Harvey School District 152

Harvey, Illinois

Harvey, Illinois is located in southern Cook County, 20 miles from downtown Chicago. According to the 2000 census, the city of Harvey had a population of 30,000 in its 6.2 square miles. The average winter temperature is 26 degrees Fahrenheit (3.33 C) and the average summer temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.88 C). Average rainfall is 33 inches (83.82 cm) and average snowfall is 39 inches (99.06 cm).

Community Overview

The Harvey,IL local government consists of a mayor and aldermen. Harvey citizens have their own Harvey Police Department, Harvey Fire Department, Rescue Squad, Emergency 911 System, and Harvey Public Library. Recreational opportunities include the programs of the Park District; and the facilities of nearby Forest Preserves. Grade school-aged children attend schools in districts 147, 151, and 152, while secondary students go to district 205 or 228 schools. More information about Harvey can be found at www.CityofHarvey.org.

Claims to Fame

Created as a temperance town in 1892 by Turlington Walker Harvey, Harvey was the site of Illinois' first orphanage for African American children opened in 1899 by Amanda Berry Smith. In addition, it is also the birthplace of comedian, Tom Dreesen; baseball player, Lou Boudreau; and the singing group, The Dells. Harvey was the filming location for the 1980 movie, "The Blues Brothers". Our Middle School was named for Poet Laureate of Illinois and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Gwendolyn Brooks. One of our elementary schools is named for Maya Angelou.

Student Population

Harvey Public Schools District 152 has a student enrollment of 3537 in the Early Childhood and PreK-8 programs. For grades 9-12 our students attend Thornton High School in Thornton Township School District 205.