All 256 Catholic elementary and high schools in Cook and Lake counties will open for the 2010-11 school year that will bring additions, expansions and innovative programming to a number of schools. The announcement was made Aug. 2 by Dominican Sister M. Paul Mc- Caughey, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. “All schools reopening is only a part of the good news for families,” McCaughey said. “School leaders are helping us define the ultimate goal of more students in great Catholic schools. Faith, academic excellence and enrollment intersect beyond school buildings.” One-third of Catholic schools in the archdiocese saw enrollment growth last year and school officials are projecting that number to increase this fall. The new preschool programs, additional grade levels and innovative programming will continue to strengthen schools and create new opportunities for growth. New preschools All 211 Catholic elementary schools currently offer kindergarten programs and 94 percent offer preschool programs. The 2010-11 school year marks the opening of four new preschools in the archdiocese. This fall, Santa Maria del Popolo School in Mundelein, St. Ann School in Lansing, St. Gilbert School in Grayslake and St. Mary of the Annunciation School in Fremont Center will open their doors to 3- and 4-year-old children. The addition of these four preschools increases the archdiocesan total to 199. Middle school opens Frassati Catholic Academy in Wauconda will open its doors for the first time this fall. The middle school is sponsored by three parishes: Santa Maria del Popolo in Mundelein, St. Mary of the Annunciation in Fremont Center and Transfiguration in Wauconda. Frassati Academy will house sixth- through eighth-grade classes and will focus on math, science and technology studies, along with providing religious education. The name Frassati aligns the school with the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a modern model for Catholic youth. Construction in works Immaculate Conception School (North Park) opened in 2002 with its inaugural preschool class. A new grade was added annually, and in the 2010-11 school year, Immaculate Conception will have a full roster of grades. The preschool to eighth grade will have 330 students filling its classrooms. Construction is under way near St. Joseph Church at the former site of Byrd School, which will house upper grade students. St. Josaphat School on Southport near Fullerton, is currently remodeling and modernizing the classic, century-old school building and constructing an additional wing due to its growing enrollment. By 2011-12, St. Josaphat plans to add four additional classrooms, new music and art rooms and an updated library and media center. Initiative launched The archdiocese’s Board of Catholic Schools recently launched an initiative to strengthen the vitality of select Catholic schools. There are 15 schools in the project, 10 of which have projected enrollments of 200 or more students. Schools in the “board initiative” will no longer function under the authority of the parish, but will operate under the leadership of the superintendent and assistant superintendents. In addition, the Office of Catholic Schools will provide more support and resources to the schools. Parishes will continue to support the schools as a vital ministry and pastors will remain focused on the spiritual formation of the school community. For more information or to locate a Catholic elementary or high school in Cook or Lake counties visit schools.archchicago.org.