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{{Infobox School {{Infobox school
|name = Neuqua Valley High School |name = Neuqua Valley High School
|image = |image = Neuqua Valley HS 1.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption = |caption =
|motto = "And As Always... Go Wildcats!"
|streetaddress = 2360 95th Street
|streetaddress = 2360 95th Street
|city = ] |city = ]
|state = ] |state = ]
|zipcode = 60564 |zipcode = 60564
|country = USA |county = ]
|country = ]
|coordinates = {{coord|41.70762|-88.196011|display=inline}} |coordinates = {{coord|41.70762|-88.196011|display=inline}}
|schooltype = Public secondary
|opened = 1997
|district = ] |district = ]
|superintendent = Kathy Birkett<ref></ref> |superintendent = Adrian Talley <ref>{{cite web|url=http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/Administration|title=IPSD 204: Administrative Offices|access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref>
|principal = Robert McBride Jr.<ref></ref>
|staff =
|faculty =
|teaching_staff =
|ceeb = |ceeb =
|principal = Lance Fuhrer
|avg_class_size = 23.8<ref name="2008 Ill. Report Card"></ref>
|staff = 200.50 (FTE)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&SchoolID=174169002092&ID=174169002092|title=Neuqua Valley High School|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=December 17, 2024}}</ref>
|ACT = 24.1<ref name="2008 Ill. Report Card"/>
|gender = coed |ratio = 15.00<ref name=NCES/>
|schooltype = public secondary
|grades = 9–12 |grades = 9–12
|campus = suburban |gender = Coed
|enrollment = 3,008 (2023-2024)<ref name=NCES/>
|campus size =
|avg_class_size = 27.7<ref name="2015 Ill. Report Card"></ref>
|conference = ]
|slogan = |slogan =
|song = |fightsong = ]
|fightsong = |conference = Dupage Valley Conference
|motto = |mascot =
{{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|title=Willie the Wildcat
|
}}
|nickname = Wildcats
|accreditation = |accreditation =
|mascot = Willy The Wildcat |ACT = 26.1
|mascot image =
|nickname = ]
|school_colours = {{color box|blue}} ]<br>{{color box|gold}} ]
|yearbook = ''Neshnabec''
|publication = ''The Essence'' |publication = ''The Essence''
|newspaper = ''The Echo'' |newspaper = ''The Echo''<br />''Wildcat Weekly'' (program)<br />''What's Up Wildcats'' (program)
|opened = 1997 |yearbook = ''Neshnabec''
|status =
|closed =
|nobel_laureates = |nobel_laureates =
|enrollment = 4,778<ref name="2008 Ill. Report Card"/> |picture =
|campus = Suburban
|campus size =
|school_colors = {{color box|#0c2340}} ]<br />{{color box|#ffcc33}} ]
|enrollment_as_of =
|free_label = |free_label =
|free_text =
|free_label1 = |free_label1 =
|free_text1 = |free_text1 =
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|free_label5 = |free_label5 =
|free_text5 = |free_text5 =
|picture = ] |homepage = {{URL|https://nvhs.ipsd.org/}}
|homepage = http://nvhs.ipsd.org
}} }}


'''Neuqua Valley High School''', or '''NVHS''' is a public four-year ] located near the corner of ] and 95th Street in ], a western suburb of ], in the ]. Neuqua Valley is the counterpart to ] and the newly built ], in ]. '''Neuqua Valley High School''' ('''NVHS''') {{IPA|/ˈniːkwə/}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Neuqua Valley High School Promo |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmfR8q9rMic |via=YouTube |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref> is a public four-year ] located near the corner of ] and ] in ], a western suburb of ], ], in the ]. Neuqua Valley is the counterpart to ] and ], in ]. Classrooms can be rented for other district approved teachers to use after school.


==History== ==History==
The campus consists of two locations. The Birkett Freshman Center building houses freshmen. The Main Campus, the original building, houses sophomores, juniors, and seniors.


