The British School of Chicago provides British curriculum education for children of all nationalities and is the first British curriculum school in the region. A wholly owned subsidiary of Education Overseas Ltd., the school opened at the former St. Gregory's school at 1643 Bryn Mawr in September 2001, and has sister schools in Washington D.C., Boston, Houston, and Charlotte.

The first British school was launched by Robert Findlay, an employee of a relocation agency. Findlay was dispatched to Washington D.C. in the early 1990s to find British system schooling for children of employees of an oil company being shifted to America. He found that there were three American schools in London, but no British schools in Washington. The original idea was to attract the expatriate and embassy communities in the nation's capital, but the organizers quickly found that Americans were interested as well. That interest expanded outside of D.C. to communities including Chicago.

When the Archdiocese of Chicago announced the building was available, World Business Chicago notified the company and the property turned out to be ideal for their needs.

"Early on, we were all invited to a barbecue - the staff, myself and family. People have made us feel at home and welcome. That's been important," said Michael Horton, Headmaster, The British School of Chicago.

There were no incentives involved with this project.

The British School provides British Curriculum education. This adds to the existing French and Japanese accredited national curriculum schools in Chicago and Arlington Heights, and is yet another attraction for UK-based companies and expats considering Chicago as a location. The British Schools of America continues to cooperate in promoting the school to the UK firms considering Chicago.

Enrollment has increased from 11 students initially to 185 students in early 2005. Enrollment is forecast to be 250 in 2006. The school accepts enrollment through the equivalent of 7th grade and is gradually adding grades, with plans to add High School grades as well.

To accommodate strong growth and expand services, The British School of Chicago is constructing a new, 70,000 square foot facility at Halstead Avenue & Eastman Street on the Near North Side, to open in January 2008.