ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
At Holy Cross School we are committed to giving our children the best
education possible. With a staff of dedicated, caring, and highly
qualified faculty, we emphasize academic excellence, spiritual
development, and social responsibility.
Our teachers evaluate the individual learning styles of their students
and incorporate different teaching strategies in their classrooms to
help benefit all children. We publish our curriculum and syllabi and
keep parents fully informed, acknowledging that parents are the primary
teachers and motivators.
On national standardized tests, our students excel in math, language,
reading, science, and social studies. Their scores are among the top in
the country. Our students are also consistent winners in academic
competitions.
Holy Cross graduates are well prepared for high school. They
consistently earn National Merit Scholarships, become members of the
National Honor Society, and receive many other prestigious honors at the
schools they attend. Our alumni go to local Catholic and public high
schools. And, they attend colleges and universities across the country,
including Northwestern University, Notre Dame University, University of
Illinois, Georgetown University, University of Southern California,
Boston University, DePaul University, University of Wisconsin, and Ohio
State University.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
To help our students grow physically, socially, and emotionally, we
offer extracurricular activities to keep the students and community
strong.
Our sports programs give students the opportunity to play on teams with
their classmates and they often rank among the best in their leagues.
The volunteer coaches let all students who want to play, play; aim to
develop fundamental skills while teaching the basic rules and
regulations; and model team play and good sportsmanship.
We offer:
• Basketball for girls and boys starting in 5th grade
• Football for boys starting in 5th grade
• Volleyball for girls starting in 6th grade
• Track for girls and boys starting in 5th grade
In addition to sports, we have many other programs to keep the students
involved and proud of their school. Our students excel in these programs
competitively. Our students also frequently receive awards from the
Optimist Club for their community service projects.
Students can participate in many other activities, for example:
• Choir/Chorus beginning in 4th grade
• Chimes beginning in 4th grade
• Band beginning in 4th grade
• Spirit Squad beginning in 5th grade
• Junior High Student Council
• Musical/Drama Productions
• Community service projects and outreach
We also host after-school activities in our facilities for the
convenience of our students and their parents. These include:
• International Foreign Language Immersion Program. A full-immersion
language program in
either French or Spanish for students in pre-kindergarten through 5th
grade.
• Scouting for boys and girls.
• After School Clubs: Chess, Computer, Homework, Art, Knitting/Crochet,
Baseball
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
PRE-KINDERGARTEN:
The Holy Cross pre-kindergarten program emphasizes the development
of fine and large motor skills, socialization, academic readiness
skills, language development, and enrichment. All of this is taught
through positive play experiences in a classroom that features many
age-appropriate games and toys. The children in this program also use
other school facilities like the gym and playground.
Our pre-kindergarteners are four years old by September 1 and attend
class Monday through Friday mornings.
KINDERGARTEN
The Holy Cross kindergarten is designed to meet the child’s social,
emotional, spiritual, and academic needs. The teachers provide a
supportive learning program of values, compassion, charity, and empathy
that incorporates the 3 R’s: Respect, Responsibility, and
Resourcefulness. Through this philosophy we offer the students an
environment that is safe, respectful, challenging, and exciting. We
believe kindergarten is a great place to learn and grow. We also think
children who believe they are cared for, care for others.
Our kindergarteners’ academic studies focus on math and reading
readiness, social studies, science, art, and religion. We find that the
kindergarteners also love to participate in other school programs such
as physical education, music, computer lab, library, cultural arts
presentations, art appreciation classes, and field trips.
The Holy Cross kindergarten program is certified by the State of
Illinois as well as the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our kindergarteners must
be five years old by September 1.
To register your child in one of our early childhood programs, simply
complete a registration form and provide a copy of your child’s birth
certificate as well as a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate, if
applicable.
br/ We begin our registration process in December.
If you would like to meet with one of our teachers, observe a class,
receive a registration form, or just have a question about a program,
please call us at 847-945-0135 or you may send us an e-mail at
kanderson@holycrossparish.net. We will be happy to help you with your
first steps in joining our family.
EXTENDED CARE HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
To help families who need child care or additional activities and
socialization around school hours, we work with a state certified agent
who offers a variety of clubs right in our school. Children enrolled in
Connie’s Club, Inc., enjoy indoor and outdoor play, tutoring, math and
science activities, arts and crafts, and story times. They also have a
roomful of computers, toys, games, puzzles, & books for their use.
Early Bird Club meets daily from 7 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. for drop off before
school.
Lunch Bunch meets daily from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This program is
open to pre-kindergarteners.
P.M. Club meets daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for children attending
morning classes.
After School Club meets daily from 2:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is open for
all students with 7th grade and 8th
graders welcome as junior counselors.
Half-Day Club meets 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on days when school is
dismissed at 11:30. Students of all ages
may attend. Pre-registration is required for this club. Connie’s Clubs
is also open on in-
service days and some holidays..
If you would like more information about the extended-day clubs, please
call Connie Jurewicz at 847-572-5160. She will be happy to talk with you.
To register your child in one of Connie’s Clubs, complete a registration
form in February or as soon as you know your family’s needs. A limited
number of drop-in slots are available. You can receive a registration
form by contacting Connie Jurewicz at 847-572-5160.
FACT SHEET HOLY CROSS SCHOOL FACTS
Holy Cross School offers an academic and spiritual education for
children from preschool through 8th grade. Students grow up together and
form special bonds that last a lifetime. Families, too, form friendships
and support systems and find it especially rewarding to have their
children in one school community for several years.
