Immaculate Conception School

 

Nearly 20 years after its closing, Immaculate Conception School (ICS) re-opened its doors on September 9, 2002 to 19 smiling pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children eager to learn and explore. With the recent revival of the neighborhood, Father Pat Lee recognized the growing needs of the urban community. "I was interested in reestablishing Immaculate Conception School for two main reasons: to provide high quality education for our children that was rooted in cooperation rather than fierce competition, and to pass on our Catholic faith and tradition to the young people of the area."

Fr. Lee decided to start small, with only pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners enrolling in the inaugural year. A new grade was added annually, and in the 2010-2011 school year we will have a full roster of grades -- from PreK3 to 8th grade. In the 2011 school year, we will be opening our middle school campus, which is located at the site of the Byrd School on Hill Street, across Saint Joseph’s church.

Still in our first decade, we have made many enhancements to our facilities. First floor additions and renovations to the Immaculate Conception School were completed in spring 2003, and in 2007 a second floor was added above the pre-school wing, which included a gross motor room and three classrooms. The parish and school now boast four new state-of-the-art preschool classrooms, a beautiful parish hall, an inviting playground, library, music facilities and stage. All classrooms are large with generous sunlight and equipped with computers and SMART Boards.

"The opening of Immaculate Conception School is a sign of growth for both the Archdiocese of Chicago and the near north community. Now in our ninth year, we are proud to have more than 330 children benefiting from our exemplary academic curriculum," says Principal Katie Sullivan. "We are excited that not only have neighborhood families taken an interest in this unique educational opportunity but also those from over 20 different Chicago zip codes. This includes the south and west Loop, Bucktown, Pilsen, Old Irving, Wicker Park, Lakeview and Lincoln Park."

To learn more about our new middle school campus, check out the latest construction update posted in the Parent Center.