[8] In 1855, Illinois passed a law requiring communities to establish public schools free of tuition.
The school systems on both sides of the city proved popular, with overcrowding becoming an issue by the end of the 1860s.
In addition, the condition of Rockford Central High was considered too deteriorated to house students.
During the 1950s, Rockford underwent a significant period of population growth, becoming the second-largest city in Illinois.
Coinciding with population growth, the city saw significant expansion away from the river westward and eastward.
The creation of entirely new neighborhoods in the city led to construction of several elementary and junior high schools.