Richwoods High School
Encyclopedia
Richwoods High School is the most northern of the three regular public high schools in Peoria, Illinois
, United States
. Opened as a township high school in 1957, it was brought into Peoria Public Schools District 150 in the 1960s. Feeder middle school
s are Mark Bills, Lindbergh, Rolling Acres Edison,Von Steuben and Washington Gifted.
The current principal is Ms. Cindy Clark (since July, 2011).
. The name of the school when it opened in 1957 was Richwoods Community High School. In the 1960s, the school was annexed to the city of Peoria, causing it to come under the purview of Peoria Public Schools (District 150). A lengthy legal battle ensued, and District 150 was required to allow students from the original school district to attend District 150 schools Peoria Heights High School
could be built to replace it.
As of the 2007–2008 school year, Richwoods is making AYP
for No Child Left Behind as a result of the PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam) results from the RHS Class of 2008.
, History
, and English
, and have choices to their Standard Level Classes, including SL Math, Physics, Psychology, Music and Art.
, ultimate
, and basketball
programs, among others.
The school publishes one in-school newspaper, "The Shield". Also the school publishes the yearbook, "The Excalibur."
event annually. This event promotes awareness of substance abuse, mental health awareness, and healthy relationships. Recent past themes have included Candyland: "Life's Too Sweet to be a Dum-Dum" (2008) and Las Vegas: "Don't Gamble with your Life" (2007).
; in 2006, Peter Pan
; in 2007, Arsenic and Old Lace
; in 2008,Our Town
; and in 2009 "The Miracle Worker
". RHS produces musicals in the spring time: in 2004, Damn Yankees
, in 2005, Guys and Dolls, in 2006, Fiddler on the Roof
, in 2007, The Boy Friend
, in 2008 Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
, in 2009, Little Women
, and in 2010, Thoroughly Modern Millie
.
, performed in a traditional 16th-century style. Much of the singing is a cappella
. Along with a core group of Madrigal Singers, there are other musical student groups which participate, including Ladies in Waiting, Men in Tights, a recorder ensemble, and a string quartet. As well as music, a variety of actors are involved in the madrigal dinners. There is usually a king and queen.
, Vice Versa, and Prom
. Homecoming involves:
Vice Versa is not as well attended as Homecoming, but there is a theme and the dress is based on that theme. Traditionally, girls asked the boys to Vice Versa, hence the name of the dance. Vice Versa involves:
Richwoods is currently a member of the Mid-State 6 Conference
which includes five regular members: Peoria High School
(Central), Woodruff High School, Manual High School
, Peoria Notre Dame High School
for all sports, and includes Quincy Notre Dame High School
for football only. The football team has enjoyed great success through many coaches, they have won more conference championships then any other team in the conference.
The Lady Knights basketball team won the Class 3A State Championship for the 2008-09 season. They also won the Class AA State Championship in 2005.
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Opened as a township high school in 1957, it was brought into Peoria Public Schools District 150 in the 1960s. Feeder middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
s are Mark Bills, Lindbergh, Rolling Acres Edison,Von Steuben and Washington Gifted.
The current principal is Ms. Cindy Clark (since July, 2011).
Enrollment (Things To Know)
The enrollment for freshman classes from all feeder schools for the 2010-2011 school year included a record-breaking 430 new freshmen.History
Richwoods was originally the high school of Richwoods TownshipRichwoods Township, Peoria County, Illinois
Richwoods Township is located in Peoria County, Illinois. The geographic designation is Township 9 North, Range 8 East of the Fourth Principal Meridian. The population was 6,539 at the 2000 census. The majority of its area is the village of Peoria Heights, Illinois.Part of Richwoods Township was...
. The name of the school when it opened in 1957 was Richwoods Community High School. In the 1960s, the school was annexed to the city of Peoria, causing it to come under the purview of Peoria Public Schools (District 150). A lengthy legal battle ensued, and District 150 was required to allow students from the original school district to attend District 150 schools Peoria Heights High School
Peoria Heights High School
Peoria Heights High School, or PHHS, is a public four-year high school located at 508 East Glen Avenue in Peoria Heights, Illinois, a village in Peoria County, in the Midwestern United States. PHHS is part of Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325, which serves the community of Peoria...
could be built to replace it.
Academics
Richwoods uses an unweighted grade point average system, and a weighted class-ranking system.As of the 2007–2008 school year, Richwoods is making AYP
Adequate Yearly Progress
Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, is a measurement defined by the United States federal No Child Left Behind Act that allows the U.S. Department of Education to determine how every public school and school district in the country is performing academically according to results on standardized...
for No Child Left Behind as a result of the PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam) results from the RHS Class of 2008.
