Lyons Township High School

Lyons Township High School
Lyons Township High School North Campus
Location
100 South Brainard Avenue

La Grange
,
Illinois
60525

United States
Coordinates41°48′44″N 87°52′49″W / 41.812155°N 87.88028°W / 41.812155; -87.88028 (North campus)
41°48′04″N 87°53′28″W / 41.801247°N 87.89101°W / 41.801247; -87.89101 (South campus)
Information
Other nameLyons Township
LTHS
LT
School typeCoed Public
MottoVita Plena
(The quest for the fulfilling life)
Opened1888
School districtLyons Township High School District 204
SuperintendentBrian Waterman
PrincipalJennifer Tyrrell
Staff266.80 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades9–10 (South)
11–12 (North)
Enrollment3,730 (2024–2025)[4]
Average class size22.1[3]
Student to teacher ratio16:1[2]
Campus size28.6 square miles
Colours  royal blue
  gold
Fight songGold & Blue, based on My Illinois
Athletics conferenceWest Suburban (Silver) Conference
MascotNoil and Nessie
NicknameLions
AccreditationNorth Central Association
NewspaperLion
YearbookTabulae
Nobel laureatesBen R. Mottelson
1975-physics
Websitewww.lths.net

Lyons Township High School (often referred to as LTHS or simply LT) is a public high school in Western Springs, Illinois (South Campus), and La Grange, Illinois (North Campus).

Lyons Township is a coeducational high school and serves grades 9–12 for Lyons Township High School District 204. Students from the communities of La Grange, Western Springs, Burr Ridge, La Grange Park, Countryside, Indian Head Park, Hodgkins, and parts of Brookfield, Willow Springs, and McCook attend Lyons Township. Lyons Township High School is the 8th-largest public high school in Illinois[5] and the 45th-largest public high school in the United States.[6]

History

Lyons Township High School was established on April 4, 1888, and opened on September 4, 1888. LTHS's first principal was Professor H.W. Thurston. The original building is now a part of North Campus in La Grange. On September 9, 1889, the school was officially dedicated. In June of 1891, Lyons Township held its first commencement with seven students, all women.

On October 10, 1905, The LT Board of Education purchased just over three acres adjacent to the school. This land was used for athletic purposes and became known as Emmond Field. The original gate into Emmond Field still stands outside of the Vaughan Building at North Campus.

In 1915, the first school band was formed. On Oct 30, 1926, the first homecoming dance was held, and featured a banquet and dance.

The 1926 addition to the school added roughly 35 new classrooms, an auditorium with seating for 1,800, a community room with a small stage, and a gymnasium created for girls' athletics.

In March 1928, the Bell Tower was up and running for the first time. The face of the large bell is adorned with the words:

“As call so fly the irrevocable hours, Utile as air or strong as fate, Make your lives of sand or granite; awful powers; Men as man choose, they either give or take.”

The LT Junior College (LTJC) opened in September of 1930. The college was located on the third floor of North Campus by the Clock Tower. LTJC was the primary predecessor to the College of DuPage (COD). It was officially annexed into COD's District 502 after it closed in June 1967. LTHS is the only high school in Cook County that is included within District 502, due to the history between the two schools.[7]

The Corral opened for the first time on May 30, 1944. It was constructed as a social place for all students to spend time with each other after school hours. Additionally in 1944, nearly 320 members of the graduating class went off to fight in World War II.

Leonard H. Vaughan (president of a seed company and former school board president[8]) funded the erection of the Vaughan Building; it was constructed in 1949 for sporting events and classes.[9]

In 1956, South Campus was opened about a mile south-west in nearby Western Springs to accommodate the community's growing population. While the school was not fully completed at the time, the main academic wings were ready; however, the gym, biology classrooms, etc. were not.

In 1969, for the first time in LT’s history, enrollment surpassed 5,000 students. LT saw its highest enrollment during the 1971-72 school year, with a record-setting 5,220 students.

In 1998, A tradition of retirees and first year teachers ceremoniously ringing the clock tower bells began, and still continues today.

In 2005, a performing arts center, a field house, and a pool were added to the South campus to complement the facilities at the North campus.[10]

From 2019-2021, LTHS began planning for a multi-year project named Groundwork for a Brighter Future, aimed at modernizing both campuses to "better meet the 21st Century learning needs of students and staff."[11] Phase 1 (2024 to 2026) projects included construction of a new cafeteria, a new music wing, and new health classrooms at South Campus, restrooms and accessibility upgrades at both campuses, and installation of additional air conditioning at North Campus. Phase 2 projects are to include completion of A/C to ensure that 100% of both campuses is temperature controlled, completion of classroom modernization project to ensure that 100% of classrooms at both campuses are renovated, and additional physical welfare and athletic program facilities improvements. [11]

