New Trier High School history

1912 New Trier becomes one of the first American high schools to have an indoor swimming pool.

Football was tried and dropped in 1908. It was reinstated under the leadership of faculty member E. L. (Duke) Childs in 1913, the same year that the Suburban League was formed.

The New Trier News publishes its first issue in 1920.

In 1921, the board was under the leadership of Louis Gillson and had purchased a total of 21 more acres, bringing the total amount of school acreage to 27.

[…] unique gymnasium was funded with a $500,000 bond issued in 1922, which additionally constructed a brand new powerhouse to warmth the college and its […]

In 1923, Frederick Clerk became superintendent and completely reorganized the school administration in response to the exploding growth to 1,200 students.

The first Echoes is published, a monthly magazine of student writing that evolved into an official yearbook in 1924.

As if re-creating the happy ending of a Hollywood movie, during the 1931-32 school year they raised about $130,000.

Even the prom had to be canceled in 1932 for lack of funds.

Boys track and field captures New Trier's first IHSA state title in 1934.

First Lagniappe show is produced in 1939.

At that time, the facility could handle about 2,500 students, but a 1950 study estimated growth up to 3,500 students in the next 25 years.

On December 12, 1953, the township voters approved a $5,875,000 bond issue that would allow the demolition of the old main building and auditorium, the construction of larger facilities and the modernization of the heating and lighting systems.

Designed by the architectural firm of Furst, Maher and McGraw, the replacement buildings were built and dedicated on September 8, 1957.

Support grew for the second school and on June 9, 1962, the referendum passed by a two-to-one margin.

New Trier West in Northfield opened its doors to freshmen and sophomores in 1965 before the building had even been completed.

Education Secretary John Gardner joins a large group of notables including NT grads Senator Charles Percy and Congressman Donald Rumsfeld to dedicate the New Trier West campus as a four-year high school in 1967.

Athletics played a major role at New Trier from the beginning. It wouldn’t be until 1974 that girls competed interscholastically, following long overdue federal legislation.

New gyms and dance studios open front and east of the tower building on the Winnetka campus in 1975.

Due to enrollment that continues to decline, New Trier West closes as a four-year high school in 1981.

In an advisory referendum in 1987, the electorate voted to retain the west campus, a prescient move as the cycle would soon begin again with the babies of the Baby Boom generation.

2000 The new school year begins by celebrating the achievements of the past while looking forward to the future.

2001 Happy One Hundredth Birthday, New Trier! The celebration continues with more alumni programs and a special open house and gala ball in April.