Frances Willard School was built in 1928 on the west side of Ashland avenue in the 1200 block. It was named in honor of one of River Forest’s first teachers, who later became famous. Willard opened in 1929 to accommodate the fast-growing number of families settling in the north part of River Forest - the area north of Division was annexed by River Forest in 1916. At that time, Roosevelt was serving as the elementary school. Due to overcrowding, families were asked to volunteer to leave Roosevelt and go to Willard, instead, to fill the new school.

Willard originally contained ten rooms, plus a gymnasium, kitchen and restroom, which seemed more than ample at the time for the grade K-5 students it served. The green linoleum and new heating and ventilating systems were touted when the school opened. Ms. Katherine Rahm was the first principal of Willard; she moved from Lincoln when the new school opened.

In later years, 6th and 7th graders also attended Willard. And the building was expanded to accommodate a growing population. An addition to Willard was opened in 1952. The Library Learning Center was added in 1972, and was named the Richard J. Miller Library Learning Center in 1975 in honor of the school board finance chairman who played a key role in building it.

The school has continued to serve the north side of River Forest and the school community well for 95 years!