Student

Every
matters.

An Augustinian College Preparatory High School Since 1905

 Tradition
Celebrating 105 years of Augustinian Education

Remembering
our past,
as we work in
the present,
St. Rita of Cascia High School was founded at 63rd and
Claremont, Chicago, Illinois, in 1905 by the Very Rev. James F. Green,
O.S.A. Over 23,000 men have graduated from St. Rita since 1909. St.
to build for the Rita Alumni have found success in a wide range of professions. CEOs,
Authors, Professional Athletes, Musicians, Educators, Doctors, Lawyers,
future. and more have all benefited from a St. Rita education.

St. Rita is a Catholic college preparatory school for young men,

which is ingrained in the tradition of St. Augustine, and follows the
Augustinian philosophy of education.

Did you know? In the Catholic tradition, we form each student as a whole person
– spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.
The Class of 2009 was the
100th graduating class As a college preparatory school, we provide young men with the
from St. Rita. necessary skills to succeed in college, leading to life-long learning and
personal awareness.

23,207 men have Through the Augustinian core values of Veritas (truth), Unitas
graduated from St. Rita (unity), and Caritas (love), it is the goal of St. Rita to develop a bond
since 1909. between the members of the entire community – Augustinians, faculty/
staff, students, parents, and alumni.
Over 20 St. Rita
faculty/staff members “You have made us for yourself O Lord, and our hearts
are alumni, with over 30 are restless until they rest in you.” – St. Augustine
others who are
relatives of alumni. Truth † Unity † Love
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 ACADEMICS 5

St. Rita High School is completely committed to a College Preparatory curriculum. All
students are placed in an academic program that is tailored to meet their needs. Our course
of studies will challenge each student to fully develop his intellectual talents.

The Augustinian Academy

allows qualified students the
opportunity of accelerated course
work. The Mendel Academic
Program provides students all the
essential tools for success at the
college level. The program structured
through the Villanova Academic
Study Center provides individual
attention, small group work,
and advice regarding study and
organizational skills to those who
need some assistance.

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All students, regardless of their
academic program, may avail Did you know
themselves of the services offered by
the Villanova Academic Study Center. St. Rita’s Class of 2009 earned over 10.6
million dollars in merit-based scholarships.
We are proud of our students and
proud that the United States Board
of Education has cited St. Rita as an
Seven members of St. Rita’s Class of 2009
Exemplary Secondary School. Over qualified as Advanced Placement Scholars.
97% of our graduates go on to higher
education. In the last four years, 18% of the students in St. Rita’s Class of
St. Rita students have earned nearly 2009 were named Illinois State Scholars.
28 million dollars in merit-based
scholarships to such prestigious
universities as Cornell, Notre Dame,
Northwestern, the University of
Chicago, the University of Illinois,
Villanova, Yale, and the United States
opening doors & minds
Service Academies.
 SPIRITUALITY & FAMILY
St. Rita High School is a private Catholic secondary school owned and operated by the
Augustinian priests and brothers. We are proud of our Catholic Augustinian heritage, one
rich in tradition and history.
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Did you know
The entire St. Rita community is
invited to Family Masses four
Sundays each year.
St. Rita students take part in
annual retreat opportunities with
their classmates.
All St. Rita students are
required to complete community
service experiences.
Augustinian Values
In the spirit of St. Augustine, we are restless
in our pursuit of the knowledge of God, and
in the spirit of St. Rita, we are committed to
our faith. Though not all St. Rita students are
Catholic, we encourage full participation in our
school community. Our goal is to instill in our
Ritamen a love of God and all of God’s people.
Each student takes courses in Theology,
attends Mass monthly and on all Holy Days
of Obligation, and begins and ends each day
with a prayer. All grade levels participate in
an annual retreat, with seniors having the
opportunity to experience a three-day Kairos
retreat program. We also offer daily morning
Mass and Reconciliation services throughout
the year. In addition, all students are required to
perform community service.
The atmosphere present at St. Rita makes it
more than a high school. It is a second family,
and not just for four years, but for a lifetime.
Our enrollment for the 2008-2009 academic
year was 731 students. This means you will
not be simply a number at St. Rita. Teachers,
coaches, and administrators will get to know
you individually, and welcome you into the St.
Rita family.
St. Rita High School also celebrates diversity
in the family. Students come to us from 194
different grammar schools throughout the
Chicagoland area. A variety of experiences mix
together in our hallways, but everyone at St.
Rita is family. 6
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 ATHLETICS 9

