What did former First Lady Hillary Clinton leave behind at Maine South High School? You might be surprised to learn it wasn’t a pair of pantsuits, but rather a legacy as a member of the very first graduating class. Maine South High School, right here in Park Ridge, Illinois, opened its doors in 1964, welcoming students from nearby areas like Niles and Harwood Heights. Clinton, having spent her first three years at Maine East, made the switch to Maine South for her senior year. It’s said that even back then, her ambition and drive were evident.
Maine South wasn’t just any high school. In 1973, just nine years after its opening, it was recognized as one of the top ten high schools in the nation by the North Central Association. This commitment to excellence extended beyond academics. The school fiercely advocated for girls’ soccer, playing a pivotal role in the Illinois High School Association’s recognition of the sport in the late 1980s. This forward-thinking approach continued, with Maine South even earning the distinction of a Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in 1989.
But here’s a lesser-known fact about Maine South. In 2011, the Guinness World Records certified a rather unique achievement. The graduating class of 2014 held the record for the most multiple birth sets in a single academic year. Imagine the hallways bustling with sixteen sets of twins and three sets of triplets! That’s a lot of double-takes and mistaken identities. Maine South High School, with its legacy of academic prowess, championship-winning teams, and even record-breaking student demographics, continues to hold a special place in the community.