Embedded Files
The year was 1922 when the residents of Arlington Heights and Arlington Township decided to build a new high school building for their growing area. A high school had been started back as far as 1907, holding classes in grade school buildings, then the district was formed in 1914. Construction on the new building was completed in 1923 and a total enrollment of 101 students began attending high school classes in the new building. A class of 10 students graduated in the first school year.
By 1928, an addition was added as the enrollment had swelled to 251 students, then in 1939, the enrollment had more than doubled (517) again and another addition was added to the building. Enrollment increased and building additions were made in 1946 (enrollment 669) and again in 1952 (enrollment 1,169). Major renovations were made to the school in 1956 and the official name of the school was changed to Arlington High School. Enrollment had swelled to 2,235 students. Review this timeline...from 101 students in 1922 to 2,235 students in 1956! The enrollment grew so large that District 214 had to build a separate Freshman Campus in Mount Prospect. However, the freshman campus lasted for only one year before that building became Prospect High School.
Arlington High School flourished for the next 25 years including another renovation in 1980. In 1981, the local school board announced that two of its now eight high schools would be closed. In 1982, the board decided that Arlington High School would be one of the two; Forest View High School also located in Arlington Heights was the other school. The class of 1984 was the last to graduate from Arlington High. Students now attend one of three high schools in District 214; John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, or Rolling Meadows High School.
The school building was sold in 1984 to Christian Liberty Academy. The school is used in this capacity today as a K-12 facility.
Arlington High School Quick Facts:
First year classes were held: 1907
Year school district established: 1914
Year high school building built: 1922
Year high school closed: 1984
High school building today: Christian Liberty Academy
School Mascot: Cardinals
School Colors: Red & White
School Newspaper: The Cardinal
School Yearbook: Heights
School Fight Song:
"Hail to Ol' Arlington!" (written by J.D. Bryson)
Hail to Old Arlington,
Cheer for the Red and White,
Let's play the Game to Win,
Stay Right in there and Fight, (u rah rah),
Our Cheers are all With You,
We're with you all the Way,
So stay right in there boys,
And we will win today-ay-ay.
Hail to Old Arlington
Cheer for the Red and White
Let's Play the Game to Win
Stay Right in There and Fight
U Rah! Rah!
We will Be Loyal too
And We'll uphold Her Fame
Just Get Right in There Boys
Sure We Will
Win This Game
Building Built and Closed in Controversy and Turmoil -- ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
In 1922 the Board of Education adopted it first plans for Arlington High School after a tumultuous start of High School District 214 in 1914. The architect was J.N. Coleman of Chicago, who died two months after signing the contract with the Board. Construction was completed in 1923 at a cost just above $100,000. The new Township High School Building was placed 200 feet back from Euclid Avenue, with its main entrance facing Euclid. The building was designed for a capacity enrollment of 250 students. A gymnasium, study hall, stage, laboratories and 21 classrooms were all included. District student enrollment was 101.
In 1928 the first addition was erected, which is now the east central area of the present building. Cost $125,000. District student enrollment was 251.
In 1939 PWA (Public Works Administration) Project added a new wing that is hard to recognize in the current building. One wing on Ridge Avenue and one on Walnut Avenue are each now located in the middle of the building (Grace Gym and shops to the north; and the library, Bristol Theater, and Circle Drive wings to the south). The library and Circle Drive expansion to the south of the wings change the look of the doorway entrance. District student enrollment was 517.
In 1946 the shop wing in the northeast area of the building was added at a cost of $260,000. Also, lights were added to the football field in 1946. District student enrollment was 669.
In 1955 voters approved bond issue of $1,250,00 for a major addition and renovation. A large portion of the original structure was torn down because of bad mortar. Much of what was left standing was surrounded by the new addition, which included a new band room, the sunken gym, the library, what became the girl's gym, and the two wings which project toward the Circle Drive. Open House and dedication for the new addition was on November 10-11, 1956. The official name changed from Arlington Heights Township High School to Arlington High School in 1956. District student enrollment was 2,235.
In 1967 the main gym was renamed "Grace Gymnasium" dedicated in honor of Athletic Director "Pappy" Grace. District student enrollment was over 10,000 students with the opening of Prospect (1957), Forest View (1962), Wheeling (1964) and Elk Grove (1966). District student enrollment was over 19,000 with the opening of Hersey (1968), Rolling Meadows (1971) and Buffalo Grove (1973).
In 1975 District 214's student enrollment peaked at 19,823 students for the 1975-76 school year.
In 1980 Arlington High School underwent an entire renovation, including new light fixtures, safety accommodations, re-painting, and new carpeting in hallways and offices.
In 1981 the District 214 board announced that two high schools would close by the 1985-86 school year. Red ribbons were tied around trees to symbolize support for Arlington High School.
In 1982 District 214 voted (5-2) to close Arlington High School (May 17, 1982). A group of Arlington High School parents formed the Assembly of Citizens and Taxpayers (ACT) to study the possibility of seceding from District 214 and forming their own district (August, 1982).
A lawsuit was filed by five Arlington Heights residents and the Assembly of Citizens and Taxpayers against District 214, charging the board ignored facts from its own studies (November 18, 1982). In 1983 District 214 planner Howard Feddema testified that board member Donald Hoeck called him to ask that a computer study's data be manipulated to have Arlington High School move to the top as the candidate for closing. Hoeck replied that he was only trying to demonstrate that numbers could be manipulated many ways (March 10 and 11, 1983). Circuit Court Judge James C. Murray overturned the District 214 decision to close Arlington High School. Judge Murray's opinion stated that the board created standards to follow in the closing of schools and then failed to follow them (May 26, 1983). District 214 appealed (June 1, 1983), but Arlington High School freshmen were enrolled at Arlington in the Fall of 1983. On the second day of the new school year, Illinois Appellate Court (Justices James J. Mejda, Kenneth E. Wilson and Francis S. Lorenz) overturned Cook County Judge James Murray's ruling blocking the closing of Arlington High School. The Appellate Court stated that they "cannot question the wisdom of the final action. Right or wrong it is the decision the board adopted as a quasi-legislative function within its powers ..." and that the court is "unable to say that the ultimate decision itself, the decision to close Arlington and reassign the freshmen students was so palpably arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable as to render it null and void (August 31, 1983).
In 1984 Arlington High School was appraised at no higher than $1 million with little value attached to the actual building (April, 1984). District student enrollment was 13,742.
District 214 put Arlington High School up for sale and then for auction (May, 1984).
In 1985 Christian Liberty Academy from Prospect Heights outbid Roosevelt University by $10,000. Arlington High School was sold to Christian Liberty Academy for $1.51 million (April, 1985).
Over 500 trophies and over 500 pictures were dispersed -- given to students, coaches, and former coaches after Arlington High School closed.
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