Providence Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Providence Catholic High School (often referred to as Providence or abbreviated PCHS) is a Roman Catholic secondary school
located in New Lenox
, Illinois
. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
, Providence Catholic is a private school run by the Order of Saint Augustine
. The president of Providence is Father Richard McGrath, OSA, with Mr. Don Sebestyen as its principal.
Located right on historic Lincoln Highway
(also part of U.S. Highway 30), the school is perhaps best known throughout the area for its strong football
and wrestling
programs. It is also known as one of the few Catholic schools in Illinois that has a self–imposed enrollment limit.
, Illinois
run by the Sisters of Loretto
. The school opened in 1880, though the original building was not opened until 1883. Eventually, academic classes were added.
In 1918, the Diocese of Joliet invited the Sisters of Providence
to take over the school. On October 22 of that year, the school's name was changed to "Providence High School". In 1931, the academic classes were stopped as the Great Depression
took its toll on the school. In 1932, the school was reverted to a two-year commercial school, with a four-year secretarial program opened in 1938. Though the academic courses were reinstated after the Depression, the school building was condemned as a fire hazard in 1959. From 1959 through 1962, the school met at St. Mary's Parish. A popular story in the school community is that students would visit the site of the demolished school and scavenge undamaged bricks to sell in order to raise funds for a new school which was already in development.
In 1962, the modern Providence High School was opened. The most obvious change was location: the school had left Joliet, and was now located a few miles to the east in New Lenox
. The other major change was the shift to a coed school. Though a relatively brand new school, the area of New Lenox, at the time was not heavily populated. Enrollment dropped, and the school began suffering financially. Father Roger Kaffer (later Bishop R. Kaffer) was named the new principal and arrived in 1970 and began a campaign to improve the academic standing of the school, and to improve transportation options for students traveling great distances. It was his practice to visit every family who had a child enrolled in the school. The 1971 enrollment of 490 reached 785 by 1975. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the need for additions to be built on to the school.
The Order of Saint Augustine
was invited by the Diocese to take control of the school after the 1984–85 school year. An addition of a college preparatory curriculum was one initiative, as was a refocus on the spiritual mission of the school. Attention was made to upgrading the religious studies course work, and a retreat program was started. The name of the school was changed to "Providence Catholic High School" to reflect these changes. In 1998, the school decided to limit enrollment in order to retain a more personal atmosphere with students. Since 1998, the enrollment has hovered between 1,000 and 1,200.
The school offers seventeen Advanced Placement courses: English Language, English Literature, Statistics
, Calculus (AB)
, Biology
, U.S. History, U.S. Government & Politics
, European History
, Psychology
, Spanish Language
, Music Theory
, Advanced Placement Computer Science
, AP Studio Art:2Dimensional Design.Studio Art
.
. In 2010 the concert
and jazz
bands each earned first place awards, and finished second in the parade
and field show competitions.ref>
(CCL), while the women compete in the East Suburban Catholic Conference
(ESCC). Providence competes in state tournaments sponsored by the Illinois High School Association
(IHSA).
The school sponsors teams for men and women in basketball
, cross country
, golf
, soccer, tennis
, track & field, and volleyball
. Men may also compete in baseball
, football
and wrestling
. Women may compete in cheerleading
and softball
. While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors a mens ice hockey
team, and a pom-pom team for women.
The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective state tournament sponsored by the IHSA. This is a total of 46 top four finishes and 22 state titles:
Of special note are the accomplishments of the football and wrestling teams. The football program's nine state titles is the third most in state history (trailing conference rival Mt. Carmel
and local rival Joliet Catholic
).
The wrestling team's ten state titles ties with Proviso East High School
for the most in state history. Mark Ruettiger (1978–81) was the first wrestler in state history to win four individual state championships.
.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in New Lenox
New Lenox, Illinois
New Lenox is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The village population is estimated to be 24,938 as of 2006. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning forecasts New Lenox will have a population of 90,652 in 2030.-Geography:...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It comprises the City of Joliet in Illinois and its surrounding counties: DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Kendall and Will. It is governed by a...
, Providence Catholic is a private school run by the Order of Saint Augustine
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
. The president of Providence is Father Richard McGrath, OSA, with Mr. Don Sebestyen as its principal.
Located right on historic Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
(also part of U.S. Highway 30), the school is perhaps best known throughout the area for its strong football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and wrestling
Scholastic wrestling
Scholastic wrestling, sometimes known in the United States as Folkstyle wrestling, is a style of amateur wrestling practised at the high school and middle school levels in the United States. This wrestling style is essentially Collegiate wrestling with some slight modifications. It is currently...
programs. It is also known as one of the few Catholic schools in Illinois that has a self–imposed enrollment limit.
