Cary-Grove High School

The school's team mascot is the "Trojan."

The football team won three Class 6A state titles in 2009 against Providence Catholic High School, in 2018 against[5] Crete-Monee High School, and 2021 against[6] East St. Louis High School. They finished three second places in 2004 (7A), 2012 (6A), and 2014 (7A).

The 2009 Women's Volleyball team won the state title. It was the first state title in the school's history.[7][8] In 2010, the Volleyball team was ranked Number 1 in the nation by various sources, but lost the state final game to Lyons Township High School snapping their 57 match win streak and ended their season at 41-1 overall.[9]

In 2011 the Volleyball team was runner up in the state, marking the third year in a row that the team made it to the state finals.[10]

In 2011 Carly Loeffel became the second individual and first female athlete to win a Track and Field championship in the high jump by jumping 5'8". The other individual champion was Brad Thornton in the 300m hurdles back in 2003.

In 2012, also in track and field, Josh Freeman became the first person in school history, and in the history of the Fox Valley Conference, to win two individual state championships in the same year when he won the shot put and discus state titles. His shot put throw of 66'0" ranks 3rd all-time in Illinois state history.

As of 2012, 16 different groups and ensembles perform at the school, including the A Cappella Singers, Swing Choir, Jazz Choir, Bel Canto Choir, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Drumline, Pep Band and Jazz Ensemble. The band is headed by Marty Magnini. A new Fine Arts Center opened in September 2015 to replace the school's original auditorium, which was built in 1965. The new facility cost $8.5 million and features updated technology, more dressing rooms, rehearsal space, a scenery shop and an enlarged stage. The private-public partnership with the Cary-Grove Fine Arts Foundation was the first for the school district.[11]

Every November, all chorus students participate in ¨Fall Follies¨, a concert that includes singing, dancing, and skits. Swing Choir, Beginners Chorus, Advanced Mixed Chorus, Bel Canto Choir, A Cappella Singers, and Jazz Choir all participate.

In 1995, Cary-Grove High school received national media attention due to a tragic bus accident involving a train and school bus in Fox-River-Grove.

Every year before school ends, all students who have not missed more than 12 days of school and have not received any discipline referrals are invited outside to a grill-out style party for two class periods. The event is accompanied by music performed by the school's jazz combo. All eligible students are given hot dogs grilled by the deans and parents as a form of reward for maintaining a good disciplinary and attendance record throughout the school year.

On every Friday when the varsity football team is scheduled to play, the school's fight song is played after school while the students are leaving the building. The school also plays the national anthem every morning on school days. The anthem first started playing daily during the Vietnam War.

Of the 111 teachers, 86% of them have a master's degree or higher.[4]

The school also employs five counselors, two social workers, and one psychologist on its student services team. The average classroom size is 18 students per class.

As of 2019, Cary-Grove High School was determined to belong among the country's top schools according to The U.S. News & World Report. The rankings placed Cary-Grove at number 884 nationally and 41st in Illinois. The national ranking puts CG at least in the top 3.8% of the nation’s public high schools.[12]

Cary-Grove High School has also earned national recognition, ranking 323 out of 500 in an article by Newsweek listing "America's Top High Schools in 2015"[13]