Shimer College, now known as the Shimer Great Books School, is a small liberal arts institution in Illinois renowned for its Great Books curriculum and discussion-based learning approach. Founded in 1853 as the Mount Carroll Seminary in Mount Carroll, Illinois, by Frances Wood Shimer and Henry Shimer, it initially served as a women's seminary focused on preparatory education. In 1896, it affiliated with the University of Chicago and was renamed the Frances Shimer Academy, expanding to include junior college programs. By 1950, it transitioned to a four-year bachelor's degree-granting institution and adopted the name Shimer College, emphasizing interdisciplinary studies through the analysis of foundational texts in the Western canon. Throughout its history, Shimer maintained a small, close-knit community committed to Socratic seminars and student governance, including the unique Shimer College Assembly. In the late 20th century, enrollment challenges led to innovations like the 1981 Weekend College program for working adults. The college relocated multiple times, eventually settling on Chicago's south side as an independent entity until financial pressures prompted a significant change. In 2017, Shimer affiliated with North Central College and relocated to Naperville, Illinois, becoming the Shimer Great Books School within this larger institution while preserving its core curriculum and traditions. This merger ensured its survival and accreditation, though it marked the end of its independent status. Shimer continues to attract students seeking a rigorous, humanities-focused education that prioritizes critical thinking and dialogue over traditional lecturing.