Saint Xavier University, high schools form Catholic Charism Consortium

Saint Xavier University has joined Brother Rice and Mother McAuley high schools to establish the Catholic Charism Consortium.

The consortium, announced in February, is intended to “enhance academic and experiential opportunities for students. Reinforcing the shared values and mission of Catholic education, leadership from the three schools are partnering to formalize cutting-edge plans designed to benefit students’ personal and professional development,” according to the announcement.

What practical forms that will take is still being worked out, said Deb Rapacz, Saint Xavier’s vice president of marketing and communication.

The three schools have a long history of working together, she noted, as both Saint Xavier and Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School were founded by the Mercy Sisters, who at one time owned all the property between 101st and 103rd Streets and Central Park Avenue and Pulaski Road, where all three schools are located.

They sold a parcel to the Christian Brothers to start a boys’ high school, Brother Rice, near Mother McAuley, and later sold a portion that became a subdivision.

“We are formalizing a partnership that was already in play,” Rapacz said, noting that the three schools have offered dual-credit programs either in the high schools or on the university campus. “We want to making better use of shared facilities for our population of young adults that we want to develop into good people.”

Indeed, the university campus is familiar ground for many students at both high schools, who walk through on their way to and from their schools.

Objectives that leaders have already agreed to work in include:

•  Enhanced academic programs: Developing dual-credit courses, certificates and specialized programs.
• Experiential learning opportunities: Creating collaborative projects and real-world experiences to offer career exploration opportunities.
• Community engagement: Organizing community service initiatives and outreach programs to foster a spirit of giving and solidarity grounded in the spirit of the founding sisters and brothers.
• Shared Resources: Maximizing the use of facilities, technology, and expertise to benefit all students within the consortium.
• Pathways to Higher Education: Establishing clear pathways for students from high school to college, offering dual-enrollment programs, early college credits, accelerated completion programs and mentorship.

Rapacz said they hope to develop a program for students entering Brother Rice or Mother McAuley as freshmen to earn a bachelor’s degree in seven years.

“We are excited to embark on this journey together, united by our Catholic charism and commitment to excellence,” said Keith Elder president of Saint Xavier University. “This consortium will allow us to provide students with unparalleled opportunities for growth and learning.”

Other Catholic universities and high schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago have also developed ways to work together.

For example, DePaul University and DePaul Prep have a partnership that includes professional development for DePaul Prep faculty and staff from the university’s School of Education, dual-enrollment programs and dual-credit classes for high school students, as well as college-readiness programming. DePaul University also offers DePaul Prep students visitor status at its libraries, tutoring support for writing and research and opportunities to use athletic and performing arts facilities.

Dominican University in River Forest offers dual-credit classes to students at both Fenwick High School in Oak Park and Trinity High School in River Forest, as well hosting athletic events for the two schools on its campus. Dominican also works with several Catholic community-based organizations to help bring students and partner with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School to offer high school students the opportunity for certified nursing assistant certification.