A Short History of Waubonsie Valley
Indian Prairie Community Unit School District #204 (a unit district K-12) was formed
in the fall of 1972. In December of 1972 a referendum was passed to build and equip a high school at a projected cost of $8.2 million. A separate issue also passed to add a swimming pool. Construction on Waubonsie Valley High School began in the spring of 1973. Tom Gibbs was hired as the first Principal. Since his tenure, Gary Elmen, Marilyn Weaver, Jim Schmid, and Kristine Marchiando have served as Principal.
In September of 1975, Waubonsie Valley opened its doors for its first school year. Two-hundred-ninety-three Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors attended the new high school. In addition, 7th and 8th graders were housed in the building until Hill Jr. High (now Hill Middle School) opened in the Fall of 1977. Construction delays prevented students from using the gym until May of 1976 and the pool until October of 1976.
The school was designed as an "open" campus, with very few walls to separate classes. This quickly gave way to temporary room dividers and eventually, more permanent walls. Major construction projects over the years added three classroom wings, a field house and an auditorium, leaving just a few clues as to the original design of the building.
In 1997, WVHS was bursting at the seams with over 3,700 students. Neuqua Valley opened but the growth continued. In 2003, the Gold Campus opened across the street from the Green Campus. "Gold" housed our Freshmen students while Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors attended classes at "Green." In 2009, the third high school in District 204, Metea Valley opened. As a result, WVHS once again hosts all four classes and has initiated a "house" concept to support students.