From staff reports
Mark A. Hamstra has been named as superintendent for Southwest Chicago Christian School and Chicago Christian High School beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
“I am excited about this opportunity, especially due to the foundational experience I had at CCHS and the vision I have to lead the community forward,” said Hamstra who graduated from Chicago Christian in 2001.
Hamstra gained extensive experience in education during his 12-year career with Noble Charter Schools and Chicago Bulls College Prep High School.
The Noble Charter School system educates over 12,000 students across the city of Chicago. Hamstra served as the Director of Student Culture & Support for this school system and also held multiple roles at Bulls Prep, including serving as Principal, Dean, Teacher and Head Football Coach.
Hamstra also served in the Army and Illinois Army National Guard, honing his leadership and strategic thinking skills during his tenure, serving locally, nationally, and abroad, including a deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Hamstra earned several awards while leading units in multiple capacities across his decorated military career.
Hamstra grew up in South Holland and later moved to Palos Heights.
He obtained his B.A. from Wheaton College and a M.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso. Hamstra will work with the current Superintendent, Henry Doorn, Jr., to transition into the position.
The Superintendent Search Committee worked hard to find the next superintendent.
The committee unanimously recommended Hamstra for the superintendent position. They cited his “leadership traits, experience, drive for the future health of the school, and his strong, personal, reformed Christian life walk” as the defining characteristics that led to the decision to hire him.