The original Neuqua Valley campus building was opened in August 1997, and was built to house 3000 students. The school cost $63 million to build, which at the time was the most expensive high school in Illinois, and was the largest high school built in the state in nearly eighty years.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-05-05-9705070056-story.html | title=Principal Sets Neuqua Valley's Tone| website=]| date=5 May 1997}}</ref> The school is named after Neaqua, a ], and son of ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Writer|first=Casey Banas, Tribune Education|title=NEW NAPERVILLE SCHOOL TO BE NAMED FOR INDIAN|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-12-13-9512130180-story.html|access-date=2020-12-28|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref>
The campus consists of three locations: a "Gold campus" building (in a converted former Crone Middle School) for Freshmen (Grade 9) and a "Main campus" building (the original NVHS main building) for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors (Grades 10-12). The middle school conversion was done for the 2003-2004 academic year. A third building, referred to as the "Frontier campus" allows Seniors to receive dual credit for classes from the ]. Seniors from Waubonsie Valley High School also may do this. The original NVHS campus building was opened in August, 1997, and was built to house 3000 students. The "Gold Campus" and "Frontier Campus" were both opened to alleviate overcrowding in classes due to high enrollments.


Starting with the 2003–2004 academic year, the nearby middle school (Crone Middle School) was converted to house the freshman class in an effort to alleviate overcrowding. From that point on, the freshmen attended class at the Freshman Center, and the Main Campus housed only the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. A third building that was completed around 2007, the Frontier Campus, allowed seniors to receive dual credit for classes from the ]. These students attended class in block sessions with no classes on Friday. It allowed for independence and freedom. Seniors from Waubonsie Valley High School also participated in the program. The Frontier Campus option was closed in 2012.
The lake behind the school is known as "Lake Birkett," in honor of the school's first principal, Kathryn Birkett, who now serves as the district's Superintendent.

The lake behind the school is known as "Lake Birkett", in honor of the school's first principal, Kathryn Birkett, also the namesake of the Freshman Campus building, in honor of her service as district superintendent until 2014.

Neuqua Valley was designed by the architecture firm ATS&R.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://schooldesigns.com/Project-Details.aspx?Project_ID=134 | title=Neuqua Valley High School}}</ref> The design is based on one of the firm's prior ] in Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-08-17 |title=SCHOOL IN A CLASS BY ITSELF |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-08-17-9708220001-story.html |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> The firm used the design again for a high school in ] that opened in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Report |first=Morning Call {{!}} Staff |date=1999-08-22 |title=PARKLAND GETS HIGH-TECH HIGH SCHOOL * LEHIGH VALLEY'S NEW $77 MILLION COMPLEX MIRRORS BUILDING TRENDS ELSEWHERE IN THE NATION. |url=https://www.mcall.com/1999/08/22/parkland-gets-high-tech-high-school-lehigh-valleys-new-77-million-complex-mirrors-building-trends-elsewhere-in-the-nation/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=The Morning Call |language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2017, Neuqua Valley became the first high school in District 204 to be named a ].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-neuqua-blue-ribbon-school-st-0929-20170928-story.html |title = Neuqua Valley earns U.S. Department of Education accolade|website = ]| date=28 September 2017 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
In the 2022–2023 school year, the school had an enrollment of 3,156 students. 45.2% of students identified as non-Hispanic white, 37.1% of students identified as Asian, 7.3% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% identified as black or African-American, 4.7% identified as multiracial, and 0.2% identified as Native American or Pacific Islander.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Neuqua Valley HS Report Card|url = https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?source=studentcharacteristics&source2=studentdemographics&Schoolid=190222040260002
|accessdate = 2021-03-25}}</ref>


==Academics== ==Academics==
In 2008, Neuqua Valley had an average composite ] score of 23.9, and graduated 99% of its senior class.<ref></ref> Neuqua Valley has not made ] on the Prairie State Achievements Examination. In 2011, Neuqua Valley had an average composite ] score of 25.2, and graduated 99.1% of its senior class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schools.chicagotribune.com/school/neuqua-valley-high-school_naperville|title=Neuqua Valley High School – Chicago Tribune 2014 Illinois School Report Cards|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>


