St. Ignatius College Preparatory School stands as one of Chicago’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic educational institutions. It is a school that seamlessly blends high academic standards with the Jesuit educational tradition and a remarkable architectural legacy. Located at 1076 West Roosevelt Road, the main building is one of the few structures in Chicago to have survived the Great Fire of 1871. More than just an academic hub, St. Ignatius College Prep is a vital historical and cultural landmark. Read more at chicago1.one.
The Jesuit Mission
The school was founded in Chicago in 1869 by Father Arnold Damen, a Belgian Jesuit missionary serving in the United States. From its inception, St. Ignatius College Prep was envisioned as a Catholic preparatory institution under the care of the Society of Jesus. The Jesuit pedagogical model—centered on “cura personalis” (care for the whole person), intellectual excellence, and service to society—became the cornerstone of the school’s educational philosophy.
The institution remains inclusive, welcoming students from diverse social and economic backgrounds. For decades, it has maintained a reputation as an academically rigorous institution where spiritual values provide a foundation for the learning process.
Architectural Heritage
The main building of St. Ignatius College Prep was designed by Canadian architect Toussaint Menard in the Second Empire style, which was highly popular in the late 19th century. Construction began in 1869, a date proudly displayed on the facade as a testament to its long-standing history.
The structure is one of only five public buildings in Chicago built before the Great Fire of 1871 that still stand today. It survived the disaster that leveled much of the city, with the flames stopping just a block away. Consequently, the main hall of St. Ignatius holds exceptional historical value and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In March 1987, the building was officially designated a Chicago Landmark. The 19-acre campus is situated on the city’s Near West Side, adjacent to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus, further anchoring its place within the city’s educational landscape.
Beyond the historic 1869 building, the campus infrastructure includes the Richard H. Driehaus “1895” Building, the Chicago Walsh-Slattery Center, the James and Genevieve McLaughlin Center, and the 380-seat McLaughlin Theatre. The theater’s stage is named in honor of legendary alum Bob Newhart, while its interior design draws inspiration from preserved late-19th-century Chicago theaters.
Of particular significance is the Grand Gallery on the fourth floor, which features a marble plaque honoring St. Ignatius alumni who served in the United States Armed Forces. The wood-paneled Brunswick Room, originally a natural history museum, now houses important archives documenting the school and the city’s history. The former gymnasium has been masterfully repurposed into a sprawling library, symbolizing the school’s ability to transform historic spaces to meet modern educational needs.
A Grand Restoration
By the early 1980s, St. Ignatius College Prep faced a dire financial situation. In 1981, the school was essentially bankrupt, carrying $1.75 million in bank debt with minimal assets. For decades, funds had been prioritized for financial aid for students from diverse backgrounds, leading to significant deferred maintenance. However, despite the aging infrastructure, the buildings remained structurally sound. The foundations were over two meters thick, and the walls nearly a meter wide—a decisive factor in choosing a full-scale restoration over demolition.
A bold decision was made to pursue a meticulous restoration rather than a simple cosmetic renovation. The architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz was brought in, along with Chicago restoration experts Robert Furhoff and Tim Samuelson. Original windows were replicated with absolute precision, decorative ceiling and door elements were reconstructed from 19th-century samples, and original gas lamps were restored and converted for electric use. The restoration spanned over a decade and cost approximately $20 million. In 1993, these efforts were recognized with a National Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. By the school’s 125th anniversary, nearly every interior element and utility system had been updated without compromising its historical integrity.
Following the restoration, two new wings were built in stylistic harmony with the historic structures, adding approximately 80,000 square feet of space. The campus was also enhanced with a botanical garden, walkways, and recreational areas for students.
St. Ignatius College Preparatory School is a unique intersection of history, faith, architecture, and contemporary education. Having survived the Great Fire, financial crises, and decades of social change, the school has successfully transformed its heritage into a powerful tool for shaping future generations.
The Academic Experience
The curriculum at Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School is rooted in traditional Jesuit pedagogy, which pairs academic excellence with moral and spiritual formation. The focus is on developing the “whole person.” Beyond high standards in STEM and the humanities, significant emphasis is placed on ethical development, community service, and social responsibility.
Students engage in a diverse range of subjects, including English language and literature, mathematics, sciences, social studies, foreign languages, fine arts, music, physical education, and religious studies. This reflects the Jesuit tradition of balancing intellectual and spiritual growth. Many courses are offered at the Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) levels, allowing seniors to earn college credit and sharpen their critical thinking skills. The school also boasts over 70 clubs and extracurricular activities. The educational process is characterized by an individualized approach, encouraging active participation in the school community. Courses are designed to prepare students for top-tier colleges and universities by merging classic academic disciplines with modern teaching methodologies.
The school actively utilizes its historic and modern facilities for learning: laboratories, libraries, theaters, and athletic centers are integrated into the daily curriculum, allowing for a mix of practical study, creativity, and research. Leadership development and community-based initiatives are central to the student experience, fulfilling the Jesuit principle of “being men and women for others.” St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago boasts many notable alumni, including actress Chloe Bennet, TV and stage star Sarah Baukel, law professor Paul Butler, and University President Lawrence Biondi, among many others.