In 2024, LTHS received a donation of $3,000,000 from the Stacy Ann Baker Charitable Fund to pay the costs of modernizing the Girls’ Varsity Softball Field at South Campus. Baker was a softball player and member of the LTHS class of 1985 who passed away in a car accident in 1999 at the age of 32. The new field was completed in 2026 and is named "Baker Field."[12] At their first game on the field, LT Girls' Varsity Softball won 10-3 against Leyden High School.[13]

Academics

As of 2026, U.S. News ranked LTHS #39 in Illinois High Schools and #884 in National Rankings.[14]

During the 2024-2025 school year, LTHS offered 36 Dual Credit classes, 181 Elective classes, and 26 Academic Summer School Classes, along with required courses.[15] The Average ACT Mean Score for the Class of 2026 was 22.9.[16]

LTHS achieved Exemplary Rating on the 2024 Illinois School Report Card Results for the 2023-24 school year.[17]

Demographics

In the 2024–2025 school year, there were 3,730 students enrolled at the school[18]. 64% of students identified as non-Hispanic White, 27% were Hispanic or Latino, 4% were multiracial, 3% were Black, and 2% were Asian-American. The school has a student to teacher ratio of 16:1.

Student Life

Athletics

The school competes within the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), and has won at least 35 state championships to date. Current sports include boys' and girls' golf, cross country, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, basketball, competitive cheer (coed), competitive dance (coed), wrestling, track, lacrosse, and water polo.

In addition, the school has boys' football, bowling, and baseball teams and girls' flag football, gymnastics, badminton, and softball teams.

Furthermore, while not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors boys' gymnastics (IHSGCA), Special Olympics Basketball (SOILL), and Special Olympics Track (SOILL).[19]

The following IHSA sports have won State championships:[20]

  • Baseball: 1966–67, 2002–03, 2010–11
  • Boys basketball: 1952–53, 1969–70
  • Boys cross country: 1955–56, 1956–57
  • Boys golf: 1938–39
  • Boys gymnastics (cut by IHSA in 2023[21]): 2020–21
  • Girls gymnastics: 2012–13, 2013–14
  • Boys soccer: 2009–10
  • Boys swimming & diving: 2015–16, 2016–17
  • Girls tennis: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93
  • Boys track & field: 1913–14, 1914–15, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1960–61, 1972–73
  • Girls volleyball: 1975–76, 1989–90, 2010–11
  • Girls water polo: 2009–10

Clubs and Activities

The school offers 17 sports intramurals & 123 clubs, including community service organizations, academic competition teams, foreign language groups, and special interest clubs.[22]

Student Council

The LTHS Student Council is the student government of Lyons Township High School. It is home to unique events ranging from the All School Assembly, hosting more than 4000+ people in one gym a year,[23] and one of the largest homecomings in the state of Illinois.[24]

Nick Fuentes was Student Council president in 2015–2016.[25]

Newspaper

The LION newspaper is the student publication of LTHS.[26] The first issue of The LION was published on January 24, 1910.

The LION is a member of the High School National Ad Network.

In 2024, the LION received the "Golden Eagle" award from the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association, as well as "Bronze Medal" Distinction and Blue Ribbons for Excellence.[27]

Yearbook

Tabulae is Lyons Township High School's nationally award winning yearbook. The first edition of the yearbook was the "El Tee Hi Tabulae," named by the class of 1908.[10]

The 2025 Edition received awards from Kettle Moraine Press Association ("All-KEMPA"), National Scholastic Press Association ("First Class with One Mark of Distinction"), and Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association ("Golden Eagle"). The 2024 Edition received "First Place" & "Best Theme Continuity" from American Scholastic Press Association, "All-KEMPA" from Kettle Moraine, "First Class" from National Scholastic, and "Golden Eagle" from Northern Illinois Scholastic.[28]

Menagerie

Menagerie student-run publication in which students are given the opportunity to showcase their poetry, prose and artwork.[29]

The 2025 Edition received awards from National Scholastic Press Association ("All-American with Five Marks of Distinction," "Best in Show - 1st Place" (in partnership with JEA)), Journalism Education Association ("Best in Show - 1st Place" (in partnership with NSPA)), and the National Council of Teachers of English ("First Class")[30]

Radio Station

LTHS is the license holder of WLTL-FM, a Class A non-commercial radio station which broadcasts from the North Campus on 88.1 FM.[31] WLTL 88.1 at 15 watts began in 1927.[10]

Every year, WLTL holds "Rock-a-Thon," a fundraiser that runs for 72 hours straight and funds the station for the whole year. During the event, students will be live on air for all 72 hours and will play music, do activities, and have fun.[32]

At the 2026 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System awards, WLTL was nominated 36 times. They won the following awards:[33]

  • Best Live Music Broadcast (2 nominations)
  • Best Play-By-Plays: Football
  • Best Play-By-Plays: Men's Basketball
  • Best Show Promo (2 nominations)
  • Best Show Intro
  • Best Public Service Announcement
  • Best Station ID
  • Best Promotions Director
  • Best Production Director (Radio)
  • Best Faculty Advisor (Radio)
  • Best High School Radio Station

Television Station

In April of 1977, the NC TV studio was completed and opened.[10] LTTV is LT's the student-run awarding winning television station.