In 2013, ''US News'' ranked Neuqua Valley 563rd in their annual list of the top American public high schools.<ref>{{cite web|title=Neuqua Valley High School|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/illinois/districts/indian-prairie-cusd-204/neuqua-valley-high-school-7067|publisher=U.S. News & World Report LP|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref> However, Neuqua Valley has not met federal education standards under the No Child Left Behind law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schools.chicagotribune.com/school/neuqua-valley-high-school_naperville#acts|title=Neuqua Valley High School – Chicago Tribune 2014 Illinois School Report Cards|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>
The Blue Campus, the original building, is divided into five wings, A-E. The A wing contains Neuqua's Fine and Applied Arts, as well as industrial and consumer education classrooms and facilities. The B wing contains History, English and Health classrooms. The C wing contains Science classrooms complete with lab equipment and also Television Production studios. The D wing contains Math, Computer Science, Foreign Language and Business Classrooms. The E wing contains the Cafeteria and Physical Education facilities and the staff room.


In November 2011, Neuqua Valley High School was ranked 11th in the "Top 50 High Schools in Chicagoland" by the ''Chicago Tribune'' and was the top ranked high school in Naperville, Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://schools.chicagotribune.com/lists/best-overall-psae |title=Top 50 high schools in Chicagoland -- Chicago Tribune 2012 Illinois School Report Cards |access-date=2012-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210044416/http://schools.chicagotribune.com/lists/best-overall-psae |archive-date=2012-12-10 }}</ref>
First-year classes are held in the Gold Campus building. Some classes for seniors are held in a special "Frontier Campus." This is in a building near the main NVHS campus on 95th Street, which features classes taught in conjunction with the ]. Some students attend the Frontier Campus full-time. Many classes at Frontier do not take place on Friday.

The Main Campus, the original building, is divided into five wings, A-E. The A wing contains Neuqua's Fine and Applied Arts, as well as industrial and ] classrooms and facilities. The B wing contains History, English and Health classrooms. The C wing contains Science classrooms complete with lab equipment and also television production studios. This wing also includes the library. The D wing contains Math, Computer Science, Foreign Language, Special Education (SPED) and Business classrooms. The E wing contains the cafeteria and Physical Education facilities and the staff room. The Birkett Freshman Center (BFC) has 3 pseudo-wings G, H, and J. The G wing holds the commons, all business classes for freshman, the physical education rooms, and the engineering rooms. The H wing holds all special ed, the main office, the Class house, the staff lunch room, and the staff offices. The J wing holds all core academic classes, such as, Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, and Social Studies. It also includes all art rooms, and the library.


==Honors== ==Honors==
Neuqua Valley has received recognition by the Grammy Association for its music program. The school was named a GRAMMY signature school in 1998, 1999, and 2001, a GRAMMY signature school Gold in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2009, and the National GRAMMY Signature school "Best in Nation" in 2005. The , has a list of other awards. Neuqua Valley has received recognition by the Grammy Association for its music program. The school was named a GRAMMY signature school in 1998, 1999, and 2001, a GRAMMY signature school Gold in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2009, and the National GRAMMY Signature school "Best in Nation" in 2005 and 2013. The Music Department homepage<ref></ref> has a list of other awards. Band Director Emily Binder was recognised as the best music director in the ] of 2017.

In September 2017, Neuqua was the first high school in the area to receive the ] under then U.S. president Donald Trump. Principal Bob McBride also received an award from Trump. This award was only given to 8 principals across the country.

==Controversy==
On the first day of the 2015–2016 school year, a student allegedly wore a Confederate flag, sparking a mass social media response. Yahoo! Canada published an article regarding the flag and its effect beyond Neuqua Valley High School.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-buzz/high-school-student-wears-confederate-flag-to-first-week-of-school-174948629.html |title = High school student wears Confederate flag to first week of school| date=28 August 2015 }}</ref>


==Athletics== ==Athletics==
Neuqua Valley competes in the ] for athletics. The school is also a member of the ] (IHSA), and competes in state tournaments that it sponsors. Neuqua Valley competes in the ] for athletics.<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-11-20/sports/ct-spt-1121-prep-foot-helfgot-blog-20131120_1_metea-valley-waubonsie-valley-neuqua-valley|title=Illinois high school football, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Metea Valley move to the DuPage Valley makes sense, writes Mike Helfgot in his high school football blog for Chicago Tribune|date=20 November 2013 |access-date=October 30, 2016}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The school is also a member of the ] (IHSA), and competes in state tournaments that it sponsors.


