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Academic Programs
Our Catholic Identity
History
St. Procopius School was founded in 1876 as a Catholic educational option for the Czech and Polish immigrants located in the Pilsen area of Chicago. Though, over the years, the population has shifted from Czech and Polish to predominately Hispanic, St. Procopius School's commitment to providing affordable, Catholic education to our families has not changed.
When the Society of Jesus assumed control of the parish in the late 1990s, they rededicated the mission of the school to promote a strong Catholic school that focused on the needs of the community and the needs of the neighborhood's Hispanic families. Our school's mission and philosophy draws on the rich teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, challenging our students to be "Men and Women for Others." Our school follows the tradition of excellence seen at other Jesuit schools, such as Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, St. Ignatius College Prep, and Loyola University of Chicago.
Exposure to the Faith
Our students learn the importance of being Catholic through daily prayer; weekly Mass; preparation in the sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation; praying with the Missionary of Charity sisters that live next door; and other cultural celebrations and school events.
Our students are also exposed to other faiths other than Catholic. Some members of our staff and student body are not Catholic, and they share their spiritual gifts in other ways. Religion classes focus not only on Catholic teachings but connecting Catholicism with Christianity and other major world religions.
Justice and Service
St. Procopius believes in working for justice, serving others, and finding a personal relationship with God. Our students experience this within the classroom and through school events and activities. We hope that when our students leave St. Procopius, they are knowledgeable about their faith and are able to express it in many ways, doing all things for "The Greater Glory of God."
Our Dual-Language Program
We provide a unique dual-language education. This means that from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade, our students are learning in both English and Spanish with the goal of becoming able to read, write, and speak both languages at or above grade level abilities. We welcome students with limited English or limited Spanish abilities as well as those from bilingual homes. All students are exposed to academic vocabulary in all subjects and in both languages.
After ten years, our test scores have shown that this program works. Student test scores are above average in both languages. With this proof, we are now re-focusing our efforts on providing stronger SSL/ESL support for those students who need extra help learning one language or the other.
Our Teachers' Commitment
Our teachers provide a warm and caring environment for our students, challenging and encouraging them to be creative, energetic, and hard-working in their schoolwork and in their lives.
Teachers are given the opportunity to support their students' efforts through scholarship nominations, quarterly academic awards, parent-teacher conferences, and recommending them for clubs and activities. In turn, students show their appreciation during our Dia de los Maestros(as) celebration in May, our Catholic Schools week festivities, and during parent-student-teacher conferences.
If you would like to learn more about the outstanding dual-language programs at St. Procopius School, please contact our principal, Mr. Adam Dufault, at (312) 421-5135.
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