Illinois Valley Central High School

Illinois Valley Central High School (IVCHS), located at 1300 West Sycamore Street in Chillicothe, Illinois, serves communities including Dunlap, Edelstein, Mossville, Peoria, and Rome. The school, situated 15 miles northeast of Peoria, caters to a mix of urban, village, and rural residents.

Athletically, IVCHS joined the Illini Prairie Conference in 2017-18 after the merger of two conferences. They have appeared in the IHSA Final Four five times: first in 2006 for boys' basketball, losing to Seneca, but winning a state title in baseball the same year by defeating Trenton (Wesclin). They also reached the finals in 2008 and later secured third place in another championship. In 2022, their girls' volleyball team made history by finishing third in the state finals.

The mascot, Grey Ghosts, replaced Maroons around 1940 and was recognized by ESPN in 1987 with induction into their nickname hall of fame.

IVCHS boasts a robust fine arts program, particularly in music. Their marching band has won 15 state titles since 1990 and performed nationally in events like the Fiesta Bowl Parade and National Memorial Day Parade. Foreign language offerings include Spanish, French, and German, alongside a biannual exchange program with a German school since 1980.

Formed in 1976 through consolidation, IVCHS moved into its current building in 1977. Notable alumni include figures in law, academia, military, sports, and entertainment, such as Brian Garrison, David Batstone, and Zach McAllister.