The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in: ], ], ], ], ] & ], ], ], ], and ]. Young men also have teams sponsored in ], ], and ]. Women may compete in ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Neuqua Athletics"></ref> The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in ], ], ], ], ] and ], ], ], ], and ]. Young men also have teams sponsored in ], ], and ]. Women may compete in ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Neuqua Athletics">{{cite web|url=http://nvhs.ipsd.org/athletics.asp|title=NVHS :: Online Registration|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>


While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school's athletic department also supports a competitive] team, a dance team (orchesis), and a team which competes in and works with the ].<ref name="Neuqua Athletics"/> Outside of these teams, the school's name is also linked with a team competing in Lacrosse, a sport not sponsored by the IHSA.{{Fact|date=August 2009}} While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school's athletic department also supports a competitive ] team, a dance team (orchesis), a rugby team, and a team which competes in and works with the ].<ref name="Neuqua Athletics"/> Outside of these teams, the school sponsors a lacrosse club, a sport recognized as an emerging sport by the IHSA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysLacrosse.aspx|title=Boys Lacrosse – IHSA Sports & Activities|last=IHSA|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> An extensive intramural program is available, competing in many sports including basketball, bowling, and even ping pong. Each fall, Neuqua participates in a women's powderpuff football tournament with Waubonsie, Metea, Naperville Central, Naperville North, and Benet Academy in Lisle. Neuqua is home to a large multi-team ultimate frisbee club, which started in 2007. The varsity team placed third in the nation in the 2012 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nvultimate.com/|title=NV Ultimate Frisbee Club – Neuqua Valley High School Frisbee Club|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>


The boys' cross-country team has placed within the top 15 in the state race in Peoria every year since 2001. In 2007, the boys' cross country team won the ]. The team ran under the name "Naperville XC Club" to avoid violating IHSA season limitation by-laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?title_id=187&event_id=13&do=title&pg=1&folder_id=231&page_id=420|title=NikeCrossNationals.com – Nike Cross Nationals Official Site – NXN – Results – 2007 NTN Boys 5k Run CC Championship|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> They placed 12th in 2009 and 2010, and were fifth in the nation in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nxn.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=title&title_id=187&event_id=13 |website=nxn.runnerspace.com |year=2023 |title=2023 Results |access-date=January 5, 2024}}</ref>
The following teams have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA State Championship:<ref></ref>


=== State championships ===
* Baseball: 3rd place (2007–08); State Champions (2006–07)
<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports & Activities |url=https://www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities.aspx |publisher=Illinois High School Association |access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref>
* Woman's Basketball: 3rd place (2001–02); 2nd place (2000–01)
* Badminton: 2014–15, 2015–16
* Cross Country (boys): 4th place (2003–04, 08–09); State Champions (2007–08, 09-10)
* Baseball:2006–07
* Golf (girls): 4th place (2001–02, 02–03); 2nd place (2000–01)
* Soccer (boys): 4th place (2008–09); 2nd place (2007–08); State Champions (2003–04) * Cross country (boys'): 2007–08, 2009–10, 2016–17
* Dance team: 2014–15, 2015–16
* Soccer (girls): State Champions (2004–05)
* Hockey: 2002–03
* Swimming & Diving (boys): 4th place (2005–06); 3rd place (2006–07); 2nd place (2008–09); State Champions (2007–08)
* Soccer (boys'): 2003–04
* Swimming & Diving (girls): 3rd place (2002–03); 2nd place (2005–06)
* Soccer (girls'): 2004–05
* Track & Field: 2nd place (2008-09)
* Special Olympics (basketball): 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2004–2005, 2008–2009, 2010–2011
* Volleyball (boys): 3rd place (2006–07, 07–08)
* Swimming and diving (boys'): 2007–08
* Water Polo (girls): 3rd place (2002–03)
* Swimming and diving (girls'): 2018–19
* Track and field (boys'): 2017–18
* Flag Football (boys'): 2010–11


