Rich Township High School STEM Campus: A Comprehensive Overview

Rich Township High School STEM Campus, formerly known as Rich Central High School, stands as a public four-year high school nestled in the south suburbs of Chicago, specifically in Olympia Fields, Illinois. Serving portions of Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, and Tinley Park, the campus plays a vital role in the educational landscape of the region. The school serves sections of elementary school districts 162, 161, 160, and 159.

Historical Context and Evolution

The origins of Rich Township High School District #227 trace back to 1949 when it was formed from non-high-school territory. By the following year, it was already functioning as a four-year high school, demonstrating a rapid commitment to providing secondary education. During the 1952-53 school year, a ninth-grade school operated in the Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest, increasing the school's capacity to approximately 1,100 students.

Significant expansions followed, reflecting the growing demand for education in the area. In 1957, a $1,050,000 bond issue was approved to increase the size of the East Campus to accommodate 1,500 to 1,600 students. In 1959, a $1,690,000 bond issue was passed to finance building of the initial stage of a new Central Campus in Olympia Fields. The first stage provided facilities for about 700 students. The building has been recognized as one of the "significant schools of the future" in a monograph published by the Ford Foundation. In 1960, a bond issue of $225,000 was approved to equip the new school which opened to approximately 425 students in the ninth and tenth grades in September 1961. At the same time, the East Campus enrolled about 1,600 students.

Further expansion occurred in 1962, with a $1,250,000 bond issue authorized to build and equip an addition to the Central Campus facility, bringing its capacity to 1,500 students. In 1966, a $2,700,000 bond issue was authorized; $2,500,000 of this was allocated for building and equipping additions to the Central and East Campus facilities, bringing the capacity of the Central Campus to 2,100 students and the East Campus to 1,800 students.

Location and Service Area

Located at 3600 West 203rd Street in Olympia Fields, Illinois, the Rich Township High School STEM Campus holds a significant geographical position. The coordinates of the school are 41°31′21″N 87°42′19″W. The campus serves a diverse range of communities, including portions of Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, and Tinley Park.

Rich Township High School District #227 serves the residents of Country Club Hills, Matteson, parts of Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, a small section of Chicago Heights, and adjoining rural areas in South Cook County.

Academic Performance and Rankings

Rich Central Campus High School's ranking provides insights into its academic standing. In the National Rankings, the school is placed #13,427-17,901. Within Illinois, it holds a ranking of #423-679 among high schools, and in the Chicago, IL Metro Area, it is ranked #248-344. These rankings are based on the school's performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and college preparation.

Key Performance Indicators:

Graduation Rate: 81% (somewhat below state median)
Took at Least One AP® Exam: 26%
Passed at Least One AP® Exam: 7%
Mathematics Proficiency: 4%

U.S. News & World Report calculates these values for schools based on student performance on state-required tests and internationally available exams on college-level coursework (AP® and IB exams). Illinois administered the SAT and Illinois Science Assessment to high school students.

Underserved Student Performance:

This measures the proficiency on state exams among typically underperforming subgroups.

Percentage of Underserved Students Who Are Proficient: 5.7%
Percentage of Non-Underserved Students Who Are Proficient: 8.0%
Gap Between School and State Among Underserved Students: -14.0%

College-Ready Student Performance:

High school students take AP® exams and IB exams to earn college credit and demonstrate success at college-level coursework. Higher educational institutions grant credits or advanced placement based on student performance on AP® exams. This shows this school's student participation and performance on these exams if data were available.

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Proportion of 12th Grade Class Who Took an Exam: 26%
Proportion of 12th Grade Class Who Scored 3+ on an Exam: 7%
Exam Takers in 12th Grade Class Who Scored 3+ on an Exam: 26%

Extracurricular Activities and Athletics

Rich Central High School boasts a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including 21 athletic teams (10 boys' and 11 girls' teams). These teams compete in the Southland Athletic Conference and the Illinois High School Association. The school's mascots are the GORCs and Lady Olympians. The Rich Central High School Band has also achieved several titles in past years.

Faculty and Resources

The school employs 181 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring a substantial faculty presence to support its student body. This allows for a reasonable student-to-teacher ratio, facilitating personalized attention and effective learning.

District Initiatives and Accessibility

Rich Township High School District 227, located in Olympia Fields, IL, is dedicated to fostering student success through a variety of academic and extracurricular programs. The district encompasses multiple campuses, including the Fine Arts and Communications Campus and the STEM Campus, providing diverse educational opportunities for its students.

Committed to digital accessibility, Rich Township High School prioritizes improving the user experience for all individuals, including those with disabilities. The district actively seeks feedback to enhance the accessibility of its resources and ensure that all community members can engage fully with its offerings.

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