The Latin School was formed in 1888 when a group of parents in Chicago, concerned about the quality of their children's education, enlisted Mabel Slade Vickery, a teacher from the East Coast, to take charge of a new, parent-owned school. The initial class consisted of 10 boys approximately 10 years of age.

The School was designed to provide students with a rigorous college-preparatory education in the classical tradition, with a curriculum that was heavily influenced by classical studies and the study of the Greek and Latin languages. Hence the name "The Latin School."

In 1896, the School was opened to girls. In 1913, the boys and girls began to be taught in separate schools. This continued until 1953, when The Chicago Latin School for Boys and The Chicago Latin School for Girls merged to form The Latin School of Chicago.

Latin is still taught at the School today, and is a requirement for all sixth-grade students.