A pair of iconic Catholic institutions in Oak Park have announced a five-year partnership to share resources and facilities for future students.
Fenwick High School and the now-combined St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy School, also called SCSL, both sit on Washington Boulevard just a few blocks from each other, and will now be linked through the agreement.
The agreement was announced April 16, and calls for both schools to share a vision of more diversity, equity and inclusion for future students. The new pact includes a $200,000 matching gift alumni challenge, a new scholarship fund and calls for the mutual sharing of facilities.
“All of us at Fenwick are eager to enter this partnership with St. Catherine-St. Lucy School,” said Fr. Richard Peddicord, president of Fenwick High School. “In a very meaningful way, it will help us to live up to our commitment to celebrate diversity, insist upon equity and create a more inclusive community.”
To date, SCSL has raised in excess of $200,000 for the renovation of Maguire Hall, largely thanks to two major donors, and has raised money for a new boiler system. Fenwick’s institutional advancement department has agreed to market a matching gift challenge to match the $200,000 already raised by soliciting from the two schools’ joint alumni base.
Once the matching funds are raised, $100,000 will go toward constructing and equipping a new Fenwick Center for Educational Excellence at SCSL School, which will work in conjunction with Fenwick’s existing tutoring program for grade-school students.
The other $100,000 is earmarked toward establishing the St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and Fenwick Partners Scholarship Fund at Fenwick, which will benefit incoming high school students from SCSL.
Fenwick will base acceptance of SCSL students on its entrance exam while consulting with the administration of SCSL School to identify students who can thrive in its demanding environment. Administrators at both schools will work to identify three to five students per year who meet the academic qualifications to be considered as successful prospective applicants to Fenwick High School.
Fenwick officials will then work with third-party scholarship organizations and other programs to assure that all qualified/admitted students from SCSL school are provided a nearly tuition-free education if the student remains at Fenwick for four years.
“Fenwick High School’s culture of service and strong sense of family mirrors that of [our] school,” said Sharon Leamy, principal of SCSL. “We believe there is more to learning than just books, and we believe education is a civil right. We have incredible families and very talented students who make us proud each and every day. We are thrilled a revered institution such as Fenwick recognizes the unique gifts SCSL School has to offer and is willing to commit to further strengthening this partnership. Coming together through academics, athletics and service to the lives of all the bright, highly motivated and faith-driven students in the halls of both schools will be enriched.”
The five-year agreement begins in the 2021-22 school year, and allows Fenwick to use the renovated gymnasium at SCSL school for several days each week during the winter season. Once per season, the schools will also co-host a middle school basketball tournament using both schools’ gyms, with dates to be determined.
During the five years, SCSL students will also receive one weekend practice time at Fenwick’s main gym during each season, while SCSL students will also receive one free family pass to any Fenwick event.
Students from both schools will also be able to interact together through future Christian service projects and by having Fenwick campus ministry leaders assist with retreats at SCSL school.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering
