Chicago, Ill., Dec 14, 2004 / 22:00 pm
New Catholic schools are opening and flourishing in the Archdiocese of Chicago, thanks to committed parents and the investments of Catholic businesspeople.
Catholic schools across the country have been closing in recent decades, but parishes and parents are hoping that this new model of Catholic education can reverse that trend. In fact, the signs are hopeful. According to the National Catholic Education Association, 34 new Catholic schools opened in the U.S. in 2003-04.
Chicago Business reported on this new trend in a recent publication. The report features two new schools in Chicago are independent initiatives, founded by private investors.
Mortgage banker John T. Calk, 37, started East Lake Academy in Lake Forest three years ago with 13 children from six families. Its first building was financed by donations from those families. Now, there are 60 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, and plans call for a high school.