St. Laurence High School
| St. Laurence High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
5556 West 77th Street , , 60459 United States | |
| Coordinates | 41°45′14″N 87°45′36″W / 41.75389°N 87.76000°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Motto | "Where Leadership Begins" |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1961[1] |
| Sister school | Queen of Peace High School |
| Oversight | Archdiocese of Chicago[2] |
| President | Joseph A. Martinez[3] |
| Principal | Kristy Kane[4] |
| Faculty | 111[5] |
| Teaching staff | 65.3 (on an FTE basis)[6] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Enrollment | 1,180[7] (February 16, 2026) |
| Average class size | 22[7] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 15.8[6] |
| Campus size | 23 acres (93,000 m2)[8] |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Colors | Black and gold |
| Fight song | "Viking Fight Song" |
| Athletics conference | Chicago Catholic League |
| Mascot | Igor the Viking and Astrid the Viking[9] |
| Team name | Vikings |
| Accreditation | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Publication | Gladsheim (literary magazine) |
| Newspaper | The Helm |
| Yearbook | The Valhallan |
| Tuition | $13,800 (2025–2026)[10] |
| Affiliation | Congregation of Christian Brothers[8] |
| Website | www |
St. Laurence High School is a co-educational, STEM-based high school founded in 1961. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, the school is conducted by the Congregation of Christian Brothers and is named for the Irish Saint Laurence O'Toole.
The school is located in the southwest Chicago suburb of Burbank, Illinois, adjacent to the property of the former Queen of Peace High School, a private, all-female Catholic high school that closed in 2017. St. Laurence became co-ed beginning with the 2017–2018 school year after Queen of Peace closed.
History
St. Laurence High School was founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers as a boys' school. With the closure of its neighboring sister school Queen of Peace High School, a girls' school run by the Dominican Sisters, the St. Laurence board of directors announced that the school would become co-educational from the 2017–2018 academic year onwards and accommodate transferring female students.[11][12][13]
Currently, AERO Special Education Cooperative occupies the former Queen of Peace campus, with new accessible construction completed in 2023.[14]
Classes
At the start of the 2013 school year, St. Laurence became a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) school. The school incorporates spirituality and leadership in its STEM program.[3] Since 2016, St. Laurence has also hosted a Career Pathways program offering 11 different pathways, including aquatic science, aviation, computer science, digital advertising, education, law enforcement, and medical exploration.[9]
In 2021, St. Laurence began an IB Diploma Programme, making it one of only three Catholic high schools in Illinois to offer the program,[15] along with DePaul College Prep and Trinity High School.[16]
Athletics
St. Laurence is a member of the Chicago Catholic League for boys' sports and the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference for girls' sports. It is also a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). St. Laurence sponsors interscholastic teams in baseball, basketball, bowling, cheer, cross country, dance, eSports, flag football, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling, which compete in IHSA sponsored state championship tournaments. The school also sponsors an ice hockey team.[17]
The following teams have finished in the top four at the IHSA state tournament in their respective classes:[18]
- Baseball: Semifinalist (1987), 3rd place (1993, 2017, 2021), 2nd place (2019), IHSA 3A champions (2025)[19][20]
- Basketball: 4th place (1976–1977)
- Boys Track & Field: 100-meter race champion (2024),[21][22] 4×100-meter relay race champions (2024)
- Football: Champions (1976–1977), runner-up (1979–1980, IHSA 4A 2023–2024[23]), 4th place (IHSA 6A 2025–2026)
- Soccer: IHSA 2A 4th place (2019), IHSA 2A 3rd place (2023), IHSA 3A runner-up (2025)[24]
- Softball: 4th place (2025)
- Wrestling: Champions (1989–1990)
Notable alumni
- Brent Bowers, former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles[25][26][27]
- Kevin Bracken, United States team member in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Summer Olympics[28]
- Jimmy Dore, stand-up comedian, political commentator, podcaster, and Internet personality[29]
- Jim Dwyer, MLB outfielder with the 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles[30]
- Tim Grunhard, football coach and former National Football League (NFL) All-Pro center with the Kansas City Chiefs[31]
- James Hickey, retired United States Army colonel involved in the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in December 2003[32][33]
- Daniel R. Jenky, retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria; rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame; chaplain of Notre Dame's last football team to win a national championship[34][35][36]
- Kevin J. O'Connor, film and television actor (Steel Magnolias, Color of Night, The Mummy, Van Helsing, There Will Be Blood)
- Steve Puidokas, professional basketball player in Europe and Pac-12 Conference Hall of Honor member
- Stan Smagala, former NFL safety with the Dallas Cowboys[37]
- Jim Stack, National Basketball Association executive with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls
- John Tumpane, MLB umpire[38]
- Jeff Vintar, motion picture screenwriter (I, Robot)
References
- ^ Nolan, Mike (April 10, 2020). "St. Laurence High School names first female principal in history of former all-boys Catholic school". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
Founded in 1961, St. Laurence, 5556 W. 77th St., had been an all-boys high school until the start of the 2017–18 school year.
