"Enlightening minds, enriching lives" is the motto of this pre-K to eighth grade Catholic elementary school. St. Germaine is the parish school of St. Germaine Catholic Church. The school is closely connected with the parish, connecting students to their Catholic faith and encouraging them to live out the Gospel values of Christ.
St. Germaine's takes a unique "whole child" approach to education, meeting each student where he or she is at academically. Success is a big part of the rigorous academic program. For struggling students, attainable goals are set to build academic confidence and instill a love of learning. The bar for success is set higher for more advanced students to keep them challenged and engaged in learning.
The school does not believe in letter grades on report cards; rather areas of curriculum are broken down to give parents a better understanding of their child's skill levels, identify weaknesses and build on strengths. Parents are able to understand all aspects of how their child processes reading and math.
St. Germaine's offers tuition assistance through a matching grant program. Families may also apply for a free or reduced lunch program.
There is a resource room operated by the assistant principal offering remedial assistance to children in various subject areas. Spanish, music and other enrichment programs are also offered. The school facilities are attractive and well equipped with a state-of-the art computer lab and superior gymnasium facility.
Local police and firefighters frequently stop by the school to educate students about drug prevention and fire safety. The Farm Bureau also brings animals to the school to teach students about farm animals.
Older students mentor younger students, reading books and parables to those in lower grades. Many subjects are hands on; students make erupting volcanoes in science class and meet local elected officials to better understand how government works. St. Germaine students regularly engage in community service projects, such as making cards for seniors in local nursing homes or packing and delivering lunches to the homeless.
There are several parent organizations that provide for parental involvement. The school holds an annual summer picnic with children's activities and entertainment for adults. A "parents night out" offers parents opportunities to engage with others in the St. Germaine community.
In 2007, St. Germaine was selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School. The award was based on Terra Nova test scores that placed St. Germaine students in the top 10 percent of schools across the country.
St. Catherine of Alexandria is a Catholic school led by principal Catherine Hudson, whose assistant is Charlotte Pratl. Grades include preschool through 8th. In addition to core subjects, such as math and English, the school promotes opportunities for students to develop intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Located inside the Oak View Center, Oak Lawn Montessori School provides educational curriculum for pre-K and kindergarten students. Registration is open throughout the school year, which runs from September to May, with an optional June session. The instructors have followed the traditional Montessori philosophy of education for more than 30 years.
Simmons Middle School is one of five public schools in the Ridgeland 122 School District serving sixth through eighth graders. Simmons is a newly-built school that joined the district in 2008. The building houses an advanced computer lab, multi-purpose gymnasium that also functions as an auditorium, library, science lab, cafeteria and playground. A school nurse, social worker, reading specialists and instructional assistants are available to help children. Students have the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from fine arts to student council. An active parent organization strives to increase activities offered to students.
Cameo Beauty Academy has been training salon stylists and cosmetologists for over fifty years. It is known for excellence in education by the beauty industry. Professional grade hair care products can be purchased at this facility as well.
St. Catherine of Alexandria School was established in 1957 to provide children of registered parishioners with a Catholic education. Today, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum that balances academics, art and music. Students participate in a rich music program that includes band, orchestra, choir and private instrument and voice lessons. Saxon math and accelerated math are offered, as is a "Reading Counts" program that includes 40,000 book titles. Study Island software is utilized in the school's state-of-the-art computer lab. Two resource teachers are available to provide students with academic help as needed. Before- and after-school care, including intramural sports programs, is provided. St. Catherine's encourages parental involvement in their children's education.
Ernest F. Kolb Elementary School is one of five public schools in the Ridgeland 122 School District. Kolb is a new school that was added to the district in 2000. It replaces an older school and is named after the popular late mayor of Oak Lawn. The building has an advanced computer lab, a multi-purpose gymnasium that also functions as an auditorium, a library, science lab, cafeteria and playground.
