Frequently Asked Questions

What is the curriculum at St. Catherine’s?

We use a number of standards to define our curriculum. As a baseline, we meet all standards set by the State of Illinois. As part of the Archdiocese of Chicago, we also follow standards for Catholic education in the Chicagoland area. In addition to these standards, we work with area high schools such as Glenbrook South and Loyola and align our curriculum to support theirs. Feedback from these high schools is that our graduates are extremely well-prepared for these demanding high schools and do very well. Finally, we use our knowledge of our students to evaluate the textbooks that are used in the classrooms. We believe that our students should be challenged to reach their full potential and we therefore tend to select textbooks that offer more accelerated learning experiences.

What are the hours of the school?

School hours are from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm each day for students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Preschool students may attend either the full day (8:00 to 2:30) or a half-day program in which they are dismissed at 11:30 am. Preschool students may also enroll for between two and five days per week, depending on the family needs. Extended care is available both before and after school. We also offer a half-day option for Kindergarten, but in our experience very few families opt for this schedule.

Do the students wear uniforms?

Students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade do wear uniforms. Preschoolers do not. Students in the K-8 school have several days in the year where uniforms are not worn such as picture day and spirit days. Occasionally, students can earn a coveted “jeans and gym shoes” pass, which they thoroughly enjoy!

What is your admissions process?

Families with students already enrolled in the school are given priority to enroll additional children. Members of St. Catherine Labouré Parish will be admitted into additional openings. If there are other openings that can be filled, then we will admit Catholics from other parishes as the next priority, and finally we will admit any other families.

How do I pay the tuition?

The full year tuition is divided into ten equal payments that are made during each month that school is in session. We give you a coupon book at the beginning of each year and you can submit your payment using whatever option you find more convenient: directly in the office, through the mail, or by including it in your student’s backpack in an envelope to be sent to the office.

Do you offer bus service?

Bus service is available for residents of School District 34.

Does my child need to be potty trained to attend the preschool?

Yes, your child should be potty trained.