​​​Founded in 1952 as Bethesda Lutheran School, Bethesda International Academy began with a mission to provide a Christ-centered, high-quality education. Originally serving parish families, Bethesda quickly expanded to welcome children from the wider community.

Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church has supported the West Ridge community since 1920, establishing Bethesda Lutheran School to meet the educational needs of local families. In 1987, our Kindergarten through 8th-grade program added an Extended Care Program, offering after-school support for working parents. By 1989, our school grew to include a preschool class for 4-year-olds, followed by a program for 3-year-olds in 1992. In 1993, we launched our full-day childcare program, ensuring a nurturing, structured educational environment for children ages 3 through Kindergarten.

In August 2013, Bethesda Lutheran School became Bethesda International Academy, a name chosen to celebrate the multicultural diversity that defines our community today. While we remain committed to teaching and modeling Christian values of love and service, we now also emphasize global leadership to help prepare students to make a positive impact in the 21st century.

Proudly non-discriminatory, Bethesda is one of the most culturally diverse Lutheran schools in the Chicagoland area, welcoming families from all backgrounds and cultures.