano's resignation around June 2020[35] and hired a diversity director to address racial issues at the school.[36]

Athletics

[edit]

The Stevenson Patriots compete in the North Suburban Conference.[37] The following is a list of sports Stevenson lists for the 2023–24 school year:[38]

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:[39]

Sporting Achievements
Sport Achievements Years
Football State Champions 2014–2015
Boys Basketball State Champions 2014–2015
Girls Badminton State Champions 2016–2017
Boys Gymnastics State Champions 2001–2002, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2009–2010, 2014–2015
Girls Basketball State Champions 1994–1995, 1995–1996, 2021–2022
Girls Gymnastics State Champions 2000–2001, 2001–2002, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2008–2009
Girls Water Polo [40] State Champions 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024,

2025, 2026

Boys Bowling State Champions 2016
Boys Water Polo State Champions 2017, 2021,[41]

2026

Boys Swim & Dive State Champions 2022[42][43]
Patriettes State Champions 2017, 2020, 2021, 2024
Fencing Midwest High School Championships 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2023, 2024
Boys Ice Hockey AHAI State Champions 2021–22[44]
National Runners-Up 2021–22[45]
Girls Tennis State Champions 2017
Academic Achievements
Event Achievements Years
Science Olympiad National Champions 2023
Chess Team State Champions 2007–2008, 2021–2022, 2022–2023, 2023–2024, 2025–2026[46]
Scholastic Bowl State Champions 1999–2000, 2004–2005, 2009–2010, 2017–2018
Debate Team Harvard National Champions 2008, 2011, 2019
Math Team State Champions 1991, 2023[47]

Awards and recognition

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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.[48] 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.[49]

Niche ranked Stevenson as one of the best public high schools in America in 2017.[50] 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.[51]

For the class of 2016, 99.9% attended college.[52] 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.[citation needed]