===Marching band===
The boys cross-country team has placed within the top 15 in the state race in Peoria every year since 2001. In 2007, the boys cross country team won the ]. The team was forced to run under the name ''Naperville XC Club'' to avoid violating IHSA season limitation by-laws.<ref></ref>
The ] performs at all of the home football games at halftime and plays pep songs to rally the crowd during the game. The NVHS dance team dances along to the pep songs at halftime after the band's main performance. The Marching Wildcats march at the ] ] and the ] parade in Downtown Naperville. The Marching Wildcats placed third at the ] Marching Band Championships two years in a row.

===Pep band===
The ] performs at all of the home basketball games for both genders and Special Olympics. They play at organs and halftime and plays great and classic pep band songs. The Pep Band plays at 10 games through the season.


===Facilities=== ===Facilities===
The school's athletic facilities include: One 8-Lane 25 yard indoor swimming pool, with a side diving well with two boards, and a small 3-Lane 20 yard wading/warm-up pool. The Blue Campus has three gymnasiums: two of these have three full-sized basketball courts each, and one is used for gymnastics. The Gold Campus has 2 Gymnasiums, 1 weight room, and 1 rock climbing wall (given as a Senior class gift in 2003). There is also a fully equipped weight room, a wrestling room, a football field enclosed by a 400 meter recycled rubber running track and a soccer stadium. The school also has more than 10 sound rooms. They also have two baseball fields. The school's athletic facilities include one 8-lane, 25-yard indoor swimming pool that is 13 feet deep at the start and 9 feet deep at the turn,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teamunify.com/ishsc/__eventform__/47342_47240_First%20splash%2009.doc |format=DOC |title=FOX Valley Swim Team Fall First Splash |website=TeamUnify |access-date=January 5, 2024}}</ref> with a side diving well with two boards, and a small 3-lane 20-yard wading/warm-up pool. The Main Campus has three gymnasiums and a weight room. Two of these have three full-sized basketball courts each, and one is used for gymnastics. The Birkett Freshman Center has two gymnasiums, a weight room, and a rock climbing wall (given as a senior class gift in 2003). There is also a fully equipped weight room, a wrestling room, a football field enclosed by a 400-meter recycled rubber running track and a soccer stadium. The school also has more than 10 sound rooms.


==Activities== ==Activities==
The school sponsors numerous extracurricular clubs and organizations ranging from arts and academic to cultural and special interest. While an entire list can be found , the following are the most notable in terms of being chapters of a larger national movement: The school sponsors numerous extracurricular clubs and organizations ranging from arts and academic to cultural and special interest. While an entire list can be found at nvhs.ipsd.org,<ref></ref> the following are the most notable in terms of being chapters of a larger national movement:
* ]

* ] (BPA) * ] (BPA)
* ]
* ] (DECA) * ] (DECA)
* ] (FCCLA) * ] (FCCLA)
* ]
* ] (JSA)
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] (VICA)
* ] (TARC)
* ] * ]
* ] (VICA)


