St Laurence High School Debuts New Public Safety Course

BURBANK, IL — St. Laurence High School has launched a new Introduction to Public Safety course as part of the Catholic high school’s Career Pathway Program. The program is being run in partnership with the Bedford Park police and fire departments.

The public safety program debuted in the 2023 spring semester. The course is broken into three six-week units. Each unit introduces students to a different career in public safety: fire services, law enforcement and emergency medical services. A combination of engaging classroom discussion, expert guest lecturers and immersive field experiences prepares students for these careers and sets them on a path to be the next generation of public servants. Additionally, students who participate in the class will receive their CPR certification.

“Introduction to Public Safety has already been an outstanding addition to our Career Pathway Program,” St. Laurence Director of Strategic Development Pete Lotus ‘94 said in a news release. “St. Laurence has a rich history of families and alumni who are police officers, firefighters and EMTs, and we know that there are St. Laurence students who are interested in pursuing careers in these fields. This class will ensure that they will be the best prepared, most knowledgeable candidates for these positions.”

Introduction to Public Safety is the 11th class added to St. Laurence Career Pathway Program, which gives students invaluable exposure to in-demand, high-paying industries and kick starts the pursuit of their career of choice before they graduate high school.

Other pathways include aquatic science, aviation, coding, education, entrepreneurship, medicine, robotics, sales and marketing, sex and gender based health and vertical innovation engineering. Each elective-based course also has their own industry partner, such as the Shedd Aquarium, IBEW Local 134, Sherwin-Williams and more, which helps bring the coursework to life. Argo and Reavis will also join St. Laurence next year is implementing the program.

“The Village of Bedford Park is very appreciative to St. Laurence, their staff and students for being the first to implement this class,” Bedford Park Village President David R. Brady said. “We strongly believe that the class will introduce young people to options for great careers in law enforcement, fire services and emergency medical services. There is certainly a need for qualified young people to enter these professions.

On top of the Career Pathway Program, St. Laurence offers several unique academic programs and resources. St. Laurence is the only International Baccalaureate World School among South Side Catholic high schools. The high school also offers STEM curriculum, modernized classrooms and academic spaces and a unique coed model-single gender classes for freshmen and sophomores and fully coed classes for upperclassmen.

The results of the expanded academic offerings have been staggering. The class of 2023 boasts 36 Illinois State Scholars, the most for St. Laurence in more than 35 years. St. Laurence also was proud to have one student named a National Merit Commended Student. Looking ahead to after graduation, members of the senior class have already been accepted to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, with many more big announcements expected in the coming months.

Prospective families can learn more about the Career Pathway Program by coming to St. Laurence’s Personal Tour Night on Tuesday, March 14 or Open House on Sunday, April 30, at 5556 W. 77th St., Burbank. RSVP online.