Freeport High School (Illinois)

Demographics

In the 2014–2015 school year, Freeport High School had a population of 55.2% white students, followed by 23.7% black students, 10.7% students of two or more races, 8.7% Hispanic students, and 1.6% of students grouped as "other" (Asian, American Indian, etc.). In the same year, 63.7% of the student body was classified as "low income".

Academics

In 2015, Freeport had an average composite ACT score of 19.3, just below the state average at 20.5. It graduated 82.5% of its senior class. Freeport has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in recent years, and, as of the 2013–2014 school year, has been on the state academic watch list for eight consecutive school years. The school has been well below the state minimum AYP target in math, reading, and graduation rate.

Activities

The following teams won their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournaments:

• Basketball (boys): State Champions (1914–15, 1925–26, 1950–51)
• Bowling (boys): State Champions (2007–08)
• Speech: State Champions (1940–41, 1941–42, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1955–56)
• Drama: State Champions (1940–41, 1942–43, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1955–56)
• Debate: State Champions (1949–50, 1955–56)

Notable alumni

• Dan Balz, journalist for the Washington Post
• Richard Wayne Dirksen, Fourth Organist Choirmaster of Washington National Cathedral
• Kim Hughes, ABA/NBA basketball player
• Keondre Jackson, NFL safety for the Baltimore Ravens
• Robert L. Johnson, former CEO, Chairman, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET)
• Scot McKnight, New Testament scholar
• Trisha Paytas, YouTube personality
• Jason Pearson, MLB baseball player
• Preston Pearson, played 14 years in the National Football League

Notable staff

• Adolph Rupp was the boys' basketball coach (1926–30). He left to coach at the University of Kentucky (1930–72), leading the Wildcats to four NCAA Men's National Championships in his Hall of Fame career.

References

References

1. "Archived copy".
2. (2 August 2013). "IHSA School Directory". Illinois High School Association.
3. (16 December 2009). "Freeport (H.S.)". Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
4. "Freeport High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
5. Geography Division. (December 22, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Stephenson County, IL". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
6. Illinois Interactive Report Card. "FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL: AYP Report". niu.edu.
7. (20 November 2013). "IHSA Season Summaries". Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
8. (August 5, 2025). "Keondre Jackson's road to the NFL, and Baltimore Ravens, went through Freeport. See Photos". [[Rockford Register Star]].
9. "Records & History". Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
10. Prell, Edward. (7 February 1947). "Kentucky Five Proves Rupp's a Good Coach". Chicago Daily Tribune.