School History

In July of 1940, a successful referendum brought Cook County School District 220 into existence. However, manpower and materials were channeled from the needed school construction into the defense effort.

In 1945, the War Production Board authorized the construction of the utility building, which was practically completed when the Cook County Superior Court issued a restraining injunction halting further progress. It was at this time that a nationally known educator and professor from the University of Chicago entered the picture, resolved the problems, and allowed work to resume. The arbitrator was Dr. William Claude Reavis.

Plans were finally made for the high school. By the time construction of the building, to be known eventually as William Claude Reavis High School, began in 1949, Dr. Reavis had approved new and revised blueprints which took into account the long range, as well as immediate needs of the community's high school population.

On its opening day, September 11, 1950, Reavis High School welcomed 330 freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Since its first graduating class in 1952, thousands of young men and women have earned their high school diplomas from Reavis High School and have become productive, responsible members of American society.

Over the years, Reavis has grown and evolved to meet the educational needs of the Burbank and Stickney communities while honoring the legacy of Dr. Reavis and the many students, staff, and community members who have shaped its storied history. The school's mascot, the Ram, symbolizes the strength, resilience, and determination that define the Reavis community, while its navy and white school colors reflect a commitment to both tradition and excellence. This sense of duty, rooted in a deep feeling of pride and school spirit, is echoed in one of the school’s most cherished mottos: Once a Ram, always a Ram.

Reavis High School Today

Reavis High School offers a comprehensive academic program and is fully accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education. Faculty members are both experienced and highly educated. Reavis teachers have, on average, 16 years of experience; additionally, more than 76% of the certified staff hold a master's degree, and 17 faculty members have achieved National Board Professional Teacher Certification.

Throughout all academic programs, there is a strong emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application. The facilities and equipment available to students support this focus, offering the tools and resources necessary for academic and personal growth. This includes a one-to-one technology program, providing students with their own Chromebooks. With a curriculum that is both broad in scope and deep in its focus on specialized topics, combined with embedded practices to support social emotional learning, Reavis provides students with a well-rounded educational experience that ensures students are well-equipped to choose a post-secondary pathway that will meet the challenges of an ever-evolving world.

Outside the classroom, approximately 50% of our students are involved in the many extracurricular organizations offered at the school. Individual and team accomplishments for both athletics and activities include many conference and regional championships spanning the decades; the success of our programs have culminated in numerous state championships, state qualifiers, and "All State" selections.

Since 2010, numerous state-of-the-art campus renovations have resulted in cutting-edge facilities and industry-level equipment designed to serve the Reavis community for decades to come: swimming pool; tech wing with woods, electronics, and auto shops; commercial grade kitchen for foods classes; band and choir rooms; auditorium and rehearsal room; turfed football and soccer fields, tennis courts, and all-weather track in our outdoor stadium; baseball and softball fields; Library & Guidance Department; and student and staff cafeterias. The most recent addition, opened in the fall of 2024, is the expansive field house with multiple sport courts, indoor track, fitness and weight rooms, and dedicated cheer and dance rooms.