Two Schools
Become One
1950s – mid-1960s
Annie Allen,
headmistress of the
girls school, was a
long-time advocate
for coeducation.
"In 1952-53, the Girls Latin School and the Boys Latin School had
another one of its 'firsts.' The sophomore, junior, and senior grades
became co-educational and classes were held at the boys school. This was
only experimental, yet it proved to be an excellent system. …Because of
the overwhelming success of Latin High, both schools will be completely
co-educational in 1953-54. This success was obtained only through the
excellent organization and leadership among the students, faculty, and
parents. We feel sure that Latin will be the outstanding co-educational
private school in the mid-west in the coming years, and we wish it the
perfection which it seeks to gain." – Editor's note in the 1953 yearbook.
In the fall of 1952, an experiment began
that was to radically shape the future of Latin
School. In the spring of 1952, the boards of
trustees of both the Chicago Latin School
for Boys and Girls Latin School of Chicago
Male and female students gathered around the driver training car.
52
L AT I N M AGAZINE
announced that the tenth, eleventh, and
twelfth grades would merge in the fall of
1952. Coeducational classes would initially
be held in the school building on Dearborn.
The joining of the two schools was a result
of many factors. While a desire to offer the
best education to all students was foremost,
there were other considerations that played
a part. It was hoped that the combined
strength of the two schools would help stem
the continued trek of families to the suburbs
and the exodus of high school students to
eastern prep schools.
"Adoption of the new system is a result of
long study and many years' discussion of such
a move," said Dr. Mark Neville, headmaster
of the boys school at the time. Annie W.
Allen, headmistress of the girls school, had
advocated for coeducation since coming to
