About

Chicago Christian Schools is made up of three campuses in the southwest suburbs of Chicago:
  • Chicago Christian Schools – Oak Lawn (Preschool through 8th Grade)
  • Chicago Christian Schools – Tinley Park (Preschool through 8th Grade)
  • Chicago Christian High School – Palos Heights
We are a Christ-centered learning community that pursues transformational growth.

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Our Vision, Faith, & Philosophy

List of 5 items.

  • Our Faith

    As a school with its roots in the reformed tradition, we believe that God exists in three persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and life. Our faculty teach from the reformed tradition as based on these confessions: 
    The bulk of what we believe we hold in common with the Christian church around the world. We welcome students and families from various Christian denominations, and we celebrate the beliefs that we hold in common, namely salvation through Jesus Christ.

  • Our Vision/Mission

    Vision: That every Christian family throughout the Chicago southland would have access to an excellent Christ-centered education. Building on our 100-year legacy, we will develop Christian leaders as a multicultural force for renewal, unity, and hope.

    Mission: We are a Christ-centered learning community that pursues transformational growth. 

  • Our Philosophy of Education

    We teach for transformation and educate in the spirit of “Coram Deo”.  Our goal is to develop our students’ awareness of the lordship of Jesus Christ over all of life. CCS prepares students spiritually, socially, academically, culturally, and physically to serve society wholeheartedly and to glorify God by honoring Him in all aspects of life.

  • Our Association & Heritage

    Our schools began over a century ago.  In 1900, members of local Reformed and Christian Reformed churches started a school in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago for “Civil and Biblical” education. Englewood Christian School erected its first building in 1903 and built on as enrollment soared. As the Christian community grew into nearby communities, a variety of other Christian schools in the reformed tradition were formed. The Chicago Southwest Christian School Association was formed in 1958 as the result of multiple school mergers:
    • Englewood Christian School, 1900-1962
    • Evergreen Park Christian School, 1924-1958
    • Oak Lawn Christian School, 1957-1958
    • Palos Christian School, 1956-1958
    Chicago Christian High School was founded in 1918, and was first located in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. CCHS rented space from the Bible Mission and began with 14 students. With a growing enrollment, CCHS opened the doors of its own, larger building in 1927. In the early years, sports were already an important part of their program and students enjoyed both basketball and volleyball. They also enjoyed a Literary Club, Chorale, Debate, and Oratory among other activities. In 1963, CCHS built a new campus and moved to its current location in Palos Heights.

    Southwest Chicago Christian Schools Association was formed in 1998 with the merger of the elementary and high school entities.  In 2024, the Association adopted the name Chicago Christian Schools which encompasses three campuses, serving Christian families with students in preschool through high school. Our CCS members include worshippers from our supporting churches, our current parents, and our financial supporters.  These members have voting rights in regard to our governing laws and our Board of Directors. The school is overseen by our Board and is managed by a superintendent.

  • Our Business Office

    The CCS Business Office is the hub of our schools. The professionals in the Business Office can assist you with enrollment, billing, tuition assistance, and more. The office is located on the campus of Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights.

    You can reach the Association Office at 708.388.7656 or Info@chicagochristian.org.

Our Profile of a Graduate

List of 6 items.

  • By the Grace of God ...

    A graduate of CCS is a:

  • A Follower of Christ

    Our graduates are formed by God’s Word and Grace in Christian community to be committed disciples who celebrate the centrality of Christ.

  • A Seeker of Knowledge

    Our graduates are engaged in continuous learning, they have asked tough questions, and they have been challenged to answer them. Our graduates have embraced mistakes and have collaborated with fellow students and faculty alike. With apt goals in sight, our graduates leave our doors with the skills to accomplish their aspirations.

  • A Pursuer of Justice

    Our graduates are challenged to reach across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and politics. As part of a caring community, they have fostered relationships, acted in love, and worked to unify God’s kingdom to surrounding and global communities. 

  • A Caretaker of Creation

    Our graduates are devoted to creative solutions for the care and preservation of God’s World. Faculty work alongside our students, in our communities, as agents of change and restoration.

