Type Private Established 1866 Phone +1 217-875-2431 Colors Blue, Orange | Denomination Roman Catholic Tuition 6,450 USD (2016–2017) | |
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Similar MacArthur High School, Maroa‑Fo High School, Argenta High School, Mt Zion High School, Warrensb High School Profiles | ||
St. Teresa High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Decatur, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Contents
History
St. Teresa was established in 1866 as Academy of St. Teresa by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. In 1868 the Ursuline Sisters took over the responsibility of operating the school. St. Teresa was originally located on the 400 block of East Eldorado Street, until 1913, when it was moved to its current location and designated as an all-girls boarding school.
In 1930, due to increases in student enrollment, the Ursuline Sisters petitioned Bishop Griffin for an expansion of the academy. Bishop Griffin fulfilled their request, and in return the nuns were asked to build a co-ed building. After the transition into a co-educational institution, the school was renamed as St. Teresa High School and Sister Loretto Boland was appointed as the first principal. In 1955, as enrollment further increased, eight classrooms and a gymnasium were built and dedicated to Bishop O'Connor
In 1996, the Ursuline Sisters withdrew their sponsorship of the school and a not-for-profit corporation was formed to assume ownership and control of St. Teresa High School.
In 2015, a new athletic wing was built, containing new locker rooms and an exercise/weight lifting room. Its construction was possible by donations and had its first use in the 2015-2016 school year.
Approach
St. Teresa High School requires that each student earn a total of twenty-six credits to graduate, including four from theology and English. St. Teresa High School also requires ten service hours to the community per school year, and students must pass the Illinois and U.S. Constitution Tests. Many AP and Honors courses are available to students in subjects such as calculus, chemistry and English. Seventh and eighth graders from the three Catholic schools in the area (Holy Family, St. Patrick, and Our Lady of Lourdes) can take advanced math and science on campus.
95% of students take part in extracurricular activities or athletics (listed below), including Student Council, Scholastic Bowl, WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), National Honor Society, Drama (with two major productions each school year), Art, Band, and Chorus. Students also take part in the various clubs formed at the school, such as Art Club, Debate Club, International Club, Juggling club, and Serviam club (named after the school motto).
St. Teresa High School has an athletic program that offers football and baseball for boys, volleyball, softball, and cheerleading for girls, and cross country, tennis, track and field, basketball, soccer, and golf for both.
Campus
The current campus is one building in three parts: the science wing (which also includes the music room and chapel) on the south side, the main building, and the athletic wing (including the Joe Venturi gymnasium, locker rooms and weight room) on the north side. Students must remain on campus through the school day. To the east of the school are the football field (doubling as a soccer pitch) and the baseball diamond. The softball diamond is to the south of the school.