With its humble beginnings in Le Puy, France in 1650, the history and future of Nazareth Academy is founded on the Congregation of St. Joseph’s charism that all people be united with God and with each other. Supported by our pillars of Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity, Nazareth Academy is proud to celebrate 125 years of excellence in Catholic education…that all may be one.
1650
Humble Beginnings
The Sisters of St. Joseph began in this small kitchen in Le Puy, France in 1650. A determined group of women, they worked hard in their community – suffering from the violence of war and illness – to help the Dear Neighbor. They worked diligently within the city and supported themselves through lacemaking in order to bring people closer to each other and to God.
Facing political and civil turmoil over the next 150 years, the Sisters were forced into hiding, but their faithful work never ceased. In the 1830s, a small group of sisters came to America to work with deaf children in St. Louis, Missouri. Carrying on the tradition of lacemaking in a new way, the Sisters of St. Joseph wove and wound themselves within communities that needed them most. Over time, new communities of the Congregation of St. Joseph popped up all over the country.
1900
A Big Project with Modest Means
In 1899, several Sisters of St. Joseph came to La Grange Park. They set up a school in a remodeled six-bedroom house at 120 N. Spring Avenue. In 1900, they welcomed 14 students. The first student ever recorded was Hazel DeWolff of Chicago.
The Sisters wanted to do more and serve more young women. Soon, with generous contributions from the community and no small amount of faith, Foundress Mother Alexine Gosselin began plans for a new building that would accommodate both a school and a convent. In 1901 the community held a ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone.
1901-1948
The Early Days of Nazareth Academy
By December 1901, part of the new building shown above was ready for occupancy. In 1902, Nazareth Academy welcomed 48 students and by the end of the academic year, the school presented its first graduates: Mary Merklee of Oak Park and Lillian Graves of Summit.
Click here to listen to a description of the new building written by Nazareth student Edna Schott, Class of 1907.
1949-1950
Growing with the Times
Over the next several decades, enrollment increased dramatically, and Nazareth Academy’s building on Ogden and Brainard was starting to feel very cramped. The cornerstone for the “New Nazareth” was laid in October of 1949 and the doors opened to the new building in September 1950. The new building housed an administrative area, auditorium, gymnasium, library, chapel, cafeteria, guidance department, science and home economics labs and classrooms for every department.
Though it was used for its extra classrooms for more than a decade, the old building at Brainard was eventually demolished.
1974-1980
Finally Co-Ed Roadrunners
Because of fluctuating enrollment, it was eventually decided that the building on Park Road would be sold and the school relocated to the Motherhouse campus on Ogden. The ’74-’75 school year marked the beginning of an experiment, one where students would experience a college-like campus, walking between buildings for their classes.
This wasn’t the only major change for Nazareth Academy in the 1970s. After years of deliberation and strategizing, Nazareth opened its doors to male students in 1977. Our first lookbook as an institution of co-ed education is displayed above. 1977 also marked the year that we adopted the Roadrunner as our school mascot!
Click here to listen to the thoughts of an alumna in 1980, published in the local newspaper, The Western Springs Sun.
1996
Sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph
The Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph have always been the lifeblood of Nazareth Academy. To this day, dedicated Sisters are intertwined with life on campus. Before 1996, the Sisters of St. Joseph were the main operators of Nazareth. They administered, staffed and managed every detail of the student experience. As the new millennium approached, however, it was decided that Nazareth Academy would become its own corporation independent of the Congregation of St. Joseph, which now sponsors and supports the school while functioning as its spiritual center.
Such was the beginning of Nazareth’s continued growth over the next two decades, marking a new opportunity to prepare Nazareth Academy for the 21st century.
2000
Nazareth Celebrates 100 Years
The year 2000 not only marked the beginning of a new millennium; it also rang in Nazareth Academy’s 100th Anniversary. We celebrated a century of remarkable growth, change and scholarship all anchored by faith and family. Much had changed over the 10 decades of Nazareth’s lifetime, and there would be much more change to come both for the school and for the world, but we took a moment to show our thanks for how much our school community grew in its mission.
Above, Mr. Dennis Moran, Sister Terry Middendorf CSJ ’60 and students look on while Principal Jacqueline Schmitz, CSJ ’64 cuts Nazareth’s birthday cake!
2000s – 2010s
If You Build It, They Will Come
New millennium, new Naz! Beginning in 2005, Nazareth Academy has undergone considerable renovations. From new building wings, walkways and a striking new facade, the next several years also saw the construction of the Romano Family Theatre (2008) and Walsh Center (2016) and the complete renovation of Valenta Stadium. These renovations and additions enabled Nazareth to provide more opportunities for student learning and life that continue to resonate today.
Click here to listen to the words of Nazareth Academy President Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82 on the occasion of the dedication of the Walsh Center.
2014
IHSA Boys State Champions
In 2014, Nazareth’s Football team went undefeated throughout the season and brought home the school’s first IHSA State Championship in any sport. This was actually the first trip to the state championship since Nazareth began competing in football in 1978. Interestingly, that first team was also undefeated in regular season play. 2014 was also a celebration of the Nazareth family, reflected in the team’s jerseys which carried only the word “FAMILY” on their backs.
Nazareth Academy student-athletes have continued to excel with Football winning State Titles in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Go Roadrunners!
2021
IHSA Girls State Champions
In 2021, Nazareth’s Girls Volleyball team made history by winning the IHSA 3A Class State Championship. While this was the first IHSA State Title for girls sports at Nazareth Academy, we have been no stranger to state titles before we were IHSA members! Before Nazareth was co-educational, all-girls schools were not permitted to compete in IHSA competitions. That didn’t stop Nazareth from securing the Illinois State Girls Basketball Shooting Championship in 1956! In 1959, the Nazareth Girl Volleyball team won a decisive victory over Immaculata High School, earning the champion title of the Chicago CYO (Chicago Youth Organization). Not long after, the girls were champions in basketball yet again in both 1963 and 1965. Nazareth Academy is committed to promoting outstanding athletic programs for all student-athletes!
That commitment has resulted in continued IHSA State Titles for not just Girls Volleyball and Football, but also Baseball (2022, 2023) and Girls Basketball (2023).
2022-Present
That All May Be One.
Our 125th Anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect not only on how far we’ve come, but also on how we continue to pave the way for the future. Nazareth Academy continues to be a leader in academic achievement and student success. With award-winning faculty and nationally recognized programs, we focus on educating the whole person, supporting students as they grow into young adults to help them one day become courageous and compassionate leaders of tomorrow. We embrace the charism of the Congregation of St. Joseph of unity, working alongside one another to build a world of hope and peace…that all may be one.