Ever wonder how a high school becomes a legend? We are standing before New Trier High School. This school is more than just brick and mortar. It is a place of history. It is a place of academic excellence.
New Trier High School opened its doors February 4 in 1901. Seventy-six eager students braved snow to attend. The school quickly became a cornerstone of the community. It was founded in 1901. The school serves several Chicago suburbs. These include Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Winnetka. Glencoe, Northfield, and parts of Northbrook and Glenview are included.
In 1913, New Trier made history. It became the first American high school with an indoor swimming pool. This shows the school’s commitment to innovation. Athletics have always been a big part of New Trier. By 1934 the track team won the school’s first IHSA state championship. New Trier leads all Illinois high schools in athletic state championships.
Fast forward to the 1950s. New Trier became a pioneer in educational broadcasting. It had the first non-commercial FM broadcast license. This was for a radiated station. It was WNTH 88.1 FM. By 1970, New Trier had the first public high school-based CCTV station. It broadcast educational programs to elementary schools.
Student enrollment boomed. By 1962, over 4,000 students were enrolled. To handle the growth, New Trier purchased land in Northfield. A new campus was designed. It was called New Trier West. New Trier West opened in 1965. It housed first and second-year students. The original campus became New Trier East.
In 1967, New Trier West became a separate four-year high school. Enrollment peaked in 1972. There were 6,558 students. By 1981, enrollment declined. The school board combined East and West. New Trier West became a freshman-only campus. All students were brought back to one campus by 1985.
New Trier faced challenges. In 1987, there was a proposal to sell the New Trier West campus. Citizens formed the Coalition for the Future of New Trier. The Coalition successfully fought to retain the campus.
New Trier has always been recognized for excellence. It has been called one of the best public schools in America. It has a rich curriculum. It has extensive arts and activities. The school also has strong athletics. Life magazine featured New Trier as one of the best high schools. This happened in 1950 and 1998.
The school has produced Nobel laureates. Jack Steinberger won the Physics Nobel in 1988. New Trier’s students consistently achieve high scores. In 2016, Newsweek ranked New Trier as the top open-enrollment high school in Illinois.
New Trier is known for its extracurricular activities. There are over 150 clubs. These include the Cereal Club. Athletics are a major part of the school’s identity. The school has won more than 120 state championships. New Trier’s rivalries are legendary. Evanston Township High School and Loyola Academy are big competitors.
The Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival is a highlight. It attracts high school jazz ensembles. It also attracts jazz educators. The festival is named after the late jazz musician Frank Mantooth.
New Trier continues to evolve. A renovation project was completed in 2017. The school’s commitment to student growth remains strong. The mission is to inspire students. They should commit minds to inquiry. They should also have hearts to compassion. They should lead lives in service to humanity.
As we stand here, we see more than just a school. We see a legacy. We see a commitment to excellence. We see New Trier High School. It stands tall as a beacon of education.