Shepard History

Driven by a surge in suburban Chicago population during the mid-20th century, Community High School District 218, encompassing Oak Lawn, Alsip, and the burgeoning Palos area, grappled with accommodating a growing student body. By the mid-1960s, the district’s existing high schools, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harold L. Richards, were overcrowded.

Recognizing the urgent need for a third high school, the district initiated a site search. After careful consideration, Palos Heights was chosen, sparking both support and opposition from local residents concerned about traffic, overcrowding, and property values.

A contentious debate arose in 1966 over two potential sites near the intersection of 120th Street and Pulaski Avenue in Alsip. Ultimately, in 1972, a successful bond issue paved the way for the construction of a new school in Palos Heights. Alan B. Shepard High School opened its doors in 1976, with the famed astronaut attending the dedication ceremony.

From its inception, Shepard High School prioritized academic excellence, implementing innovative programs and curricula to prepare students for higher education and careers. A robust extracurricular program, encompassing athletics, music, and drama, complemented the academic focus. However, rapid enrollment growth strained resources, and the economic challenges of the late 1970s and early 1980s exacerbated these issues.

Adapting to evolving educational needs, Shepard expanded its curriculum in the 1980s to include vocational and technical programs, while also emphasizing technology integration. The school’s freshman building closed in 1984.

Today, located at 13049 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463, Shepard High School serves approximately 1,800 students as part of Community High School District 218. With its brown and orange colors, the school has cultivated a strong tradition of academic achievement and extracurricular excellence.

A commemorative event honoring the 50th anniversary of Alan B. Shepard’s historic 15-minute suborbital flight took place at the school on May 5, 2011. Shepard’s legacy continues to inspire the Shepard community as it navigates the evolving educational landscape while upholding its core values of academic rigor, character development, and student well-being.