In 1882, Mr. & Mrs. John Kelly purchased ground in Section 23 of Kickapoo Township and formed the new District 60 school district. With the creation of this new district came Charter Oak School.

The name Charter Oak came from the legend of an old oak tree that stood in the middle of the road a few yards northeast of the schoolhouse. The oak tree had a hollowed out spot in it, which served as a stopping off place for the Pony Express.

The first school was a one-room construction. A pot-bellied stove stood in the center of the room and a well with a hand pump provided the drinking water. One teacher taught all eight grades.

In 1936, because of increased population, one more classroom was added. In addition to the classroom, a full basement was added, a small kitchen, coal room and two indoor bathrooms. Charter Oak was the first county school to have indoor plumbing.

In 1940, the first hot lunch program was sponsored in the State of Illinois. Two cooks were hired in conjunction with the W.P.A. to serve the students.

The 1960s brought many problems for small county schools. Many were forced to close for different reasons. In 1963, Charter Oak School closed and the students of the former Charter Oak School attended Woodrow Wilson School.

In the fall of 1970, Charter Oak School was demolished. Because of the crowded conditions at Woodrow Wilson, a new K-8 Charter Oak School was constructed in Section 14 of Kickapoo Township and opened for the 1979-1980 school year. Dedication of the new building was held on Sunday, October 28, 1979. Mr. Harry Whitaker, Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools, gave the dedication speech. Mr. John Slater served as the schools first principal from 1979-1992.

In the fall of 1986, Peoria Public Schools adopted the middle school/primary school concept. Because of this change, Charter Oak School became a K-4 school and adopted the new name Charter Oak Primary School.

In 2003, Charter Oak School was named a Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence. This award is in conjunction with the President's No Child Left Behind Act. Principal Dr. Thom Simpson and teacher Leisa Carlberg were flown to Washington D.C. to receive the prestigious award.

 Once again, in 2012, Charter Oak School was named a Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence. Principal Dr. John Wetterauer and teacher Debbie Lowe were flown to Washington D.C. to receive the prestigious award.

Mr. John Slater    1979-1992

Mr. David Johnson    1992-1993

Dr. Thom Simpson    1993-2003

Mr. John Wetterauer    2003-2014

Mrs. Elizabeth Zilkowski    2014-2017

Mrs. Kathy Rodriguez    2017-current