St. Josaphat School

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St. Josaphat School Photo #1 - St. Josaphat School is dedicated to providing an excellent academic education rich in faith formation rooted in Catholic teachings. Our welcoming school community works together to promote the development of the whole child in preparation for a lifetime or learning and service to others.
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St. Josaphat School Photo #1 - St. Josaphat School is dedicated to providing an excellent academic education rich in faith formation rooted in Catholic teachings. Our welcoming school community works together to promote the development of the whole child in preparation for a lifetime or learning and service to others.
St. Josaphat School Photo #2 - St. Josaphat school takes pride in our academic excellence. At every grade level we focus on developing life-long learners at a pace that is appropriate for each student.
St. Josaphat School Photo #3 - Our small class sizes allow for our teaching staff to know each student's unique strengths and abilities. Our school consists of four levels: early childhood, primary, intermediate and junior high. Our curriculum is selected to engage and spark curiosity in all learners, while helping them to prepare for each next step.
St. Josaphat School Photo #4 - A robust offering of specials allow our students opportunities to pursue activities that develop and expand their personal interests. Out specials teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to create cross curricular, integrated projects.
St. Josaphat School Photo #5 - By the end of Junior High our students have been surrounded by a rich learning community that enlightens their spiritual development, empowers them to take new challenges, and enables students to excel in their endeavors as they move on to high school.
St. Josaphat School Photo #6 - At St. Josaphat we strive to ensure our students have the skills to safely interact with technology in their everyday lives. In junior high, students work in small groups to select a STEM challenge, test and revise their work, reflect on the process, and present their projects to their classmates.
St. Josaphat School Photo #7 - Music, Art, PE, STEM and Foreign Language are all specials offered to students at St. Josaphat. In Art, students engage in and create artwork using a variety of media, and develop skills that address art expression, art knowledge and visual literacy.
St. Josaphat School Photo #8 - Students at St. Josaphat have the opportunity to participate in many different sports, activities and clubs. God gives us talents to develop and share!
St. Josaphat School Photo #9 - In the intermediate grades, students begin preparing for the rigor of advanced grade levels and are encouraged to explore and excel in their individual areas of interest.
St. Josaphat School Photo #10 - St. Josaphat's early childhood classes are play-based with hands-on learning. Our students thrive in an environment of enlightened learners. The day is structured around a routine that encourages students to explore, problem solve, create and participate in both large and small groups.
St. Josaphat School is a vibrant, caring, Catholic community located in Lincoln Park.
We educate around 380 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. St. Josaphat School is a two-time winner of the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence.
Dedicated, talented teachers and supportive, engaged parents create a nurturing learning environment at St. Josaphat School.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked IL School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 378 students
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

St. Josaphat School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1884
Summer School Offered
Yes
Awards
 Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2010, 2017

Student Body

Total Students
378 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
5%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
St. Josaphat School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
80%
Average Class Size
20 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Admissions Director
Christina Schekirke

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Future Business Leaders of America, Scouts, Service Club. Academic Team, STEM Club, Student Leadership

Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Choir, Drama Club

School Notes

  • Your search for the best school and community for your child is an important endeavor. With a 130+ year history of Catholic education, St. Josaphat School educates over 380 students every year from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school faculty and families work together to create and sustain a vibrant, caring community.
  • At St. Josaphat School we strive toenlightenour students with a rich academic education rooted in the Catholic faith. Our welcoming communityempowersstudent`s individual growth enabling them toexcelas they prepare for a lifetime of learning and service to others.
  • St. Josaphat School has won the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellencetwice. St. Josaphat School is dedicated to providing an excellent academic education and rich faith formation rooted in Catholic teachings. Our welcoming school community works together to promote the development of the whole child in preparation for a lifetime of learning and service to others.
  • The highly-qualified faculty and staff create learning experiences that promote students` social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. The majority of faculty members have advanced degrees, and the school dedicates time each month to continued professional development. The school partners with universities and educational consultants to ensure that the curriculum is aligned with standards. In addition to a rigorous curriculum, St. Josaphat School offers a wide variety ofextracurricular activitiesandsports teams, so students may pursue creative, athletic, and individual interests.
  • Our Catholic identity impacts daily life at St. Josaphat School. From starting the day with school prayer to attending weekly Mass with prayer buddies to serving those in need, our students have many opportunities to develop their relationship with God. The parish, an active and welcoming community of over 1,200 parishioners, is very supportive of the school. People choose St. Josaphat Parish and St. Josaphat School because it is "A place to come home to."
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What sports does St. Josaphat School offer?
St. Josaphat School offers 8 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Flag Football, Golf, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball. St. Josaphat School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for most sports offered.
What is St. Josaphat School's ranking?
St. Josaphat School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for St. Josaphat School?
The application deadline for St. Josaphat School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is St. Josaphat School located?
St. Josaphat School is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 8 other private schools located in Lincoln Park.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (13 reviews)
5  
Our daughter has had the pleasure of attending SJS for the last two years. We are extremely happy, she loves to attend school and is excited each day to walk through the SJS doors! She came home last year and would not stop talking about her PreK-3 teachers. She continues to come home each day telling us how wonderful her day was with her friends.We feel very lucky that we chose the right school for our daughter. We are very grateful that all of SJS has come together to make sure this year will be great for the children. They have constantly reassured us about the safety and the health of our children. We have trust, love, and gratitude for all the staff at SJS!
- Posted by
5  
We can't express enough how grateful our family is for the sense of community we have felt being part of the SJS community over the past 11 years. Our oldest is in the 8th grade this year, so we have reflected on our time at SJS and know what a special place it is. Year after year the teachers are so amazing and go above and beyond to provide the best education but also an environment that is friendly and fun for the students. During eLearning last year, our oldest hit the ground running but our youngest needed to make some adjustments to succeed in remote learning; the SJS teachers and staff immediately jumped to help and got him back on track. This year more than ever we have so much gratitude for the teachers and staff at SJS. We are so happy that our children have been able to attend school in person. Seeing their teachers in person and being with their friends has been so wonderful for them! We appreciate all the sacrifices and additional work the staff and teachers at SJS have taken to make this year possible.
- Posted by
5  
My two children attend St Josaphat School. We have been at the school for six years, and we are constantly amazed by the wonderful community at the school. Academically, our children are challenged but teachers also help to make them succeed individually. The teachers and staff at the school are kind, caring, and are supportive of all the students and families. They truly go above and beyond, and are wonderful partners to work with on our children's education. The best part of SJS is the community. Parents, students, teachers and staff support each other - whether inside or outside of the classroom. The school's management of COVID-19 protocols this year have allowed us to safely send our children to school since August. The measures they have taken to ensure everyone's health and safety is remarkable. We are so grateful for all that the school has done- not only in this unprecedented year, but during all the years we have been at the school.
- Posted by
5  
St. Josaphat is an amazing school! Both the students and families are kind, generous, personable, supportive, creative and enthusiastic. This two time Blue Ribbon school has amazing potential to grow and expand. Improvements are always being made to the school, classes, professional development for staff, STEM lab, tech updates, 1-to-1 iPad program, lunches for staff, way too frequent cookies and goodies, the casual day on Fridays...what could be of concern? Nearly nothing except for the Proboscidea in the room, which more individuals are up to speed on that than things removed would imply. The employment choice made 2 years ago is in need of dissection, discussion, and reconsideration.
- Posted by
5  
