Founded in 1958, Niles West High School has been a cornerstone of the Skokie Illinois community. Officially named Niles Township High School West it’s a public four-year high school. Niles West is part of Niles Township Community High School District 219. This district also includes Niles North High School.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of Niles West High School. The school sits on over an acre of land. Imagine the excitement as the doors opened for the first time in the fall of 1958. Niles West quickly became a hub for education and community engagement.
Niles West High School has faced its share of challenges. In 1996, teachers went on strike for two weeks. Students staged a walkout pledging allegiance to Niles West. Similar strikes occurred in 1979 and 1985. These events highlight the passion and dedication within the Niles West community.
Academically Niles West has consistently excelled. In 2007, the average ACT score was 22.3. An impressive 93.2% of the senior class graduated. The average class size was 19.2. In 2012, Newsweek recognized Niles West as one of the Top 1000 Public Schools in the nation.
Student life at Niles West is vibrant and diverse. The school offers a wide array of activities and opportunities. The “West Word” student newspaper won first place for seven years running. It received special merit twice from the American Scholastic Press Association Newspaper contest. In the 2010–2011 school year, the newspaper transitioned online. It was renamed “Niles West News”.
The fine arts program at Niles West is exceptional. In 2007, Niles West and Niles North received the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award. This award recognized excellence in arts education. In summer 2010, the Niles West High School Theatre Department performed in Scotland. They were part of the American High School Theatre Festival.
Niles West High School’s athletic teams are known as the Wolves. Until 2000, they were called the Indians. The name changed to avoid offending Native Americans. Niles West competes in the Central Suburban League and Illinois High School Association.
The school sponsors many sports teams. These include basketball, cross country, and soccer. Niles West has achieved significant athletic success. The baseball team won two IHSA state championships in the 1970s. The girls basketball team won the IHSA state championship in 1979. The boys gymnastics team won the IHSA state championship in 2016.
Niles West boasts a distinguished list of alumni. Merrick Garland is the 86th Attorney General of the United States. Bart Conner is an International Gymnastics Hall of Fame inductee. Jewell Loyd is a WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist. Her jersey number 32 was retired by Niles West High School. Rashard Mendenhall played in the NFL and is now a writer. Todd Sucherman is the drummer for Styx.
In 2024, Niles West High School was recognized as a top public high school. Chicago Magazine ranked it among the best in the Chicago area. It placed 15th among suburban high schools in Cook County. Currently, a renovation and construction project is underway. It began in the 2024-25 school year.
Niles West High School continues to evolve. It remains a vital institution in Skokie. From its strong academics to its vibrant student life Niles West shapes future leaders. It creates a lasting impact on its students and the community.