Once upon a time in Bensenville, Illinois…wait, that’s not right. A better beginning is needed for the story of Fenton High School. Did you know that Fenton High School started as a small two-year high school program in 1917? It was part of Bensenville Elementary School District 2. This humble beginning laid the groundwork for what Fenton High School is today.
In 1925, Community High School District 100 was founded. This led to a four-year program serving both Bensenville and Wood Dale. Then in 1927, Bensenville Community High School was built. But, by 1951, the school was too small for all the students. So, a new building was approved.
Fenton Community High School opened in September 1955. It was named after Frederick C. Fenton. He was the district’s first superintendent. Today, Fenton High School stands at 1000 W. Green Street. It serves around 1,500 students from Bensenville, Wood Dale, and part of Addison.
Fenton High School has a lot to offer its students. Academically, Fenton High School provides a strong foundation. In 2007, the average ACT score was 20.0. About 87.3% of seniors graduated. The average class size is about 17.9 students. Students need 45 semester credits to graduate from Fenton High School. Requirements include English, physical education, social studies, math, and science. There are also fine and applied arts courses. These include foreign languages. Health and information processing are also required.
Fenton High School offers 19 Advanced Placement courses. These include Studio Art, French, German, and Spanish. There’s also Computer Science, Statistics, and Calculus. Students can also take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. U.S. History, World History, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics are offered too. In English, “AP American Literature” prepares students for the AP English Language test. “AP American Writers” and “AP Seminar in English” ready students for the AP English Literature test. AP Computer Science A is also available. Community service is important at Fenton High School. Students must complete 25 hours to graduate.
Fenton High School is known for its athletics. The school competes in the Upstate Eight Conference. The mascot is the Bison. Fenton High School offers many sports for both men and women. These include basketball, bowling, cross country, and gymnastics. There’s also soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Men can also play baseball, football, and golf. Wrestling is also available. Women can participate in badminton, cheerleading, and softball. The school also has a competitive dance team called Dance Force.
Fenton High School has won several state championships. The Girls Bowling team won in 1984-85, 1987-88, and 1988-89. The Wrestling team won in 1972-73.
Beyond academics and sports, Fenton High School has many activities. There are 19 clubs for students. Image Makers is a distinctive club focused on experimental artwork. The artwork decorates the school. The theater group puts on small performances in October. The year culminates in a spring musical in May. The Scholastic Bowl team hosted the NAQT State Tournament in 2009. Fenton High School has also won state competitions in Drama and Individual Events.
Several notable people have graduated from Fenton High School. Colin Brady is an animator with Pixar. He worked on “Toy Story” and “A Bug’s Life.” Daren Dochterman is an art designer and illustrator. He worked on “The Abyss” and “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” Gene L. Hoffman taught social studies at Fenton High School. He was also a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. Richard Oruche played basketball for Nigeria in the 2012 Olympics. Monica Pedersen is an HGTV designer. Jim Spivey was a three-time US Olympic track & field team member. Genevieve “Audrey” Wagner played professional baseball and won a batting title.
Fenton High School has faced some challenges. In recent years, there were allegations of sexual misconduct by a staff member. The district released a timeline of events. They investigated every anonymous tip. Law enforcement and child protective services were involved. The school has stated that it fully cooperated with authorities.
Fenton High School continues to move forward. In 2019, College Board recognized Fenton as the AP District of the Year. The school is open Monday through Friday. Classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The main office is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fenton High School stands as a testament to its history. From its humble beginnings to its present-day achievements, it remains a vital part of the community. The colors of orange and royal blue inspire the Bison within each student.