St. Rita High School encourages students to participate in a variety of sports, and to
develop all of their talents. We have a rich tradition of athletic success, which we believe is
bred by determination and character.

St. Rita’s high expectations in the

classroom are upheld on the athletic
field, and the term ‘student-athlete’
carries real weight here. In-season
athletes have their grades checked
weekly for eligibility. Additionally, our
programs build characteristics that
are essential for future success, such
as discipline, teamwork, dedication,

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and sportsmanship.
• Baseball
Did you know
St. Rita offers 15 interscholastic • Basketball
sports, nearly all with three levels. • Bowling Within this decade the varsity football
team has won four Chicago Catholic
St. Rita athletic teams are members • Cross Country League championships, one State
of the Chicago Catholic League, one • Football championship, and one Prep Bowl
of the most competitive in the state. championship. In addition they have
• Golf
made two state-semi final and two state
Our teams regularly compete for
• Hockey quarter-final appearances.
league and state championships,
• Lacrosse
and have won 70 Catholic League, 40 The Varsity Baseball Team has averaged
• Rugby over 30 wins per year during the past 10
Regional, and 5 State Titles.
• Soccer seasons.

We maintain exceptional state-of- • Swimming

Over the past four seasons, the varsity
the-art athletic facilities on our 37- • Track & Field hockey teams record in the Chicago
Catholic League is 59 - 8 - 5.
acre campus. All of our sports have • Volleyball
coaches who are members of the • Water Polo
faculty, staff, or administration. • Wrestling ambitious goals
 ACTIVITIES & CLUBS
St. Rita High School promotes involvement. By currently offering numerous clubs and
activities in addition to athletics, we hope to ensure that every student will find something to
spark his interest.
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Did you know
St. Rita students volunteer
weekly at the P.A.D.S. Homeless
Shelter and take part in an
annual service trip.
The St. Rita Band invites all
students to join, even if they
have never played a musical
instrument before.
St. Rita’s Theater Group
produced its first ever musical
in 2009 with its performance of
Cotton Patch Gospel.
exceptional
opportunities
Technical and social skills
• Band 
(Marching, Jazz, Symphonic)
learned in clubs and activities will
• Billiards prove useful in higher education
• Cheerleading and the working world.
• Chess
• Eucharistic Ministers
At St. Rita, young men learn
• Guitar Club
• Hispanic Culture Club from the very beginning the
• International Exchange importance of giving to others.
Program
Many of our clubs and activities
• Intramural Sports
• Knights of Augustine  offer students the opportunity
Service Fraternity
to contribute their time, talents,
• Math Team
and energy to the outside
• Mustang Ambassadors
• National Honor Society community. Ritamen volunteer
• P.A.D.S Volunteers for the P.A.D.S. Homeless Shelter,
• Paintball
sponsor local food drives,
• Peer Tutors
participate in the LifeSource
• Ritanettes
• Scholastic Bowl blood drive, and are active in our
• Service Trip Volunteers service fraternity – the Knights of
• Stock Market Club
Augustine.
• Students Against
Destructive Decisions
• Student Government Socially, young women are
• Student Trainers welcomed to campus to help
• The Ritan Newspaper
us cheer on our athletic teams,
• The Cascian Yearbook
• Theater Group help us build school spirit at pep
• Video Games Club
• Weightlifting
rallies, and attend our dances.
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 St. Rita High School provides the latest in cutting We have four state-of-

edge innovation. We are dedicated to keeping the-art computer labs, with

a total of 210 computers
students on the forefront of technology, as it has
located throughout the
become ever more essential in their everyday lives.
school. Eight classrooms are
fully equipped with SMART
Board technology, providing
students with interactive
instruction. Teachers
continuously use classroom
computers and projectors to
enhance lessons.

