Waukegan High School first opened its doors in 1870. The Brookside Campus is beautifully situated on twenty acres of wooded land. The campus extends from Berwick Avenue to McAree Road, and from Brookside Avenue to the center line of Monroe Street. In an effort to accommodate more than 4,000 students, Waukegan High School expanded to include the Washington Campus at 1011 Washington Street. Waukegan High School is a four-year comprehensive high school that provides students with opportunities to advance their academic careers and gain an understanding of diverse cultures.

The curriculum adopted at Waukegan High School is consistent with the goals set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education and the “No Child Left Behind” Act. It is based on rigorous standards from local, state, and national expectations. In effort to prepare our students for a world of tomorrow, we reach beyond basic curriculum to engage our students in active learning. We have a number of programs designed to meet the needs and skill levels of students from different social, economic, and academic backgrounds.

Of our 319 certified professional teachers, 57% have a Master degree or higher. The Waukegan High School instructional staff is supported by five building administrators, curriculum specialists, deans, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, speech pathologists, paraprofessionals, and interpreters. All Waukegan High School employees are qualified and provide a safe and engaging learning environment for our students. Because of our diverse student population, Waukegan High School has many different programs to serve the community. We provide Special Education Services within the mainstream student population.  We are proud of our English Language Learners Program that provides an opportunity for students from different countries to learn the American culture. A rigorous college studies program is available, and many of our students choose to participate in JROTC, Industrial
Technology and Vocational Education.

At Waukegan High School, we believe that change is constant in today’s global society. We are committed to helping young minds become leaders by challenging them academically and providing the knowledge and skills needed for success.