St. Patrick Academy for Girls
Des Plaines St. Patrick Academy opened its doors to grade school- and high school-aged girls on Chicago's West Side in 1883, as the Sisters of Mercy order welcomed a total of 48 students (both day & boarders). The school thrived and relocated to Des Plaines in 1928, then discontinued the grade school section in 1930. Boarding was then limited to those who were novitiates in the Sisters of Mercy community from 1930-1958.
Like most schools after World War II, St. Patrick's enrollment grew, going from 260 in the fall of 1952 to 666 10 years later, but fell by one-third to 443 in the fall of 1968. Apparently as the school was growing, the Sisters of Mercy considered building a new facility in Des Plaines or Mount Prospect near an industrial park, but delayed their decision to act. In the meantime, the property was sold and the Sisters missed their chance to purchase the land they once considered.
Unfortunately, the school's concern of losing students to others spurred talk about merging with an all-boys' high school, Niles Notre Dame, in 1968. After careful consideration, the Sisters of Mercy community could not commit to a possible merger and decided to close the school following the 1968-69 school year.
Reasons given for closing were rising operational costs, declining enrollment, a deteriorating physical plant, and a decrease in the number of teaching nuns within the Sisters of Mercy community. The St. Patrick High School building was razed in the early 1970s.
Facts about Des Plaines St. Patrick Academy
- Year opened in Chicago: 1883
- Moved to Des Plaines: 1928
- Location: corner of Lee Street and Touhy Avenue
- Ended boarding: 1930
- Year closed: 1969
- School nickname: unknown
- School colors: Green & Gold
- School song: "Stand Up for S.P.A.!"
Stand Up! Let's cheer and sing for S.P.A.,
The Green and Gold will lead the way!
Patricians tried and true we'll fight for you,
Our goal is vict'ry for today!
The thrills and tears from all the games we played,
The joy and fun, the loyal friends we made,
Will live forever in the sweet memory of the halls of SPA.
Activities
At the time that the school was open, it is likely that the school did not offer interscholastic sports, but could still have been a member of the IHSA for music, drama and debate activities...even though there is no proof in the IHSA record book that the school won anything. Certainly, numerous activities were offered to the students at St. Patrick's such as intramurals, dances, musicals, plays, band or chorus, and others. We'd like to hear from a graduate or someone who may remember the school to let us know what the school did offer.
