30 Years of Excellence

Everyone loves a true underdog tale – from David standing in the face of fear to take down the mighty Goliath to a teenage peasant girl who stands in the name of God to liberate the French nation against tyranny.

Thirty years ago, Noonan Academy was no different when it embodied the role of the underdog. That’s when entrepreneur Dr. Roberta “Bobbie” Noonan embarked on a journey to bring a Catholic School to the southwest suburbs. The school’s mission was to get as many people into heaven as possible, starting with one child, one family, at a time.

As a result, Noonan Academy became the first-grade school in the state to offer a private Catholic curriculum without funding or governance from the diocese. When Noonan started off, it was very fragile; the school was on shaky ground. The Diocese of Joliet wasn’t sure about Noonan Academy. We were building an authentic classical Catholic curriculum without the support or guidance of the diocese. By the Grace of God though, we are celebrating 30 years strong!

Dr. Noonan set the cornerstone, and the journey toward excellence began. Noonan Academy set out to do everything other Catholic schools did, plus much more. Students recite daily prayers, learn classroom saints, apply proverbs and virtues to daily life, participate in May Crowning and other liturgical events, celebrate weekly Mass, and master a curriculum second to none. The students are infused with a love of country, neighbor, and God that shines through all elements of their souls.

Today, on that cornerstone stands an astonishing Noonan community with close to 800 Alumni strong, and now Noonan is fully affiliated with the Joliet Diocese. Thirty years ago, Noonan as a private school could not have the weekly Mass nor do any other activities that other Catholic schools did. Our reputation of excellence, though, caught the eye of the bishop. Today Noonan Academy has a chapel with a Tabernacle, which was granted permission by the bishop of Joliet. This is the greatest honor a Catholic school can have.

With an enrollment of roughly 300 students in Nursery through eighth grade, Noonan stresses academics by providing each student with an individualized plan. This is made possible with smaller class sizes – an average of 18 – and a student/faculty ration of 8:1. The ratio of staff to students allows us to use many resources with our students which enables them to be the best version of themselves. Ultimately, Noonan Academy helps our students to reach their full grammar school potential.

Being fully accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, Noonan Academy strives to maintain an excellent curricular environment with clear accountability. Any requirements and/or safeguards the public school goes through, so does Noonan Academy. The advantage Noonan Academy has over public schools, or even other Catholic schools, is that Noonan can modify and enrich curriculum as it seems fit. Noonan will never teach a lesser curriculum just because it has been approved by a board or committee.

This rich curriculum is harnessed by our teachers who are trained not only to be experts in content, but also in teaching. When a teacher knows how a student learns, the teacher has the freedom to differentiate the educational plan and give the student exactly what he or she needs. Noonan Academy was created to form our students spiritually, emotionally, and academically, to create leaders for the future who will inspire and who will be the light to all in their path.

As part of Noonan’s 30-year celebration, the fundraising committee is hosting a Harvest Ball on Friday, November 8th at Olympia Fields Country Club from 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. All alumni, alumni families, and friends of Noonan Academy are invited to come out and celebrate this tremendous milestone with us. Tickets are $80 per person/$800 for a table prior to October 1, 2024, after that date they are $90 per person/$900 for a table. Tickets can be secured by via email at Harvestball2024@gmail.com . The event is sponsored by Sam and Reem Sweis who are giving everyone the opportunity to win a 2024 Volkswagen Taos (vehicle value MSRP $36,551*) for $100 per ticket. The winner need not be present. The winner is responsible for vehicle tax, title, and license fees.