Cary-Grove High School
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Cary-Grove High School is a high school in
Cary, Illinois Cary is a village located in Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois, Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois, and Cuba Township, Lake County, Illinois, Cuba Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 United States cens ...
, a northwest suburb of
Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
, USA; it is part of Community High School District 155. In 1995, it was the subject of much media attention after the Fox River Grove level crossing accident that killed seven students. In 2006, on the anniversary of the accident, another Cary-Grove student, Justin Glassmyer, was killed at the same crossing. Located approximately 38 miles northwest of Chicago, the school serves students from Cary, Fox River Grove, the far east side of Crystal Lake, and areas of Barrington, Trout Valley and Oakwood Hills.


Student life


Athletics

The school's team mascot is the "Trojan." The football team won four Class 6A state titles in 2009 against
Providence Catholic High School Providence Catholic High School (often referred to as Providence, Provi, or abbreviated PCHS) is a Roman Catholic secondary school located in New Lenox, Illinois. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet, Providence Catholic is a private ...
, in 2018 against
Crete-Monee High School Crete-Monee High School (CMHS) is a four-year public high school located in Crete, Illinois, a far south suburb of Chicago, in the United States. Known colloquially as ''Crete'', the high school houses students representing the surrounding commu ...
, in 2021 and 2023 against East St. Louis High School. They finished three second places in 2004 (7A), 2012 (6A), and 2014 (7A). The 2009 Women's Volleyball team won the state title. It was the first state title in the school's history.
In 2010, the Volleyball team was ranked Number 1 in the nation by various sources, but lost the state final game to
Lyons Township High School Lyons Township High School (often referred to as LTHS or simply LT) is a public high school in Western Springs, Illinois (South Campus), and La Grange, Illinois (North Campus). Lyons Township is a coeducational high school and serves grades 9†...
snapping their 57 match win streak and ended their season at 41-1 overall. In 2011 the Volleyball team was runner up in the state, marking the third year in a row that the team made it to the state finals. In 2011 Carly Loeffel became the second individual and first female athlete to win a Track and Field championship in the high jump by jumping 5'8". The other individual champion was Brad Thornton in the 300m hurdles back in 2003. In 2012, also in track and field, Josh Freeman became the first person in school history, and in the history of the Fox Valley Conference, to win two individual state championships in the same year when he won the shot put and discus state titles. His shot put throw of 66'0" ranks 3rd all-time in Illinois state history.


Music

As of 2012, 16 different groups and ensembles perform at the school, including the A Cappella Singers, Swing Choir, Jazz Choir, Bel Canto Choir, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Drumline, Pep Band and Jazz Ensemble. The band is headed by Marty Magnini. A new Fine Arts Center opened in September 2015 to replace the school's original auditorium, which was built in 1965. The new facility cost $8.5 million and features updated technology, more dressing rooms, rehearsal space, a scenery shop and an enlarged stage. The private-public partnership with the Cary-Grove Fine Arts Foundation was the first for the school district. Every November, all chorus students participate in ¨Fall Follies¨, a concert that includes singing, dancing, and skits. Swing Choir, Beginners Chorus, Advanced Mixed Chorus, Bel Canto Choir, A Cappella Singers, and Jazz Choir all participate.


History

Cary Grove was opened in 1961. Originally, the school colors (purple and white) and the tune for the school song were borrowed from
Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...
. In 1978, while the school colors remained purple and white, the sports, cheerleader and band uniforms became navy and white. The school song remained the Northwestern University school song. During the 1980s, the change to navy blue and white became official.


Notable events

In 1995, Cary-Grove High school received national media attention due to a tragic bus accident involving a train and school bus in Fox-River-Grove.


Academics

Cary-Grove's mission statement is "For each student, we will inspire a love for learning, empower the pursuit of personal aspirations, and nurture the desire to contribute to the world." Cary-Grove currently offers over 200 courses for students to choose from. Of those classes, 20 are
Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...
. The graduation rate is 97%, and 92.7% intend to continue their education in some form after graduation The Advanced Placement (AP) exam rate is 22%, with 88% of test taken earning an honor score of 3-5


Faculty and class size

Of the 111 teachers, 86% of them have a master's degree or higher. The school also employs five counselors, two social workers, and one psychologist on its student services team. The average classroom size is 18 students per class.


Recognition

As of 2019, Cary-Grove High School was determined to belong among the country's top schools according to The ''U.S. News & World Report''. The rankings placed Cary-Grove at number 884 nationally and 41st in
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...
. The national ranking puts CG at least in the top 3.8% of the nation’s public high schools. Cary-Grove High School has also earned national recognition, ranking 323 out of 500 in an article by Newsweek listing "America's Top High Schools in 2015"


Notable students

*
Patrick Burns (paranormal investigator) Patrick Lynn Burns (born September 29, 1968) is an American photographer and paranormal investigator, best known as star of the TruTV (formerly Court TV) series ''Haunting Evidence''. He began to get media recognition after he was featured in an ...
(1987), star of
Haunting Evidence ''Haunting Evidence'' is an American documentary television series following the travels of a psychic profiler, a spirit medium, and a paranormal investigator. The trio travels the United States investigating "cold case" homicide and missing pe ...
* Drew Conner (2012), midfielder with the Chicago Fire *
Jeff Dee Jeff Dee is an American artist and game designer. He was the youngest artist in the history of pioneering role-playing game company TSR when he began his work at the age of 18. He also designed the ''Villains and Vigilantes'' superhero game. He ...
(1979), artist, game designer, atheist activist *
Evan Dollard Evan "The Rocket" Dollard (born April 7, 1982) is an American athlete and rock climber. He came to prominence during Season 1 of the rebooted ''American Gladiators'', as the season 1 men's champion. He earned his nickname "Rocket" from his spee ...
(2000), athlete known for '' American Gladiators'' *
Quinn Priester Charles Quinn Priester (born September 15, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. He was selected ...
(2019), drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 18th position of the first round of the
2019 MLB draft The 2019 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 3 to 5, 2019. The draft assigned amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The draft order was set based on the reverse order of the 2018 MLB season standings. In addition, compensation picks ...
. * Jack Wenninger (2020), baseball player in the
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
organization *
Paul Wertico Paul Wertico (born January 5, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois) is an American drummer. He gained recognition as a member of the Pat Metheny Group from 1983 until 2001, leaving the group to spend more time with his family and to pursue other musical i ...
(1971), jazz drummer (member of the
Pat Metheny Group The Pat Metheny Group was an American jazz band founded in 1977 by guitarist and composer Pat Metheny, along with his core collaborating member, keyboardist and composer Lyle Mays. Other long-standing members included bassist and producer Steve ...
for many years), winner of 7
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...
s * Addison West (2019), Consensus First Team All American


References


External links

*
Cary Grove High School Alumni
{{Coord, 42, 13, 17, N, 88, 14, 30, W, display=title, region:US-IL_source:GNIS Public high schools in Illinois Schools in McHenry County, Illinois Educational institutions established in 1961 1961 establishments in Illinois