Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Homewood-Flossmoor High School (H-F) is a comprehensive public high school in Flossmoor, Illinois. As of the 2020-2021 academic year there were 2,831 students. The demographics of the student body that year was 70.1% Black, 16.1% White, 8.1% Hispanic, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, and 4.9% from two or more races. A three-time U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence winner (1983, 1996, 2002), Homewood-Flossmoor continues to be ranked nationally, including as one of "America’s Most Challenging High Schools" by "The Washington Post". In 2012–13, Homewood-Flossmoor became  the first public high school in Chicago's suburbs to earn the International Baccalaureate World School status. Homewood-Flossmoor has an Advanced Placement program (25 AP courses in 2017-18); a five-course Project Lead the Way STEM program; and a Media, Visual & Performing Arts Academy (MVP). The campus consists of a North* and South Building. The South Building contains a number of sub-buildings each assigned a letter, and includes the school's radio station (WHFH) 88.5 FM Flossmoor, television station VTV, science labs, a swimming pool, a music building, gymnasium and an auditorium. An ice rink is also  located on the campus, owned by the local park district. In 2014, H-F took part in a multimillion-dollar ($26,070,000 contract) renovation of the North Building on campus. The renovations included a new 200-meter track containing four full-sized basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts in the center of the track. The 9,000-sq. ft. facility also contains cardio and training equipment. Additionally, a 50-yard indoor turf has expanded the playing and practice season for a variety of field sports and activities, including football, soccer, field hockey, baseball and marching band. The project was finished in late  spring 2014. In 2015, H-F was awarded a Gold LEED Award for outstanding environmental practices in the construction of this addition. In 2019, the school began the first phase of its Fine Arts Expansion Project, which created a new music wing and black box theater, in addition to renovated visual arts classrooms. The project was completed in October 2020. History. Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School site opened in 1959 with enrollment at 1,170 students. There were 51 classrooms, which included 10 English classes, 10 Social Science, eight Science, six Mathematics, five Foreign Language, three Physical Education, one Homemaking, three  Industrial Arts, two Art, and three Music classes. A cafeteria, library and administrative area were also included. By 1965, the school's population had nearly doubled and additional buildings were added: Auditorium (1965), G Building (1966) and E Building (1966). As growth continued, it became apparent that a major new facility was needed, and in 1971, the North Building and fieldhouse opened when the student population topped 4,000. Following a decade of preparation and fiscal planning, in 1995 a $25 million renovation and addition program was completed: all classrooms and offices were wired for internet access; a music wing  was added, providing student practice and performance; a Technology Center and numerous labs to offer computer assisted instruction were completed; the Mall Building, located mid-campus near the football field and field house, was expanded, modernized and staffed, providing athletic training and rehabilitation of student athletes; a new Olympic sized aqua-center was opened; 14 tennis courts were added; and the student-run WHFH radio and TV stations were modernized. In 1989, football coach John Wrenn proposed District 233 adopt a mandatory drug-testing policy similar to one at two Lafayette, Indiana high schools, where a recent landmark court case  decision allowed the creation of such programs. H-F became the first high school in Illinois to require mandatory random drug testing for its student athletes. In 1996, the school gained publicity when up to 20,000 people gathered on the school lawn to hear President Bill Clinton deliver a speech on education during his 1996 reelection campaign. In addition to being named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education three times, the school has received Department of Education Technology Award twice. In 1995, the school's technology plan was named one of the five best in  the nation. In spring 2013, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization granted IB World School status to Homewood-Flossmoor. H-F now joins the exclusive company of approximately 3,000 IB World Schools that dot the globe across 138 countries. Beginning with the Class of 2020, the school now offers the unique Media, Visual & Performing Arts Academy (MVP), allowing students the opportunity to develop their talent in an art-focused field and making their passion the focal point of their education. Academics. A comprehensive school that offers four levels of academic courses, Homewood-Flossmoor serves all of its students at every level  through programs such as Project Lead the Way, Advanced Placement, IB Prep Academy, IB Diploma Programme and the Media, Visual & Performing Arts Academy. The school's academic resources and support initiatives help it challenge and meet the needs of all students every day. In 2016, nearly 90% of the graduating class continued on to a two- or four-year college or university. Placement in courses and levels is largely by student choice, yet the school encourages students to aspire to the highest course levels, resulting in an increase in the number of students in AP courses. In 2016, 1,025 AP  exams were taken at Homewood-Flossmoor, and — on those tests — students scored a 3 or higher and beat the national average in 10 subject areas. H-F has been named one of "Newsweek's" top 1,000 schools on several occasions in recent years: 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009 (#1142), 2008 (#746), 2007 (#682), 2006 (#849), 2005 (#744), and 2003 (#518). H-F has also been ranked for several years as one of America's Most Challenging High Schools by the Washington Post. H-F's Visual Arts Department was named the Best School Art Program in the state in 2013 by  the Illinois Art Education Association. Fine Arts Department. H-F offers an award-winning fine arts program, which includes courses in music, theatre, and visual arts. There are over 50 courses offered. About 39% of H-F students are enrolled in at least one fine arts course Music. H-F's Music Department includes three core programs: band, orchestra, and choir. As well as ensembles of these programs, additional classes are offered at HF, such as AP Music Theory, Industry of Music, and Guitar Ensembles. Band, orchestra, and choir ensembles each take turns touring a foreign country once every year , during spring break. Each program consists of multiple ensembles, curricular and extra-curricular. Drama. H-F's drama programs involve both curricular offerings and co-curricular productions. Five courses make up the curricular program: Acting, Theatre Production, Advanced Theatre Performance, Technical Theatre I, and Technical Theatre II. The H-F Theatre Department has won 17 State Championships in Drama, alone. H-F's drama programs involve both curricular offerings and co-curricular productions. H-F produces seven Mainstage shows in a school year. H-F holds the Illinois record for State Championships in Drama, with 17 State Championships. H-F  also holds the record for top three finishes in Drama and Group Interpretation. HF also has 3 State Championships in Group Interpretation. Visual arts. H-F's Visual Arts Department was named the best in the state of Illinois in 2013 by the Illinois Art Education Association. Programs offered: Athletics. H-F competes in the Southwest Suburban Conference (SWSC) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the organization which governs most sports and competitive activities in Illinois. Teams are stylized as the Vikings. The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross  country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and water polo. Young men may compete in baseball, football, lacrosse, and wrestling, while young women may compete in badminton, cheerleading and softball. While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors an ice hockey team for young men as well as field hockey and poms teams for young women. The school also offers a fencing team at a club level, which participates in the Great Lakes High School Conference every winter. The following teams have won their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournament or meet: As of 2009 , the girls golf team has finished in the top ten at the IHSA State Finals more than any team in state history; their six state titles is the second highest total in state history. Activities. The following activities placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state championship competition: ·DECA: Multiple state and national championships in various events including Quiz Bowl • Journalism: State Champions (2010, 2016)