St. Charles East High School

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Saint Charles East High School
Motto	To Create Dedicated, Responsible, Life-long Learners
Established	1973
Type	Public secondary
Principal	Robert Miller
Students	1,997
Grades	9–12
Location	1020 Dunham Road St. Charles, Illinois USA
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Orange, Black
Mascot	Sir Charles the Great
Yearbook	Halo
Newspaper	X-Ray
Website	www.d303.org/schools/highsch

Saint Charles East High School is a public four-year high school located in St. Charles, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Community Unit School District 303 which also includes Saint Charles North High School.

[edit] History

St. Charles East High School located at 1020 Dunham Road in St. Charles was originally know as St. Charles High School. Prior to moving to this location in the 1960's the high school was located on the west side of town in what is now known as Thompson Middle School located at the corners of Seventh and Main Street in Saint Charles. Before the year 2000, one high school served all students within the District 303 boundaries at which time St. Charles North was established to accomodate the rapidly growing student population in St. Charles. The first graduating class in District 303 to be split between two high schools graduated in 2003.

The Saint Charles East High School campus includes the Norris Cultural Arts Center, and the Norris Recreational Center.[1]  These facilities were established to serve not only the high school but the community as well. The Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center, a 1,000-seat performing arts theater and art gallery, was founded in 1978 with funding from the St. Charles Charities, which was created in 1924 by Lester and Dellora Norris and Edward Baker.
 

During spring break in 2001, a very serious mold problem was discovered at the campus and was determined to be the source of some student illnesses. The mold had been reported on by student Jeanette Quinn in an article in the school paper back in the 1989. The teacher that she interviewed stated that a few of his students became nauseous in his classroom due to a foul odor. However, no conclusive evidence was found connecting the moldy odor to the students' illnesses. In 2001 the whole building was shut down and the students received an extra two weeks of spring break while officials determined how to take care of the situation. For the rest of the 2001 school year, St. Charles East students shared a split-schedule with St. Charles North High School. East students attended class at the North campus during the morning, while North students went during the afternoon. During the summer of 2001 through the next school year, the school underwent an enormous renovation. For the entire 2001-2002 school year, the current students had to take classes in the adjacent Wredling Middle School building and mobile classrooms surrounding it (brought in specifically to accommodate the larger student body). Meanwhile, the Wredling Middle School students took classes in mobile classrooms parked in a field between Haines and Thompson Middle Schools. Classes resumed their normal locations and schedules the following school year (2002-2003). This event caught the attention and cameras of local and national news organizations on more than one occasion throughout the year.^[1]

[edit] Academics

In 2005, Saint Charles East had an average composite ACT score of 21.5 and graduated 100.0% of its senior class. The average class size is 19.5. Saint Charles East has made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievements Examination, a state test part of the No Child Left Behind Act.^[2]

[edit] Athletics

Saint Charles East has 29 athletic teams, of 14 boys and 15 girls teams, which compete in the Upstate Eight Conference and Illinois High School Association. Saint Charles East's mascot is Sir Charles the Great. In the 1998-1999 school year St. Charles East set a IHSA State Record for most State Championships won by a school with a total of 6 (not including Color guard or Drill team)

St. Charles East has also been the recipient of 5 state class AAA colorguard titles and 11 Drill team titles within the past 12 years. The guard is under the current direction of Johni Zabka.

Famous Swim Teams

In 1979, the fledgling St. Charles High School Boy's Swim Team won their first state championship, breaking a streak of 12 in a row by Hinsdale Central. Throughout the 80's, St. Charles dominated IHSA Swimming, winning in 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986. They were runners up in 1987, 1988, and 1990.

At one time, signs were hung at the city limits next to the population sign that stated, "Welcome to St. Charles, State Capital of Illinois High School Swimming for the 80s." There were also championship wins in swimming in 1993, 1997 and 1999. The split of the two high schools has obviously hurt the power of the school.

School Fight Song

Heres to St. Charles East High School
Bring victory back
Heres to our colors
the orange and the Black

RAH RAH RAH

Heres to all the Saints
Who bear our name
Fighting to defeat the foe
And win this game

RAH RAH RAH
RAH RAH RAH
RAH RAH RAH
RAH RAH RAH
RAH RAH RAH
RAH RAH RAH
St. Charles EAST

The 2005 football team, made history by beating crosstown rival, the St. Charles North "North Stars", for the season finale and the first round of the playoffs. Putting the original St. Charles football program back on the map and into the playoffs.

The St. Charles East Wrestling program is the only current sport to be undefeated against the St. Charles North "North Stars".

[edit] Activities

Saint Charles East offers dozens of activities, including auto club, drama, marching band, and national honor society. The Saint Charles East Drama club has sent many students to all-state productions, such as Brittany Stock in "A Chorus Line" and Will Kazda. Through the guidance of Bridget Kancler and Theresa Bundy, Saint Charles East Drama Club has become known locally as professional theater in a high school setting. Many notable performances include Pippin, Guys and Dolls, and Peter Pan.

[edit] Notable Alumni

• Randy Wright; Former Wisconsin Badgers QB who played professionally for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

• Bobby Conn; Chicago musician/musical artist

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Color Guard

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