The catholic college that pressured a change within the Nineteen Fifties design of a well-liked Chicago expressway will shut on the finish of the educational yr, the varsity introduced.
The historic St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy, situated at1255 North Noble Road in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, will shut for good on the finish of the varsity yr after over a century and a half, church leaders stated in an electronic mail despatched to oldsters and workers final week.
The closure comes after college “has been on ‘life help’ for a while,” Father Anthony Bus stated within the electronic mail.
“Enrollment has plummeted for quite a lot of causes. We’re anticipating a faculty deficit of almost $500,000 by the tip of the varsity yr,” Bus stated within the electronic mail. “My coronary heart breaks for all of you who’ve discovered a wholesome and holy refuge to your kids at St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy. The dedication of the college and workers, their love to your kids, and the sacrifices they’ve made are admirable.”
The varsity additionally introduced the closure on social media.
The varsity modified their title to St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy in 2020 from St. Stanislaus Kostka College, and with the title change their motto turned “Religion, Advantage, Valor — Expressway to Excellence”‘ — an homage to their mission to “educate the entire particular person” that makes a nod on the college’s impression on the Nineteen Fifties design course of for the expressway now generally known as the Kennedy, in response to the historical past part of the varsity’s web site.
After early plans for the development of the Northwest Expressway (now generally known as the Kennedy) threatened the doable demolition of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and several other of the parish buildings within the Nineteen Fifties, protests ensued, in response to the varsity’s web site.
In the end, the plan for the expressway was modified to spare the church and majority of the buildings.
“We’re the parish that moved an expressway,” the varsity’s web site says.
Many previous and current college students are a part of households with years of ties to the varsity, together with Christine Millers’ household. St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy has been part of her household for greater than 60 years and she or he nonetheless has her kindergarten photos, she stated.
“Oh my God, we have had three generations going to that faculty, my brother, my sister, and I, after which my sister had her youngsters going there. My youngsters all went there. And it is an amazing college, you recognize, I adore it. So, so many good reminiscences,” Miller stated. “I want I might win the lotto. If I did, that faculty can be persevering with.”
The unique college opened in 1874. The identical yr, America’s first public zoo opened. Barbed wire was additionally invented that yr.
Kyle Werner says he was “crushed” to listen to the varsity would shut, including that he solid lifelong friendships and his spiritual beliefs on the college. He was additionally on the basketball crew.
“That faculty has been there endlessly,” he stated. “All my cousins went there. Two of my siblings went there.”
Werner performed for the varsity’s basketball crew and stated he nonetheless calls the “guys on that crew brothers.”
In keeping with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Workplace of Catholic Faculties there are 105 college students enrolled within the college. Tuition for brand spanking new college students is $8,250 a yr and returning college students pay $7,835.
A spokesman for the archdiocese stated there are at present no plans for the constructing as of now.
Nationwide Catholic Faculties Week the annual celebration of Catholic schooling in the US takes place subsequent week.
St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy didn’t instantly reply to NBC Chicago’s inquiry.
