St Matthias School
St. Matthias School has been a beacon of Catholic education for scholars in the City of Chicago for over 130 years. Since its inception, St. Matthias School has had a vast and rich tradition of faith marked by academic excellence. Topped recently by our International Baccalaureate Programme designation in 2020, we are the first and only wall to wall Catholic International Baccalaureate School in the state of Illinois.
1. What grades do you offer?
St. Matthias is a wall-to-wall International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for PreK 3-5th grades and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 6th-8th grades. We are proud to provide a caring atmosphere that allows our students to grow in faith, character, and understanding of others to be positioned for success in high school, college, and beyond.
2. What makes St. Matthias School different from other schools in the area?
In the City of Chicago, families have a wide variety of school choices. St. Matthias School, nestled in the beautiful Lincoln Square neighborhood, is a diverse, community-oriented, Catholic School. Recognized for its rigorous academics, supportive diverse community and commitment to spiritual development, St. Matthias welcomes everyone and creates a love of lifelong learning in our students. We are dedicated to developing faith-centered, service-oriented, compassionate global citizens through a program of differentiated, interdisciplinary, and rigorous inquiry.
3. What is International Baccalaureate?
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate® (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation offering four highly respected programmes of international education that develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Through the Primary Years Programme, children in grades PK 3-5th grade, become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom. The Middle Years Programme aims to develop 6th-8th grade students into active learners and internationally-minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning. The IB Programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
4. What is the role of parents and the community in the education of St. Matthias students?
Parents are our students' first teachers; in partnership with our families, our school helps each child grow academically, spiritually and emotionally. Our caring, dedicated, and effective educators with over 200 combined years of educational experience, provide sound pedagogical best practices and differentiated learning, specific to each child’s needs. At St. Matthias, we believe that we are at our best when our entire community is involved in the learning experiences of our students. Our phenomenal staff is supported by a tight-knit parent community, who wrap their arms around all who enter our doors. The warmth and camaraderie that is experienced for our scholars and their families is one of St. Matthias’ most unique traits.
5. Nicole Pacholski - as the new Principal of St. Matthias, why would you recommend the school?
Though this may be my first year as Principal at St. Matthias, I am no stranger to the love and joy experienced as a member of the St. Matthias community. This very community has been a part of my life and heart for the past 15 years, as a parent, as an educator, and as an administrator. It is such an honor and a blessing to enter into this year with the dual role as both parent to two St. Matthias alums and two current SMS Mustangs, and to be the Principal to nearly 310 fantastic students. I have a first-hand understanding of the benefits of a St. Matthias Catholic education, and I encourage others to come and see for themselves why St. Matthias is such a wonderful place to be!
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