ICSJ Quick Facts

Student/Teacher Ratio

Leveraging a unique co-teaching model and a robust team of learning specialists, ICSJ is committed to providing differentiated instruction for students of all ages. ICSJ uses a co-teaching model (two, full-time certified teachers) in all PreK through Grade 3 classrooms. In 4th and 5th grade classrooms, a dedicated learning specialist works with the classroom teachers to create a co-teaching environment in the core subjects of Math and Language Arts. Students in Grades 6th through 8th grade follow a departmentalized teaching approach, utilizing specialized teachers who hold secondary teaching certificates in core subjects.

Student:Teacher ratios shown below reflect the maximum number of students by grade level. Capacity is also determined by learning styles and resources to create the optimal learning environment for all.

- PreK3 - 9:1
- PreK4 - 10:1
- Kindergarten – 3rd Grade - 12:1
- 4th – 8th Grades - 24:1

Exceptional Team

Over 70% of the ICSJ faculty and staff have either earned, or are completing, their Master’s Degree.

Faith-Based Curriculum

ICSJ integrates Catholic values and teachings throughout the academic curriculum, including:

- Daily religion classes for all students
- Regular prayer services and Masses for all students
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
- Frequent participation in school-wide service project

Beyond the Core
Specialists in the areas of Spanish, music, physical education, fine arts, library, and STEM provide ICSJ students at every grade level academic exploration beyond the core.

High School Preparedness

95% of our graduates are accepted by their first-choice high school each year. ICSJ graduates are out there excelling at Chicago’s most competitive Catholic, independent, and public selective-enrollment high schools. Check out the full list HERE.

Technology Integration

ICSJ is committed to providing a blended learning environment where best practices in digital and analog instruction are used to enhance instruction at every grade level. All classrooms are outfitted with projectors and Apple TVs. Students in Grades K-8 participate in a 1:1 iPad learning environment. Students in Kindergarten-Grade 5 participate in weekly STEM classes and STEM instruction is woven into multiple subject areas for middle school students. Each campus has a STEM lab and multiple after-school extracurricular opportunities are available for students to further their technology expertise.

Facilities

ICSJ operates two campuses in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. Each campus is right-sized for the student body it services. Our North Park Campus (1431 N North Park Avenue) is the home to our PreK3 - 3rd Grade students while our Hill Street Campus (363 W Hill Street) is the home base for our 4th - 8th-grade students. Together the facilities offer students dedicated science labs, music, art, and STEM classrooms, as well as a full-size gymnasium, performance stages, rock climbing walls, libraries, and a sport court.

Accreditation
Since 2006, ICSJ’s Early Childhood Program has consistently earned NAEYC® Accreditation (National Association for the Education of Young Children). Learn more about NAEYC® Accreditation HERE.

Athletics

Over 75% of ICSJ students in Grades 4-8 participate in our competitive, interscholastic athletic program. Sports include basketball, volleyball, flag football, and cross country.

Extracurricular Activities

Over 40 extracurricular classes and clubs are available to students in Kindergarten-Grade 8 throughout the school year. Activities include choir, musical theater, chess, yoga, art, Lego builders, video game creations, cooking, student council, piano, guitar, ukulele club, rock band, and Band for Today.

Geographic Representation

ICSJ families represent many diverse backgrounds and hail from over 28 Chicago zip codes in Chicago.