Crystal Lake Central High School


Crystal Lake Central High School, often referred to as "Central" or "CLC," is the oldest of the three high schools in Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States.
WWW d155.org/clc

History

Crystal Lake Central High School opened its doors in 1924 as Crystal Lake Community High School. It was enlarged in 1928 with the first addition, with a second addition including the "Fieldhouse" completed in 1953. Another addition was completed to the west-end of the building in the 1964–1965 school year. Prior to its creation, area high school students attended Union School beginning in 1884. Crystal Lake Community served students in grades 9–12 from Crystal Lake, Cary, and the surrounding areas of McHenry County. Students in the first graduating class at Crystal Lake Community began their school year at Union School and moved to the new high school building just one month before graduation. Prior to relocating, the school was part of the Union School campus located at what is now Husmann Elementary School. The school was renamed as Crystal Lake Central in 1978 when Crystal Lake South opened, reaching an approximate maximum student population of 2100 in 1978. Crystal Lake Central once was the least populated of Community High School District 155's four high schools, as well as the oldest, however, as of the 2015–2016 school year, it is the second smallest, with Prairie Ridge High School having a smaller population size.

Athletics

Its mascot is the Tiger, with school colors orange and black.
The school captured its first individual state title in 1942, when Paul Behan won the state discus championship. Since then, Central's student-athletes have won Illinois High School Association state titles in boys track and field, boys baseball, girls track and field, wrestling, girls tennis, and girls cross country.
Notable team finishes at the Illinois state level include:
  • Boys Baseball – 4th, 2008; IHSA Class 3A State Champions, 2024
  • Boys Cross Country – IHSA State Champions, 1995; 3rd, 2001.
  • Girls Cross Country – 2nd, 2008; 2nd, 2011
  • Girls Soccer - 1st, 2024
  • Girls Tennis – 2nd, 1976; 2nd, 1977
  • Girls Volleyball – 1st; 2007, 2009; 3rd, 2017
  • Wrestling – 3rd, 2009; 2nd, 2010; 2nd, 2011; 4th, 2014
  • Dance Team – Inaugural IHSA State Champions, 2013
  • Cheer Team – IHSA State Champions, 2022

Notable alumni