Proviso West High School

{{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = Proviso West High School | image = ProvWestHSlogo.png | image_size = 150px | caption = | address = 4701 W. Harrison Street | city = Hillside | state = Illinois | zipcode = 60162 | country = USA | coordinates = {{coord|41.8675|-87.9|display=inline}} | district = Proviso Twp. HS Dist. 209 | superintendent = Krish Mohip <ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.pths209.org/domain/1108 |title= Meet Our Superintendent / Meet D209's Superintendent }}</ref> | principal = Jeremy Christian | teaching_staff = 111.15 {{FTE}}<ref name=NCES/> | ratio = 16.82<ref name=NCES/> | ceeb = | avg_class_size = 19.0<ref name="Class of 2008 school report card"/> | gender = Co-ed | schooltype = Public secondary | budget = | grades = 9–12 | campus = Suburban | campus_size = | athletic_conference = West Suburban Conference | slogan = | song = | fight_song = | motto = | accreditation = | mascot = | mascot image = | nickname = Panthers<ref name="IHSA info summary">[http://www.ihsa.org/school/schools/0817.htm Proviso West HS information; ihsa.org; accessed 24 July 2009]</ref> | colours = {{color box|Red}} Red<br />{{color box|White}} White<ref name="IHSA info summary"/> | yearbook = ''Mural''<ref name="Activities">[http://west.pths209.org/Activities/index.html List of activities at PWHS; accessed 24 July 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211170945/http://west.pths209.org/Activities/index.html |date=11 February 2009 }}</ref> | publication = | newspaper = The Profile | opened = 1958 | status = | closed = | nobel_laureates = | enrollment = 1,870 (2024–2025)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=1732910&ID=173291003407|title=Proviso West High School|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=January 23, 2026}}</ref> | free_label = | free_text = | free_label1 = | free_text1 = | free_label2 = | free_text2 = | free_label3 = | free_text3 = | free_label4 = | free_text4 = | free_label5 = | free_text5 = | picture = | website = [https://www.pths209.org/Domain/9 Proviso West High School] }}

'''Proviso West High School''' ('''PWHS''') is a public high school located in Hillside, Illinois, United States. It is a part of Proviso Township High Schools District 209, and was opened in 1958. Its sister schools are Proviso East High School and Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy.

The school is located approximately {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} west of metropolitan Chicago in Proviso Township. While the school's address is on Harrison Street, most of the school's property is adjacent to Wolf Road, while the southern part of the property lies along Roosevelt Road – which is also Illinois Route 38 at that point. The school is less than one mile from the interchange between I-290 and I-88 (referred to locally as the Hillside Strangler).

Proviso West High School serves seven villages within the township: Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, part of Northlake, Stone Park, Westchester, and part of Melrose Park.

The current principal is Mr. Jeremy Christian.<ref name="west1">{{Cite web |title=Proviso West High School |url=https://www.pths209.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=9&ModuleInstanceID=6280&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=16725&PageID=11}}</ref>

==History== {{see also|Proviso East High School#History}} Prior to the opening of Proviso West, all students in the district attended Proviso High School (which became Proviso East when Proviso West was opened).

In 1953, researchers from the University of Chicago recommended that the school district begin planning to expand, and school district officials began examining the purchase of land for a new school.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/178710693 Hutchinson, Louise; ''SUBURB HIGH SCHOOLS PLAN FOR EXPANSION: See Large Jump in Enrolments''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 22 August 1954; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 23 July 2009]</ref> By 1955, the school population had grown to over 3,400 students, with an estimated increase to over 6,500 students by 1956.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/178794815 Philbrick, Richard; ''PROVISO TWP. HIGH GROWS IN SIZE AND SPIRIT: School Builds Scholars, Good Citizens''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 27 February 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 23 July 2009]</ref> In June 1955, the board accepted a recommendation to purchase a 60 acre site in the town of Hillside, and planned a bond issue for the autumn.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/179484156 ''PROVISO BOARD TO HEAR PLAN FOR 2D SCHOOL: Seek Sixty Acre Hillside Site''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)'' 19 June 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 23 July 2009]</ref> The construction of the school would also take up nine holes of the Hillside Golf Club.<ref name="Original design article"/> In November, the bond issue was approved by a 5900–626 vote.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/179635604 ''CITY MANAGER PLAN DEFEATED IN DESPLAINES: Sewer Bonds Lose by Wide Margin''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)'' 20 November 1955; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 23 July 2009]</ref>

