The Crusader Newspaper Group

Chicago’s First Catholic S.T.R.E.A.M. School

The new principal, Philip Bazile, with the assistance of teachers, staff, and parents welcomed the students of Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy to their first day of school on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. “My goals and objectives are to develop a school system that has a hands on approach to help change the world through spiritual connections,” said Principal Bazile

Students were excited and eager about returning to school after their Summer break. The world famous South Shore Drill Team made a surprise visit and performed for the returning students which made their day much more fun and exciting.

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THE FIRST DAY of school at the newly formed Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy in Park Manor was more of a celebration with teachers, staff and parents welcoming the students to a new academic year of S.T.R.E.A.M.– Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math. The new principal, Philip Bazile (right) is pictured with a family.

Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy, a new Catholic school located in the Park Manor community on the South Side of Chicago, is an innovative and forward thinking learning community. Streaming the traditions of St. Columbanus and St. Dorothy Schools into one, the Tolton Academy creates bright futures for the children.

The Tolton Academy is a merger of the historic St. Columbanus and St. Dorothy Schools. The merger of the two historic schools is the result of a pastor led initiative to respond to the low enrollments of both schools and the Archdiocese of Chicago’s requirement to be more fiscally responsible. Both schools hold students to high academic standards, and the academic excellence of St. Columbanus and St. Dorothy Schools will be a foundation for the Tolton Academy.

TOLTON STUDENTS AND STAFFAnother distinguishing feature of the school is that it is the first elementary school in the Archdiocese of Chicago to implement a STREAM curriculum. This program has a focus on Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math, which sets the school apart as an academically strong and spiritually-rooted learning community that also embraces technology. Forming an innovative STREAM curriculum that will merge these disciplines into a comprehensive program allows the school to maintain and further the high academic standards for which the students are accustomed to, while recognizing the needs of individual learners. The life and legacy of Fr. Augustus Tolton teaches students that God has a purpose for them, and the Tolton Academy program is designed to help foster this realization.

The academy is primarily an African American school whose students come from across the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Students attending the Tolton Academy are encouraged to reach their academic achievements while instilling religious and moral values to promote the development of the entire person.

20180822 073222Father Augustus Tolton was the first African American priest in the United States of America Born into slavery in 1854, he endured many hardships of prejudice and racial discrimination as he grew up. His journey to the priesthood was anything but easy, enduring many trials and tribulations along the way. In 1886, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. he served as a priest in Quincy, Illinois and right here in the Archdiocese of Chicago (1889-1897).

For more information or to register your child contact the school at 773-224-3811 or visit: https://www.toltonacademy.org/.

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