A school nurse, social worker, reading specialists and instructional assistants are available to help children who may be struggling academically. Kolb also offers music and art. Students are given the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from fine arts to student council. An active parent organization strives to continually increase the number of activities offered to students.
Papoose Children's Center provides early childhood programs for pre-k and kindergarten students. It's been in operation for nearly 50 years. Children are engaged in fun but educational activities to help them learn and grow.
Ridgeland School District 122 was founded in 1871, the year of the Chicago Fire. The district has evolved from a one-room schoolhouse with an enrollment of 14 students to a thriving modern school district serving 2,200 students.
The district draws elementary school students in grades PreK-8 from sections of Oak Lawn, Bridgeview and Chicago Ridge, although 80 percent of the district lies within Oak Lawn.
The district's attendance area is bounded by the west side of Central Avenue to the east side of Harlem Avenue, and from the south side of 87th Street to the north side of 103rd Street.
Elementary schools serve grades PreK-5. They include Columbus-Manor, Ernest F. Kolb and Harnew in Oak Lawn, and George W. Lieb in Bridgeview. Students in grades 6 through 8 attend Simmons Middle School located in Oak Lawn.
Starting in 2000, remodeling and replacement was done on all five district schools, including additions and expansions. Dearborn Heights was demolished and replaced by a brand-new elementary school on the site named for the popular late mayor of Oak Lawn Ernie Kolb. In 2006, a brand-new Columbus Manor and a completely remodeled Lieb School were dedicated. Simmons Middle School was renovated and expanded in 2008.
Each school is equipped with advanced computer and science labs, libraries, multi-purpose gymnasiums that also function as auditoriums, sports facilities, cafeterias and expansive playgrounds.
District 122 continues to upgrade its technology to prepare its students for high school. The district is introducing interactive, computerized "SMART" boards in classrooms and updated its computer labs. Faculty members undergo continual training in the latest teaching strategies and methodologies.
Parents can also access their child's school's website and, with a password, view their child's grades on homework and tests, lunch accounts and report cards to monitor their child's day-to-day progress.
Special services are provided for students by two school psychologists, five social workers, five speech therapists, five instructional technology teachers and teachers for the English Language Learners program (for foreign-speaking children). Special education and remedial reading also are provided for all children who are eligible.
The board of education meets the third Thursday of every month at different schools throughout the district. Meetings start at 7pm. The schedule and location of the meetings are available on the Ridgeland School District 122 website from the link labeled "Meetings, Agendas & Minutes."
Emergency school closings due to weather conditions, power failures or other unforeseeable events will be broadcast on AM radio stations 670, 720, 780 and 890; FM radio stations 94.7, 96.3 and 99.5; and TV stations Fox32 and WGN Ch. 9.
Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ has been part of the Oak Lawn community for over a century. Its members are committed to social justice and serve the village in many ways over the years, including service on the village board, the park district, library board and in schools. Pilgrim Faith members have provided many kinds of services to Oak Lawn residents, business, medical and dental, police and fire protection. The church building is used by the community for meetings, including a polling place and a children's playground.
This progressive congregation is family focused and offers many groups and activities for youth sponsoring two Girl Scout troops and one Cub Scout pack, three youth groups for elementary and high school students, and a drama group that produces a musical every summer. Pilgrim Faith also offers an outstanding pre-school program for three- and four-year-olds considered one of the best in Oak Lawn.
Religious education programs are offered each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for children age 3 through eighth-grade. Adult bible classes are also held periodically.
Senior adult ministries include a STARS group (Seniors Together Are Really Special), a monthly Christian Café discussion group and a movie of the month.
Pilgrim Faith provides a community food pantry, a PADS shelter (Thursday, Oct. 1-April 1), Alliance for the Mentally Ill family support group (NAMI), plus individual, family and couples counseling through Genesis.
The church offers many volunteer opportunities for residents who want to get involved. Pilgrim Faith is a progressive congregation where everyone is welcome.