When Mike O’Shea enrolled at St. Laurence High School in Burbank a decade ago, he never thought he would see the school grow and change so much.
O’Shea, a 2020 graduate and member of the school’s alumni associate board, said coming from Lemont, he was one of the only students from his grammar school. He witnessed many changes over the years, including multiple renovations to the building and athletic facilities and the school’s transition to co-ed his sophomore year.
St. Laurence had been an all-boys Catholic school since 1961. The school became co-ed during the 2017-18 academic year after the neighboring all-girls Queen of Peace high school closed, O’Shea said.
“It was really something that neither my friends or I really expected to happen while we were there,” O’Shea said. “I think it made the school more fun, and it definitely improved the culture and sense of community there, just being able to meet more of the Queen of Peace students that came over.”
Mike Madera, vice president of enrollment and communications, said continuously expanding the school has helped aid its success, attracting students from more than 90 ZIP codes and 190 grade schools. He said the school enrolls 1,247 students, more than double the enrollment from 11 years ago.
The school broke ground Sept. 14 on an athletic field house. Madera said the 34,000-square-foot facility highlights the school’s emphasis on athletics and is expected to be completed by fall 2027.
“We invest a lot in our athletics, so we want to make sure kids have a great space to home their skills and still be a kid,” Madera said.
In the six years since O’Shea graduated, attended the University of Notre Dame and began his career at a real estate private equity firm, St. Laurence renovations have included updated hallways, a new floorboard in the school’s gym, a teaching kitchen, a renovated cafeteria and additions to the foyer.
Joseph Martinez, president of St. Laurence High School who graduated in 1999, said beyond building renovations, unique academic opportunities help set the school and its students up for success.
St. Laurence was the first high school in Illinois accredited a science-technology, engineering and math program, Martinez said. The school also has an international baccalaureate diploma program and opportunities for students to earn college credits.
Henry Flanagan, a sophomore, said his experience at St. Laurence differed greatly from his time at grammar school. In the past year, he was elected to the student council, joined the cross country, wrestling and rugby football teams and is helping start a club for students interested in the medical field.
“I like how they switched it up instead of just being talked at all the time,” Flanagan said. “It’s a lot more like understanding concepts, and you’re learning things from a different point of view rather than trying to memorize stuff for a test coming up on Friday.”
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Flanagan said hands-on opportunities have been most beneficial to his learning experience. For example, he enrolled in the school’s four-year aviation program last year.
Over the remaining three courses, he said he will go on field trips, learn about aviation design and prepare for Federal Aviation Administration certification.
“I’m hearing of kids who are sitting in a gym class for all four years, and I’m getting to learn how to fly a plane. That’s something no one else has really done,” Flanagan said.
Not all Catholic schools in the Chicago area have been as successful as St. Laurence. Issues of federal funding, tuition expenses and low enrollment have lead to many shuttered Catholic schools over the years.
Martinez said he thinks the school’s investment in supporting its students is what helps keep it afloat.
Fundraising campaigns such as The True Viking Campaign, a $12.5 million effort to secure investments, help the school support its students, Martinez said.
The school also has scholarship opportunities ranging from $3,500 a year to full scholarships, according to the school’s website. Siblings, alumni and first responders also get tuition discounts.
Madera said the school is aware of the different socioeconomic and educational backgrounds students come from, which is why officials do their best to meet students where they are and create an inclusive environment.
O’Shea said his biggest piece of advice for freshmen at St. Laurence is to challenge themselves to try something new.
“It’s really hard stepping out of your comfort zone, especially when you’re new to a school and starting a new high school career, but I think definitely take advantage of all the opportunities St. Laurence has to offer,” O’Shea said.