Naperville Central High School (Naperville Central) is a public four-year comprehensive school covering grades nine through twelve in Naperville, a suburb southwest of Chicago, Illinois in the United States.

Overview and construction history

The present NCHS structure is on Aurora Avenue just outside the downtown business district in Naperville. The building is within walking distance of the Naperville Riverwalk park/trail network, and is just north of Knoch Park and the Edward Hospital campus. The oldest part of the current building, known by some as the "Three-Story Wing" (just above the center point in the photograph), was constructed in 1950, and was dedicated in 1952. The previous building which had housed the Naperville Community High School (or sometimes just Naperville High School) stood on Washington Street, just east of the present location of Washington Junior High School. This same building was used as the original Washington Junior High School until it was replaced in 1977. The current Naperville Central building has received a number of building additions, in 1955, 1963, 1968, 1987 and 1992. For the 1992-1993 school year, three projects in three independent locations added a Student Services wing in the northeast part of the building, in front of the original structure, an auditorium in the northwest part of the building (far left in the photograph) and a natatorium (swimming/diving facility, far right in the photograph, 'below' the football field) in the southern part of the building. Prior additions included a field house and renovations to the student cafeteria area in the late 1980s, the current school library, and a large single-story classroom wing (known as the "Flat Wing"). As of the 2004-2005 academic year, this gives the building a size of 439,660 square feet, not including the use of four mobile classrooms.

Staff

The school has 217 certified staff members of which 90 percent have a masters degree or beyond. NCHS has an established reputation for high quality education and college preparation. Every year over 97% of its graduates attend college. Enrollment for the 2003-04 year is 3005 students. NCHS is one of two high schools in Naperville Community Unit School District 203, along with Naperville North High School.

Claims to fame

Naperville Central is the only high school in the United States to have an authentic Egyptian mummy. The mummy dates to approximately 55 BC. In 2002 the National Geographic Channel visited the school and featured the mummy on an episode of its "Mummy Roadshow". "Butch" is kept in a glass case in the Second Story.

Sports

The school mascot is the Redhawk. From 1939 until 1992, the mascot was the Redskin. After a series of public protests, the District 203 School Board decided it would be appropriate to end the use of the term 'Redskins.' The Redhawk was chosen as the new school's mascot after a vote by students.

The school fields varsity athletic teams in twenty five sports. A number of club sports also compete under the Naperville Central banner. Naperville Central is a member of the DuPage Valley Conference, competing against seven other area high schools in 21 sports and three non-athletic competitions.

External links

• Naperville Central High School
• Naperville Community Unit School District 203