==Notable alumni== ==Notable alumni==
* ] – former ] defender, member of ]
* ] - Figure Skater
* ] – ] goalkeeper for ]
* ] - NFL defensive tackle-Carolina Panthers
* ] – former ] midfielder
* ] - actress "Yours, Mine, and Ours," "Sky High", "Friday the 13th" and "Mr. Brooks"
* ] – American football linebacker for the ]
* ] - Creator of ]
* ] – American record holder in the 100 and 200-yard breaststrokes and 2016 Olympic gold medalist
* ] - Stanford University All-American. 2007 IHSA Cross Country State Champion, and Former American Record Holder for the Junior 5000m with a time of 13:29.
* ] – distance runner
* ] - WPS defender for the ], and the ]
* ] – former ] defender
* ] - WNBA forward for the ]
* ] – professional basketball player for the ]
* ] – Russian-American computer scientist and podcast host
* ] – former ] defender
* ] – college football quarterback for the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/sports/ct-nvs-cfb-hoffmann-st-0812-20220811-yltsi6725bac3jmqjk674g5q44-story.html|title=Neuqua Valley's Patrick Hoffmann reunites with Mark Gronowski|work=]|date=August 11, 2022|access-date=August 12, 2022}}</ref>
* ] – internet personality, part of YouTube group The Try Guys; he played French horn as a member of the 2005 Grammy award-winning NVHS music program
* ] – pitcher in the ]
* ] – 2010 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating
* ] – former ] defensive tackle
* ] – ] defender for ]
* ] – actress
* ] – actor, comedian; former ] cast member<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-chris-redd-snl-naperville-st-0929-20170928-story.html|title=New 'SNL' cast member attended Naperville schools|last=Hegarty|first=Erin|date=September 27, 2017|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>
* ] - aka John Schuster - Popular Tech House DJ
* ] – ] for the ]
* ] – ] for ]
* ] – assistant coach for ]; former ] forward


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{Naperville, Illinois}}
{{Upstate Eight Conference}}
{{DuPage Valley Conference}}

{{authority control}}


] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 10:34, 4 January 2025

Public secondary school in Naperville, Will, Illinois, United States
Neuqua Valley High School
Address
2360 95th Street
Naperville, Will, Illinois 60564
United States
Coordinates41°42′27″N 88°11′46″W / 41.70762°N 88.196011°W / 41.70762; -88.196011
Information
School typePublic secondary
Motto"And As Always... Go Wildcats!"
Opened1997
School districtIndian Prairie S.D. 204
SuperintendentAdrian Talley
PrincipalLance Fuhrer
Staff200.50 (FTE)
Grades9–12
GenderCoed
Enrollment3,008 (2023-2024)
Average class size27.7
Student to teacher ratio15.00
CampusSuburban
Color(s)  Navy Blue
  Gold
Fight songAcross the Field
Athletics conferenceDupage Valley Conference
NicknameWildcats
PublicationThe Essence
NewspaperThe Echo
Wildcat Weekly (program)
What's Up Wildcats (program)
YearbookNeshnabec
Websitenvhs.ipsd.org

Neuqua Valley High School (NVHS) /ˈniːkwə/ is a public four-year high school located near the corner of Illinois Route 59 and 95th Street in Naperville, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. Neuqua Valley is the counterpart to Waubonsie Valley High School and Metea Valley High School, in Indian Prairie School District 204. Classrooms can be rented for other district approved teachers to use after school.

History

The campus consists of two locations. The Birkett Freshman Center building houses freshmen. The Main Campus, the original building, houses sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The original Neuqua Valley campus building was opened in August 1997, and was built to house 3000 students. The school cost $63 million to build, which at the time was the most expensive high school in Illinois, and was the largest high school built in the state in nearly eighty years. The school is named after Neaqua, a Potawatomi, and son of Waubonsie.

Starting with the 2003–2004 academic year, the nearby middle school (Crone Middle School) was converted to house the freshman class in an effort to alleviate overcrowding. From that point on, the freshmen attended class at the Freshman Center, and the Main Campus housed only the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. A third building that was completed around 2007, the Frontier Campus, allowed seniors to receive dual credit for classes from the College of DuPage. These students attended class in block sessions with no classes on Friday. It allowed for independence and freedom. Seniors from Waubonsie Valley High School also participated in the program. The Frontier Campus option was closed in 2012.

The lake behind the school is known as "Lake Birkett", in honor of the school's first principal, Kathryn Birkett, also the namesake of the Freshman Campus building, in honor of her service as district superintendent until 2014.

Neuqua Valley was designed by the architecture firm ATS&R. The design is based on one of the firm's prior projects in Minnesota. The firm used the design again for a high school in Pennsylvania that opened in 1999.

In September 2017, Neuqua Valley became the first high school in District 204 to be named a National Blue Ribbon School.

