KINGS — It’s known as the little school with the big heart, and to show their appreciation, staff members at Kings School planted and dedicated two new trees to honor past, present and future employees at the school.
The dedication ceremony was held last week during the “Unpack Your Backpack Night.”
Principal Matt Lamb said the event was a great kick off to the new school year.

“We thought it was a nice way to honor the teachers,” Lamb said. “Our art teacher, Sarah Loeffelholz, painted the sign beautifully. We want to keep that area upfront to honor our past and present teachers as a way to thank them for all of their years here, and to the future ones as well…we want to thank them for being a part of Kings. It’s a nice reminder.”
The school’s 20th Annual Pork Chop dinner and fall open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from students, any Kings School Foundation member or by calling the school at 815-562-7191.
History
Kings School got its start in 1892 as a one-room schoolhouse on rural farm property near Route 64. In the early twentieth century, townships each had schoolhouses constructed on donated farmland. Teachers would reside in students’ houses where they would be fed and housed.
In 1921, the first consolidation in Ogle County took place when four rural districts of White Rock Center, Gibson, Spring Valley and Bethel were consolidated into Kings.
Two years ago, staff members at Kings School celebrated 60 years in the present building on First Street in the village. Since the original construction, the building has had two additions. The computer lab and art room were formally the bus garage. A storage shed was added along with the bus garage on the far end of the parking lot.