Wheaton Christian Grammar School Shines Christ’s Love in Chicago Suburb

By Caitlyn Harding

Wheaton Christian Grammar School (WCGS) is the center of a thriving, Christ-honoring community in Winfield, Illinois. Founded in 1942 by a group of parents who desired to integrate the Bible into every aspect of student learning, the school has experienced remarkable growth—particularly over the past five years.

Today, with a record enrollment of 736 students, the K–8 school has expanded its campus, adapted to changing needs, and built a strong legacy of more than 3,000 graduates.

With 84 years of equipping the next generation for Christ, the school has remained steadfast in its mission to educate, train, and nurture students toward excellence under the authority of God and His Word. 

Alumni have become Kingdom builders in many different spheres of influence including finance, medicine, missions, engineering, and more. 

Jeff Brooke, Head of School at WCGS, shared, “our team at WCGS is committed to cultivating an environment where hands-on experiences shape students’ understanding of how to reflect Christ in the world.”

Having received ACSI Exemplary Accreditation in 2025, the school remains closely aligned with its roadmap for Expected Student Outcomes: to develop Christ Followers, Critical Thinkers, and Community Builders. At the bedrock of those outcomes are the teachers and staff who believe steadfastly in the school’s mission and integrate it into every facet of the students’ education. 

Developing students who are Christ followers is at the core of WCGS’s mission statement: “to educate, train, and nurture children for godliness and excellence, equipping them to engage and transform their world for Jesus Christ.” 

Leadership and faculty believe that if their students leave the school firmly rooted in their faith, they will be prepared to think critically and engage the world through a Biblical lens.

Their curriculum integrates Biblical truth into every subject, helping students see how the wisdom found in God’s Word is applicable to every area of life.

Brooke shared that "the Christ-centered ethos of our school and commitment to growing students academically and spiritually is evident through our programming in everything from the classroom to our after-school activities. Students can form spiritual and academic foundations that last a lifetime.” 

As an outpouring of its strong educational foundation, WCGS also encourages its students to become Community Builders, impacting their local community and the world around them through acts of service, missions-focused chapels, opportunities for global missions outreach, and prayer for both local and global missionaries.  

“We pray our students leave this place equipped and inspired to cultivate strong, Christ-centered communities wherever they go,” Brooke shared.

The school’s 2025-2026 year verse, Mark 1:17, underpins this goal: “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” 

WCGS desires for all of its students to graduate with a readiness to go out and serve others as an outpouring of their love for Jesus, creating opportunities to share the gospel as others see the light of Christ in them.

The Roth family has experienced the impact of the school’s faithful adherence to its Expected Student Outcomes firsthand. Jon and Alana Roth have three boys enrolled at WCGS and have a long, meaningful history with the school.

The two met through WCGS connections and had no idea the important role this school would continue to play in the lives of their children. 

Reflecting on the past year, they said, “Without exception, each teacher that our boys have had demonstrates Jesus’ hands and feet by integrating their faith into the education they provide. Of all the close friends our eldest son had throughout this past school year, the one he said he would miss the most was his homeroom teacher.” 

Brooke summarized the heart of WCGS well: “We are honored to partner with families as we seek to raise up the next generation to be Christ-centered critical thinkers who build community for God’s glory. It is our prayer that this place provides deep discipleship, spiritual growth, and academic development in a way that launches students toward all that God has for them.”    

The school prays that every student walks away changed and equipped to live a life of excellence in all they do and in service to their King.