Manual High School (Peoria, Illinois)

Manual Academy (formerly Manual Training High School and later Manual High School) is a public high school located in the south end of Peoria, Illinois. It is the southernmost of the three city high schools operated by the Peoria Public Schools.

Manual Academy
Address
Map
811 S. Griswold St.

Peoria
,
Illinois
61605

United States
Coordinates40°40′49″N 89°38′3″W / 40.68028°N 89.63417°W / 40.68028; -89.63417
Information
School typePublic
Founded1909
School districtPeoria Public Schools District 150
SuperintendentSharon Desmoulin-Kherat
PrincipalDevon Hawks
Staff39.14 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment656 (2022–23)[1]
Student to teacher ratio16.76[1]
Color(s)   Orange and Black
Athletics conferenceBig Twelve Conference
MascotRam
NicknameRams
RivalPeoria Lions
WebsiteManual Academy

History

edit

Manual opened as Manual Training High School in 1909, and moved from its Lincoln avenue site to a new building located at 811 S. Griswold in January 1963.[2]

Academics

edit

In recent years, Manual is increasing student enrollment, which has been as low as 450 students and as high as 1200 students.

After failing to meet the federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, Manual went through a mandated restructuring in 2008.[3]

Manual High School improved its tests scores during the 2009–2010 school year to meet federal safe harbor.

Athletics

edit

Manual's nickname is the Rams and the school colors are orange and black.

In the 1950s and early 1960s Manual was a central Illinois football powerhouse. Manual was undefeated in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1962 in the mid-state eight conference. The culmination of the season was the traditional "Turkey Day" Thanksgiving game against Peoria High School, often drawing 10,000 to Peoria Stadium (where all Peoria high school home games were played). During those years there was no state football playoffs. Ken Hinrichs was the football coach and is in the Illinois coaches hall of fame. His won-lost record at Manual over 17 years was 121-40-7 (.752). This record is the strongest ever compiled by an area coach with a tenure of more than ten years.

Manual won the IHSA state boys basketball title in 1930 and four straight Class 2A titles in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.[4] The 1994 team was coached by Dick Van Scyoc. The 1995-97 teams were coached by Wayne McClain.

Alumni

edit

Manual alumni number in the many thousands and are involved in all walks of life in Peoria and elsewhere.

A 100-year Centennial All Class Reunion Weekend celebration was held Friday – Sunday September 11–13, 2009.

Notable alumni

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Manual Academy". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Our History - Manual High School". Peoria Public Schools. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  3. ^ Lynn, Greg (2008-07-30). "Restructuring Manual High School". Peoria Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  4. ^ "Bush: Pride of Illinois basketball is Peoria". ESPN.com. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  5. ^ Staff. "Manual grad Montana of 300 will perform rap show at Expo Gardens". Journal Star. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  6. ^ Huett, Wes. "Peoria native leaves LSU basketball and heads back into the NCAA transfer portal". Peoria Journal Star.
edit