Evanston/Skokie
School District 65
Kingsley Elementary School History
Kingsley Elementary School opened in 1967. When Kingsley was closed in 1979 due to low district enrollment, it briefly served as the home of the theater company Northlight Repertory Company!
Homer Hitchcock Kingsley
The school is named after Homer Hitchcock Kingsley (1859-1934), a mathematics teacher who was superintendent of District 75 from 1886-1916. As superintendent, concern for student’s health was a primary concern for Kingsley. He hired the first school nurse, initiated the first Evanston public school kindergarten (1882), and started the first summer school classes (1911). He also initiated the first dental clinic, the first employment of a “physical culture” teacher, and the first requirement of “gymnastics” in Evanston schools. Kingsley was a student and admirer of Abraham Lincoln, and he had a large library of books related to Lincoln.
“When I have had occasion to say anything to impress a serious truth I have done it not by argument but by illustration or by some apropos story….In general people can appreciate, apply and interpret a story, but few can understand an argument. I cannot myself.” - Homer Kingsley*
*Kingsley’s memoirs, cited in The Evanston Review, July 20, 1967.
Nellie Fitch Kingsley
While the school is named for Homer Kingsley, Homer’s wife, Nellie (1862-1924), also made important contributions in Evanston. Nellie was a founding member of the Woman's Club of Evanston and was known for her philanthropic work on behalf of many Evanston charitable organizations. In addition to her club work, Kingsley was an author and an active promoter of the arts in Evanston schools, helping to found the Public School Art Society. She was also a founder of the Evanston Community Kitchen, formed in response to WWI food shortages and the influenza epidemic. The Community Kitchen under Kingsley's leadership provided free meals to those in need and later became an experiment in "Collective Housekeeping" that brought it national recognition. Learn more
The D65 School History project is the result of a partnership with Evanston History Center. This research was completed by the Evanston History Center with research contributions by Nicholas Wroblewski (ETHS Class of 2028).
School History
Interested in the history of other District 65 schools?
Chute Middle School, originally named Oscar M. Chute Junior High, opened in 1966.
Dawes School is named after U.S. Vice President General Charles G. Dawes.
Dewey Elementary School was the first school in Evanston to have a kindergarten.
In 2004 Dr. Bessie Rhodes became the first Black woman to have a school named after her in Evanston.
The original King Lab was located in what is now Family Focus.
Ellen Foster, the first principal, viewed the school as a community hub.
Haven Middle School was initially built to serve students from two school districts.
Joseph E. Hill became Evanston's first Black superintendent of schools in 1975.
Namesake Homer Kingsley started the first Evanston public school kindergarten in 1882.
In the 1890s, children voted to name their new school "Lincoln" after the U.S. President.
The name incorporates nearby geographical features: Lincoln Street and a wooded area.
Frederick Nichols worked closely with the architect to create a school full of treasures.
Oakton is home to murals created by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.
Orrington's site was previously home to a Potawatomi village and burial ground.
The predecessor to Park School was established in 1949 by a group of parents.
The school was named after Chicago-area philanthropists Daniel and Ada Rice.
Walker opened to address rising enrollment due to the baby boom generation.
The yellow brick building on the corner of Main and Ashland is the original school.
The school was named after world-renowned social reformer Frances Willard.