Principal Dorothy Murphy invites you to attend our Instructional Open House Days

Open House Days are specific days when we invite parent and others who are interested to visit the school while classes are in session to see our students and teachers in action.

We require all visitors to obtain a Visitor's Pass from the School Office before going to any classroom. We request that visitors refrain from interacting with teachers so that they can focus on working with and teaching our students.

We also invite those interested to call ahead and schedule a personal tour if you are unable to attend an Open House Day.

Open House is from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm on every third Wednesday of the month. Our schedule for this academic year is:

September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16
January 20
February 17
March 17
April 21
May 19

Additional Open Houses:
Sunday, January 31, 2010 - 9 am to 2 pm (Catholic Schools Week begins)
Friday, February 26, 2010 - 5 to 8 pm

St. Thomas the Apostle is a school where all children, preschool through eighth grade can grow spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially in a Catholic environment.

A rigorous academic curriculum with high expectations challenges each student, within a safe, nurturing environment. Small group instruction is available to individualize learning needs within a Christian atmosphere of mutual courtesy and respect.

Parental partnership with teachers and administration is essential for the success of a child. Parents must be actively involved in all after school activities where students discover their special talents.

Communication with our parents makes use of bulletin boards, monthly newsletters, conferences, letters, e-mails, phone calls, coffees and meeting on request.

When Sr. Mary Gregory opened St. Thomas the Apostle's first two-room basement school in 1886, one main task was to teach children the "three Rs" - reading writing and arithmetic. Another main task was to remind these children of their true identity and community. The children of that age needed to know that they were the heirs to an immensely rich tradition: in thought, in the arts, in the often -neglected areas of self-discipline. Left simply to absorb what the culture was saying about them, those children could hardly have been expected to appreciate the richness of being a Catholic Christian.

Today we face different challenges but retain the same need to remind our children that we truly are the Body of Christ. This need demands that we find a context for living in our modern society in a way that goes beyond the "I did it my way" mantra of American culture.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School takes on all the challenges of the best in secular education, while also providing the richness needed to help build our children's spiritual and personal identity. "Remember who you are called to be" is a powerful mantra at St. Thomas the Apostle and is a cornerstone in building productive, faith-filled young adults.

One of the fixed ideas of our age is that the best education has no religious value attached to it, that "just the facts" are enough for children. But when values are left to the street, they can quickly turn into justification for whatever we happen to be doing. We lose the richness of being Catholic Christians, as well as the basis for choosing God's will over whatever is popular at the moment.

Our teachers and entire support staff make up the school community. This community - from the people in the parking lot each morning to the ladies in the cafeteria - all show great personal commitment to serve our children. Day in and day out, rain, snow or shine, they show up, ready to help our children become better academically, spiritually and personally.

God has blessed those small beginnings from nearly 125 years ago. And God is blessing us still with the wonderful members of the St. Thomas the Aposlte Parish and School community. We work diligently to have the grace, wisdom and necessary dedication to nourish that heritage and make it live in the students and families we serve.

Rev. Michael Mulhall, O.Carm

St. Thomas the Apostle School is a Catholic, culturally diverse and high-performing school dedicated to providing young men and women with a rigorous and supportive atmosphere in which to develop their intellectual and moral lives.

The high academic and behavioral standards maintained by our dedicated faculty and staff encourage the students’ growth and provide a safe, happy, nurturing and faith-based learning environment.

We are the only Catholic elementary school in Hyde Park. We do not have geographic boundaries, and we are not the usual neighborhood school. We currently enroll students in pre-Kindergarten (three- and four-year-olds) through eighth grade from 22 surrounding neighborhoods as well as from eight suburban areas.

Parents choose St. Thomas the Apostle School for their children for a variety of reasons, and I’d like to share these reasons in our parents’ own words. Please click on the quotations to gain more insight into each unique reason why St. Thomas can better serve your child(ren):

• “A safe and nurturing environment where my children are treated like family”

• “A faith-based and values-driven school that develops morally educated citizens”

• “Students are among the most qualified and fundamentally prepared for high school”

• “The academic curriculum contributes to my children’s character and intellectual development”

• “The Kindergarten provides a good foundation for our children’s primary years”

• “A safe and convenient place for my child before and after school”

• “St. Thomas has theatre, art, music, chess and a championship sports program”

• “Bears Care supports and expands the school’s academic and extracurricular programs”

Our location is convenient for parents who either work in downtown Chicago or who attend classes at the University of Chicago.

Feel free to contact me at anytime, by phone at 773-667-1142 or by e-mail at principal@stapostleschool.com Please come visit, I’d be thrilled to share our wonderful school with you!

Principal Dorothy Murphy