International Baccalaureate Program
In 2005, the first class of International Baccalaureate students graduated from Richwoods High School. Students in the IB Diploma program must take Higher Level BiologyBiology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, and have choices to their Standard Level Classes, including SL Math, Physics, Psychology, Music and Art.
Activities
Richwoods has forensics, footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, ultimate
Ultimate (sport)
Ultimate is a sport played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or rugby...
, and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
programs, among others.
The school publishes one in-school newspaper, "The Shield". Also the school publishes the yearbook, "The Excalibur."
Marching band
The band plays at three concerts a year, at two parades, and at the home football games. It also plays at the home games of the boys' basketball team.Operation Snowball
Richwoods High School holds an Operation SnowballOperation snowball
Operation Snowball is an international alcohol, tobacco and other drug use prevention program focusing on leadership development to empower youth to lead drug-free lives...
event annually. This event promotes awareness of substance abuse, mental health awareness, and healthy relationships. Recent past themes have included Candyland: "Life's Too Sweet to be a Dum-Dum" (2008) and Las Vegas: "Don't Gamble with your Life" (2007).
Plays and musicals
Twice a year, Richwoods High School students perform on-stage. In the fall, students perform a play: in 2005, The Bad SeedThe Bad Seed (play)
The Bad Seed was a successful and long-running Broadway play by Maxwell Anderson adapted from the novel of that name by William March, and was in turn adapted by John Lee Mahin into an Academy Award-nominated film of the same name directed by Mervyn Leroy. Staged by Reginald Denham, it opened...
; in 2006, Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
; in 2007, Arsenic and Old Lace
Arsenic and Old Lace (play)
Arsenic and Old Lace is a play by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, written in 1939. It has become best known through the film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra. The play was directed by Bretaigne Windust, and opened on January 10, 1941. On September 25, 1943, the...
; in 2008,Our Town
Our Town
Our Town is a three-act play by American playwright Thornton Wilder. It is a character story about an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century as depicted through their everyday lives...
; and in 2009 "The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker is a cycle of 20th century dramatic works derived from Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life. Each of the various dramas describes the relationship between Keller—a deafblind and initially almost feral child—and Anne Sullivan, the teacher who introduced her to...
". RHS produces musicals in the spring time: in 2004, Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees is a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League...
, in 2005, Guys and Dolls, in 2006, Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters by Sholem Aleichem...
, in 2007, The Boy Friend
The Boy Friend
The Boy Friend is a musical by Sandy Wilson. The musical's original 1954 London production ran for 2,078 performances, making it briefly the third-longest running musical in West End or Broadway history until it was surpassed by Salad Days...
, in 2008 Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Cinderella
"Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper" is a folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. Thousands of variants are known throughout the world. The title character is a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune...
, in 2009, Little Women
Little Women (musical)
Little Women is a musical with a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland.Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic 1869 semi-autobiographical novel, it focuses on the four March sisters - brassy, tomboy-like, aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy, and...
, and in 2010, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie (musical)
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan. Based on the 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for...
.
Madrigals
Every year, Richwoods has a madrigal dinnerMadrigal dinner
A Madrigal Dinner or Madrigal Feast is an American form of dinner theater often held by schools and church groups during the Christmas season. It is set in the Middle Ages and is generally comedic in nature. The meal is divided into courses, each of which is heralded with a traditional song...
, performed in a traditional 16th-century style. Much of the singing is a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
. Along with a core group of Madrigal Singers, there are other musical student groups which participate, including Ladies in Waiting, Men in Tights, a recorder ensemble, and a string quartet. As well as music, a variety of actors are involved in the madrigal dinners. There is usually a king and queen.
School dances
RHS hosts three dances for the entire school yearly: HomecomingHomecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
, Vice Versa, and Prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
. Homecoming involves:
- Spirit Week with dress-up days for the whole school and Class Colors Day (freshmen: green; sophomores: white; juniors: blue; seniors: red).
- Pep assembly. Part of the competition for the Spirit Stick and to encourage the football players for their game later that evening.
- Assembly introducing the Homecoming Queen nominees. Since the whole school votes for the Homecoming Queen, the candidates are introduced during a second hour assembly.
- Stunt Show involves the Olympics (three point shot contest, wheelbarrow race, tug-of-war) and a skit by each class. Each skit contains two dances by dancers from each respective class.
- Homecoming Game: a home game that is usually well-attended.
- Homecoming Dance takes place in Richwoods' terrazzo area (like a foyer) and lasts until 23:00.
