Another Expansion For Elmhurst Private School

ELMHURST, IL – Timothy Christian Schools is before the city for another expansion.

The organization is planning a couple of two-story additions at the middle school.

One would contain eight new classrooms, while the other would include a conference room and a lab for AI and STEM, which spells out science, technology, engineering and math.

Last year, Timothy Christian, which is in southwest Elmhurst, designated sixth graders as middle schoolers, aligning the school with most others in the area. But the sixth graders remain at the elementary school.

The expansion would give enough room for sixth-graders.

"It's hard to convince them they are in middle school when they are at the elementary school," Superintendent Matt Davidson told the city's zoning board Tuesday.

As for the AI center, he said, Timothy Christian students must be prepared for the coming economy.

Davidson said Timothy Christian is the largest Christian school in Illinois, with an enrollment of 1,265. Like many private schools, the local one saw its enrollment rise during the pandemic.

"Right now, we're at capacity in most grades," he said.

The school's lawyer, Paul Buikema, said the school has no debt, despite all the projects.

"Matt is a good fundraiser," he said.

The zoning board approved the project.

In 2017, Timothy Christian built its middle school.

According to a city memo, the school has approached the board for several projects in the last decade.

In 2022, the school requested to build a concession area, expand the track and soccer field, construct a new grandstand and move the tennis courts, among other things.

In 2023, the city approved high school classroom additions, pickleball courts and new signs.