School History

In 1960, the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters were invited to build and staff a high school for young women on a 15-acre tract of land located near the southwest side of the city of Chicago. A Queen of Peace High School Corporation was formed and filed in the office of the Secretary of State on October 25, 1961. The Articles of Incorporation were signed by Mother Mary Benedicta, O.P., then Mother General of the Dominican Sisters. In 1962, the Sinsinawa Dominicans founded Queen of Peace High School.

While the school opened officially in September 1962, the first class convened in the neighboring and newly finished St. Laurence High School (a school for boys conducted by the Christian Brothers) with an enrollment of 400 young women.

On November 21, 1963, Queen of Peace laid its cornerstone. The names Pope Paul VI, Archbishop Albert Cardinal Meyer, Mother Benedicta Larkin, O.P., Principal Sister John Dominici, O.P., and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy were placed in a copper box within the cornerstone. The day following the laying of the cornerstone, November 22, John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Peace began classes in its own facility in September of 1963 with 420 frosh and 390 sophomores. Of that first year it was written: "Generous expressions of school spirit united the first group of students and faculty and widened readily to include over 400 new students and 14 additional faculty members in September 1964."

Queen of Peace pioneered interdisciplinary instruction in 1977. With the emergence of interdisciplinary courses, a number of classrooms expanded with moveable walls and large meeting spaces. In response to technological advances, Queen of Peace was among the first Catholic schools to require computer skills. In 1977, in conjunction with Queen of Peace’s Christian Living Department, Peace established a Ministry Program in an effort to provide students with a variety of faith-affirming opportunities to strengthen their commitment to Gospel values, deepen their understanding of faith and its call to be of service, and to establish a community that invites shared reflection and spiritual growth. The mission of this program has evolved with continued emphasis on social justice and the incorporation of a service requirement for graduation.

From 1996-1999, significant facilities enhancements occurred following a Board-approved architectural master planning project and subsequent Phase One and Two building renovations. The results of these renovations created two new Mazzuchelli science labs, a fitness/dance center, softball field, a CAD Lab, T1 line technology advances and a renovated gymnasium with new bleachers and a wood floor.

During 1998-1999 school year, the administration asked the Corporate Members to enhance the leadership model which resulted in the hiring of the first Queen of Peace High School President. In August 1999, the first President/Principal team led the school into the new millennium.

Significant milestones followed Peace’s 40th and 45th Anniversaries in 2003 and 2007, respectively:

• Creation of the Peace Park in 2000 following the Columbine tragedy
• Creation of the St. Catherine of Siena Scholars Program in 2001
• Planting of the Peace Pole on the first anniversary of 9/11/2001
• Distribution of faculty laptops in 2002
• Celebration of the first Senior Portfolio Exhibit in 2003
• Institution of a 1:1 laptop program and wireless infrastructure in 2007
• Introduction of The Infinity Project in 2007, the only pre-engineering program in all-girls school in the state of Illinois

For more than four decades, Queen of Peace students, faculty and parents have continued the Sinsinawa Dominican value-centered tradition of truth, justice, compassion, partnership and community. Peace’s history is brought to life each day in activities and programs which expect academic rigor, respect individuality, promote community and encourage responsibility and interdependence. A thriving enrollment fuels those "generous expressions of school spirit" and a dedicated faculty and staff continues to challenge Women of Peace.