Vice Versa is not as well attended as Homecoming, but there is a theme and the dress is based on that theme. Traditionally, girls asked the boys to Vice Versa, hence the name of the dance. Vice Versa involves:
- Assembly introducing the Vice Versa King nominees during second hour. This assembly usually has more excitement because the candidates have on thematic dress.
- Vice Versa Dance. Couples dress up according to the theme. Voting and crowning of the Vice Versa King occurs before the dance ends at 23:00.
Sports
Richwoods has a quality athletic program with several state qualifiers and medalists over the years. The school colors are green and white and their mascot is the Knight.Richwoods is currently a member of the Mid-State 6 Conference
Mid-State 6 Conference
The Mid-State 6 Conference is a high school athletic conference in central Illinois.Member schools are*Richwoods*Peoria High School*Manual High School*Notre Dame High School *Notre Dame High School...
which includes five regular members: Peoria High School
Peoria High School (Peoria, Illinois)
Peoria High School is a public high school in Peoria, Illinois. Peoria High School was established in 1856 and is the oldest continually operating high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. Peoria High is located at 1615 N. North Street and moved to this location in 1916...
(Central), Woodruff High School, Manual High School
Manual High School (Peoria, Illinois)
Manual High School is a public high school located in the south end of Peoria, Illinois. It is the southernmost of the three city high schools operated by the Peoria Public Schools. Manual opened in 1909 and moved from its Lincoln avenue site to a new building located at 811 S...
, Peoria Notre Dame High School
Peoria Notre Dame High School
Peoria Notre Dame High School is a Catholic parochial high school in Peoria, Illinois. It is the largest parochial school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria with approximately 815 students and has a college preparatory curriculum. According to the school, more than 99% of students graduating...
for all sports, and includes Quincy Notre Dame High School
Quincy Notre Dame High School
Quincy Notre Dame High School is a Roman Catholic co-educational high school in Quincy, Illinois in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, serving students in grades 9-12.- History :...
for football only. The football team has enjoyed great success through many coaches, they have won more conference championships then any other team in the conference.
The Lady Knights basketball team won the Class 3A State Championship for the 2008-09 season. They also won the Class AA State Championship in 2005.
Notable alumni
- Nancy BrinkerNancy BrinkerNancy Goodman Brinker is the founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization named after her only sister, Susan, who died from breast cancer in 1980 at age 36. Brinker was also United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2001 to 2003 and Chief of Protocol of the United States from...
— Ambassador and founder of Susan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
(in memory of her sister who was also an alumna of Richwoods High School); United States Ambassador to HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
starting in 2001; Chief of Protocol of the United StatesChief of Protocol of the United StatesThe Chief of Protocol is an officer of the United States Department of State responsible for advising the President of the United States, the vice president, and the secretary of state on matters of national and international diplomatic protocol...
2007-2009. - Aaron SchockAaron SchockAaron Schock is the United States Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Peoria and includes part of Springfield. At the age of , Schock is currently the youngest U.S. representative and the first member of the U.S. Congress born...
a 2000 graduate — U.S. Congressman, politician: elected youngest member of District 150 school board in 2001, eventually becoming school board president; RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Illinois House of RepresentativesIllinois House of RepresentativesThe Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
, representing the 92nd district in the Illinois General Assembly from 2005–2009; elected to succeed Congressman Ray LaHood as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 18th District of Illinois in November 2008, beginning his term in January 2009. - J. Michael AdamsJ. Michael AdamsJ. Michael Adams is the President of Fairleigh Dickinson University and the President-Elect of the International Association of University Presidents.-Biography:...
— 6th President of Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFairleigh Dickinson UniversityFairleigh Dickinson University is a private university founded as a junior college in 1942. It now has several campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom.-Description:...
1999-present; 8th President, International Association of University PresidentsInternational Association of University PresidentsThe International Association of University Presidents is an association of university chief executives from higher education institutions around the world...
; Dean, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and DesignAntoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and DesignThe Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design formerly the College of Media Arts and Design is one of the colleges of Drexel University...
1986-1999;
External links
- Richwoods High School — official site
- alternate data site
- Richwoods women's track and field website
- Peoria Richwoods on IHSA website
- Fuller v. Bd. of Ed. Peoria (1967) — appellate case which decided that Richwoods High School was part of District 150. Full name: Albert C. Fuller, et al., and Board of Education, Community High School District No. 312, Peoria County, Illinois, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. Board of Education of the City of Peoria, School Dist. 150, and County Board of School Trustees of Peoria County, Illinois.