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The Distance Learning
Did you know Center connects students to
resources and presentations
Students have interactively taken part in a human
TECHNOLOGY

autopsy in St. Rita’s Distance Learning Center. throughout the world.

St. Rita chemistry and physics classes use

Our technological
high-tech equipment in lab procedures.
advances aim to engage
The MIDI Lab and Electronic Music course all students in the learning
at St. Rita allows students to work with process and provide them
sound engineering.
with tools that will lead to

Students observe and analyze data gained greater educational success.

from a 1 kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel

system located on the roof of St. Rita.

technology & innovation 13

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 Why An All-Boys School?
Studies have proven that boys thrive in a single sex academic setting. With no girls to “impress,”
boys can be themselves. Conformity gives way to individuality. They explore subjects like languages
and the arts without fear of ridicule.
Admission Process and
Transfer Policy
8th grade boys seeking admission to St. Rita High
School must take the entrance exam in January.
Admission is based upon their score on the test along
with transcripts submitted by their grade school,
including their disciplinary record. Final acceptance is
contingent upon the successful completion of the 8th
grade. St. Rita reserves the right to deny admission to
any student whose final record indicates a major change
in academic performance. For questions about the
entrance exam, please contact the Admissions Office at
(773) 925-7482.
Present high school students seeking to transfer to St.
Rita must contact the Admissions Office. A current
transcript from the student’s school must be sent to:
St. Rita of Cascia High School
C/O Admissions Office
7740 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60620
Students whose academic and disciplinary records are
satisfactory will be contacted for an interview with the
Principal, Mrs. Sally Deenihan.
Tuition
Tuition at St. Rita for the 2009-2010 school year is
$8,350. There is a non-refundable registration fee each
year of $300. Discounts of $1,000 are offered to families
with 2 or more students in attendance.
St. Rita DOES NOT Charge for the following:
Mandatory Fundraising Class Fees
Underclassmen Retreats Lab Fees
Graduation Technology Fees scholarship opportunities such as HighSight, Daniel
Yearbook Activity Fees Murphy, and Link.
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Source: International Boys’ Schools Coalition
Financial Aid and
Scholarships
St. Rita High School awards over $900,000 in Financial
Aid and Scholarships Annually.
Under IHSA rules, St. Rita does not offer any athletic
scholarships.
Academic Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the
results of the St. Rita Entrance Examination. Students
with the top 2 scores on the Entrance Exam are awarded
a $2,500 Academic Scholarship. This scholarship is
renewable each year, provided renewable standards are
met, for a total of value of $10,000. Students who score
in the 95th percentile or above are awarded a $1,250
Academic Scholarship. This scholarship is renewable
each year, provided renewable standards are met, for a
total value of $5,000. Students who score in the 88th
to 94th percentile are awarded a $1,000 Academic
Scholarship for the first year. In order to be eligible for
an Academic Scholarship, students MUST take the
Entrance Examination at St. Rita.
Unitas Service and Involvement Award (Formerly
known as the Cascian Award) – Applications for the
Unitas Award are available at registration. Amounts of
Unitas Awards vary.
Legacy Essay Scholarship – Students who have a father
or grandfather (maternal or paternal) who graduated
from St. Rita High School or Mendel Catholic High
School are awarded a $1,000 Legacy Scholarship for the
first year. The student must submit a 1-page essay on
“What St. Rita means to me.”
Applications for St. Rita Financial Aid are available at
registration. The amount of St. Rita Financial Aid varies
depending on need.
Go to www.stritahs.com/admissions for more