History
Providence Catholic High School began as St. Mary Academy for Girls, a commercial school in JolietJoliet, Illinois
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
run by the Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
. The school opened in 1880, though the original building was not opened until 1883. Eventually, academic classes were added.
In 1918, the Diocese of Joliet invited the Sisters of Providence
Sisters of Providence
The Sisters of Providence are an order of Roman Catholic sisters founded in 1843 by Mother Émilie Gamelin. They are headquartered in Montreal, Quebec with five provinces: Mother Joseph Province, Holy Angels Province , Philippines Vice-Province, Émilie-Gamelin Province and Bernard Morin...
to take over the school. On October 22 of that year, the school's name was changed to "Providence High School". In 1931, the academic classes were stopped as the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
took its toll on the school. In 1932, the school was reverted to a two-year commercial school, with a four-year secretarial program opened in 1938. Though the academic courses were reinstated after the Depression, the school building was condemned as a fire hazard in 1959. From 1959 through 1962, the school met at St. Mary's Parish. A popular story in the school community is that students would visit the site of the demolished school and scavenge undamaged bricks to sell in order to raise funds for a new school which was already in development.
In 1962, the modern Providence High School was opened. The most obvious change was location: the school had left Joliet, and was now located a few miles to the east in New Lenox
New Lenox, Illinois
New Lenox is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The village population is estimated to be 24,938 as of 2006. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning forecasts New Lenox will have a population of 90,652 in 2030.-Geography:...
. The other major change was the shift to a coed school. Though a relatively brand new school, the area of New Lenox, at the time was not heavily populated. Enrollment dropped, and the school began suffering financially. Father Roger Kaffer (later Bishop R. Kaffer) was named the new principal and arrived in 1970 and began a campaign to improve the academic standing of the school, and to improve transportation options for students traveling great distances. It was his practice to visit every family who had a child enrolled in the school. The 1971 enrollment of 490 reached 785 by 1975. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the need for additions to be built on to the school.
The Order of Saint Augustine
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
was invited by the Diocese to take control of the school after the 1984–85 school year. An addition of a college preparatory curriculum was one initiative, as was a refocus on the spiritual mission of the school. Attention was made to upgrading the religious studies course work, and a retreat program was started. The name of the school was changed to "Providence Catholic High School" to reflect these changes. In 1998, the school decided to limit enrollment in order to retain a more personal atmosphere with students. Since 1998, the enrollment has hovered between 1,000 and 1,200.
Academics
Providence is a college preparatory school, and uses a weighted grading system.The school offers seventeen Advanced Placement courses: English Language, English Literature, Statistics
AP Statistics
Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
, Calculus (AB)
AP Calculus
Advanced Placement Calculus is used to indicate one of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC....
, Biology
AP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
, U.S. History, U.S. Government & Politics
AP United States Government and Politics
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, also known as AP US Gov & Pol, AP US Gov, AP Go Po or AP Gov, is a college-level course and examination offered to high school students through the College Board's Advanced Placement Program...
, European History
AP European History
Advanced Placement European History is a course and examination offered by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
, Psychology
AP Psychology
The Advanced Placement Psychology course and corresponding exam is part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity to earn placement credit or exemption from a college-level psychology course...
, Spanish Language
AP Spanish Language
Advanced Placement Spanish Language is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The course:...
, Music Theory
AP Music Theory
Advanced Placement Music Theory is a course and examination offered in the United States by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students who wish to earn credit for a college level music theory course.-The course:Some of the material covered in the course...
, Advanced Placement Computer Science
Advanced Placement Computer Science
Advanced Placement Computer Science is the name of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn college credit for a college-level computer science course...
, AP Studio Art:2Dimensional Design.
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art is a series of Advanced Placement Courses divided into three different categories: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D.-The portfolio:...
.
Activities
The school's band was involved in five national competitions centered around the annual Outback BowlOutback Bowl
The Outback Bowl is an annual New Year's Day college football bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The event was originally called the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986 to 1994 until being renamed in 1995 for its new title sponsor, Outback Steakhouse...
. In 2010 the concert
Concert band
A concert band, also called wind band, symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind orchestra, wind symphony, wind ensemble, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of several members of the woodwind instrument family, brass instrument family, and percussion instrument family.A...
and jazz
Jazz band
A jazz band is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands usually consist of a rhythm section and a horn section, in the early days often trumpet, trombone, and clarinet with rhythm section of piano, banjo, bass or tuba, and drums.-Eras:SwingDuring the swing era in the mid-twentieth...
bands each earned first place awards, and finished second in the parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
and field show competitions.ref>
Athletics
The Providence Celtics compete in two conferences. Mens teams compete in the Chicago Catholic LeagueChicago Catholic League
The Chicago Catholic League is a high school athletic conference based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. All of the schools are currently part of the Illinois High School Association, the governing body for Illinois scholastic sports...