CLASS SIZE
Approximately 225 families choose to send their children to Holy Cross
School. We have an enrollment of nearly 400 children who are divided
into two classes per grade. The student to teacher ratio is 16.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Our students are taught and nurtured by 26 outstanding teachers. We are
extremely proud of our teachers’ skills. They are well prepared to teach
at any school but they have chosen to help spread the message of a solid
Catholic education. More than half of our teachers have earned at least
a master’s degree and they all meet federal and state teaching
requirements. They enroll in continuing education classes and have an
average of 18 years experience in the classroom. Our teachers also
routinely receive commendations from alumni and high school teachers for
their teaching skills and their positive influence on the students.
To complement our teachers’ efforts, we have teachers’ assistants in the
classrooms. Our staff also includes three nurses who tend to students’
health needs when necessary. And, our office staff is available to
provide support for students and their parents. The children also
benefit from the expertise of our many talented parents who teach
special classes throughout the year.
SPECIAL SERVICES
We provide an enriched environment for our students who have mild to
moderate special needs to help them meet their academic potential. A
Special Services Teacher and Coordinator organizes individualized
programs for students who benefit from speech therapy, remedial
instruction, and learning disability programs. She also works closely
with the public school districts from which the students come.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to an excellent academic program, we offer:
• Cultural Arts Presentations
• Art Appreciation Classes
• Junior Great Books Program
• Accelerated Reading Program (for upper grades)
• Discover and D.A.R.E. (drug awareness programs)
• Common Ground (social justice skill development program)
• Mentoring Programs (7th & 8th graders help Kindergarteners & 1st
graders learn
how to read)
SCHOOL FACILITIES:
18 classrooms, Library, Technology Lab, Science Lab, (Junior High)
Art Room, Music Room, Resource Room, (Special Services) Gymnasium, (high
school regulation-sized) with a stage, Lunch Room/Community Room
FACT SHEET HOLY CROSS SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Our students receive free bus service if they live within District 109
boundaries and are more than 1½ miles away from Holy Cross School.
(District 112 students who live near the District 109 boundary may also
qualify. Contact the school transportation coordinator for details.)
They also may ride if they live closer but must cross a major
intersection or railroad tracks. Students may ride the bus for a fee if
they live within the 1½ miles and do not need to cross a dangerous
intersection or railroad tracks.
Students also arrive at our school by walking, riding bicycles, or
riding in cars. A crossing guard helps children who walk or ride their
bikes and cross at the intersection of Waukegan Road and Hazel Road.
Students may lock their bikes on the bike racks near the east entrance
of the school. Parents who drive their children to school follow an
organized drop-off and pick-up traffic pattern that the Deerfield Police
Department helped us design.
Families can receive partial reimbursement for transportation expenses
if they live outside of District 109 or if they meet the District’s bus
criteria but incur expenses for transporting their children to Holy
Cross School.
PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION HOLY CROSS SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
Holy Cross School, a Catholic educational community, is an integral part
of Holy Cross Parish, embracing the traditions and values of our
Catholic faith. Children are considered unique individuals and are
provided with spiritual, academic, physical, & social guidance.
We are dedicated to academic excellence and the nurturing of lifelong
curiosity and self-discipline within a Catholic educational setting. The
educational programs strive to meet the various learning styles of our
students. We believe that children learn best when they are participants
in the learning process. Through instruction, example, and experience,
our children develop basic skills needed for critical thinking, problem
solving, and self direction.
Opportunities are provided to participate in worship and daily prayer,
and to study Church doctrine, scripture, and the sacraments. Based on
the moral and ethical values exemplified by the life of Jesus, there is
a conscious effort made to develop, model, and maintain a value system
that the students recognize in the school environment and in their own
lives.
Students are involved in outreach programs within the parish and
community to empower them to use their own resources to be contributors
to a peaceful and just society.
MISSION STATEMENT
Holy Cross School is a Catholic educational community committed to
academic excellence, deepening of Christian values, and fostering of
service to society. Supported by Holy Cross Parish, dedicated parents,
and devoted faculty, the school actively participates in the Catholic
mission of evangelization. The school provides a quality education to
ensure that the students become lifelong learners. Students grow
spiritually through faith, witness, and prayer by being called to live
out the Gospel message. Emphasis is placed on social responsibility and
exemplary citizenship. Holy Cross School develops and nurtures the whole
person: mind, body, and spirit.
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND TUITION REGISTRATION
Holy Cross students enjoy class sizes that let them participate fully in
academic, spiritual and afterschool programs. If we need to limit the
number of students that we admit, we use the following priority scale:
• Currently enrolled students
• Siblings of children already enrolled
• Children of Holy Cross parishioners
• Children of non-parishioners
If your family is transferring to Holy Cross School from a local public
school or if you recently moved to the area, your child will be
considered for admission after a consultation with our principal.
We follow the Illinois State law that requires students to reach the
correct age on or before September 1 of the given school year. Our
students are the following ages:
• Pre-Kindergarten Age 4
• Kindergarten Age 5
• First Grade Age 6
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition is an important part of our school’s annual budget. Tuition
rates are reviewed, and adjusted if necessary, each January by the Holy
Cross School Board. There are two fee schedules for Kindergarten through
8th grade: one for Holy Cross supporting parishioners and one for
non-supporting parishioners. We consider supporting parishioners to be
those families who are active members of Holy Cross Parish and who
support the parish with a suggested minimum donation of $600 per year.
Supporting parishioner’s tuition is subsidized by Holy Cross Parish on
average of $800 per child.
Families, who are unable to meet tuition expenses, may apply for
financial assistance at the time of registration.
Our families may choose to pay their tuition in annual, quarterly or
monthly installments. The Illinois private school tax adjustment allows
virtually all Holy Cross School families to receive a $500 credit on
their state income taxes.