Snapshot: Downers Grove Christian School

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There’s just something about “new” that always catches interest. Such is the case at Downers Grove Christian School. Mr. Joshua Peel has assumed leadership as principal and has proven to be a driving force committed to upholding Downers Grove Christian School’s mission and vision. Additionally, The First Baptist Church of Downers Grove, which serves as the foundation of the school community, is also under new leadership with Pastor Jarret Garber. Of course, it is also true that saying goodbye to an era is always difficult, and that was certainly true with the retirement of Principal Shari Peterson at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Despite these changes, the mission of providing a Christ-centered education in a loving environment remains as vibrant as ever in its 54th year.

Downers Grove Christian School continues to academically train students from two-year-old preschool to 8th grade in a faith-based setting. A quality, Christ-centered education is modeled in a loving environment. This academic community holds high-quality scholastic preparedness, character development, and student-teacher engagement as its hallmarks. All aspects of education are presented in a Bible-based framework.

All 200 students are acknowledged as individuals with different needs and ways of learning. The caring and capable staff work to assist each child at every academic level. Small class sizes, averaging 18-21 students, allow plenty of small-group instruction. A full-time resource teacher for individual instruction ensures that no student is ever left behind.

Soccer, basketball, and volleyball teams encourage athletic development. A band, tech club, and various extracurricular clubs and activities offer students social interaction and a chance to pursue outside interests, from chess to the culinary arts. Speech Meets, Science Fair, Reading Fair, and Math Olympics offer additional opportunities to expand oratory skills. A dedicated, weekly chapel time brings the school community together in prayer, with an invitation for all families to attend.

Bright, airy classrooms with much natural light provide the ideal learning environment. Recent updates to the building include the addition of state-of-the-art classroom furniture and carpeting throughout the school for noise control. DGCS students graduate ready to further their academic path with the mindset of hard work, doing one’s best, and keeping a positive attitude. They are academically, socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically prepared for the next step of their educational paths.

Visit DGChristian.org for more information.  

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
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The library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge is one of a few reading challenge programs offered in Clarendon Hills, where the Bailey family has lived for the past 2 1/2 years.
Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

“Consistency in our routine has been good and is important,” she said, adding that Owen’s two sisters, ages 2 1/2 and 1

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