Demographics

In the 2022–2023 school year, the school had an enrollment of 3,156 students. 45.2% of students identified as non-Hispanic white, 37.1% of students identified as Asian, 7.3% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% identified as black or African-American, 4.7% identified as multiracial, and 0.2% identified as Native American or Pacific Islander.

Academics

In 2011, Neuqua Valley had an average composite ACT score of 25.2, and graduated 99.1% of its senior class.

In 2013, US News ranked Neuqua Valley 563rd in their annual list of the top American public high schools. However, Neuqua Valley has not met federal education standards under the No Child Left Behind law.

In November 2011, Neuqua Valley High School was ranked 11th in the "Top 50 High Schools in Chicagoland" by the Chicago Tribune and was the top ranked high school in Naperville, Illinois.

The Main Campus, the original building, is divided into five wings, A-E. The A wing contains Neuqua's Fine and Applied Arts, as well as industrial and consumer education classrooms and facilities. The B wing contains History, English and Health classrooms. The C wing contains Science classrooms complete with lab equipment and also television production studios. This wing also includes the library. The D wing contains Math, Computer Science, Foreign Language, Special Education (SPED) and Business classrooms. The E wing contains the cafeteria and Physical Education facilities and the staff room. The Birkett Freshman Center (BFC) has 3 pseudo-wings G, H, and J. The G wing holds the commons, all business classes for freshman, the physical education rooms, and the engineering rooms. The H wing holds all special ed, the main office, the Class house, the staff lunch room, and the staff offices. The J wing holds all core academic classes, such as, Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, and Social Studies. It also includes all art rooms, and the library.

Honors

Neuqua Valley has received recognition by the Grammy Association for its music program. The school was named a GRAMMY signature school in 1998, 1999, and 2001, a GRAMMY signature school Gold in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2009, and the National GRAMMY Signature school "Best in Nation" in 2005 and 2013. The Music Department homepage has a list of other awards. Band Director Emily Binder was recognised as the best music director in the State of Illinois of 2017.

In September 2017, Neuqua was the first high school in the area to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award under then U.S. president Donald Trump. Principal Bob McBride also received an award from Trump. This award was only given to 8 principals across the country.

Controversy

On the first day of the 2015–2016 school year, a student allegedly wore a Confederate flag, sparking a mass social media response. Yahoo! Canada published an article regarding the flag and its effect beyond Neuqua Valley High School.

Athletics

Neuqua Valley competes in the DuPage Valley Conference for athletics. The school is also a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), and competes in state tournaments that it sponsors.

The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. Young men also have teams sponsored in baseball, football, and wrestling. Women may compete in badminton, bowling, gymnastics, cheerleading, and softball.

While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school's athletic department also supports a competitive poms team, a dance team (orchesis), a rugby team, and a team which competes in and works with the Special Olympics. Outside of these teams, the school sponsors a lacrosse club, a sport recognized as an emerging sport by the IHSA. An extensive intramural program is available, competing in many sports including basketball, bowling, and even ping pong. Each fall, Neuqua participates in a women's powderpuff football tournament with Waubonsie, Metea, Naperville Central, Naperville North, and Benet Academy in Lisle. Neuqua is home to a large multi-team ultimate frisbee club, which started in 2007. The varsity team placed third in the nation in the 2012 season.

The boys' cross-country team has placed within the top 15 in the state race in Peoria every year since 2001. In 2007, the boys' cross country team won the Nike Team Nationals. The team ran under the name "Naperville XC Club" to avoid violating IHSA season limitation by-laws. They placed 12th in 2009 and 2010, and were fifth in the nation in 2016.

State championships

  • Badminton: 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Baseball:2006–07
  • Cross country (boys'): 2007–08, 2009–10, 2016–17
  • Dance team: 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Hockey: 2002–03
  • Soccer (boys'): 2003–04
  • Soccer (girls'): 2004–05
  • Special Olympics (basketball): 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2004–2005, 2008–2009, 2010–2011
  • Swimming and diving (boys'): 2007–08
  • Swimming and diving (girls'): 2018–19
  • Track and field (boys'): 2017–18
  • Flag Football (boys'): 2010–11

Marching band

The marching band performs at all of the home football games at halftime and plays pep songs to rally the crowd during the game. The NVHS dance team dances along to the pep songs at halftime after the band's main performance. The Marching Wildcats march at the Labor Day parade and the Memorial Day parade in Downtown Naperville. The Marching Wildcats placed third at the University of Illinois Marching Band Championships two years in a row.

