Denomination Roman Catholic Oversight Archdiocese of Chicago Principal Deborah Tracy Phone +1 708-354-0061 | Established 1900 President Dennis P. Moran Tuition 12,775 USD Founded 1900 | |
Type private, secondary, parochial Address 1209 Ogden Ave, La Grange Park, IL 60526, USA Colors White, Navy blue, Columbia blue Similar Fenwick High School, Riverside Brookfield High Sch, Montini Catholic High Sch, Benet Academy, Trinity High School Profiles | ||
Nazareth Academy is a Roman Catholic college-preparatory high school located in LaGrange Park, Illinois, United States, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. It was founded in 1900 by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
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History
Nazareth Academy, a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory high school in La Grange Park, is among the oldest educational institutions in Chicago's western suburbs. It was established by a pioneering group of Sisters of St. Joseph who came to the La Grange area in 1899. Their first school, with an enrollment of fourteen, was in a remodeled six-room house. A school building was constructed in 1901 and an addition to it in 1949. Until 1963, the school enrolled both resident and day students. In 1974, Nazareth moved its operations to its current location, 1209 West Ogden Avenue. The high school became coeducational in 1977, and today it serves an area approximately 25 miles long and 10 miles wide in Cook and DuPage counties. Nazareth enrolls students from more than 115 local grammar schools in over 60 communities.
The Ogden campus continued to develop with the completion of the Rooney Student Center in 1984, the locker room/weight training facility in 1995, and the R.J. Sanders Baseball Field, John W. "Jack" Oremus Library, Sister Ellen Springer Hall and the pedestrian bridge in 2003. The new Wheeler West Wing including a new main entrance, reception area and student walkway was completed in the fall of 2005. In the following year, buildings were given a new facade, windows were replaced, and heating and electrical systems were updated.
The construction of a new multipurpose dining hall and servery, one additional classroom and two meeting areas followed in 2006. The 400 seat Romano Family Theatre began hosting productions in 2008. In the following years, the athletic field was renovated with the installation of state-of-the-art field turf and the opening of Joan Valenta Stadium, seating 1,400 spectators. In 2013, the John Michalek Softball Field and tennis courts were added. During this same time period, renovations in the science labs were made to accommodate Advanced Placement Chemistry and the integration of technology for teaching and learning increased with the 1:1 iPad program as well as ongoing improvements to technology, both hardware and software.
Starting in 2015—2016, the newest expansion of the campus includes a new building for art, music and drama classrooms as well as a second gym and the addition of lights on Spirit Field. Subsequent plans call for the renovation of the social studies and religion classroom building, the relocation of administrative offices and the installation of a larger and newly equipped fitness center.
It is the school's wish to provide its students with facilities in keeping with the exceptional academic, spiritual, athletic and co-curricular experience they merit.
Academics
Nazareth Academy's college prep curriculum prepares all students for the college challenge. Students take courses at any of three levels: college prep, honors, or Advanced Placement (AP).
Nazareth's average ACT score is 25.6. The top quarter of the class of 2016 averaged a score of 31.
Athletics
Nazareth Academy offers 23 interscholastic sports.
Nazareth competes in the ESCC-East Suburban Catholic Conference and is a member of the Illinois High School Association. In support of IHSA policies, Nazareth Academy may not promise or offer athletic scholarships of any kind. Violations may result in loss of eligibility for the student, coach and/or school.
The football team won back to back State Championships in 2014 (Class 6A) and 2015 (Class 5A).
Campus Ministry
The Campus Ministry Department empowers students in the areas of service, retreat and prayer. Throughout the school year students plan, conduct and support Thanksgiving, Christmas and Lenten collections. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in summer service trips. Day retreats are offered at the freshman and sophomore level. Juniors are required to attend an overnight retreat at LaSalle Manor Christian Brothers Retreat Center in Plano, Illinois. Seniors may attend the nationally recognized Kairos Retreat. All-school liturgies provide celebrations of Holy Days of Obligation as well as major school events throughout the year. Students plan and participate in all Masses and prayer experiences. During their junior year, students may also choose to be trained as Eucharistic Ministers.