School News

Dates & Times
March 12, 13, 14 at 7 p.m.
March 14, 15 at 1 p.m.

PURCHASE TICKETS

 

Mamma Mia! is a sunny, comedic musical powered by ABBA's greatest hits. Set on a Greek island, the show tells the story of Sophie, a young bride-to-be who secretly invites three men from her mother Donna's past to her wedding, hoping one of them is her father. Events become chaotic reunions, romances are rekindled, past secrets unravel and relationships are tested before the big day.

Crystal Lake Central Graduate Inspires Educators at National Conference

Crystal Lake Central graduate Sylvie Gonzalez Lopez, Class of 2025, was one of over 1,000 students nationwide who applied to the AVID Student Speaker Contest, a prestigious opportunity that invites students to tell their stories of growth, perseverance, and impact through the AVID program. Sylvie was chosen as the closing student keynote speaker, addressing an audience of more than 4,000 educators at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Her speech reflected on how AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) helped her overcome anxiety, find her confidence, and believe in her voice. AVID is a program designed to support students in developing skills for academic success, college readiness, and personal growth through mentoring and collaborative learning. She shared how, as a freshman, she dropped out of her Honors English class because participation and group discussions felt impossible. That began to change when she joined AVID. The program’s tutorial process encouraged her to ask questions, speak in front of her peers, and slowly build the confidence she once lacked.

“By the end of freshman year, I found myself getting used to speaking in front of people and raising my hand in class,” she said. “I learned to speak clearly, hold my head higher, and make my voice heard.”

Through the support of her classmates and teachers, Sylvie says AVID transformed not just her academic life, but her sense of self-worth.

“After working with hundreds of AVID students, I can say Sylvie truly embodies what our program strives for—confidence, academic growth, self-worth, and the courage to find student agency and voice,” said Shannon Levitt, AVID teacher. “Seeing her shine on that stage, representing herself, her family, our CLC AVID family, our community, and all first-generation college-bound students is a memory I will always cherish.”

Now a first-year student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sylvie is studying psychology and pre-law through the Illinois Commitment program, which covers tuition and fees for qualified Illinois students.

Her story is a testament to the confidence, perseverance, and lifelong skills that AVID builds and proof that, as Sylvie said in her speech, “AVID works.”

Watch Sylvie’s full speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuMMKIzBJ-0 

 

 

Two District 155 Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Two District 155 seniors, Braedan Mendro, Cary-Grove High School, and Jackson Lisle, Crystal Lake Central High School, have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Semifinalists. This prestigious program recognizes the top-performing high school students in the nation based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and now have the opportunity to advance to finalist standing, which could lead to National Merit Scholarships totaling more than $28 million nationwide.

Braedan Mendro is active in student council, national honor society, CG elevate, invest CG, disc golf club, and baseball, and serves on the student council board. He credits teachers Tim Garis and Matthew Hawley for inspiring him to fully engage in his classes.

“They were both so passionate about their classes and preparing students for success—it made me want to put my full effort in,” said Braedan Mendro, Cary-Grove senior.

Braedan also highlights the support of his family. After high school, he plans to study mechanical engineering and hopes to pursue research in nuclear fusion or robotics.

Jackson Lisle, student council president at Crystal Lake Central, balances leadership roles with involvement in national honor society, legacy club, math team, scholastic bowl, varsity tennis, and Central Crazies. He thanks teachers like Audrey Mazzuca and Angela Welder for their support and impact on his academic growth.

“Mrs. Mazzuca’s passion for science inspired me to pursue a career that I love, and Mrs. Welder taught me grammar and test-taking skills I still use today,” said Jackson Lisle, Crystal Lake Central senior.

Outside the classroom, Jackson serves on the Crystal Lake City Youth Commission, assists in a mobile app development class, and completed an internship with Every Page Counts, a publishing company. He plans to study finance and computer science to explore his interests in technology and business.

The achievements of Braedan and Jackson reflect District 155’s dedication to academic excellence and its focus on preparing students for success beyond high school. 

 

Performance Dates & Times: 

October 23 - 6:30 p.m.
October 24- 6:30 p.m.
October 25 - 6:30 p.m.

Ticket Information: Tickets can be online or at the door. 
$10 for adults,
$5 for students
Free for students with an activity ticket.

Purchase Tickets Here

Description:
CLC is proud to bring the fast-paced, unpredictable world of Chicago's very own Neo-Futurist theater to the Central stage with its production of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. In this unique performance, students race against the clock to present “30 Plays in 60 Minutes,” a whirlwind mix of comedy, drama, and audience interaction. Each short play—funny, thought-provoking, or absurd—reflects the energy and creativity of our ensemble. Because each show is shaped by chance and audience participation, no two performances are ever the same

All Four D155 High Schools Nationally Recognized for Seventh Straight Year

 

For the seventh consecutive year, all four Community High School District 155 high schools have been ranked among the top 14% of public high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings. Nearly 18,000 public high schools were ranked nationwide, based on graduation rates, state assessment performance, and college readiness, out of more than 24,000 reviewed. 

All four schools also earned recognition among the best high schools in the state of Illinois.

Cary-Grove - 68

Prairie Ridge High - 87

Crystal Lake Central - 102

Crystal Lake South -108

“As a district, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that our schools are rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our students and community,” said Dr. Neil Lesinski, superintendent. "We celebrate recognition when it comes, but our true measure of impact is found in our students’ growth, their readiness for life after high school, and the positive contributions they make to their communities. That’s the work we are proud to stand behind every day."

The U.S. News rankings highlight the excellence of District 155’s high schools and reflect the district’s commitment to providing students with a broad range of opportunities, innovative learning experiences, and a supportive, inclusive environment that prepares them for success beyond high school.