Mundelein hasn’t always been the way we see it today. Over the years the town of Mundelein has grown and changed. This is how this town found its place and became the Mundelein of today.
The name Mundelein comes from the last name of George Cardinal Mundelein. The Cardinal was an American Catholic who served as the Archbishop of Chicago from 1915 until his death in 1939. The town was named Mundelein in 1924 in honor of the Cardinal who was influential in the establishment of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake.
As the population of Mundelein grew, the need for schools in the area grew as well.
- In 1837, Mechanics Grove School was established.
- In 1894, Lincoln School was established.
- In 1909 the population rose to 358.
- In 1920 the population was up to 420.
- In 1930, the population was then up to 1,011.
- In 1940, the population of Mundelein was up to 1,328.
- In 1959, Carl Sandburg School was established.
- In 1960, the population jumped to 10,526.
- In 1961, the beloved Mundelein High School was established which meant that Mundelein students no longer had to attend Libertyville High School.
- In 1970, the population was up to 16,128.
- In 1980, the population was up to 17,053.
- In 1990, the population was 21,340.
- In 2000, the population was 30,834.
- In 2010, the population was 31,064.
- By 2020, the population was 31,560.
- The latest census for Mundelein was in 2024 when the population of Mundelein was 32,641.
As you can see, not only has the town of Mundelein changed immensely over the years but so has the population: from 358 in 1909 all to 32,641 in 2024.
As the town of Mundelein grew, so did Mundelein High School. Now that we are again adding to the school, let’s look back at the progression of its growth from 1961 to now and into the future.
In 1961, when the school first opened there were 921 students. From the 1970s to 1990s the school underwent many changes.
The original building, built in 1961 consisted of the current B wing circle. In the 1980s the D wing was added. The pool was built in 1987 as the student population continued to climb.
The current front entrance, A wing, and Media Center were added in the late 1990s. In 2016 the C Wing was added as well as the incubator lab and more technology labs.
Currently the biggest change will now be the renovation and additions that will be built with the $149.5 million dollar referendum which was passed in 2024. The facilities work began in the spring of 2025.
Key elements of the proposed improvements include: updating aging infrastructure; solving overcrowding issues; making health, safety and security improvements; upgrading instructional spaces; and, enhancing career & technical education areas.
The theater, cafeteria, media center and other areas will be renovated, some classrooms will be added, as well as the addition of a new fieldhouse and athletic fields for sport activities. Construction for this referendum is already under way.
The total cost of the project is $199.5 million. The District will allocate $50 million of debt service funds towards the project. These funds will be used in conjunction with the $149.5 million of voter-approved referendum dollars.