In the summer and autumn of 1956, the district began accepting bids for construction of the new school which was to be designed by Perkins and Will.<ref name="Original design article">[https://www.proquest.com/docview/179842469 ''PROVISO SCHOOL TO SEEK BIDS ON HILLSIDE UNIT''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 22 July 1956; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref> The original designs for the school called for a maximum capacity of 2,500 students.<ref name="Original design article"/> The school would have two three-story academic wings, a two-story wing that would house a library and administrative offices, a single-story wing for maintenance, cafeteria, shops, and art rooms, as well as a two-story gymnasium.<ref name="Original design article"/> A one-story auto shop facility would be built as separate building.<ref name="Original design article"/> The gymnasium was to include a spectator gym with main floor and balcony seating and a swimming pool.<ref name="Original design article"/>

As construction neared, there were changes made to the designs. The school was now designed to be expandable up to a maximum of 4000 students.<ref name="New design article">[https://www.proquest.com/docview/179899959 ''PROVISO WEST WORK TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER: New School Will Cost $5 Million''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 6 September 1956; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref> The gymnasium area was now to consist of four smaller gyms that could be combined into a spectator gym with seating for 4000, in addition to a wrestling room, an orthopedic gym, a dance studio, nine locker rooms.<ref name="New design article"/> The cafeteria, auditorium, and boiler rooms were specifically designed for expansion.<ref name="New design article"/> The cost at the start of construction was US$5 million.<ref name="New design article"/> The school opened after a cost of just under US$7.5 million.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/182218575 ''Proviso West Combines Beauty, Practicality: $7,480,000 High School Has 100 Rooms''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 6 November 1958; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref>

In March 1960, the board of education began examining the need to expand Proviso West (including the addition of a fieldhouse).<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/182470069 ''WEIGH PLANS FOR PROVISO HIGH SCHOOLS''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 6 March 1960; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref> In June, the US$3.5 million bond issue was voted on.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/182497703 ''SCHOOL BOND VOTE SET IN PROVISO AREA: Ask 3.5 Million for Expansion''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 12 May 1960; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 24 July 2009]</ref>

In 1961, the district shifted an attendance boundary so that more students from Bellwood could attend Proviso West, in order to even out the student populations between the two buildings.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/182913034 ''Set Proviso High Boundary Shifts''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 11 May 1961; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref> The referendum was defeated, but a classroom addition began construction in early 1962 with money being taken from the operating fund.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/183124027 ''Work Starts on Wing for Proviso West''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 15 March 1962; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref>

In the 1990s a group of parents in Westchester, citing what they believed to be poor academic achievement and a large size of Proviso West, tried to remove their area from the district and form a small high school district of their own. In the six county Chicago metropolitan area, as of 1996, Proviso West ranked no. 126 in a ranking of 132 suburban high schools on the American College Test (ACT).<ref>Banas, Casey. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/11/15/proviso-east-flunks-test-with-many-area-parents/ Proviso East Flunks Test With Many Area Parents]." ''Chicago Tribune''. November 15, 1996. Retrieved on February 23, 2014.</ref>

== Academics == Proviso West's class of 2008 had an average composite ACT score of 16.7.<ref name="Class of 2008 school report card">[http://www.pths209.org/District/NF/AboutUs/PDFs/2008RCWest.pdf Class of 2008 Illinois School Report Card; accessed 24 July 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727191347/http://www.pths209.org/District/NF/AboutUs/PDFs/2008RCWest.pdf |date=27 July 2011 }}</ref> 77.5% of the senior class graduated.<ref name="Class of 2008 school report card"/> Proviso West did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievements Examination, which with the ACT comprises the state assessments used to fulfill the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Neither the school overall, nor any of its four student subgroups met expectations in reading or mathematics.<ref name="Class of 2008 school report card"/> The school is listed as being in its fifth year of academic watch.<ref name="Class of 2008 school report card"/>

==Athletics== Proviso West competes in the West Suburban Conference. The school is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which governs most sports and competitive activities in the state. Teams are stylized as the Panthers.

The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Young men may compete in baseball, football, and wrestling, while young women may compete in bowling, cheerleading, and softball.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120718031212/http://www.athletics2000.com/provisowest/ Proviso West HS Athletic Department]}}</ref> Calvin Davis was named athletic director at Proviso West in July 2013 after spending the previous ten years as Director of Sports Administration for the Chicago Public Schools.

