St. Benedict Educational
Mission Statement
At St. Benedict Elementary School and Preschool, we
EXCEL in educating the whole child,
CHALLENGE students to develop their God-given talents,
HONOR each other's gifts and diversity,
CREATE a Christian community by sharing our gifts, and
SERVE the Lord and each other.
A History of Excellence
Established in 1902 by a group of German immigrants seeking a place of Catholic worship and education, St. Benedict originally served 90 parish families in an urban area. Today, the North Center neighborhood is a thriving urban community and St. Benedict remains at its center, serving 1,600 parish families.
The times may have changed, but the philosophy upon which St. Benedict was founded endures. Our goal is to create a Catholic educational community, emphasizing the development of Christian character and leadership through the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. This begins in earnest at St. Benedict Elementary School, where we shepherd the development of each child in full—spiritually, intellectually, morally, socially, artistically and physically. But our efforts don’t end in the classroom; we believe the best way to foster Christian development is by working closely with the parish, families and the community to provide our students with the tools necessary to grow and learn with confidence, character and a strong moral compass.
Upon a Strong Foundation, Academic Achievement
St. Benedict offers education from preschool through high school, but we believe in preparing our children for a lifetime of learning. We emphasize academic excellence in a way that caters to students’ individual needs and special talents. We encourage personal growth and spiritual formation—lessons our children carry with them beyond our school’s doors. And within each student we instill a commitment to a multicultural community life and a spirit of Christian stewardship. Finally, we serve the Lord and one another. It’s this complete approach to education that allows students to become fully developed, both academically and spiritually.
An Integral Part of the Christian Community
St. Benedict holds the distinction of being the only Pre-K through 12th grade school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our families are committed to our philosophy of working with the school to provide the educational and spiritual needs of all its children. The broader parish community is also active in our students’ lives through ministries and activities that reach far beyond the neighborhood.
Just as it has for more than a century, St. Benedict remains a cornerstone of its community. From humble beginnings was born a distinguished history that is very much alive today. St. Benedict not only reflects the community’s dynamic spirit, it is a vibrant part of the community- a tradition that continues to serve generations of students. We welcome your family to join us in our tradition of faith-based education.