I have 2 children at St. Josaphat School and have been pleased with the quality of education, sports, after school activities, field trips and class trips over the past 7 years. Both of my children have loved all of the teachers they've had and were extremely sad to see so many of them leave after last school year. While many will deny the elephant in the room, those in the know what is happening within the school. Not many details can be mentioned, but before this otherwise wonderful school slips in the ranking, please do reconsider the hiring choice made in 2017.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter attends St. Josaphat School. We have many excellent choices in the neighborhood for private schools and a great local Chicago Public School. We chose St. Josaphat School due to its strong Catholic identity, low student to teacher ratio, rigorous academics, parental involvement and nurturing atmosphere. St. Josaphat School utilizes the Next Generation Science Standards, a solid foundation for STEM careers. This was important for us as a family as my wife and I both work in STEM related fields. St. Josaphat School`s strong academics are exemplified by its two time recognition as a US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon status. St. Josaphat School encourages students to achieve their highest potential and to become morally and socially responsible individuals.
- Posted by
5  
We have 4 children attending SJS currently and could not be happier with the school. Our oldest began there in preschool and is now a 6th grader. He loves participating in the athletics program and has recently started taking part in the many extracurriculars. His current favorite is the Future Business Leaders of America program offered after school and run by a teacher. These students have hosted fundraisers and speakers and have grown so much this year.My fourth grader has enjoyed science the most this year. A few weeks ago they studied earthquakes and tested structures they built out of toothpicks and marshmallows on Jell-O surfaces....not only so much fun, but he is now asking so much questions about building structures and engineering! Love that the experiences are so thought provoking!My first grade would never be able to highlight his year because he comes home everyday excited about something. He has become such a confident reader and problem solver.We often call my youngest the school mascot! With three older brothers at the school he makes his rounds and the older students are so wonderful and supportive of his big personality. His favorite day of the week is Friday where all the students start their day gathered in the gym for a chance grow their faith in God, support each other, celebrate success, honor Peacemakers, and have a little fun too. Overall, SJS has been a gift to our family. Making the choice to raise our kids in the city was a conscious one and we are grateful to have a school that holds our children accountable for their actions, encourages them to reach for the stars and serve others and gives them the resources to be the best they can be.
- Posted by
5  
Our plan was always to leave the city for the suburbs once our children started kindergarten, but St. Josaphat actually changed our minds. We have been so impressed with the two Blue Ribbons the school has earned in the last five years, the incredibly dedicated administration and teaching staff, and the outstanding education our children are receiving, that we abandoned our plans to decamp to the suburbs in favor of our children attending preschool through 8th grade at SJS. Even after several years at this school, we are impressed each year by the growth and development the teachers and administration foster in all of our children - no facet of education is left behind. Art and music, STEM, athletics, reading and literature are all valued and emphasized. We highly value Catholic education, and our children regularly school us in our faith with the lessons they've learned at SJS.
- Posted by
5  
Both of our children attend St. Josaphat School and absolutely love it! As parents, we are thrilled with the great and rigorous education, low student teacher ratio, and the variety of extracurricular activities available to our children ranging from the arts to athletics. The school recently won its second National Blue Ribbon Award for school excellence and is the only elementary school in Chicago to do so. Students from St. Josaphat School go on to the top public, private and Catholic high schools in the city of Chicago due to the excellent education and preparation.
- Posted by
5  
My son has been at St. Josaphat School since pre-K4 (he is now in second grade). His mother and I could not be happier with his and our experience. We both live in Lincoln Park and have a lot of good choices available to us. While I am not Catholic (my son's mother is), an education rooted in moral and social responsibility was an important consideration. SJS provides that, but it also provides a top notch academic experience and solid preparation for application to competitive high schools.My son is thriving. His teachers have all been caring and highly competent. Our new principal, Mrs. Mullens, is absolutely fantastic. Compared to what I know about other elementary programs (including the elite private schools in the city), SJS is second to none. The 2017 National Blue Ribbon Award speaks to the school's excellence. SJS is the only Chicago elementary school to win this prestigious award twice. Saint Josaphat School is a real treasure.
- Posted by
5  
My husband and I joined St. Josaphat parish about 15 years ago. When the time came, we were delighted to find that the school is a natural fit for our family. The community is welcoming and inclusive. The curriculum is challenging and the students are rising to meet high expectations. St. Josaphat won its second blue ribbon award this year!! Lastly, the staff is extraordinary. Their commitment and dedication to the children is unparalleled. I can`t say enough good things about St. Josaphat School!
- Posted by
5  
St. Josaphat School is nothing less than amazing! With 2 National Blue Ribbon Awards, it offers an education like no other. Throughout the school, there is a rigorous curriculum, a low student - teacher ratio, differentiation instruction, and a sense of strong Catholic identity. An excellent new principal and warm and caring priest lead this community of teachers, staff, and families with respect, compassion, and kindness. This is an A+ school!
- Posted by
5  
My experience at St. Josaphat School has been outstanding. My son and daughter attend the school and I couldn't be happier with both the quality of their education and the environment. We are impressed by the teaching staff and their expertise, knowledge, communication, and interaction. Every child is looked at as an individual and appropriate expectations are placed for personal, emotional and academic success. It is a warm, caring, community with parents that really participate and assist the school in not only meeting, but exceeding goals. I have no doubt that my children are getting an excellent education, and the fact that they both love coming to school speaks volumes!
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked IL School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 378 students
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Chicago, IL is $10,907 for elementary schools and $18,812 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Chicago, IL is 85% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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