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Guerin High School, River Grove, Illinois

Guerin Prep High School was a Catholic, co-educational and college preparatory high school serving the northwest side of Chicago and surrounding suburbs through the completion of the 2019-20 school year.

Alumni information & events

Guerin loses a dear friend.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Linda M. DeBolt. Linda served for 26 years as a teacher at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, from 1974-2000. She also served as the Chair of the Guerin Prep Board of Directors from 2011-2014.

Visitation for Linda will be held on January 13 from 1-3 p.m. (CST) at River Woods Funeral Chapels, 205 S. River Rd., Des Plaines, IL. Please keep Linda’s friends and family in your prayers.

https://www.riverwoodsfc.com/obituaries/Linda-Debolt/#!/Obituary

Guerin Alumni Association

Soon, the Sisters of Providence will form a Guerin Alumni Association. Those interested in being a part of the association or assisting with its operation should contact Cami Pritchett, Constituent Engagement and Planned Giving Manager, at 812-535-2807 or cpritchett@spsmw.org.

Alumnae from Guerin Prep High School may also contact Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp at jhagelskamp@spsmw.org or by phone at 812-535-2855.

Upcoming events

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  • The Mother Theodore Guerin High School Class of 1970 is planning its 54th reunion, which will take place in September 2024. Stay tuned for additional information.
MTG Class of ’83 – 40 Year Reunion

Class notes

  • Fran Sobotka Allibone

    MTGHS, Class of 1973

    “Life is short, If you get the opportunity to go to Reunion–GO, GO-GO!!” (January 2024)

  • Nancy Vandenbergh Kremer

    MTGHS, Class of 1973

    Last year our class celebrated its 50th Reunion from MTGHS and I was so blessed to share the event with Francesca (Fran) Sobotka Allibone, my first friend, we met the summer of 1969 while attending a review class at Guerin! We have been blessed to share over 50 years of friendship, graduating also from SMWC, motherhood, gardening, and so much more! Fran always tells people, “we’ve been friends longer than some people are married, and that I am her best friend in the universe!!” Truly, I feel the same way and pray we can go on being best friends into the years!

    To all the alums who have postponed planning or going to their reunions, I have two words of wisdom, ‘DON’T WAIT!!” send in the RSVP TODAY. (January 2024)

  • Ethan Espinosa

    Lima Wolfpack - Ethan Espinosa Shooting Guard

    Class of 2020

    Ethan Espinosa is playing professional basketball in Lima, Peru while continuing his studies. (December 2023)

Submit your class note

History of Guerin College Prep High School, River Grove, Illinois

Chicago Archbishop Meyer invited the Sisters of Providence to establish a high school for girls in River Grove adjacent to the Holy Cross High School for boys. The offer was accepted, and the decision was made to name the school Mother Theodore Guerin High School after the foundress of the Sisters of Providence. The Archbishop gave the land and contributed $1 million. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on April 15, 1962, with Monsignor McManus officiating. Since the new building would not be ready for occupancy until the fall of 1963, a wing of Holy Cross High School was rented. More than 300 freshmen began classes in September 1962. Bishop Cletus O’Donnell presided at the laying of the cornerstone on Aug. 24, 1963, and on Sept. 9, classes began in the new building with 796 freshmen and sophomores. Cardinal Meyer blessed and dedicated the school and the convent on April 11, 1964.

The school was built to accommodate 1,200 girls. However, the enrollment grew well beyond this, and in the 1970s, five mobile units were added. Other developments have been the establishment of the Learning Club, a preschool in the Home Economics Department, and some co-educational classes with Holy Cross.

In 1990, following a recommendation of representatives of Catholic School Management, Sister Margaret Kern was appointed first president of Mother Theodore Guerin High School. She was succeeded in 1993 by Sister Cathy Campbell.

In accordance with the Congregation’s Contingency Plan, the sisters made studies at various times to consider the possible sale of Guerin High School or the leasing of it to the archdiocese. In 1985, the sisters proposed a lease to the archdiocese. According to the terms of the agreement, the sisters need the written consent of the archdiocese to discontinue maintenance or sell. The archdiocese was unwilling to lease the school or allow the sale, as the school as thriving and it was needed because of the large number of students who wished to enroll in a Catholic high school. As of 1996, the school continued to operate as a sponsored institution of the sisters.

In April 1999, Sister Nancy Nolan was appointed third president of the school, and Sister Kathleen Burke the principal. Sister Kathleen resigned at the end of the 2000-01 school year. Sister Jeanne Hagleskamp, who had been principal from 1991-97, accepted the invitation to serve as interim principal during the 2001-02 school year. Bonnie Brown, who had been assistant principal, was named principal beginning in the 2002-03 school year.

When Holy Cross High School for boys announced it would close in June 2004, Cardinal George asked if the sisters and Guerin would be willing to become co-education, college preparatory high school. The request was granted, and in September 2004, the school opened its doors as Guerin College Preparatory High School.

Guerin Prep remained dedicated to developing the unique potential of its diverse student body through an extensive academic curriculum, excellent administrative and instructional staffs and through its Catholic faith, service and extracurricular programs until it closed after the completion of the 2019-20 school year.

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