Catholic Schools Week Open Houses Offered At Oak Lawn Catholic Schools

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn Catholic schools will be celebrating 50 years of excellence in Catholic education. The 50th annual Catholic Schools Week is set for Jan. 28 through Feb. 3.

Each year, the last week of January is set aside where Catholic schools observe the week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Families can register current and new students for the 2024-2025 school year. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2025 is “Unity in Faith and Community.”

Students in Archdiocese of Chicago schools achieve higher than national average scores on standardized tests like the ACT and ACT Aspire. Seniors are purported to graduate at a rate of 98 percent, with 95 percent going on to college. The Chicago Archdiocese also boasts more U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award schools than any other school system – public or private – in the nation.

Financial aid is also available to help children grades K-12 from low-income homes attend an archdiocesan Catholic school through the Illinois Invest in Kids Act, Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Donors fund the scholarship and in return receive a 75% credit on their donation when filing their Illinois state income taxes.

Families can apply for Tax Credit Scholarships through a scholarship granting organization, which distributes the scholarships. The Archdiocese of Chicago works with two SGOs: Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders Fund.

Oak Lawn's St. Linus, St. Germaine, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Gerald Schools will hold special Masses and open houses on Sunday, Jan. 28. If you're looking for a Catholic school experience for your kiddos, take a look at what they have to offer. Most schools offer private school tours by appointment if you can't make the open house.

All open houses take place on Sunday, Jan. 28:

St. Catherine of Alexandria School, 10621 S. Kedvale Ave., Oak Lawn. 708-425-5547

New family online registration for 2024-2025 school year at St. Catherine of Alexandria began Thursday, Jan. 25. St. Catherine will usher in National Catholic Schools Week with a special Mass for families at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, with an open house to follow.

Home of the Chargers, the school boasts computer-based reading, math and vocabulary programs, technology driven instruction integrating the use of SMART boards, iPads and Chromebooks and a state-of-the-art technology lab.

Athletic programs include football and cheerleading, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer (K-8), and boys and girls volleyball. St Catherine offers extended care AM and PM, three- and four-year-old preschool (half and full-day sessions available), weekly art, music and physical education classes, weekly Spanish class (grades 3-8), student council, school band, choir and bell choir, Beyond the Books program, National Junior Honor Society (grades 6-8), weekly all-school Masses, student-directed prayer services, and school-wide community prayer services. St. Catherine participates in academic competitions, including IJAS Science Fair.

Read more about St. Catherine of Alexandria

St. Gerald School, 9320 South 55th Court Oak Lawn, 708-422-0121

Rich in history and tradition, St. Gerald School is celebrating its 94th anniversary in 2024. St. Gerald will lead off Catholic Schools Week with a 9:30 a.m. Mass, open house following from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families can meet the teachers, parents and current students while touring the school. Families registering at the Open House for the 2024-2025 school year, will be entered into a raffle for a $250 St. Gerald tuition credit. Private Tours designed for individual families are also available by visiting the St. Gerald School or calling the school office at 708-422-0121. St. Gerald is fully accredited and offers early childhood, elementary and junior high classes (preschool – 8th Grade) and 1:1 technology program. Modern technology has been integrated throughout the curriculum.

The school also offers:

• Affordable Tuition - Payment Plans, Tuition Assistance, multi-student discounts nd scholarships Available
• 3- and 4-year-old Preschool Programs
• Award Winning Athletics and Modern Activity Center
• Hot Home style Lunches Daily
• Extended Day Care Program (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Academic excellence preparing students to excel in high school and beyond
• Learning grounded in the principles and values of Catholic faith
• Modern athlete and activity center
• Resources to assist students who require additional support

“Our dedicated staff partner with parents in guiding students to reach their fullest potential; spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially. Students are challenged to engage in innovative learning, problem-solving and working in teams. The heart and soul of St. Gerald School is our Catholic identity. We are looking for families eager to be a part of our Christ centered education. We are open to all religions. We educate students to learn, to lead, to serve and to succeed.”

St. Germaine School, 9735 S. Kolin Ave., Oak Lawn, 708-425-6063

St. Germaine Catholic School, a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School, is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. No reservations are required. St. Germaine is planning a fun week with many interactive activities for the kids to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Registrations for the next school year will be taken by calling the school office at 708-425-6063, or by visiting the school website.

St. Germaine offers in person learning for all grades, supplemented by numerous eLearning resources. Class sizes are kept at a minimum so early enrollment, especially for the Pre-K Early Advantage Program, is strongly encouraged.

St. Germaine will mark the start of Catholic Schools Week with a 9:30 a.m. Mass in the church. An open house will immediately follow. St. Germaine also offers:

• Spanish, music and gym
• Art and library
• 3 Sacraments available
• 1:1 Chromebooks
• More than 50 percent of St. Germaine graduates test into honors programs
• Extended day
• Pre-school early advantage
• Skyroom, Resource Room
• Athletics

For further information, contact the School Office 708-425-6063, Principal Mr. Philip O’Rourke, mrporourke@stgol.org or visit St. Germaine School.

St. Linus School, 10400 S. Lawlor Ave., Oak Lawn, 708-425-1656

St. Linus School has been in business since September 1956 and is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. St. Linus will hold a family Mass at 10 a.m., followed by an open house until 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28.

Parents can tour classrooms to see what all the excitement is about. Home of the Hawks, St. Linus offers pre-school classes for children ages three and four, with flexible schedules. The school recently introduced a blended preschool class for 3-and 4-year-olds. All grades, including preschool, have access to iPads; middle-schoolers are equipped with Chrome Books. All classrooms have Brightlinks (smart boards). St. Linus also puts an emphasis on the performing arts, by offering added music classes and theatrical performances.

The school also offers:

• Afterschool STEAM, tutoring, young Vincentians, Altar Society, Junior Honor Society, band, choir, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
• Extended care
• Basketball, cheerleading, fall and spring soccer, golf, volleyball
• Parent organizations
• Excellent facilities