School Information

Prairie Ridge High School ranks among the top 10 percent of high schools in the state and offers students a comprehensive 9-12 grade education including more than 200 courses. These include specialized Advanced Placement®, dual credit,  and Project Lead the Way (PLTW). The school is consistently ranked among the best public high schools nationally and in the state of Illinois. Most recently, U.S. News & World Report named it among the nation's best high schools. Newsweek named Prairie Ridge as a Top STEM High School, and Niche ranked District 155 as the best district in McHenry County.

In athletics, the Prairie Ridge Wolves compete in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference. The school has captured state titles in football (2011, 2016 and ​​​2017), baseball (2008), and boys' soccer (1999). The Wolves finished second in the state in girls' volleyball in both 2004 and 2005, girls' soccer (2013), and boys' soccer (1998). Its girls' gymnastics team (which includes members from each of the district's schools) brought home state championship titles in 2017, 2016, and 2015 while also finishing second place in 2014 and 2013. The school's competitive cheerleading team took third place at the 2010 IHSA state competition. 

The school offers students more than 30 clubs and activities. These activities include several opportunities to participate in community service, the arts, music, and other specialized interests.

Prairie Ridge has 88 teachers, all instructing in his or her academic ma­jor. In fact, 86% hold a master's degree or higher. The school also employs four counselors, two social workers, and one psychologist on its student services team.

Prairie Ridge opened in 1997. Located approximately 45 miles north­west of Chicago, the school serves Crystal Lake, Prairie Grove, Bull Valley, Burton's Bridge, Oakwood Hills, and Ridgefield. The school is led by Dr. Steven Koch, who became principal in 2013.

Among its alumni and former students, the school counts 2012 Olympic women's soccer gold medalist Amy LePeilbet (Class of 2000) and NHL player Jared Boll.Sports reporter and show host Kristine Leahy (Class of 2005) and ESPN The Magazine associate editor Amy Brachmann (Class of 2007) are two of the school's notable alumni.

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