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Description: Private Secondary Catholic Day School owned and operated by the Diocese of Joliet.
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: About 415
16 % of enrollment by minorities
75 % of enrollment by Catholics;
25 % of enrollment by other faiths
School Hours:
8:00 AM – 2:35 PM**
8 forty minute periods, plus a homeroom
** On Tuesdays 9:00 AM – 2:36 PM
8 thirty seven minute periods, no homeroom
Facts:
The faculty has an average of 22 years teaching experience.
Average class size is 20 students
Extra curricular student participation is over 95%
98% of the Class of 2010 headed to college
The Class of 2010 earned over $3.7 million in college scholarships
Students volunteer over 7000 service hours annually (combined)
Schoolwide Masses are celebrated at least once a month.
Mission Statement:
We are dedicated to maximizing the potential of our students, spiritually, morally and intellectually through a community of love.
Philosophy
Bishop McNamara Catholic High School exists primarily to serve the Catholic Christian community of the Kankakee area, while welcoming students of all faiths. A strong sense of community based on Christian love, care, concern and sacrifice unites students, parents, alumni, faculty and administrators. Through a synthesis of faith, culture and life, students are challenged and empowered to commit themselves to sharing the Good News.
The climate of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School is warm, affirming and compassionate. The highly qualified and dedicated faculty and administration encourage students to seek the truth and to discover their unique potential. By fostering accountability and a sense of responsibility, teachers offer all students, with respect for their diverse intellectual abilities, the opportunity for self-awareness, moral growth and academic excellence. The college preparatory program emphasizes the ability to reason, to use critical judgement and to integrate ideas.
Bishop McNamara is committed to offering cultural, athletic and extra-curricular programs. The high degree of student and parent involvement is a McNamara tradition. Through the mutual committment of school and home, McNamara students are formed to be prophetic witness of hope in the world.
History:
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 In 1921 the cornerstone was laid for St. Patrick High School, nearly 30 years after the founding of St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee. In the fall of 1922, Father Henry M. Shea opened the parish high school. Under the direction of the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross, classes were conducted in the grade school building until the final phase of the high school building was completed. St. Patrick High School, the only Catholic co-educational high school in this area, was formally dedicated on November 12, 1923.
The first graduates in 1925 were all commercial students. By 1926, there were 112 students enrolled in both business and academic courses. In 1931 the Clerics of St. Viator assumed charge of St. Patrick Parish, and for 25 years the Viatorians and Sisters of Loretto educated students at the school on Hickory Street in Kankakee.
By the early fifties, the school was bulging with more than 300 students and it was apparent that a new site was needed. Dorothy and Romy Hammes provided the funds to purchase property for the new school. No longer a parish school, the name was changed to St. Patrick Central, and served students from sixteen parishes in the Kankakee area.
In little more than 10 years, enrollment had once again outgrown the facility. The closing of St. Joseph Seminary would add to the student body and in 1963, through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs.Romy Hammes, construction began on the rectangle addition to the circular building. In the 1964-65 school year, the new addition was opened, and the name changed to Bishop McNamara High School in honor of the first bishop of the Joliet diocese who had been instrumental in the central school’s development.
The Clerics of St. Viator administered the school until 1981, when, because of a growing shortage of priests, they had to discontinue their commitment. However, Viatorian priest, Father Erwin Savela, was hired as principal of Bishop McNamara High School and continued in that position until 1988. Mr. David Raiche was principal for one year, and then in 1990, the Order of St. Augustine assumed administration of the school. After 10 years, once again because of the decreasing number of priests available, the Augustinians ended their contract with Bishop McNamara High School.
In June 2008, Mr. Kurt Weigt who had taught and served in administration at McNamara for many years, was hired as principal. The word Catholic was added to our title to further promote our relgious beliefs. Today Bishop McNamara Catholic continues as the only Catholic high school in three counties. Priests from area parishes served by the school celebrate Mass regularly and assist with liturgies.
In 2001 Bishop McNamara Catholic successfully embarked on a $2,600,000 capital campaign. Students now learn in the state-of-the art Francis & Jean Smith Media Center and the Franco Family and Riverside Healthcare Center for the Sciences.
Alumni, parents, friends, faculty and students continue to “Stand Together” as we enter our 88th year of providing Christian based education.
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