The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournaments or meets:<ref>[http://www.ihsa.org/school/records/sum0817.htm Season summaries for PWHS; ihsa.org; accessed 24 July 2009]</ref>

* Baseball: State Champions (1978–79) * Cross Country (boys): 4th place (1974–75); 2nd place (1967–68); State Champions (1964–65) * Gymnastics (boys): 4th place (1976–77) * Track & Field (boys): 4th place (1980–81, 1990–91); 2nd place (1964–65); State Champions (1967–68) * Track & Field (girls): 4th place (1976–77); 3rd place (1996–97, 1997–98); 2nd place (1998–99) * Chess: State Champions (1980–82, 1986)

In March 1960, the U.S. Badminton Open, which included 300 players from the United States, Indonesia, India, and Denmark, among others, was hosted by Proviso West.<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/docview/182443304 ''U.S. BADMINTON MEET TO OPEN IN HILLSIDE''; ''Chicago Daily Tribune (1872–1963)''; 27 March 1960; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849–1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 25 July 2009]</ref>

===Proviso West Holiday Tournament=== Since 1961, Proviso West has been the host of an annual boys basketball tournament in December; the first holiday basketball tournament in the Chicago area.<ref>[http://www.pwhoops.com/history1960s.htm Proviso West Holiday Tournament History – The 1960s];</ref> Over that time, over 30 players who played in the tournament have gone on to professional athletic careers.<ref>[http://www.pwhoops.com/professional.htm From Proviso To Professional; accessed 24 July 2009]</ref> Between 1964 and 2008, 95 teams qualified for the IHSA state tournament the same year they participated in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament (13 of which won the state title that year).<ref>[http://www.pwhoops.com/state.htm PROVISO WEST HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT STATE QUALIFIERS; accessed 24 July 2009]</ref>

==Notable alumni== * Flozell Adams, NFL All-Pro offensive tackle (1998–2010), played with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW">{{Cite web |url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/preps/highschool/1347511,CST-SPT-spot24.article |title=Akouris, Tina; ''High School of the Week – Name of game for Panthers: Success''; 24 December 2008; ''Chicago Sun-Times''; accessed 24 July 2009 |access-date=24 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225225544/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/preps/highschool/1347511,CST-SPT-spot24.article |archive-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Lee Archambault, NASA astronaut, piloted (STS-117) and commanded (STS-119) in the Space Shuttle<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/><ref>[http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/archambault.html Lee Archambault – Official NASA biography; nasa.gov; accessed 24 July 2009]</ref> * Steve Bannos, actor (''Superbad'', ''The 40-Year-Old Virgin'', ''Pineapple Express'')<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/> * Robert Covington,<ref name=bio>{{cite web | url=http://www.tsutigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19600&ATCLID=204999562 | title=Robert Covington Bio | work=tsutigers.com | access-date=November 12, 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112165941/http://www.tsutigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19600&ATCLID=204999562 | archive-date=November 12, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> basketball player for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers * Ray McElroy, NFL defensive back (1995–98, 2000–01), played most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090525075803/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MCELRRAY01 Ray McElroy stats & bio; databasefootball.com; accessed 24 July 2009]}}</ref> * Jacquelyn Mitchard, journalist and author (''The Deep End of the Ocean'', ''A Theory of Relativity'', ''Cage of Stars'')<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/> * Dick Murphy, mayor of San Diego, California (2000–05)<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/> * Walter Parazaider, woodwind player; an original member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/> * Kyle Prater,<ref>[http://yourseason.suntimes.com/football/1982641,010910-football-prater-commitment.article Army Bowl Stats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113104257/http://yourseason.suntimes.com/football/1982641%2C010910-football-prater-commitment.article |date=January 13, 2010 }}</ref> former football wide receiver for Northwestern * Awvee Storey, NBA player (2004–06, 2007–08)<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Bio: Awvee Storey |url=https://thesundevils.com/sports/2013/4/17/208247419.aspx |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=Arizona State University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> * Emanuel Chris Welch, 70th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives * Robert Z'Dar, actor (''Tango & Cash'', ''Maniac Cop'')<ref name="Sun-Times HSotW"/>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070621095606/http://west.pths209.org/index3.asp Official website]}} * [http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolID=140162090170002&source=school%20profile School statistics from Interactive Illinois Report Card] * [https://hillsidelibrary.org/yearbooks/ Proviso West yearbooks 1961–1991] {{High schools in suburban Cook County, Illinois}} {{West Suburban Conference}}

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Category:Educational institutions established in 1958 Category:Public high schools in Cook County, Illinois Category:1958 establishments in Illinois