Our History

The Bulgarian Language Academy for students Pre-K and K was launched. The curriculum includes classes in Bulgarian, English, French, and Spanish languages.

The number of children increased and reached pre-pandemic levels. A weekday school for Pre-K and K was established.

Some of the children who interrupted their studies at the beginning of the quarantine started returning back to classes. The Aleko Konstantinov School was renamed The Little Bulgaria School. End of pandemic restrictions. Schools began functioning in person. Friday evening classes program was established.

The pandemic has started. The number of children decreased by about 40%, but the "Little Bulgaria" Center offered on-site classes, which was very popular among the parents. The organization celebrated its 10th anniversary with an online concert. The traditional parade this time was a motorcade accompanied by motorcycles.

On the eve of May 24, the transaction for the purchase of the building was completed and during the summer the teachers and dozens of members of the Bulgarian community united around the idea that all repairs should be carried out in the shortest possible time. The goal was for the majority of children to start school in the new building. The great enthusiasm led to an increased interest in the school. In this year, the number of enrolled children increased tremendously. The school became an exam center for the Bulgarian language at Sofia’s Kliment Ohridski University.

At the start of the school year, the management of Elk Grove Village announced a change in their decision to take over the building. As a result, a search for a new location for the school began this time in nearby areas. A series of community engagement and fundraising events followed. In June, a suitable site for the school was finally found - a spacious and cozy school building owned by a Lutheran church. This building, built in the 1920s, is located in the heart of the suburb of Des Plaines. Additionally, another group of 18 children went to a camp in Burgas for the summer.

A school building in Elk Grove Village was listed for sale, and the management decided to initiate a fundraising process within the Bulgarian community to secure the necessary funds for a down payment. This involved countless hours of negotiations and inspections of the building. A task force was formed to prepare the required documentation for acquiring the school, and negotiations with the municipality for the purchase of the building were progressing well. During the summer, a group of children was invited by the Municipality of Burgas to attend a camp in Burgas. Additionally, numerous meetings were organized, and the media extensively covered the visit.

The Bulgarian school "Aleko Konstantinov" joined with 22 children and three teachers and began to work under the leadership of "Little Bulgarian School in Chicago".

The number of students continued to grow. At the end of the 2012-2013 academic year, the management organized the first parade in honor of the Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavic Script Day.

The number of the enrolled students increased so much that a new facility was needed. This time, Little Bulgarian School finally found its permanent home in Elk Grove Village at the local High School. During that year, it also became the largest Bulgarian school in the Chicago area, issuing over 150 certificates.

The school's good reputation, engaging curriculum, extracurricular activities, and diverse events attracted a significant increase in the number of students. As a result, the administration hired new teachers and secured spacious classrooms, initially at the Elk Grove Village Library and later at the St. Nicholas Church building. 54 students graduated from the school.

The number of students exceeded 20, and due to the lack of space, additional classes were added on Sundays.

During this academic year, for the first time, celebrations were organized to celebrate Christmas, Martenitsa tradition, and the Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavic Script Day on May 24.

The school was established in the academic year 2005/06 by a group of Bulgarian teachers, in cooperation with parents and cultural figures. It started its first school year with 6 students.
It was initially located in the home of Jivka and Jelio Petrovi, who provided and equipped 2 of their rooms for classrooms. Classes were held year-round on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.