- ^ "St. Laurence High School Named Best of Southland for Sixth Consecutive Year". Burbank, Illinois: St. Laurence High School. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
Located in south suburban Burbank, Illinois, it [St. Laurence] is the fastest growing Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
- ^ a b Lafferty, Susan Demar (May 22, 2019). "St. Laurence High School challenges the status quo". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Swanson, Lorraine (April 9, 2020). "St. Laurence High School Appoints First Female Principal". Burbank, Illinois: Patch Media. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Faculty". St. Laurence High School. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b "St Laurence H.S." National Center for Education Statistics. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "St. Laurence: A Place of Transformation". St. Laurence High School. Archived from the original on January 31, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b "About St. Laurence". St. Laurence High School. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Connolly, Dermot (March 10, 2025). "St. Laurence students gain real-world experience through Career Pathways program". Southwest Regional Publishing. Archived from the original on April 6, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Tuition and Financial Aid". St. Laurence High School. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Swanson, Lorraine (February 14, 2017). "All-Boys' St. Laurence High School Announces Plans to Go Co-Ed". Burbank, Illinois: Patch Media. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ McCall, Matt (February 17, 2017). "St. Laurence plans to go coed, accept current Queen of Peace students". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "St. Laurence plans to go coed, welcome Queen of Peace students". Burbank, Illinois: WGN-TV. February 15, 2017. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Bong, Bob (September 22, 2023). "AERO opens new facility in Burbank". Southwest Regional Publishing. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Swanson, Lorraine (February 7, 2021). "St. Laurence Receives Official Authorization As An IB High School". Patch Media. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ Martin, Michelle (March 3, 2021). "St. Laurence High School to launch IB program next year". Chicago Catholic. Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Athletics Main". St. Laurence High School. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ "Burbank (St. Laurence)". Illinois High School Association. February 8, 2026. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ O'Brien, Michael (June 14, 2025). "St. Laurence beats Benet to win the Class 3A state championship". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 30, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Millar, Steve (June 14, 2025). "Daniel Coyle delivers on mound, at plate as St. Laurence wins Class 3A state title. 'Live for that type of stuff.'". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on June 15, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Vorva, Jeff (May 31, 2024). "St. Laurence's Harley Rizzs was right. And it didn't really matter what the announcer said. 'I knew I won it.'". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Clark, Mike (October 5, 2024). "St. Laurence's Harley Rizzs has speed to burn". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ O'Brien, Michael (November 24, 2023). "St. Laurence loses to Rochester but brings 'legitimacy and respect' back to the program in Class 4A title game appearance". Chicago Sun-Times. Normal, Illinois. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ O'Brien, Tim (November 11, 2025). "St. Laurence makes history at state finals". The Beverly Review. Archived from the original on February 15, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "About Triple Crown All Stars Baseball & Softball Academy". triplecrownallstars.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Brent Bowers". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Brent Bowers #30". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ Millar, Steve (December 13, 2018) [July 20, 2018]. "Inspirational journey: Olympic wrestler Kevin Bracken brings personal message to camp at St. Laurence". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on June 20, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Jimmy Dore". Facebook. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Jim Dwyer". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Payton, Levi (February 6, 2025). "Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl legend returns to help Illinois high school football program". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 23, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Colonel from Illinois part of team that made capture". Chicago Tribune. August 20, 2021 [December 15, 2003]. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Colonel James Hickey Irish Roots". The National Irish American Museum of Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C." Diocese of Peoria. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Bishop Jenky named to head Peoria Diocese" (PDF). Vol. XXXXI, no. 19. Archdiocese of Indianapolis. February 22, 2002. pp. 1–2. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Garvey, Michael O. (October 20, 2003). "Bishop Jenky of Peoria elected Fellow of the University". University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Prister, Tim (November 23, 2022). "Stan Smagala: Notre Dame's Longshot Hero". 247Sports. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Disabato, Pat (June 3, 2018) [July 1, 2017]. "Disabato: St. Laurence graduate John Tumpane makes life-saving call". Daily Southtown. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.