  • A Leader of Character

    Through their unashamed faith, our graduates are challenged to lead with love, integrity, and a bold humility that embodies the example that Jesus sets for us. Our hope is that our graduates will be prepared to influence the culture for Christ and be agents of renewal in our surrounding and global communities.

Our Publications

Important Policies & Statements

Our Leadership

Mark Hamstra 
Superintendent
mhamstra@chicagochristian.org

Wheaton College
BA in History

University of Texas, El Paso
MA in Leadership Studies

US Army & Illinois National Guard
CJ Cesario
Interim Director of Admissions / Head Football Coach
ccesario@chicagochristian.org

University of Minnesota
BS in Kinesiology
 
University of Minnesota
M.Ed. Kinesiology
 
 
Mike Johnson
Director of Athletics, Leadership, and Student Experience 
mjohnson@chicagochristian.org

Northern Illinois University
BS in Management with Cum Laude Honors
 
Leadership Development: KIPP National Foundation
 
Becky Parks
Interim Director of Learning
bparks@chicagochristian.org

Calvin College
BA in Elementary Education
 
Drake University
MA in Educational Leadership
 
Michael Drury
Principal, CCHS
mdrury@chicagochristian.org

Calvin University
BA in History & Secondary Education

Central Michigan University
MA in Educational Leadership
Nathaniel Pettinga
Principal, Oak Lawn Campus
npettinga@chicagochristian.org

Calvin University
BA in Education

Concordia University Chicago
MA in Educational Leadership
Philip Siemer
Principal, Tinley Park Campus
psiemer@chicagochristian.org

Calvin University
BA in English & German

Purdue University Northwest
MA in English Composition

Fort Hayes State University
Principal Endorsement
Staceyah Miller
Marketing and Admissions Specialist
smiller@chicagochristian.org

Governors State University
BA in Business Administration & Marketing

 
Beth Goodfellow
Business Manager
bgoodfellow@chicagochristian.org

Northern Illinois University
BS in Accounting
Suzanne DeBoer 
Curriculum Director
sdeboer@chicagochristian.org

Trinity Christian College
BA in Elementary Education

University of Illinois
Certificate in Assistive Technology

Olivet Nazarene University
MA in Curriculum & Instruction

Board of Directors, 2024-25

David Gabrielse, President
Alumnus & Parent
Hope Christian Reformed Church
Vice President - CNB Bank & Trust
Term Ending 2026

Pauline Sterenberg, Vice President
Alumna & Parent
Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church
Social Science Teacher at Maine East High School
Term Ending 2026
Dan Vander Plaats, Secretary
Parent of Alumni
Orland Park Christian Reformed Church
Vice President of Development for Acts 29 
Term Ending 2025
Rita Miltzow,  Treasurer
Spouse of Alumnus
Term Ending 2025
Orland Park Christian Reformed Church
Financial Reporting Manager for Ozinga Bros., Inc.
Cindi Riemersma, Vicar
Parent
Term Ending 2027
Palos Heights CRC
Director of Gift Administration at Barnabas Foundation

Additional Board Members

  • Irene Buikema, Parent, Orland Park CRC, Term Ending 2026
  • Priscilla DuBois, Parent, Hope CRC, Term Ending 2025
  • Jordan Hamstra, Alumnus and Parent, Covenant OPC, Term Ending 2026
  • Peter Kamp III, Alumnus and Parent, Calvary Church-Oak Lawn, Term Ending 2025
  • Jennifer Kowalcyzk, Alumna and Parent, Calvary Church-Orland Park, Term Ending 2028
  • Curt Marcus, Parent, Orland Park CRC, Term Ending 2028
  • Matt Postema, Parent, Calvary Church-Oak Lawn, Term Ending 2026
  • Kyle Reynhout, Parent and Spouse of Alumna, Calvary Church-Orland Park, Term Ending 2027
  • Jon VanDyk, Alumnus and Parent, Orland Park CRC, Terming Ending 2027

Accreditation & Memberships

CCS Association Office

12001 S. Oak Park Avenue
Palos Heights, IL  60463
 708.388.7656

Oak Lawn Campus

10110 S. Central Ave.
Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Tinley Park Campus

17171 S. 84th Ave.
Tinley Park, IL 60477

Chicago Christian High School