Saint Ignatius College Prep: Nurturing Minds, Shaping Hearts, Transforming Lives

Students at graduation © Courtesy of Saint Ignatius College Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep: Nurturing Minds, Shaping Hearts, Transforming Lives

Education is fundamental to growth—its importance cannot be overstated for our youth and communities. Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College Prep has made it its mission to ensure that students receive the academic education and moral and ethical formation they need to navigate the rest of their lives and to serve the world.

Since its establishment in 1869, this Jesuit Catholic high school has been committed to providing a transformative education to young people from all backgrounds. With a mission rooted in the principles of Faith, love, service, and leadership, Saint Ignatius College Prep is a community dedicated to shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Education for All

With students hailing from more than 130 zip codes, the school is a melting pot of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. From the bustling streets of downtown Chicago to the quiet suburbs, every student brings his or her unique experiences to Saint Ignatius, furthering their mission to nurture diversity and empower togetherness.

One of the things that truly sets Saint Ignatius apart, however, is its unwavering commitment to accessibility. Since its inception, the school has never turned away a student due to financial constraints. Saint Ignatius College Prep is dedicated to offering tuition assistance to young men and women whose families need financial support to make an Ignatius education a reality.

Individualized Care

What drives Saint Ignatius is its mission to care for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. The school’s rigorous curriculum and dedicated faculty challenge students to excel academically while deepening their Faith and understanding of Catholic social justice.

Integral to the Saint Ignatius experience is “cura personalis,” or “care for the individual.” Faculty and staff go above and beyond to support students academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether through mentorship programs, pastoral care, retreats, or extracurricular activities, every aspect of school life is designed to foster personal growth and development.

By the time graduation comes around, the person receiving the Saint Ignatius diploma is a Grad at Grad; meaning they are intellectually competent, open to growth, committed to social justice, loving, and religious. With nearly 1,500 students enrolled, each graduating class sets the groundwork for a new generation of empowered young adults.

Programs that Inspire

With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, students can take advantage of more one-on-one teaching time and a community-centered approach to learning. Teachers have more time to teach, students have more time to ask questions, and as a result, they are more likely to engage with the learning process.

The impact of this approach to learning is impressive—Saint Ignatius is proud to report an average SAT Score of 1313, an ACT Score of 28.1, and 725 Illinois State Scholars, all in the last five years.

To foster this level of learning, Saint Ignatius offers 27 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and more than 70 honors elective courses. Their range of academic departments, including computer science, fine arts, languages, mathematics, and more, allows students to develop their interests, whatever they may be. The well-rounded curriculum is designed to provide students access to an exceptional education and offers an opportunity to be successful in life.

Guided by the motto “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”—For the Greater Glory of God—students are encouraged to use their talents and gifts to promote justice, equality, and compassion in society. Whether they pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or embark on a path of service, they are equipped with the skills, values, and resilience needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

Visit ignatius.org to learn more about Saint Ignatius College Prep, including admission requirements, academic programs, and how you can invest in Chicago’s future.