Parent Resources

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Welcome to the web site of Prospect High School, one of the top-achieving schools in the state of Illinois!  A culture of PRIDE and RESPECT has characterized PHS since its inception in 1957, and we strive to uphold the values that represent the "Knights’ Way."  This means that we embrace traditions of civility and compassion, while aspiring to accelerate excellence in all our endeavors.

Prospect serves the villages of Mt. Prospect and Arlington Heights, and the students, staff, and parents in our community have made PHS an exceptional organization.  As a result of our performance on the Prairie State Achievement Exam, Prospect ranks eighth in the state of Illinois among open-enrollment high schools and is a recurrent recipient of the Illinois State Board of Education’s Academic Excellence Award.  Prospect has been recognized by both Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s best schools, and it was designated a "Blue Ribbon School" by the U.S. Department of Education.  Moreover, in 2008, Business Week named Mt. Prospect "the best place in the nation to raise kids"—a determination based largely on the quality of schools in the area.
 
In addition to providing a first-rate academic experience, PHS is also home to one of the most accomplished and reputable co-curricular programs in the Midwest.  Prospect performers past and present have been celebrated throughout the country—and even overseas.  Our orchestra, choir, and marching band were all showcased in the 2008-2009 London New Year’s Day Parade and Gala, and the Grammy Foundation recently identified Prospect as a Signature School Finalist.   Similarly, Prospect’s athletes and coaches garner accolades on a perennial basis, with teams and individuals earning local, regional, and state honors in a wide variety of sports.  In 2008 and 2009, our boys won the coveted Bob Frisk Paddock Cup, which is awarded annually by the Daily Herald to the most winning athletic program in the Mid-Suburban League.  Our girls took second and third in recent years against tough competition, though their spirited drive is second to none.  Other activities at Prospect enjoy tremendous success, as well, such as our award-winning school newspaper and our phenomenal speech, drama, and dance teams.  Our students and staff set the bar high for themselves, and it is inspiring to see their talents on display.

Prospect is part of Township High School District 214, and its sister schools include Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, John Hersey, Rolling Meadows, and Wheeling.  We are proud of our membership in District 214, and we are collectively committed to making all our schools exemplary institutions of learning.  While it takes constant work to cultivate an environment that can sustain such high achievement and positive energy, we are happily dedicated to preparing our students to be citizens and leaders in the new millennium.
 
Thank you for visiting…and go Knights!

Kurt Laakso
Principal