Saint Gilbert School
Saint Gilbert School
{{Infobox School |name = Saint Gilbert Catholic School |image = |imagesize = |caption = |streetaddress = 231 East Belvidere Road |city = Grayslake |state = Illinois |zipcode = 60030 |country = USA |coordinates = 42°20′15″N 88°02′28″W / 42.337388°N 88.041151°W |denomination = Roman Catholic |oversight = Archdiocese of Chicago |principal = Alison M. O’Connor |teaching_staff = 63 |type = Private , Coeducational |tuition = US$2,010 |grades = PK–8 |colors = Blue and White |nickname = Rebels |website = www.stgilbertschool.org |established = 1944
Saint Gilbert School is a co-educational, Catholic Grade Elementary) School located in Grayslake, IL. Saint Gilbert serves all of Lake County, as well as some of the surrounding counties, and southern Wisconsin. Saint Gilbert is an institution of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
History
In the 1920’s, Rev. John B. Foley, pastor of Saint Patrick Church of Wadsworth, Illinois, initiated efforts to organize a parish in Grayslake. A small parcel of land was purchased and plans were made to build a chapel. Before plans could be completed, Father Foley died on October 9, 1927. In June 1930, in the midst of the Depression, George Cardinal Mundelein appointed Rev. Joseph F. Barrett as pastor of the newly formed parish of Saint Gilbert in Grayslake, Illinois. With the encouragement of many Grayslake businessmen, the 40 families of Saint Gilbert parish were able to finance the construction of a brick church and rectory on Belvidere Road. Cardinal Mundelein dedicated the new church on July 24, 1932. Two summer residents of Saint Gilbert parish, Captain McCormick and Sergeant John Lee of the Chicago Police Department promoted fund raising events with the help of other parishioners. By 1935, Saint Gilbert parish numbered 77 families. Plans for a school were begun in August, 1944. The “New World” newspaper reported that “After working a full day in factories, on farms, and in offices men and women from St. Gilbert Parish, in Grayslake, spend three hours every night constructing a school and convent to be ready in September”, expected enrollment of 120. Classes started September 15, staffed by six Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to reports, men and women from Saint Gilbert parish in Grayslake spent three hours every night (after working a full day in factories, on farms, and in offices), constructing a school and convent. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary taught 120 children. The school, which was remodeled from the old church structure, accommodated children attending grade school. A smaller building, complete with child-size furniture, electric trains, dolls, tin soldiers and games, served as a kindergarten. Samuel Cardinal Stritch dedicated Saint Gilbert School on November 6, 1949. In 1954, 492 students were enrolled in the parish school. In 1961, the convent was completed Four years later plans for a combined church-school building were completed, The four new classrooms were completed in time for the start of school in the fall of 1966 and the new church was completed with the first mass celebrated on Christmas Eve. The parish and school community continued to expand throughout the seventies and eighties. In August 1983 Sister Rose Marie O’Barski became the new principal of the school and she along with her fellow Sisters of the Holy Family replaced the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who had served the community so faithfully for 40 years. In the fall of 1991, under Fr. Beaven’s leadership, the parish instituted its “Vision for the Future,” a five year development plan to complete, among other things, the renovation of the old Parish Hall (formerly the first church) into a chapel with a small meeting area and kitchen plus the conversion of the convent into classrooms, an additional six classrooms and two meeting rooms to be connected to the old convent and a remodeling of the present church. St. Gilbert now has 27 homeroom classes including 2 preschool rooms, a designated music room, art room, library, 2 computer labs and a full size gym with bleachers and a stage. Two multipurpose meeting rooms are also used by the school during the school day. The enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is 661 with a staff of 52.
Mission Statement
Saint GilbertSchool is called by God and the faith community of Saint Gilbert Catholic parish to offer a quality Catholic education. We believe and teach the Good News of Jesus Christ and live his mission through service opportunities and academic excellence with a faith perspective. We foster and enhance the unique gifts of individuals, spiritually and academically, encouraging them to be actively involved in socially responsible ways.
Certification and Awards
Saint Gilbert School is accredited by the Archdiocese of Chicago and recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. Saint Gilbert is a member of the National Catholic Education Association. In 2009, SaintGilbertSchool was involved in the Archdiocese of Chicago School Improvement Process
Academics
St. Gilbert School offers students a challenging curriculum focusing on the development of sound academic and critical thinking skills in preschool through eighth grade. Our curriculum combines superior academic programs along with the discipline and Christian values necessary to prepare young minds for lifelong learning. Our curriculum is kept current based on national, state and Archdiocesan standards. Daily prayer and faith-centered teachings are intertwined throughout all curriculum subjects, sound moral values instilled.
Athletics
The primary objective of Saint Gilbert Athletic Program is to promote the mental, physical, and spiritual development of our young people by encouraging their interest and participation in sports activities. The key goals of the program are to teach the value of team work and doing one’s best in support of that team effort, to teach good sportsmanship, to develop an awareness of the responsibilities of a student athlete, to discourage a “win at all costs” attitude by providing that every eligible athlete actively participate in an event for which he/she has practiced and dressed, and finally, to introduce the concept of team cooperation and the principles of discipline and commitment applied towards achieving a common goal. Parents and faculty are encouraged to actively participate in the support of the athletic program and related activities. This will demonstrate for our young people a spirit of family-school cooperation and parish enthusiasm for the program and its goals. Saint Gilbert athletic teams are named Rebels, and the school's colors are Blue and White. Saint Gilbert competes in the Lake County Catholic Conference some pickup games and tournaments with schools outside of the conference. The school sponsors both boys’ and girls’ teams in basketball, volleyball, track as well as girls’ softball and cheerleading
Community Service
The school emphasizes an awareness of community as its most important aspect, and as such encourages students to become involved in extracurricular activities . Saint Gilbert School also supports many local/community programs and events
Clubs
Extracurricular activities available to St. Gilbert Students include Student Council, Band, Choir, Drama, Science Club, Math Club, Chess Club, Scrapbooking Club, Art Club and Altar Serving.