Did you know Hinsdale Central High School opened as a single classroom in 1879? It was part of the South Side School. This classroom met the need for education beyond eighth grade.
Welcome to Hinsdale Central High School. It stands proudly in Hinsdale Illinois. It is a beacon of academic and athletic excellence.
Initially, all twelve grades shared a schoolhouse. It was built around 1866 at Garfield and Third Streets. William Robbins built it. There were five teachers. They taught about 120 students.
The first Hinsdale Central High School class graduated in 1883. There were only four students. Their names were Alice Warren, Minnie Hinds, Grace Redfield and Florence Webster.
In 1894, fire destroyed the school building. A new building replaced it on the same site. In 1911, the school district reorganized. The school officially became Hinsdale Township High School. A new school building was completed nearby in 1916.
By the 1930s the community had grown. A new site was purchased south of town. It was at the corner of 55th and Grant Streets. A football field was dedicated here in 1932. But, the Depression and World War II delayed construction. The current Hinsdale Central High School building was dedicated in 1950.
Hinsdale South High School opened in 1965. It was then that the word “Central” was added to the school’s name. A potential Hinsdale North High School site was deemed unnecessary. It was sold and became part of the Trinity Lakes Subdivision.
Extensive renovations occurred in 2004. These improvements eased crowded hallways. Deteriorating parts of the building were rebuilt. A new library extended the cafeteria. Connected hallways improved traffic flow.
Hinsdale Central High School’s commitment to character is notable. In 2007, it was the only high school nominated as a Character Counts school. It was named Character Counts School of the Year. In 2009, it became a National School of Character.
2015 was an exceptional year for Hinsdale Central athletics. The school won eight state championships in a single season. These included girls tennis, girls golf, boys wrestling and boys cross country. Boys soccer, boys golf, boys swimming and boys tennis also won.
A $140 million referendum passed in April 2019. It funded renovations for Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South High School. Students supported this. They cited outdated infrastructure.
Several construction projects were completed in 2021 and 2022. The Don Watson Aquatic Center replaced the old pool in 2021. Many classrooms were renovated. They received new desks, chairs and whiteboards. The Student Commons replaced an old wing in 2022. A new entrance on Grant Street was built. The student cafeteria was redone. The basement was renovated for career and technical education.
Hinsdale Central High School continues to excel academically. Newsweek Magazine ranked it among America’s Best High Schools in 2021. The Class of 2017 achieved an average SAT score of 1218. This was eighth best in Illinois.
The school empowers students. It helps them pursue their ideal futures. Hinsdale Central also prepares them for college, career, and citizenship. Hinsdale Central is a National Blue Ribbon School. It embodies a tradition of academic excellence. It has a rich history of success. Hinsdale Central meets the social and emotional needs of its students. It develops responsible decision-makers.