Time-lapse video: St. Peter Lutheran students form a '150'

St. Peter Lutheran School started in 1864, with 16 students being taught by a local carpenter at the back of a shoemaker's shop in what would become Arlington Heights.

The school has come a long way since then.

As the school celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, a milestone older than even the village of Arlington Heights, officials are looking back on its history with pride.

“We have a legacy of building young people with Christian values and standards as well as a solid educational background,” said Principal Bruce Rudi. “That really creates strong citizens for this community.”

As part of the yearlong celebration, on Friday the school's more than 500 students in prekindergarten through 8th grade posed for a picture spelling out 1-5-0 in the school's gymnasium.

The school's comfort dogs, three Golden Retrievers wearing St. Peter Lutheran School shirts, joined in the fun too.

“We just thought this would be a fun way to celebrate and get the whole school to celebrate together,” Rudi said.

St. Peter celebrated with a balloon release at the beginning of the year, a golf outing and is planning an upcoming auction and alumni celebration. Since 1960 the school has been at its current location, 111. W. Olive St. in Arlington Heights.

St. Peter's has fifth generation students and several alumni now on the teaching staff, Rudi said.

“It's a community within the community of Arlington Heights,” he said.