HELEN C. PEIRCE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
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Our History 

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On October 3, 1893, Helen Caroline Peirce, a Chicago socialite, founded the Lake View Woman’s Club. The Club played an important role in Chicago society. From the inception, Club members acted as a service organization to the community, had a forum for study and discussion, and gathered for social purposes.  

The first Club project was a proposition to the Chicago Board of Education, that a kindergarten class be formed in a poverty stricken area called Clay Holes. In December 1893, a kindergarten was opened at the corner of Perry and Dunning. The Club paid for the rent, heat and maintenance, while the Chicago Board of Education provided a teacher and supplies. This arrangement continued until 1898 when the Chicago Board of Education began to fully finance kindergarten classes. 
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The Lake View Women's Club continued to serve Chicago’s schools and later donated many paintings, photographs and sculptures to Chicago Public Schools to expose school children to the fine arts. Helen C. Peirce served as the President of the Club and served on the Board of Directors. 

Helen C. Peirce died in 1911. Carrie Norton Hopkins, a fellow Cub member, characterized Ms. Peirce as “a person with firmness of purpose, tempered with gentleness, generosity, unselfishness, helpfulness for all humanity, loyalty to friends, and joy in service.” 

Members of the Lake View Woman’s Club wanted to honor Helen Peirce. They asked the Chicago Board of Education to name a school after her. The school selected to bear her name, Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies, opened its doors in September of 1915.

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 Helen C. Peirce
School of  International Studies
1423 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago IL, 60660
Phone: (773) 534 2440
Fax: (773) 534 2577
PK Branch
5300 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone:  (773) 534-2234
​Fax:  (773) 534-2235
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our History
    • Mission & Vision
    • School Tours
    • Enrollment Information
    • Policies & Forms
    • Staff Directory
    • Local School Council (LSC)
    • Continuous Improvement Work Plan
    • Support Peirce
    • Branding Guidelines
  • Family Information
    • Before & After School Programs
    • Case Management
    • Student Door Entry
    • New to Peirce
    • Family Communication
    • Parent Organizations
    • Principal's Newsletter
    • Volunteer Opportunties
  • Academics
    • International Baccalaureate >
      • IB Primary Years Programme
      • IB Middle Years Programme
      • IB Learner Profile
    • Pre K
    • Art
    • English Learner Program
    • Counseling Department
    • Dance
    • Garden
    • Music
    • Physical Education
    • Restorative Practices
    • Spanish
    • Sports Programs
    • Technology
  • Calendar