Tradition
Saint Barbara School continues to proclaim its Catholic identity through times of societal challenges and changes through the sacrifices, dedication, devotion, and efforts of our school families, priests, sisters, lay teachers, staff and parishioners of Saint Barbara Parish.
When Saint Barbara School first opened in September, 1924, four Sisters of Saint Joseph were officially assigned to teach full time in the new building. Those pioneers were: Sisters Virginia, Elizabeth, Fidelis and Agatha – who hand carried all their supplies, books and lunches as they traveled daily from the Motherhouse in LaGrange. In 1931, with school enrollment up to 300, two more classrooms and an assembly hall were added.
During 1939, the first four resident Sisters moved into 4004 Prairie while the remaining Sisters commuted by their “mission bus” to and from LaGrange. In 1948, under the Pastorship of Father Stokes, the new convent built at 4000 Forest Avenue became the permanent residence of all Sisters teaching at Saint Barbara’s. With enrollment at almost 800, Father Tyrrell began work on a new school building completed in 1954. The present Saint Barbara School contains 10 classrooms (including 1 science lab), 2 computer labs, a library, an art room, and the Windemere Room which serves as our large meeting/lunchroom facility. The old school building built in 1923 was demolished in 1980 for construction of the new Parish Center.
Many Sisters of Saint Joseph have served Saint Barbara School since it first opened. Past Principals were:
- 1924-25 – Sister Virginia
- 1925-30 – Sister Mary Francis Xavier
- 1930-34 – Sister Loyola
- 1934-40 – Sister Mercedes
- 1940-46 – Sister Alma
- 1946-49 – Sister Rose
- 1949-55 – Sister Catherine
- 1955-56 – Sister Claire
- 1956-62 – Sister Rosina
- 1962-64 – Sister Josephine
- 1964-68 – Sister Kathleen Edward
- 1968-72 – Sister Ann Therese
- 1972-83 – Sister Judith
- 1983-92 – Sister Barbara Shields (Sisters of Mercy)
From 1992 to the present, Ms. Janet Erazmus, has become the first lay Principal to join the faculty and staff of St. Barbara School.
The current St. Barbara School contains 10 classrooms including 1 science lab, 2 computer labs, a library, an art room, and the Windemere Room which serves as our large meeting/lunchroom facility. The old school building built in 1923 was demolished in 1980 for construction of the new Parish Center.
Preschool 3 and 4 year olds occupy the classrooms in the Parish Center at 4004 Prairie. Kindergarten through 8th Grade classes are located in the main school building at 8900 Windemere Ave.
Saint Barbara School was evaluated and certified by the Archdiocese of Chicago and the State of Illinois in March of 2007. Our school offers a complete Illinois State and Archdiocesan certified curriculum for grades Preschool 3 and 4 year olds to Grade 8. Daily classes are held in English, Math, Reading, Language Arts, Religion, Science and Social Studies.
Specialized classes are offered in the academic areas of Art appreciation, Band, Computer Science, Drug Education, The Family Life Program, Music, Physical Education, and a much heralded extra curricular program of Altar Servers, Athletics, Choir and Scouting to further develop the child as a whole person.
We pride ourselves in maintaining the high academic standards of Saint Barbara School. Each one of our students is valued as a precious gift from God and is encouraged to develop all of his/her talents and abilities to the individual’s highest possible potential.
We, as a faculty and staff, strive to do our very best with the children entrusted in our care.