Notable alumni

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References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "District 125 Administration". Adlai E. Stevenson High School.
  2. 1 2 3 "Adlai E. Stevenson High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  3. ↑ "About Stevenson High School". Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Adlai Stevenson High School". C-Span. December 26, 1997. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "About". D125. August 12, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ "About". Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Largest Illinois Public Schools (2020)". www.publicschoolreview.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Former Stevenson High School Superintendent DuFour Passes After Battle With Cancer". Journal Topics. February 10, 2017. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Adlai E Stevenson High School". US Green Building Council. April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Modernizing a campus for a growing student body". Wight & Company. June 2022. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Enrollment History". Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ "About – Stevenson High School". www.d125.org. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  13. ↑ "About the ILC". www.d125.org. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ Staff (August 26, 2019). "A $27M building addition, expanded lunch menu greets Stevenson High School students for the start of new year". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  15. ↑ Lissau, Russell (January 4, 2020). "Stevenson High School details plans for massive expansion". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Adlai E Stevenson High School (9–12)". illinoisreportcard. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Communities Served". D125. August 12, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  18. ↑ "D125 Map" (PDF). Lake County IL. 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  19. ↑ "History of D102". D102. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ "About Us". KCSD96. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ "About FSD79". FSD79. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Diversity". Hawthorn District 73. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "About". Stevenson High School. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Consortium/Feeder Schools". www.d125.org. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  25. ↑ "District 102 Information". Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Suburban high school's editors ordered to publish". Chicago Breaking News Center. November 24, 2009.
  27. ↑ "High school journalists ordered to print administration-approved newspaper". Student Press Law Center. November 25, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Students say school forced them to publish paper". WBBN Channel 2. Archived from the original on March 6, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  29. ↑ Stambor, Zak (November 26, 2009). "Muzzling students". Chicago Tribune.
  30. ↑ "Illinois high school principal/censor needs civics lesson". FOI FYI blog. November 30, 2009.
  31. ↑ "Top editors resign from Stevenson High newspaper". Chicago Tribune.
  32. ↑ Stoffel, Michelle (February 9, 2012). "2 Juveniles Charged in Stevenson High School Drug Bust". Chicago Tribune.
  33. ↑ Keilman, John (February 2, 2012). "Stevenson Student Curtis Hill Details How he Was Searched in Drug Probe". Chicago Tribune.
  34. ↑ "Stevenson girl charged in juvenile court in beating of classmate, police say". Chicago Tribune. January 30, 2017. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Stevenson High School Board Accepts Dean's Resignation – Journal & Topics Media Group". June 17, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Stevenson High hires diversity director after racial controversies". August 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020.
  37. ↑ "North Suburban — 2023–24". IHSA. August 3, 2023. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Athletic Schedule". D125. August 5, 2023. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  39. ↑ "IHSA Season Summaries". Illinois High School Association (IHSA). June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  40. ↑ "Records & History". www.ihsa.org. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  41. ↑ Gordon, Stephen (May 31, 2021). "Stevenson Wins Boys State Water Polo Title | Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal Online. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Records & History". www.ihsa.org. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  43. ↑ Penland, Spencer (March 7, 2022). "Stevenson Wins IHSA Boys Team Title; Aleksej Filipovic Nearly Downs IM Record". SwimSwam. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  44. ↑ "2022 Illinois State Hockey Championships".
  45. ↑ "2022 High School Division I".
  46. ↑ "Stevenson wins Chess State!". February 15, 2022.
  47. ↑ "HS History – Past Champions – Math Contests".
  48. ↑ "National Blue Ribbon Schools from 1982 to present" (PDF).
  49. ↑ "Alliance for Arts Education Network". Kennedy Center. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  50. ↑ "2021 Best Public High Schools in America".
  51. ↑ "Adlai E Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL". US News Best High Schools. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  52. ↑ "College and Career Center" (PDF).
  53. ↑ "Bozek makes U.S. women's Olympic hockey team". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). June 24, 2013. Retrieved 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
  54. 1 2 Nenni, Pete (May 13, 2003). "Stevenson grads make a name for themselves in television roles". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  55. ↑ Williams, Lena. (August 3, 2004). "OLYMPICS; Taking a Legacy To New Heights". The New York Times. Retrieved 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.
  56. ↑ "Brad Cieslak stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 12 July 2009". Archived from the original on September 19, 2010.
  57. ↑ "Players/People". TheBaseballCube.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008.
  58. ↑ http://www.mybooksaboutme.net/ronald-goldman-biography [dead link]
  59. ↑ "Ron Goldman". Nndb.com. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  60. ↑ Yannis, Alex (March 12, 1983). "SCOUTING; An Early Finish". The New York Times. Retrieved 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.
  61. ↑ "'Why can't that be me?' UM gymnast Paul Juda shines in Olympic debut for Team USA".
  62. ↑ "Dolphins sign three rookies". NFL. July 23, 2007.
  63. ↑ "Maema Njongmeta (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more". www.panthers.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Maema Njongmeta | Football". Wisconsin Badgers.
  65. ↑ "Matt O'Dwyer stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 12 July 2009". Archived from the original on February 18, 2010.
  66. ↑ "Robservations: New boss for 'CBS Evening News' hails from Prairie View – Robert Feder". www.robertfeder.com. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  67. ↑ "Richmond to Rockford". Chicago Sun-Times. October 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2023 – via HighBeam Research.
  68. ↑ "Buffalo Grove natives switch NHL teams". Buffalo Grove Countryside. March 12, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  69. ↑ "Rex Ryan : Head Coach : Official Jets Bio : New York Jets Team". New York Jets. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  70. 1 2 Pompei, Dan (May 17, 2009). "Rex Ryan family standard-bearer in NFL". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  71. ↑ "Official Site of the Dallas Cowboys | Bios | Coaches and Executives". DallasCowboys.com. January 15, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  72. ↑ "Kiki Van Zanten". Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website. July 2, 2019.
  73. ↑ Daday, Eileen O (September 2, 2006). "On the road to the Olympics Local athlete sets her sights on the gold". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). Retrieved 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.
  74. ↑ Mora, Josh (March 5, 2009). "Breaking Down the Blackhawks' Deal". csnChicago HawkTalk. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
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