Hinsdale Central High School

The rankings for this school are accurate. So many opportunities, so many things to do, and a great program. A fine school, with a funnel in the end toward great colleges. In a great area, to boot.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers here are great. However the students are very close-minded. If you are not very well off or went to Westview Hills Middle School you are considered scum and feel very left out. I believe it has a lot of diverse clubs and sports that excel in their areas. Overall I hope Central pays off for all the stress and loneliness it has put me through
—Submitted by a student

Spectacular education that prepares you for the rest of your life. I was barely in the top 20% of my class and I currently attend The University of Michigan and am about to graduate with honors. There are some problems such as the "Hinsdale kids", but it is truly a phenomenal educational institution. To put it in perspective, we regularly have our middle 50% of kids go to schools like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Purdue. The "bottom of the barrel" kids still go to schools like Mizzou and UIC. It is a truly great school.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent school and teachers. Students leave well prepared for college. However, bullying does exist despite what is advertised.
—Submitted by a parent

Facilities are substandard, but don't be fooled. Hinsdale Central's results/reputation serve as a magnet for education-focused families moving to and living in Chicagoland. Especially those with talented, motivated students. Diversity is improving as interest in obtaining a high quality of education trancends race. Having four levels of course difficulty accommodates the needs of all students. Honors/AP are difficult for even the best students. The unusually large assemblage of very talented and dedicated students provides challenge, motivation and support in a way that would not be available for very top students and most other schools. The result is that the strong academic focus opens a wide range of possibilities for graduates. The importance of personal development through extracurricular activities and athletics is also emphasized. If you are looking for the best public education that Chicagoland has, Hinsdale Central is it. The biggest drawback is that while the high-expectation, high-performance environment gets results for most students, it is also stressful. Aligning parent expectations with student abilities resolves much of this problem.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school that prepares it's students for college and future success in every way from day one. My classes at Central were often times more challenging than freshman and sophomore level college classes. The teachers are passionate about what they do and care about the success of their students. There are hundreds of sport and extracurricular activities and clubs for all types of interests. As for the references to discrimination, I think Central is comparable to any typical high school. There are cliques and "popular" groups of students but racism is minimal if it exists at all. Hinsdale is predominately white and non-Caucasian students may feel out of place but those who seek to make friends and find a group they like will certainly do so. Opportunities for advancement abound at Central. There are 4 levels of classes and opportunities to excel and advance. Most students take at least one honors or AP class, and many have a majority of honors and AP courses. The guidance counselors are excellent and make sure that each student is taking classes that best fit them.
—Submitted by a student

I lived in the ghetto and my parents found an apartment in the Hinsdale area ( which have now been demolished ). The Hinsdale School system really saved my life! I was a straight A student in the city. In Hinsdale I was getting Z's! The CPS is THAT BAD. My teachers cared, the parents cared, and the students wanted to learn. Honestly, I worked harder at Hinsdale Central than college!
—Submitted by a student

The People here are so mean! I was there and people spread stuff about you. the academia is GREAT! But the social standards are horrible. My friend was constantly taunted about her looks by these girls. The school officials just over look them. It is so sad. I am disappointed this is what we are part of so called "school"!
—Submitted by a student

Thankful for giving my son a great education and preperation for college.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is serious about education. The guidance counselors start in 8th grade directing the kids towards college and don't let up. This is a college prep school without an equal in the area. This area is affluent and the school tends to attract over-achieving children of over-achieving parents thus the reason class rank is not published. I expected this school to be a social mine field for my daughter when she started, but to the contrary the students seem to be of exceptional character. There is very little bullying in fact there is a great deal of effort made to be inclusive of special needs children. racial minorities seem to be fully integrated into the mainstream. Sports and school spirit run high at this school. It's a great school in every sense of the term
—Submitted by a parent

While the Educational experience is vey nice with a huge a variety of classes, with a bundle of AP and Honor courses that are most excellently run by Expert teachers, though there are a few bad apples. As said, it's athelitcs Program is excellence as well as the number of clubs and activities available. As well as an excellent Special Needs program. It's Technology Department is world class as well, the Art Department employs many ex-artists for teachers allowing students both real inside knowledge what the art really can mean. Yet, as I have found for the last 3 years at Hinsdale Central, they is high amount of Discrimination for Subcultures, Special Needs kids, Resource Kids, Non-Caucasian and for the poor. As well the students aren't the most mature, and theres alot of sexual themes around the school. It's harrowing exp. esp. since I've been discriminated since the day I came.
—Submitted by a student

The atmosphere in this school is high energy, creative, and the principal is 'in touch' with the times and kids. I am an class of 86 grad, and my kids are now entering. My son loves it so far. They hold a high bar, but its worth reaching for. Hinsdale HS has a great name. The first year of college will be all review, which will let you focus on settling in. Good luck!
—Submitted by a parent

this school is so racist and im glad i only attended for one year if you are non caucasian good luck
—Submitted by a student

As everyone said this school is a great school academicly. As far as diversity in this school hinsdale central is not the best. I am a student of non-caucasian descent and I really wish there were more people of my race in this school. Sometimes I feel out of place here because it is not diverse at this school. Overall hinsdale central is ok.
—Submitted by a student

I'm an alum from the class of '06 and I'd like to say that my time at Hinsdale Central prepared me for college in a way that most of my peers were not prepared. Entering college I was ahead of the curve, and I'm grateful to Hinsdale Central for that.

I LOVE THIS SCHOOL.... Fantastic atmosphere, teachers, and clubs.
—Submitted by a student

The school is consistenly one of the top three in the state. The students, teachers, parents, school board, and administration deserve praise for making the school excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of academics is great but the kids are what make the school successful and not the teachers. The parents are very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of the academics at hinsdale Central are top notch. They are very high level classes. The sports programs are also the some of the best in the area. The music and art programs are very behind par for this area. The music and art programs lack many basic and key areas. Parent involvement is so-so.
—Submitted by a former student

The academics here are excellent, maybe the best in the state. The parents are great i love them so much, hinsdale is a great place. It is just so wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent