Thornton Fractional South High School
Encyclopedia
Thornton Fractional Township South High School (T.F. South, TF South, TFS) is a high school
located in Suburban Cook County, Illinois
, located about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the city limits of Chicago
, 24 miles (38.6 km) south of Downtown Chicago
. Thornton Fractional Township South High School is one of three high schools in the Village of Lansing
, the others being Luther East High School & Illiana Christian High School
. The school serves an area of approximately 9 square miles (23.3 km²), & serves over 1,800 students in grades 9-12 who reside in the near South Suburban communities of Lansing
& Lynwood
.
to Thornton Fractional North High School
. The Center for Academics and Technology was later built between the two high schools in Calumet City and opened for T.F. South and T.F. North students to take classes there that may not be available at one of the two high schools.
, PSAE, a state test used in Illinois to fulfill the mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act
. When comparing District 215’s 2008-2009’s PSAE scores to 2009-2010’s scores, the scores have significantly gone down. Overall, the school has not met minimum expectations in mathematics and science. All three of the school's student subgroups failed to meet expectations in mathematics, and two of the three failed to meet expectations in reading.
District 215’s grading system is as follows:
Grading Scale
GPA Grading Scale
Grade Honors Regular
Graduation Requirements for District 215
District 215 requires that students must gain 21.5 credits during at least 8 semesters.
& is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the body that governs most sports & competitive activities in the state. All T.F. South's teams are known as the Rebels. Athletics director for The T.F. South Rebels is Marc Brewe.
The football team twice reached the state semifinals (1994–95, 2002–03). In 2010, Varsity football was ranked # 57 in Illinois, the highest rank it has had since before 2007. In 2011, Badminton was the SSC Conference team Champions. The badminton team also placed 2nd in the IHSA state finals in 2011. Also during the 2010-2011 year, Girls' Cross-Country qualified for sectionals, with one runner awarded All-Conference.
The athletic sports that T.F.South has to offer include Badminton, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Boys Bowling, Boys Swimming, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Girls Basketball, Girls Bowling, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
Activities & Clubs at T.F.South include Band, Best Buddies, Chess Team, Choral, Creative Arts Magazine, Cultural Exploration, Cooperative Work Training (CWT), Drama, Environmental, Freshman Class, Friends of Rachel, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), History Club, Junior Class, Mathletes, National Honor Society (NHS), Peer Mediators, Pep Club, Poms, Postscript (Yearbook), Rebel Rouser (Newspaper), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Scholastic Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Scholastic Bowl, Senior Class, Sophomore Class, Speech, Student Council, TV Production, and a few others.
Every year T.F.South raises money for a specific charity. In the past they have raised money for St. Baldrick's Foundation
, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
,and many other charities. In 2011, T.F.South raised $15,390.86 for “St. Baldricks.” T.F.South raises the money by having a basketball game dedicated to the charity they are hosting. Clubs sell t-shirts, tattoos, raffles, and much more to help the proceeds for the charity.
have been known for their long lasting rivalry against each other. This is the largest known High School rivalry in the area of Chicago. T.F. South has a boulder on the front lawn of the school. This was stolen from T.F. North, mascot The Meteor, and has been at T.F. South since. Students often paint “The Rock” promoting different things occurring at the school or around town. Every year, the two schools battle each other in the "Fractional Line". These are huge games between T.F. South & North and are compared as the high school version of the Chicago White Sox
and Chicago Cubs
(South vs. North).
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Suburban Cook County, Illinois
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, located about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the city limits of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, 24 miles (38.6 km) south of Downtown Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Thornton Fractional Township South High School is one of three high schools in the Village of Lansing
Lansing, Illinois
Lansing is a village in Cook County, Illinois, USA. Lansing is a southern suburb of Chicago. The population was 28,332 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, the others being Luther East High School & Illiana Christian High School
Illiana Christian High School
Illiana Christian High School is a private, coeducational school in Lansing, Illinois, USA. It was founded in 1945 as a school for the children of Dutch Reformed immigrants in the area.-Educational Philosophy:...
. The school serves an area of approximately 9 square miles (23.3 km²), & serves over 1,800 students in grades 9-12 who reside in the near South Suburban communities of Lansing
Lansing, Illinois
Lansing is a village in Cook County, Illinois, USA. Lansing is a southern suburb of Chicago. The population was 28,332 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
& Lynwood
Lynwood, Illinois
Lynwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,377 at the 2000 census.Lynwood was founded in 1959. The Village is surrounded by Lansing to the north, Glenwood to the west, Sauk Village to the south, and Munster and Dyer, Indiana to the east. The Indiana state...
.
Foundation
Due to growth in the Calumet City-Lansing Il area, Thornton Fractional South High School was opened in 1958 to subsidize the student population. The original high school in Calumet City that first opened in 1926 was renamed from Thornton Township High SchoolThornton Township High School
Thornton Township High School, often simply referred to as Thornton is a public high school founded in 1899. The school is located in Harvey, Illinois one of the south suburbs of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school is one of three schools administered by Thornton Township High Schools...
to Thornton Fractional North High School
Thornton Fractional North High School
Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, Illinois first opened its doors in March 1926 as Thornton Fractional Township High School....
. The Center for Academics and Technology was later built between the two high schools in Calumet City and opened for T.F. South and T.F. North students to take classes there that may not be available at one of the two high schools.
Academics
In 2010, District 215, T.F. South, T.F. North, and CAT, combined had an average composite ACT score of 18.7. Also in 2010, the total enrollment at T.F. South was 2,014 and graduated 93% of its senior class. T.F. South has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievement ExaminationPrairie State Achievement Examination
The Prairie State Achievement Examination is a two-day standardized test taken by all High School Juniors in the U.S. state of Illinois. On the first day, students take the ACT, and on the second day, a WorkKeys examination and Illinois State Board of Education-developed science examination....
, PSAE, a state test used in Illinois to fulfill the mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
. When comparing District 215’s 2008-2009’s PSAE scores to 2009-2010’s scores, the scores have significantly gone down. Overall, the school has not met minimum expectations in mathematics and science. All three of the school's student subgroups failed to meet expectations in mathematics, and two of the three failed to meet expectations in reading.
District 215’s grading system is as follows:
Grading Scale
- 100-90%=A
- 89-80%=B
- 79-70%=C
- 69-60%=D
- 59-0%=F
GPA Grading Scale
Grade Honors Regular
- A 4.8 4.0
- B 3.6 3.0
- C 2.4 2.0
- D 1.2 1.0
- F 0.0 0.0
Graduation Requirements for District 215
District 215 requires that students must gain 21.5 credits during at least 8 semesters.
- 6 Semesters of Social Studies
- 8 Semesters of English
- 6 Semesters of Math
- 4 Semesters of Science
- 1 Semester of Health
- 7 Semesters of Physical Education
Athletics
T.F. South competes in the South Suburban ConferenceSouth Suburban Conference (Illinois)
The South Suburban Conference is a high school athletic and activity conference which comprises fourteen schools located in the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois....
& is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the body that governs most sports & competitive activities in the state. All T.F. South's teams are known as the Rebels. Athletics director for The T.F. South Rebels is Marc Brewe.
The football team twice reached the state semifinals (1994–95, 2002–03). In 2010, Varsity football was ranked # 57 in Illinois, the highest rank it has had since before 2007. In 2011, Badminton was the SSC Conference team Champions. The badminton team also placed 2nd in the IHSA state finals in 2011. Also during the 2010-2011 year, Girls' Cross-Country qualified for sectionals, with one runner awarded All-Conference.
The athletic sports that T.F.South has to offer include Badminton, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Boys Bowling, Boys Swimming, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Girls Basketball, Girls Bowling, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
Activities
TFS offers many extra-curricular activities. Some of these have won Illinois High School State Championships in the past, such as the Drama Department. History Club placed 2nd in mock trials during the 2010-2011 school year. Activities Director for The T.F.South Rebels is Becky Szuba.Activities & Clubs at T.F.South include Band, Best Buddies, Chess Team, Choral, Creative Arts Magazine, Cultural Exploration, Cooperative Work Training (CWT), Drama, Environmental, Freshman Class, Friends of Rachel, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), History Club, Junior Class, Mathletes, National Honor Society (NHS), Peer Mediators, Pep Club, Poms, Postscript (Yearbook), Rebel Rouser (Newspaper), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Scholastic Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Scholastic Bowl, Senior Class, Sophomore Class, Speech, Student Council, TV Production, and a few others.
Student Life
T.F. South High School creates many opportunities for students, staff, and parents to get involved through out the year. Like many public High Schools do, during the week of homecoming, there are many events to attend for everyone. The week of homecoming is “spirit week.” Students and staff dress up differently each day to the specific theme. To start off the Homecoming night celebration, on Wednesday, the senior girls play the junior girls in a powder puff football game. After the powder puff game, each class, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, do relay races for “The Battle of the Classes,” the Homecoming court walks across the football field and the King and Queen are announced. Friday night is the football game with tailgating and Saturday is the homecoming dance.Every year T.F.South raises money for a specific charity. In the past they have raised money for St. Baldrick's Foundation
St. Baldrick's Foundation
St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation raises money for childhood cancer research primarily through head-shaving events...
, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded in 1962, is a leading pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a nonprofit medical corporation chartered as a 501 tax-exempt organization under IRS regulations.In...
,and many other charities. In 2011, T.F.South raised $15,390.86 for “St. Baldricks.” T.F.South raises the money by having a basketball game dedicated to the charity they are hosting. Clubs sell t-shirts, tattoos, raffles, and much more to help the proceeds for the charity.
Notable Alumni
- Curtis GrandersonCurtis GrandersonCurtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
is a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielderOutfielderOutfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
(2004–present), has played for the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and is currently playing for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - Demetra PlakasDemetra PlakasDemetra "Dee" Plakas is an American musician, best known for being the drummer in the all-female rock band L7. She was preceded by Roy Koutsky.-Early bands:Plakas joined a punk band called as their drummer...
, drummer for all-girl punk band L7 (band)L7 (band)L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
. Plakas graduated from TFS in 1987 - Harry SmithHarry Smith (television)Harry Smith is an American television journalist. He hosted the CBS News morning programs, The Early Show and its predecessor, CBS This Morning, for 17 years...
is a retired television journalist, best known for his work on The Early ShowThe Early ShowThe Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
& for hosting the A&EA&E NetworkThe A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
program BiographyBiography (TV series)Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987...
. (1997–2002). - Pierre ThomasPierre Thomas (American football)Charles Pierre Thomas Jr. is an American football running back for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.- Early years :...
is a Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
Winning NFL running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
with the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
(2007–present). - Tom BaldwinTom Baldwin (American football)Thomas "Tom" Burke Baldwin is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League. He was selected by the New York Jets in the 9th round of the 1984 NFL Draft out of Tulsa. He played four seasons for the New York Jets.-References:...
was a NFL defensive lineman who played for the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Rivalries
T.F. South and Thornton Fractional North High SchoolThornton Fractional North High School
Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, Illinois first opened its doors in March 1926 as Thornton Fractional Township High School....
have been known for their long lasting rivalry against each other. This is the largest known High School rivalry in the area of Chicago. T.F. South has a boulder on the front lawn of the school. This was stolen from T.F. North, mascot The Meteor, and has been at T.F. South since. Students often paint “The Rock” promoting different things occurring at the school or around town. Every year, the two schools battle each other in the "Fractional Line". These are huge games between T.F. South & North and are compared as the high school version of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(South vs. North).