John Hersey High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = John Hersey High School

motto =
established = 1968
principal = Dr. Tina Cantrell
type = Secondary School (High School)
grades = 9–12
city = 1900 East Thomas Street
Arlington Heights
state = Illinois
country = USA
enrollment = 1,955
faculty = 268
campus =
mascot = Nanook the Huskie (Hersey Huskies)
colors = Orange and Brown (and White)
yearbook = The Endeavor
newspaper = The Correspondent
website = [http://jhhs.d214.org/ jhhs.d214.org]
picture =

John Hersey High School, or Hersey, is a public four-year high school located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Township High School District 214, which also includes Buffalo Grove High School, Elk Grove High School, Prospect High School, Rolling Meadows High School, and Wheeling High School.

History

John Hersey High School is known as one of the few schools in the state that specifically caters to students with special needs. The hard of hearing population at JHHS is one of the largest in the area and well noted. Hersey also welcomed the MMI (Mildly Mentally Impaired) program, formerly housed at Wheeling High School, to its school in 2006. JHHS recently built a new fine arts and fitness section. The fitness equipment and workout room has been noted as one of the finest in the townFact|date=February 2007.

In 2005, the Hockey Club (Huskies Hockey Club) Junior Varsity team went to the Blackhawk Cup State Championship only to lose to Glenbrook South. Hersey High School won 1st place in the 2007 National Deaf Academic Bowl competition. In 2006, the John Hersey High School Congressional Debate team took state at the Illinois Congressional Debate Association State Competition, the school's first state championship since 1989.Fact|date=July 2007 In 2007, the Hersey Huskie Rugby Club went to the Tier II State Championship, but lost to the Morton Mustangs.

The school marching band won the University of Illinois' field competition in 2006. The school's Symphonic Band was accepted to the prestigious Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in the 2006-2007 school year. With a recording from this performance, the band was accepted to the even more prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic held annually in Downtown Chicago where bands from across the nation, and internationally, apply to perform. The Band also recently received the Sudler Flag of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, for its "particularly significant high standards of excellence in music over several years".

Hersey is recognized for its strong service component to its students' education. Its Service Over Self Club led to the recognition of philanthropy to many students of the school. Over 90% of graduating seniors participate in at least one SOS activity in their high school career.Fact|date=July 2007

John Hersey High School also co–hosts the Illinois High School Association State Tennis Tournament. In addition, the JHHS Robotics Team placed 5th at the 2005-2006 and 9th at the 2006-2007 "BattleBots IQ" competitions (now known as "BotsIQ").

During the 2007-2008 school year, Hersey High School received a few safety threats, the most notable being a bomb threat during the first semester of classes.

Academics

In 2007, the average ACT score at Hersey for the graduating class was 23.1. [ [http://www.d214.org/shared/schools/jhhs.php District 214 Hersey Page] ] Hersey has made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a state test that comprises a part of the No Child Left Behind Act. [ [http://www.d214.org/shared/info/reportcards/JHHSreport07.pdf Illinois School Report Card] ]

Feeder schools

Middle schools whose graduates usually attend Hersey include Thomas Middle School, Miner Junior High School, River Trails Middle School, and MacArthur Middle School. JHHS also receives students from several private schools.

Notable alumni

* Marlee Matlin [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559144/bio Marlee Matlin IMDb profile] ] , actress.
* Steve Chen [ [http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=236969 Daily Herald interviews Steve Chen ] ] , YouTube co-founder.
* Jim Michaels [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004079/bio Jim Michaels IMDb profile] ] , Producer/Director/Actor
* Bruce Vilanch, Comedy writer.
* Gunnar Malstrom [ [http://www.funnygunny.com/bio.htm Gunnar Malstrom Biography] ] , comedian.
* Chris Nowinski [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1054042/bio Chris Nowinski IMDb profile] ] , professional wrestler.
* Dave Corzine [ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/corzida01.html Dave Corzine Basketball Reference profile] ] , basketball player.
* Art Azarbarzin [ [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/st-5/team/Azarbarzin-bio.html NASA - Art Azarbarzin—Space Technology 5, Project Manager ] ] , NASA Project Manager.

References

External links

* [http://jhhs.d214.org/ Official Website]
* [http://www.d214.org/shared/schools/jhhs.php District 214 School Profile]
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12532678?s=200&np=13&sort=raa Newsweek Rankings]