Mother Theodore Guerin High School “Gators”

Mother Guerin High School – Front View

Now Guerin Prep High School

The History of Mother Theodore Guerin High School in River Grove

River Grove (population 10,668) is located in far northeastern Illinois in upper western Cook County. River Grove is a near northwestern suburb of Chicago. The town was incorporated in 1888. The main roads leading to River Grove are Illinois Routes 64 and 171. The Soo Line Railroad runs through River Grove while the Des Plaines River flows through the west side of town. The town’s official website can be viewed at http://www.villageofrivergrove.org

The history of Mother Theodore Guerin High School (Mother Guerin) is found on the the Guerin College Preparatory High School website address of http://www.guerinprep.org/about.html. In summary, Mother Theodore Guerin High School was established as an all-girls’ high school in 1962 with 398 students enrolled under the guidance of the Sisters of Providence, whose founder was Mother Guerin!

Of that initial enrollment total, 341 would receive their four-year diplomas in 1965. The peak enrollment in school history would be 1,608 in the fall of 1976. From 1962 through 2004, Mother Guerin High School graduated over 11,000 girls and prepared them “for college and life beyond”.

Falling enrollment in its next-door neighbor and brother school, Holy Cross High School (for boys), led to the request by the Chicago Archdiocese for Mother Guerin to accept boys after the closure of Holy Cross High School. This arrangement was set in place in after the 2003-04 school season. Beginning in the fall of 2004 Mother Theodore Guerin High School for girls became known as Guerin College Preparatory High School, a co-educational institute.

Guerin Prep High School is located in the original Mother Guerin High School building.

Mother Theodore Guerin High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                 1962

Year became co-educational:          2004

Name changed to:                          Guerin College Preparatory High School

Mother Guerin HS team nickname:  the “Gators”

Team uniform colors:                      Green, Red, & White

School Fight Song:                         unavailable

Mother Guerin High School Gymnasium Athletics We know that the Mother Guerin Gators competed in several sports in the always tough Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. We are certain the Gators compted in basketball, volleyball, track, softball, and cross-country. It is probable that golf and soccer were offered as well. The school’s fight song, coach’s names, and team records are all items we are searching for. Volleyball As far as we have been able to research on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), volleyball is the only sport in which the Gators won an IHSA tournament title. The lady netters took a District Championship in the 1977-78 season. The team record and coach’s name of this and other great Mother Guerin teams are needed. 1977-78         District Champions If You Wish To Share Further Information About Mother Guerin High School… You can provide information about the many athletic accomplishments and other extra-curricular activities attended at Mother Guerin High School by writing to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via USPS at: IHSGD Website 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il.  60631