Pep band

The pep band performs at all of the home basketball games for both genders and Special Olympics. They play at organs and halftime and plays great and classic pep band songs. The Pep Band plays at 10 games through the season.

Facilities

The school's athletic facilities include one 8-lane, 25-yard indoor swimming pool that is 13 feet deep at the start and 9 feet deep at the turn, with a side diving well with two boards, and a small 3-lane 20-yard wading/warm-up pool. The Main Campus has three gymnasiums and a weight room. Two of these have three full-sized basketball courts each, and one is used for gymnastics. The Birkett Freshman Center has two gymnasiums, a weight room, and a rock climbing wall (given as a senior class gift in 2003). There is also a fully equipped weight room, a wrestling room, a football field enclosed by a 400-meter recycled rubber running track and a soccer stadium. The school also has more than 10 sound rooms.

Activities

The school sponsors numerous extracurricular clubs and organizations ranging from arts and academic to cultural and special interest. While an entire list can be found at nvhs.ipsd.org, the following are the most notable in terms of being chapters of a larger national movement:

Notable alumni

References

  1. "IPSD 204: Administrative Offices". Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Neuqua Valley High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  3. 2014–2015 Illinois School Report Card; accessed 3 April 2018
  4. "Neuqua Valley High School Promo". Retrieved 25 October 2023 – via YouTube.
  5. "Principal Sets Neuqua Valley's Tone". Chicago Tribune. 5 May 1997.
  6. Writer, Casey Banas, Tribune Education. "NEW NAPERVILLE SCHOOL TO BE NAMED FOR INDIAN". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2020-12-28.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Neuqua Valley High School".
  8. "SCHOOL IN A CLASS BY ITSELF". Chicago Tribune. 1997-08-17. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  9. Report, Morning Call | Staff (1999-08-22). "PARKLAND GETS HIGH-TECH HIGH SCHOOL * LEHIGH VALLEY'S NEW $77 MILLION COMPLEX MIRRORS BUILDING TRENDS ELSEWHERE IN THE NATION". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  10. "Neuqua Valley earns U.S. Department of Education accolade". Chicago Tribune. 28 September 2017.
  11. "Neuqua Valley HS Report Card". Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  12. "Neuqua Valley High School – Chicago Tribune 2014 Illinois School Report Cards". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  13. "Neuqua Valley High School". U.S. News & World Report LP. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  14. "Neuqua Valley High School – Chicago Tribune 2014 Illinois School Report Cards". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  15. "Top 50 high schools in Chicagoland -- Chicago Tribune 2012 Illinois School Report Cards". Archived from the original on 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  16. Music Department homepage
  17. "High school student wears Confederate flag to first week of school". 28 August 2015.
  18. "Illinois high school football, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Metea Valley move to the DuPage Valley makes sense, writes Mike Helfgot in his high school football blog for Chicago Tribune". 20 November 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  19. ^ "NVHS :: Online Registration". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  20. IHSA. "Boys Lacrosse – IHSA Sports & Activities". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  21. "NV Ultimate Frisbee Club – Neuqua Valley High School Frisbee Club". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  22. "NikeCrossNationals.com – Nike Cross Nationals Official Site – NXN – Results – 2007 NTN Boys 5k Run CC Championship". Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  23. "2023 Results". nxn.runnerspace.com. 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  24. "Sports & Activities". Illinois High School Association. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  25. "FOX Valley Swim Team Fall First Splash" (DOC). TeamUnify. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  26. here
  27. "Neuqua Valley's Patrick Hoffmann reunites with Mark Gronowski". Naperville Sun. August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  28. Hegarty, Erin (September 27, 2017). "New 'SNL' cast member attended Naperville schools". Chicago Tribune.
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