Dress Code
St. Rita has a strict uniform policy, which consists of
a St. Rita polo shirt (blue or red), dress pants that are
blue, black, khaki, or gray with a belt, and black or
brown dress shoes. St. Rita wind shirts can be worn
in the winter months. Hair must be neatly groomed
and may not touch the collar. No facial hair is allowed.
St. Rita adheres to a strict dress code, which not only
defines what is worn, but more importantly the manner
in which it is worn. Go to www.stritahs.com to access
the St. Rita Student Handbook.
Transportation
St. Rita High School is committed to providing students
with the most efficient and safest transportation
possible. St. Rita offers the following transportation
options:
St. Rita Bus Service
St. Rita owns three 14-passenger buses. These allow
students to have a shorter commute at a lower cost.
St. Rita buses operate mainly in the Western Suburbs,
Oak Lawn, and the Chicago Midway area. Routes are
redrawn each year after ridership is determined for the
upcoming school year.
Metra Rail System
St. Rita offers the Metra Rail as an option for students.
Students in Manhattan, New Lenox, Lockport, Homer
Glen, Orland Park, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Worth,
Chicago Ridge, and Oak Lawn are able to use the Metra
Southwest Line to and from St. Rita. Students are picked
up and dropped off at the Wrightwood Station (79th &
Kedzie) before school, after school, and after activities
by a St. Rita shuttle bus.
Additional Information
Monday 8:55 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Regular School Hours
Tue – Thur 7:55 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
St. Rita Main Office Hours 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Main Office and Attendance (773) 925-6600
St. Rita Admissions Office (773) 925-7482
Students in Joliet, New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort,
Tinley Park, Oak Forest, and Midlothian are able to
use the Metra Rock Island Line to and from St. Rita.
Students are picked up and dropped off at the Blue
Island – Vermont St. station before school, after school,
and after activities by a St. Rita shuttle bus.
Students in Naperville, Lisle, Westmont, Downers
Grove, Clarendon Hills, and Hinsdale are able to use
the Metra BNSF Railway Line to and from St. Rita.
Students are picked up and dropped off at the LaGrange
Rd. station (25W Burlington Rd.) before school, after
school, and after activities by a St. Rita shuttle bus.
Students in Joliet, Lockport, Lemont, and Willow
Springs are able to use the Metra Heritage Cooridor
Line to and from St. Rita. Students are picked up and
dropped off at the Willow Springs station (87th & Ar-
cher) before school, after school, and after activities by a
St. Rita shuttle bus.
Students who live in downtown Chicago may also use
the Metra Southwest Line into the Wrightwood Station.
St. Rita Car Pool Program
The St. Rita Car Pool Program is a free computerized
service that can match St. Rita families looking to share
rides. This program is accessible at www.stritahs.com.
CTA Bus Service
St. Rita High School is accessible via public
transportation. Go to www.transitchicago.com for
schedules and fares.
For questions about transportation contact Director of
Admissions Craig Ferguson at (773) 925-7482 or
cferguson@stritahs.com.
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 La Grange
Garfield Ridge
West Lawn

Burbank
St. Rita High School

Oak Lawn Morgan Park

Lemont
Evergreen Park

Beverly
Orland Park

Homer Glen Oak Forest

Students come to St. Rita from 194 different

grammar schools in the Chicagoland area.
Cody Akel ’12 Connor Hughes ’12 Robert Raehl ’12
Central Junior High School St. Albert the Great St. Symphorosa
Evergreen Park Burbank Chicago – Garfield Ridge

Anthony Andres ’10 Connor LePretre ’11 John Sheedy ’10

LaGrange Highlands St. Cajetan St. Gerald
Western Springs Chicago – Beverly Oak Lawn

Zachary Bernicky ’12 Ernesto Lopez ’12 Shakir Spells ’12

Homer Junior High School Queen of the Universe St. Ethelreda
Homer Glen Chicago – West Lawn Chicago – Morgan Park

Sean Esposito ’12 Joseph McDonnell ’12 Ronald Turcich ’11

Central Middle School Old Quarry Middle School St. Michael
Oak Forest Lemont Orland Park

St. Rita of Cascia High School An Augustinian College Prep School Since 1905
7740 S. Western Avenue | Chicago, IL 60620 | (773) 925-6600 | www.stritahs.com