Picture this A grand building stands before you. This is Lemont High School a cornerstone of the Lemont community. Established in 1906 it wasn’t always located here at 800 Porter Street.
Lemont High School’s story began much more humbly. Five students four girls and one boy started their classes in a leased building at 410 McCarthy Road. That building now houses condos. The original school cost only $500 a year to rent. Imagine the difference between that and today’s budget.
The current building at 800 Porter Street rose in 1925. It cost a whopping $125000. It included just eight classrooms a library a science lab and a gymnasium. A far cry from the massive 360000 square foot structure it is now.
Growth was rapid especially in the 1950s. Enrollment nearly doubled. This spurred massive expansion projects. New additions included a larger gymnasium and more classrooms. Wood metal and industrial arts shops were added by 1959.
The school expanded to 29 acres by 1967. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. A tornado hit in 1976 causing nearly $500000 in damage. The community rallied passing a bond to rebuild.
The 1990s brought another surge in students. A $24.5 million project doubled the size of the school adding more classrooms a fieldhouse and critically much needed parking. Lemont High School even had a movie role in Save the Last Dance. Parts of the school were used in the movie.
More expansions followed. A 2006 project added a new auditorium a new classroom wing and a state of the art performing arts center. A new football stadium with turf and a significantly upgraded seating capacity were added too. This expansion won the Midwest Construction magazine’s K-12 Education Project of the Year award.
Today Lemont High School boasts almost 1400 students. It offers around 200 courses. Its athletic programs have achieved remarkable success with state championships in various sports. The school has a rich history and a bright future. Its legacy is woven into the fabric of Lemont. The school’s evolution reflects the growth and resilience of the town itself. Lemont High School is more than just a school. It is a community.