FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Chicago, IL) The 160th school year at Saint Patrick High School, the oldest all-male Catholic high school in Chicago, is underway as faculty, staff and administration have welcomed the young men who attend the institution back for the 2020-21 school year. The 160th year will be unlike any other in the history of Saint Patrick, but the school is prepared to “Move Tradition Forward” as it continues to adapt, in new and innovative ways, to the changing needs of its students, families, faculty, staff and community while planning for the future.
Since May, the administration has been preparing to safely bring students back on campus after schools statewide were required to move to full-time remote learning in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive Return to School Plan outlining safety measures and precautions the school has implemented under the guidance of state and national health officials, and an option for students to attend school in-person as part of a hybrid schedule or continue with full-time remote learning, was shared with families in July.
In addition to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff, which remains the school’s highest priority, Saint Patrick is celebrating its 160th year. President Dr. Joseph Schmidt, AFSC is proud of the school’s rich history particularly during these challenging times. “In our 160 years, Saint Patrick High School has always shown resilience, especially in the most difficult times. We’ve survived the Chicago Fire, World Wars and the Great Depression, all while remaining Shamrock strong,” Schmidt said. “Although we face unique circumstances this year, I’m fully confident in our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to help us make our 160th year another successful one at Austin and Belmont.”
As Saint Patrick proudly continues to serve the young men on the Northwest Side, the school promoted several key staff members and welcomed seven new faculty members to the Shamrock family prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year. Head Football Coach, Adam Guerra, was named Dean of Students, becoming just the fourth Dean in 46 years, after Russ Lucas ’81 retired at the end of the last school year. Assistant Athletic Director Matthew Reardon takes over for Brian Glorioso, the school’s longest tenured Athletic Director, who retired after 47 years in July.
In addition, Michael Fabrizio ’08 assumed the role of Director of Admissions in January after serving as Assistant Director of Admissions for the last five years, and continues to serve as Assistant Football Coach; Sergio Muro, Head Sophomore Basketball Coach and Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach, as well as an Admissions Assistant, was named Director of Student Services; and Anthony Griffin ’92 will serve as a School Counselor in addition to his roles as Physical Education Teacher, Assistant Football Coach and Head Track & Field Coach. Muro and Griffin will also implement a new program, “Shamrocks Organizing Against Racism,” this year to educate students on how to recognize and understand racism.
“Our exceptional faculty and staff, along with the new educators we welcomed to the Shamrock family in August, will continue to help our students develop the necessary analytical, critical, and life skills necessary to succeed upon graduating from Saint Patrick High School,” said Principal Jon Baffico. “Despite the uncertain times, there is much to be excited about as we begin the 2020-21 school year,” Baffico added.
Among the school’s many unique programs, its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) program continues to grow with more than 60 students enrolled for the upcoming school year. In addition, the INCubator Entrepreneurship Program is now entering its fifth year and the school is excited about its continued growth in college credit opportunities and partnerships.
Along with the school’s Lasallian partnerships with Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Lewis University, which provides an opportunity for students to take courses in Aerodynamics and Computer Science, Saint Patrick is now partnering with Dominican University and Loyola University Chicago to offer additional courses for dual credit. Through these partnerships, Saint Patrick now offers 18 college-level courses, including newly added Foundations of Education, Introduction to Music and Beginning Newswriting, and 56 dual credit hours. Saint Patrick is also proud to be the first private school, and only second high school in Chicago, to partner with the Shedd Aquarium allowing them to offer field trips, career fairs and internship opportunities to their students.
To learn more about Saint Patrick High School, including in-person and virtual opportunities for prospective families to explore the campus, please visit www.stpatrick.org/admissions.
ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
Now in its 160th year, Saint Patrick High School’s mission is to provide an educational experience of the highest quality which enables young men to develop their maximum potential as lifelong learners and assets to society and the Church. Saint Patrick welcomes students of other religious beliefs, varying academic abilities, and diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students reside in the city of Chicago and nearby suburbs and come from more than 70 different elementary schools.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sloan
Director of Communications
773.282.8844 ext. 231
jsloan@stpatrick.org
