Rooted in Faith,
Engaged in the World
Building a Foundation for Global Impact
Empowering students to positively impact the world through faith-based, culturally engaged, and globally-minded education
Daystar Academy is a private Christian school in Chicago’s South Loop. We use the acclaimed International Baccalaureate curriculum to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning in each of our students. We are a diverse community where students from different cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds come together to see the world through the lens of God’s truth – living and working in the hope of a new and better world.
With a focus on hands-on learning, real-world exploration, and respect for all people, Daystar prepares students to live out the values of God’s Kingdom in Chicago and beyond. We are committed to equipping learners to be a transformative presence in their communities and the world.
Deliberately Diverse, Deeply Christ-Centered
Cultivating Global Leaders through Faith and Inquiry
Our Distinctives
Christ-Centered
Daystar is a Christ-centered school, encouraging students to view their studies through the lens of their faith and to see how God’s truth is reflected in all areas of life. Faith integration provides a holistic education, one that blends knowledge with purpose. It also helps develop a Biblical worldview, where our students understand their studies not just as subjects to learn, but as a way to engage with God’s creation, serve others, and contribute to the world with love, compassion, and justice. As an IB World School our students are taught to think critically, making connections between what they learn and how they live out their beliefs. This shapes their character and prepares them for ethical decision-making in their personal and professional lives.
Located in the city of Chicago
Daystar is located in Chicago: on purpose and for a purpose. Our community is intentionally situated in the vibrant South Loop of Chicago, where we live out our call to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). We expect our students to foster meaningful connections to the city through real-world learning experiences. These experiences allow Daystar students to better understand our community, but also to help shape it.
Deliberately Diverse
With a focus on hands-on learning, real-world exploration, and respect for all people, Daystar prepares students to live out the values of God’s Kingdom in Chicago and beyond. We are committed to equipping learners to be a transformative presence in their communities and the world.
IB World School
Daystar is one of 40 International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum Schools in the United States, offering a globally-minded education from Preschool through High School designed to inspire inquiry, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. The IB framework emphasizes hands-on, student-driven exploration across disciplines, encouraging learners to ask thoughtful questions, engage deeply with big ideas, and connect their studies to real-world challenges. We love seeing our students grow by focusing on global engagement and intercultural awareness. Our students emerge as leaders with the skills and perspective to make positive change in an increasingly interconnected world.
Discover the Global Impact of the IB Program at Daystar
Empower students to think critically, engage with global issues, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Building a Christian
School for the City
“What if there was a school that was more than just classrooms and textbooks? A faith-based learning environment rooted in the heart of the city and celebrating the richness of its urban community?”
This is the question our founders asked more than 40 years ago, when they began dreaming about and building toward a school that embraced diversity, championed cultural engagement, and reflected God’s Kingdom.
1997
Daystar School opens with 12 students in grades K-4 at 1325 South State Street. It is a place where students develop both a Christian worldview that roots them in their faith and a multicultural awareness that equips them to understand and respect people who come from different backgrounds.
1998
Daystar moves to River City, a large apartment complex located at 800 South Wells Street. A grade level is added each year until the program reaches 8th grade in 2000-2001. The school operates for nine years in River City until enrollment is at capacity due to limited physical space.
2001
Daystar graduates its first 8th grade class. It’s a day of celebration! Daystar has successfully overcome the many obstacles faced by a start-up school and has built a solid foundation upon which to grow. The program has won the accolades of leaders in the educational community and the success of Daystar graduates at various selective enrollment and Christian high schools testify to the effectiveness of the educational program.
2007
Daystar moves to 1550 South State Street, after reaching capacity within River City. 1550 South State Street is the former home of a printing company. The school undergoes an initial renovation of the 25,708 SF space.
2009-2010
Daystar adds a preschool program, providing our littlest learners with a space to learn and understand how much God loves them, while also giving them an outlet to foster their creativity and communication skills and to work collaboratively with friends.
2011
Daystar completes the renovation of additional space within its building and welcomes “space sharing organizations” like Trinity Christian College, Loop Christian Ministries, Bright Promise Fund, and Overflow Coffee Bar. The hope is to collaborate with these organizations to become a strong witness for Christ in the near south area of the city.
2019-2020
Daystar opens its High School.
2023
Daystar graduates its first senior class, all of whom are accepted to their top-choice college or university. Four students receive the IB Diploma.
1997
Daystar Education Association is incorporated in 1990 for the specific purpose of establishing a Christian School in the City of Chicago. The school officially opens with 12 students in grades K-4 at 1325 South State Street in 1997. It is a place where students develop both a Christian worldview that roots them in their faith and a multicultural awareness that equips them to understand and respect people who come from different backgrounds.
1998
Daystar moves to River City, a large apartment complex located at 800 South Wells Street. A grade level is added each year until the program reaches 8th grade in 2000-2001. The school operates for nine years in River City until enrollment is at capacity due to limited physical space.
2001
Daystar graduates its first 8th grade class. It’s a day of celebration! Daystar has successfully overcome the many obstacles faced by a start-up school and has built a solid foundation upon which to grow. The program has won the accolades of leaders in the educational community and the success of Daystar graduates at various selective enrollment and Christian high schools testify to the effectiveness of the educational program.
2007
Daystar moves to 1550 South State Street, after reaching capacity within River City. 1550 South State Street is the former home of a printing company. The school undergoes an initial renovation of the 25,708 SF space.
2009-2010
Daystar adds a preschool program, providing our littlest learners with a space to learn and understand how much God loves them, while also giving them an outlet to foster their creativity and communication skills and to work collaboratively with friends.
2011
Daystar completes the renovation of additional space within its building and welcomes “space sharing organizations” like Trinity Christian College, Loop Christian Ministries, Bright Promise Fund, and Overflow Coffee Bar. The hope is to collaborate with these organizations to become a strong witness for Christ in the near south area of the city.
2019-2020
Daystar opens its High School. There is conversation regarding which high school program to implement. Ultimately Daystar chooses the acclaimed International Baccalaureate program, as it aligns with Daystar’s focus on fostering collaboration between students and creating “globally-minded students” who can see the bigger picture regarding the entirety of their education.
2023
Daystar graduates its first senior class, all of whom are accepted to their top-choice college or university. Four students receive the IB Diploma.
Today
Daystar continues to grow while remaining steadfast to its founding principles. Its focus on faith integration helps students see the world through a Christian lens, where studies are not merely academic exercises, but opportunities to grow spiritually, develop character, and serve others. This approach equips Daystar graduates to navigate both the challenges of both academics and life, ensuring they are prepared to live out their faith in a complex and diverse world.
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