(CCL), while the women compete in the East Suburban Catholic Conference
East Suburban Catholic Conference
The East Suburban Catholic Conference is an athletic conference consisting of 13 Catholic high schools in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois . The conference became independent in 1974....
(ESCC). Providence competes in state tournaments sponsored by the Illinois High School Association
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
(IHSA).
The school sponsors teams for men and women in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, soccer, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, track & field, and volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
. Men may also compete in baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and wrestling
Scholastic wrestling
Scholastic wrestling, sometimes known in the United States as Folkstyle wrestling, is a style of amateur wrestling practised at the high school and middle school levels in the United States. This wrestling style is essentially Collegiate wrestling with some slight modifications. It is currently...
. Women may compete in cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
and softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
. While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors a mens ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team, and a pom-pom team for women.
The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective state tournament sponsored by the IHSA. This is a total of 46 top four finishes and 22 state titles:
- baseball: 2nd Place (2010-11); State Champions (1977–78, 81–82)
- basketball (boys): 3rd place (1977–78); State Champions (1978–79)
- cheerleading: 2nd place (2006–07)
- football: 2nd place (1998–99, 2000–01, 2009–10); State Champions (1987–88, 91–92, 94–95, 95–96, 96–97, 97–98, 2001–02, 02–03, 04–05)
- golf (girls): 4th place (1989–90, 90–91)
- Ice hockey: White division State Champions 2009 JV State Champions 2010-11 Kennedy Cup Winners 2010-11
- soccer (boys): 2nd place (2002–03)
- track & field (girls): 4th place (1981–82); 3rd place (1979–80); 2nd place (1980–81); State Champions (1977–78)
- volleyball (boys): 4th place (2007–08)
- volleyball (girls): 3rd place (1988–89)
- wrestling: 3rd place (1976–77, 86–87, 92–93, 93–94, 95–96); 2nd place (1979–80, 81–82, 89–90, 2002–03, 03–04, 07–08); State Champions (1977–78, 80–81, 87–88, 88–89, 96–97, 97–98, 98–99, 99–00, 2000–01, 01–02)
- golf (boys): 5th place (2009–10)
Of special note are the accomplishments of the football and wrestling teams. The football program's nine state titles is the third most in state history (trailing conference rival Mt. Carmel
Mount Carmel High School (Chicago)
Mount Carmel High School is an all boys, Catholic high school in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, the school has been operated by the Carmelite order of priests and brothers since 1900...
and local rival Joliet Catholic
Joliet Catholic Academy
Joliet Catholic Academy is a coed Catholic High School located in Joliet, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet. One of the oldest Catholic high schools in the Chicago area, Joliet Catholic is perhaps best known for its prowess in football...
).
The wrestling team's ten state titles ties with Proviso East High School
Proviso East High School
Proviso East High School is a public secondary school in Maywood, Illinois which serves the educational needs of Maywood and three other villages within Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois: Broadview, Forest Park and Melrose Park. It is the original campus of Proviso Township High Schools...
for the most in state history. Mark Ruettiger (1978–81) was the first wrestler in state history to win four individual state championships.
Providence Catholic Children's Academy
The school also houses the Providence Catholic Children's Academy, which is for ages 3–5. Three and four year olds may partake in half-day preschool classes, while five year olds may take full-day kindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
.
Notable alumni
- Pete BercichPete BercichPeter James Bercich is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame. He played five seasons for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings . He has served as the color commentator on the Vikings Radio Network since...
(class of 1990) was an NFL LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who spent his entire career (1995–98, 2000) with the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. - Brad GuzanBrad GuzanBradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa of the Premier League.-Early Career:...
(class of 2003) is a goalkeeper who has played for Chivas USA, the US National TeamUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, and for Aston Villa of the Premier League. - Carmen PignatielloCarmen PignatielloCarmen Peter Pignatiello was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a pitching coach for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League...
(class of 2000) was a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher who has pitched for the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(2008). - Bryan RekarBryan RekarBryan Robert Rekar was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Colorado Rockies, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Kansas City Royals.- External links :...
(class of 1990) was a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher (1995–2002). - Eric SteinbachEric SteinbachEric Steinbach is an American football player who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round in the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football for the University of Iowa.-High School years:Steinbach is a...
(class of 1998) is an NFL offensive guard who plays for the Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(2003–present). - Walter Downing (Class of 1981). IHSA All American played for DePaul University before transferring to Marquette (WI)
External links
- Providence Catholic Home Page
- Order of St Augustine, International Homepage
- Text of the Rule of St. Augustine
- Augnet International Cooperative Web Site for Schools in the Tradition of St. Augustine