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 goal is to develop our students’ awareness of the lordship of Jesus Christ over all of life. SCCS 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 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. Today, our Association encompasses three campuses, serving Christian families with students in preschool through high school. Our Association 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.
The Association’s 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@swchristian.org.
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Our Profile of a Graduate
List of 5 items.
By the Grace of God ...
Our graduates are the product of our striving, our efforts, and our prayers. A graduate of Southwest Chicago Christian School is:
A Follower of Christ
Our graduates celebrate the centrality of Christ, they are committed to and formed by God’s Word, they live out His calling, they build community, and they live out the hope we have in Christ.
A Seeker of Knowledge
Our graduates have been 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
In their time with us, our graduates have continually been 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 bring 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.
University of Texas, El Paso MA in Leadership Studies
US Army & Illinois National Guard
Beth Goodfellow Business Manager bgoodfellow@swchristian.org
Northern Illinois University BS, Accounting
Suzanne DeBoer
Curriculum Director
sdeboer@swchristian.org
Trinity Christian College BA, Elementary Education
University of Illinois Certificate in Assistive Technology
Olivet Nazarene University MA, Curriculum & Instruction
Nathaniel Pettinga Principal, Oak Lawn Campus npettinga@swchristian.org
Calvin University BA, Education
Concordia University Chicago MA, Educational Leadership
Philip Siemer Principal, Tinley Park Campus psiemer@swchristian.org
Calvin University BA, English & German
Purdue University Northwest MA, English Composition
Fort Hayes State University Principal Endorsement
Michael Drury Principal, CCHS mdrury@swchristian.org
Calvin University BA, History & Secondary Education
Central Michigan University MA, Educational Leadership
Board of Directors, 2023-24
David Gabrielse, President
Alumnus & Parent Hope Christian Reformed Church Vice President - CNB Bank & Trust Term Ending 2024
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 Advancement, Marketing & Communications at Elim Christian Services Term Ending 2025
Rita Miltzow, Treasurer Spouse of Alumnus Term Ending 2025 Orland Park Christian Reformed Church Financial Reporting Manager for Ozinga Bros., Inc.
Irene Buikema, Vicar
Parent of Alumni Term Ending 2024 Orland Park Christian Reformed Church Retired, Recreation Division Manager with Village of Orland Park
Additional Board Members
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
Matt Postema, Parent, Calvary Church-Oak Lawn, Term Ending 2026
Kyle Reynhout, Parent and Spouse of Almnus, Calvary Church-Orland Park, Term Ending 2027
Cindi Riemersma, Parent, Palos Heights CRC, Term Ending 2027
Abbie Schrotenboer, Parent, Palos Heights CRC, Term Ending 2024
Michael Slifko, Alumni Parent, Calvary Reformed Church-Oak Lawn, Term Ending 2024
Jon VanDyk, Parent and Alumni, Orland Park CRC, Terming Ending 2027