Elmwood Park High School

Amidst the post-war boom, Elmwood Park High School emerged. It opened its doors in 1954. The residents of Elmwood Park finally had their own local high school. Elmwood Park High School, often called EPHS, isn’t actually in Elmwood Park. It’s located in the neighboring village of River Grove, Illinois. This suburban school, part of Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401, serves students from Elmwood Park. The school’s colors are black and gold, and its mascot is the Tiger. The students proudly uphold the motto: “Our Pride, Our Students, Our Future”. Originally, the school housed grades 9-12. As of the 2022-23 school year, almost a thousand students walked these halls. Imagine the energy of those first classes back in ’54. Fast forward to 2009, a pivotal year for EPHS. The school achieved Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. This was a significant victory. In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked Elmwood Park High School in the top 10 percent of high schools in both Illinois and the nation. That’s quite an accomplishment. Elmwood Park High School boasts a robust athletics program. The Tigers compete in the Upstate Eight Conference and the Illinois High School Association. The football team experienced a moment of glory in 2012. They clinched the Metro Suburban Conference title for the first time since 1985, a testament to their hard work. This victory was echoed in 2017 when they became co-champions again. EPHS is more than just academics and athletics. It’s a community. In 2024, a decade wall was installed near the main gym. This wall showcases the rich history of the school, decade by decade, a visual celebration of the students and their accomplishments. It’s a reminder of how far Elmwood Park High School has come since its humble beginnings in 1954.