When the school first opened in 2012, "Rogers Park" was meant to be a placeholder, so that the school community would have the opportunity to select a new name fitting for the school. That renaming process began in February 2014, when parents, faculty, staff, and community members were invited to submit recommendations. In addition, a student essay contest was held and one name was selected from each grade. From all recommendations and essays, the top three suggestions were Frida Kahlo, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and Cesar Chavez. All students, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, parents, and other members of the community were then invited to vote on the new school name that March.

Later that month it was announced that the name receiving the most votes was Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.

Who is Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz?  Sor Juana was a writer and poet now considered one of the most important literary figures of the Spanish American colonial period, as well as one of the first feminist writers. She was a strong advocate for education for women. Born in Mexico in 1651, Sor Juana became a nun and devoted herself to studying and writing. The place where she studied is now a center for higher education. 

Sor Juana’s love of learning, advocacy for women’s education, and life as a nun complement the history of our school building, which previously housed a school run by the Benedictine Sisters, who still live next door. Now we are pleased to honor that past and carry forward with our own focus on love of learning and high quality education for all as we become Cruz. I look forward to working with you to build an even stronger school community with greater academic growth and achievement as we take on the name of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.

Sincerely,

Molly Robinson, Principal