Niles West High School opened in fall of 1958, and has a student population of over 2,500 per year.
In 1991 Niles West received the U.S. Excellence in Education award. The school was praised for teacher involvement, excellent student achievement scores on college entrance exams, parent involvement, a model curriculum and a wide range of class offerings. Niles West continues to improve on all these characteristics each year.
In 2020, the Illinois Art Education association awarded the Niles West Fine Arts Department with three prestigious Awards (Hat Trick!): Art Education Program of the Year, Patti-Anne Ford as the Art and Design Administrator of the Year, and Deanna Sortino as the Secondary Art Educator of the Year. In addition, the Illinois School Board of Education named Niles West Band Director, Justin Johnson as the 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Niles Township High School District 219 was recognized as the number one arts education program in the nation in 2007 by the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education and the National School Boards Association.
Olympic gold medalist Bart Conner (W’76) and long time Niles West gymnastics coach John Burkel officially opened the Niles West state-of-the-art Athletic Training Center on September 2, 2011.
Please register as a D219 alum for our alumni database to receive the annual newsletter, and other interesting alumni related information, such as upcoming reunions, homecoming games, and an opportunity to submit nominations for the distinguished alumni award each year. Alumni Registration Form
Each year, Niles West recognizes a past graduate for accomplishment in his/her field and contribution to society. Award for recipient is presented at the Niles West Accolades Ceremony in May.
The Niles West Class of 2015, as a class gift, has dedicated a wall in honor of West graduates who have gone on to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Our goal is to commemorate past, present, and future graduates for their service. We also hope it will serve as a reminder to current students to be appreciative of those who protect our country. If you know of alumni who have served in any branch of the military, active or reserves, please complete the Wall of Honor form. Thank you!
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
The Niles West Athletic Hall of Fame inducted the following alums during Homecoming 2015. Front row: Barb Atsaves Pabst (’80) basketball; Rashard Mendenhall (’05) football/track; Judi Sloan, Head Coach Varsity Girls Gymnastics, Cross Country, Tennis; Ron Campbell, Head Coach, Boys Track and Cross Country; Bill Richardson, Head Coach, Varsity Football. Back row: Darrell Kerbel (’77) gymnastics; Bill Porter (’78) wrestling; Ray Borucki (’75) baseball; Mike Basrak, Head Coach Varsity Football (his son Roger Basrak is pictured), as well as the 1975 State Champion Baseball team.
To contact us at D219 for alumni related questions and information
Samina Hussain, samhus@d219.org, 847-626-3959
