The mission of Wayne Thomas School is to develop life-long learners in a nurturing environment in which every child can succeed.
In 1956, due to an increase in enrollment and the new development of the Highland Park Highlands, a new school became necessary. Wayne Thomas Elementary School opened in 1957. The new school had only 10 rooms – 8 classrooms and 2 kindergarten rooms – and was designed by Perkins and Will, the architects who would later design the addition built in 1998. The school was named for Wayne A. Thomas, former principal of Oak Terrace and superintendent of former School District 111. The original building housed 300 students, filling the building the moment it opened! Built in the heart of the Highlands on land donated by builder Nathan Manilow, Wayne Thomas School relieved the overcrowding at Oak Terrace School.
An addition consisting of another eight classrooms, a multi-purpose room with a stage, and office spaces was completed and occupied in January, 1958. During the summer of 1965, a new wing to the east with four classrooms, a library learning center, and offices was added. The latest addition was built in 1998 and added 4 classrooms, a multi-purpose room and six new office and conference rooms to the building.
