Hinsdale Township High School District 86

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 is a public high school district located in DuPage County, Illinois, serving the communities of Hinsdale, Illinois, Darien, Illinois, Clarendon Hills, Illinois, and parts of Oak Brook, Illinois, Willowbrook, Illinois, and Burr Ridge, Illinois. The district operates two schools, Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School, which are both accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and have been recognized by the United States Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools. The district is a member of the Illinois High School Association and competes in the West Suburban Conference.

● Overview

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 is a highly regarded school district, known for its strong academic programs, excellent extracurricular activities, and commitment to community service. The district serves over 4,500 students, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 12:1, and has a diverse student body, with students from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, including African American, Asian American, Hispanic and Latino American, and European American students. The district has a strong partnership with local organizations, such as the Hinsdale Community Foundation, the Darien Park District, and the Clarendon Hills Park District, and has received recognition from the National Association of School Psychologists, the American School Counselor Association, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

● History

The history of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 dates back to the early 20th century, when the district was first established to serve the growing communities of Hinsdale, Illinois and surrounding areas. The district has undergone significant changes and expansions over the years, including the opening of Hinsdale Central High School in 1959 and Hinsdale South High School in 1965. The district has been led by several notable superintendents, including Dr. Nicholas Wahl, who served from 2001 to 2010, and Dr. Bruce Law, who served from 2010 to 2015, and has been recognized for its innovative programs and initiatives, such as the International Baccalaureate program and the Advanced Placement program, which are also offered at other schools, including New Trier High School, Glenbrook North High School, and Naperville Central High School.

● Schools

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 operates two schools: Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School. Both schools offer a comprehensive curriculum, including courses in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages, such as Spanish, French, and Chinese. The schools also offer a range of elective courses, including music, art, and physical education, and have strong programs in theater, dance, and visual arts, with performances and exhibitions at venues such as the Hinsdale Central Auditorium and the Hinsdale South Performing Arts Center. The district's schools have been recognized for their excellence by organizations such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American School Counselor Association, and the National Association of School Psychologists, and have been compared to other top-performing schools, including Walter Payton College Prep, Northside College Preparatory High School, and Whitney M. Young Magnet High School.

● Administration

The administration of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 is led by the Board of Education, which is composed of seven members elected by the community. The district is also led by a superintendent, who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the district, and has a strong leadership team, including Dr. Tamara Wallace, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Dr. Matthew Siniscalchi, the assistant superintendent for business and operations. The district has a strong partnership with local organizations, such as the Hinsdale Community Foundation, the Darien Park District, and the Clarendon Hills Park District, and has received recognition from the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the American Association of School Administrators, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

● Academics

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 is known for its strong academic programs, which include a range of courses and programs designed to meet the needs of all students. The district offers Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, and honors courses, as well as courses in career and technical education, such as computer science, engineering, and health sciences. The district has a strong focus on STEM education, with programs and partnerships with organizations such as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Stanford University, and has been recognized for its excellence in mathematics and science education by organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teachers Association.

● Extracurricular Activities

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music and art programs, and clubs and organizations. The district's sports teams, known as the Hinsdale Central Red Devils and the Hinsdale South Hornets, compete in the West Suburban Conference and have won numerous conference championships and state championships. The district's music and art programs have also received recognition, with performances and exhibitions at venues such as the Hinsdale Central Auditorium and the Hinsdale South Performing Arts Center, and have been compared to other top-performing schools, including New Trier High School, Glenbrook North High School, and Naperville Central High School. The district has a strong partnership with local organizations, such as the Hinsdale Community Foundation, the Darien Park District, and the Clarendon Hills Park District, and has received recognition from the Illinois High School Association, the National Federation of State High School Associations, and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Category:School districts in Illinois