About Maine West High School - Maine Township High School District 207 West

The School and Community

Maine Township High School West serves most of Des Plaines and a portion of Rosemont. Primarily residential, the attendance area of the school also includes some light industry, office developments, and shopping areas. Neighborhoods range from modest to affluent and include a mix of apartments, townhomes, and condominiums as well as single family homes. Maine West High School lies about forty minutes northwest of downtown Chicago.

With an increasing Hispanic population of almost 32 percent, Maine West also has an Asian population of just over 10 percent. Maine West educates students who speak 35 languages; 45 percent come from homes where English is not the primary language.

Enrollment at West for the 2009-2010 school year was 2,308. The student-teacher ratio was 16 to 1. The average class size was 20.8.

The citizens of Maine West's communities demand a comprehensive, innovative, and rigorous educational program for their youth. Curriculum offerings at Maine West are extensive, with over 200 courses offered in 13 departments including the fine arts, and applied arts and technology. Educational horizons are broadened via West's distance learning and video conferencing capabilities, allowing student learning to expand into the larger community.

A rich curricula and outstanding programs provide students with multiple learning opportunities. Parental and community support further guarantee an outstanding secondary education, and the entire community benefits from West's outstanding cultural and athletic events, and from students' active participation in community service.

The Faculty

More than 200 talented and dedicated certified staff members provide the motivation for student achievement. About 75 percent of West's teachers have an MA degree or beyond.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement courses are offered in American History, European History, American Government, Economics, English, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Calculus, Statistics, French, Spanish, German, Computer Science, Music Theory, and Studio Art.

In the spring of 2010, 241 students took 510 exams: 95 exams received a 5, the highest ranking; 77.5 percent of West's examinations were graded 3 or higher.

Post-Secondary Education

In 2010, 42 percent of our graduates continued on to two-year college; 48 percent enrolled in colleges and universities.

Ability Level Grouping

Maine West has four ability level programs which are organized in academic subjects by each year: the Advanced Placement Program, Accelerated Program, Regular Program, and Academy and Special Education Program. Students are selected for these programs based on previous academic achievement. Students may take courses at various levels in different subjects.

Grading System and Rank in Class

The non-weighted GPA gives equal grade points to every course regardless of difficulty. A class rank based on the non-weighted GPA will be calculated; however, the weighted system will be used for designating official class rank, selection of Maine Scholars (students in the top one percent of their class), and Honor Roll designees. Driver Education does not count in the grade point average and class ranking. Physical Education counts in the non-weighted GPA, but not in the weighted GPA. In a Pass/Fail course, a passing grade does not affect a student's GPA; however, a failing grade will be figured into the student's total GPA as a zero.

ACT Results for the Class of 2010

In the Class of 2010, 486 students took the ACT test earning a composite score of 21.4. The chart below shows West's sub-test scores and compares school scores with state and national scores.

ACT Data - 486 Students

Score Comparisons
Maine West	21.4 (Composite)
Illinois	20.7 (Composite)
National	21.0 (Composite)

Maine West's Average Sub-Test Scores
English	20.8
Math	21.7
Reading	21.0
Science	21.4

PSAT Results for the Class of 2010

In the 2010 National Merit Program, 5 Maine West students were named National Merit Scholar Finalists, 5 students were named Semifinalists and 1 was named as a Commended Student based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores.

Pattern of School Year/Length of Day

Two semesters form the 185-day school year. Nine 44-minute periods make up the normal school day, but a 19-minute half-period at the beginning of the day allows flexible scheduling for students to take additional courses that might not fit into a nine period day. Laboratory classes are 63 minutes.

Grading System

The weighted GPA calculation recognizes more difficult courses by assigning different grade point values as shown below. The non-weighted GPA is calculated on a 4-point scale.

	Accelerated & Advanced Placement	Regular	Alternative
A	5	4	3
B	4	3	2
C	3	2	1
D	1	1	0.5
F	0	0	0

Detailed Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 23.25 academic units of credit are required for graduation. Coursework must include the following: English, four units; mathematics, three units; social sciences, three units; science, three units; two units of credit from any of the following—fine arts, applied arts and technology, or foreign language; one-quarter credit each of oral communications and consumer education; one-half unit of health; elective credit, five units; physical education each semester except when enrolled in health; driver education; and examinations on the Flag Code of the United States, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois.