Chicago High School

John M. Van Osdel and Frederick Baumann designed the building, which opened the next year.

Three years later, the Inspectors issued a report about the possibility of a high school, but bemoaned the lack of funds available to organize it.

Finally, in September 1854, the Chicago City Council agreed to pass an ordinance approving a high school.

[2] John M. Van Osdel and Frederick Baumann were tasked with planning the structure.

The school was officially organized on October 8, 1856, and Charles A. Dupee was named the first principal.

He divided the school into two programs: a two-year normal (teaching preparation) course or a three-year study in the classics.

By the winter term, both programs were extended to four years and pupils were required to study at least one foreign language.

[4] By 1866, the school featured nine faculty, teaching Latin, German, French, Greek, geography, botany, astronomy, history, Cicero, mensuration (mathematics), natural philosophy, and political economy.

[3] In 1868, a special three-year classical course, intended as preparatory school for colleges, was introduced.