History
“I am sending you to the far South side of the city, in the vicinity of 95th and Western, to start a new parish under the title of Christ the King.”
— Cardinal Mundelein to Rev. Patrick J. Gleeson, on creating the Parish of Christ the King on July 3, 1936.
Christ the King School (CK) is nestled in the historic Beverly Hills neighborhood on the far southwest side of Chicago. A diverse blend of blue- and white-collar families living in 1920s-era brick homes under a canopy of oak trees give Beverly a small-town feel.
Multiple generations of families make their home here, creating a unique and enduring legacy. We know our neighbors, in some cases for decades and over generations, which creates a sense of safety and community. Our children walk to school together, ride their bikes to a nearby park for soccer practice, and meet up with family and friends—a throwback to simpler times. This strong community connection and a shared faith attracts new families and brings alumni back to CK to raise their children.
As the primary educational outreach of Christ the King Parish, Christ the King School is committed to helping children understand and internalize the Catholic faith. The School and its families serve the needs of the children by emphasizing academic excellence and encouraging service opportunities in an environment rich in Catholic tradition and discipline. Christ the King School provides its students with the challenges and skills needed to become actively involved in the world in socially responsible ways.
Christ the King School nurtures academic excellence by offering a challenging curriculum that exceeds grade-level standards. At CK, learning is a full-time adventure that is dynamic, rewarding and fun!
Since 2014, CK’s enrollment has grown by 139 students, more than a 43% increase. While 75% of our students live in the neighborhood, our school is a destination for students from other communities as well. The small class sizes, academic rigor, differentiated instruction, extracurricular activities, and welcoming atmosphere are some of the factors families cite in choosing CK.
CK 2050
While the school has a strong 82-year history of academic excellence, a change in administration in both the church and school five years ago infused new energy into CK. Without delay, our new administration set out to secure the future success of Christ the King. We launched a large capital campaign titled CK 2050, with plans to ensure the school’s success and vitality well into the year 2050. The campaign successfully raised the necessary funds to update our facility, enhance security, and increase capacity.
To date, a new HVAC and modern lighting systems have replaced outdated equipment. Construction is underway to create a new secure main entrance and renovate the former convent. The convent space will be transformed into two new kindergarten classrooms, a school counselor’s office, an art room, a new music studio, and a state-of-the-art media center. The new construction will connect the main building to the newly-remodeled building and will include an elevator for handicap accessibility.