LTTV is nominated for 3 categories at the 2026 Emmy Awards - NATAS Chicago/Midwest Chapter Awards:[34]

  • Live Sporting Event/Game
  • Commercial
  • Director

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Lyons Twp High Sch". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  2. ^ "Lyons Twp High Sch". Illinois State Board of Education. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  3. ^ "Lyons Twp High Sch". Illinois State Board of Education. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  4. ^ "Lyons Twp High Sch". Lyons Twp High Sch. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  5. ^ "2017 Largest Public High Schools in Illinois". Niche. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "Top 100 Largest High Schools in America". highschoolguide.org. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ https://codlrc.org/sites/default/files/History%20of%20COD_08-27-09.pdf
  8. ^ "Leonard H Vaughan, Seed Company Head, Dies at summer home". Chicago Tribune. September 12, 1943. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "FEB 17 PRESENTATION Finance-Facilities-Tech" (PDF). We Are LT. Lyons Township High School. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "El Tee: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE AND EVENTS THAT SHAPED LYONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL" (PDF). Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  11. ^ a b "Groundwork for a Brighter Future - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  12. ^ ""Stacy Ann Baker Field" in Honor of Alumna - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  13. ^ "- YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  14. ^ "Lyons Twp High School". US News. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  15. ^ "LTHS Annual Report 2024-25 (6)". online.fliphtml5.com. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  16. ^ "LTHS Annual Report 2024-25 (6)". online.fliphtml5.com. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  17. ^ "Most area high schools deemed 'Commendable' in latest state report card". Chicago Tribune. November 4, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  18. ^ "LTHS Annual Report 2024-25 (6)". online.fliphtml5.com. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  19. ^ "Team Pages - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  20. ^ "Team Titles: L". Records & History. Illinois High School Association. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  21. ^ Kass, Carson. "IHSA cuts boys gymnastics". Blueprint. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  22. ^ "Clubs - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  23. ^ "LT gears up for All School Assembly". patch.com.
  24. ^ "This Lyons Township High Stat Would Impress Schools Everywhere: Official". patch.com.
  25. ^ a b Keilman, John (March 29, 2021). "Cancel proof? Activists are trying to get Nick Fuentes, a far-right video streamer from the western suburbs, kicked off the internet. It might be impossible". Chicago Tribune.
  26. ^ "LION Newspaper - The voice of Lyons Township students for more than 100 years". www.LionNewspaper.com. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  27. ^ Brown, Stella (March 21, 2024). "LTHS student newspaper, yearbook win regional award". Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  28. ^ "Awards - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  29. ^ "Menagerie - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  30. ^ "Awards - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  31. ^ "WLTL 88.1 FM LaGrange". WLTL 88.1 FM LaGrange. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  32. ^ Garcia, Emma. "Rock-a-Thon brings joy, creativity". LION Newspaper. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  33. ^ "IBS High School Winners - 2026". Google Docs. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  34. ^ "Emmy® Awards". NATAS Chicago/Midwest. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  35. ^ Tribune, Chicago (March 28, 2013). "George Miller Burditt Jr., former Illinois state representative, 1922-2013". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  36. ^ Lyons Township High School. "LTHS Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on September 4, 2021.
  37. ^ "SJ0046 90th General Assembly". www.ilga.gov. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  38. ^ "Dunne, James Patrick - Lyons Township High School District 204". www.lths.net. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  39. ^ Santaromita, Dan (August 4, 2015). "Lyons Township graduate Jake Elliott racks up milestones with Memphis football". mySuburbanLife.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  40. ^ "Controversial church leader with Hinsdale ties featured in Amazon docuseries 'Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets'". Chicago Tribune. June 12, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  41. ^ Jordan, Marsha (May 17, 2018). "'Book Club' director, Chicago-area native Bill Holderman calls ensemble a 'dream cast'". WLS-TV. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  42. ^ "Hall of Fame / Holvay, James".
  43. ^ Felsenthal, Carol (January 2, 2014). "La Grange's Ben LaBolt goes to Washington—and Stays – Chicago Magazine". Chicagomag.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  44. ^ Smith, Bryan. "Behind the Beanie Babies: The Secret Life of Ty Warner". Chicago magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  45. ^ Zimmerman, Gordon (October 19, 1967). "Brother of Xenia Zarina Writes About Her Life". Brookfield Citizen. p. 25. Retrieved September 23, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
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