St. Rita of Cascia High School: A Legacy of Augustinian Education

St. Rita of Cascia High School, an all-boys Catholic high school steeped in tradition, stands in the Ashburn neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side. As part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, it is operated by the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, a Catholic jurisdiction of the Order of Saint Augustine, and holds membership in the Augustinian Secondary Education Association. With a rich history dating back to 1905, St. Rita has remained committed to its core values of Veritas, Unitas, Caritas (Truth, Unity, Love), fostering a community of lifelong learning.

Founding and Early History

The story of St. Rita began in 1905 when Augustinian friar Kevin Campbell, O.S.A., acquired a 5-acre site for US$30,000. Green Hall marked the first building on the original campus. William L. Egan, O.S.A., succeeded Campbell, overseeing the completion of Harris Gym and Egan Hall. By 1922, the school had constructed its first stadium.

Joseph B. Kepperling, O.S.A., took over from Egan in 1926, but his tenure ended with his death in 1929. John J. Harris, O.S.A. was selected as the next rector of St. Rita. In the summer of 1935, Ruellan P. Fink, O.S.A. succeeded Harris.

Academic Evolution and Expansion

Under the leadership of Ruellan P. Fink, O.S.A., technical coursework was introduced in 1936. This era included the construction of the Mendel Technical Building in 1938 and an addition to Egan Hall in 1939. John E. McLaughlin, O.S.A. succeeded Fink in 1956 as principal. In 1962 Francis P. Crawford, O.S.A. became Principal. Crawford was succeeded in 1968 by Daniel B. Trusch, O.S.A. In 1971 LaVern J. Flach, O.S.A. became principal; in 1979 David L. Brecht, O.S.A., in 1983 Patrick E. Murphy, O.S.A. became Principal and in 1989 Bernard R. Danber, O.S.A. was appointed principal.

The Move to Western Avenue

In 1990, St. Rita relocated from its original location at 63rd and Claremont Avenue to its current site at 7740 S. Western Avenue. This move occurred because of concerns regarding a new school opening on the property; St. Rita had been planning a renovation at the time. The new campus was formerly home to Quigley Seminary South High School, which the Archdiocese of Chicago closed.

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Leadership Model and Recent Developments

In 1993, St. Rita adopted a president-principal model. Michael J. O'Connor, O.S.A. became the school's first president, with Joseph F. Bamberger appointed as principal. In 2000, Thomas McCarthy O.S.A. was named the second president and the first alumnus to hold the position. McCarthy became President-Principal in the spring of 2002 after Bamberger's retirement.

Ernest Mrozek served as President from 2012 to 2016. In 2023, Deacon John Donahue J.D., ED.D. was named President.

Academics at St. Rita: Tailored Learning for Success

St. Rita provides each student with an academic plan tailored to his individual needs. Students are placed in courses from three programs of study:

Augustinian Academy
Mendel Academic Program
Fr. James Green, O.S.A. Resource and Academic Support Program

Class placement is based on academic strengths, allowing students to take a combination of Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Honors, College Prep, and Foundational level courses.

Augustinian Academy

The Augustinian Academy offers a rigorous academic program for gifted and motivated students, providing opportunities for accelerated coursework.

Mendel Academic Program

The Mendel Academic Program offers a rigorous college prep program for dedicated and motivated college bound students.

Fr. James Green, O.S.A. Resource and Academic Support Program

The Fr. James Green, O.S.A. Resource and Academic Support Program is a customized learning resource program designed to meet the needs of students with documented learning differences who demonstrate the potential to succeed in a college preparatory program. Students are placed in the program according to their individual academic needs. Michele Dougherty serves as the Academic Resource Coordinator.

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

St. Rita embraces the Augustinian belief in lifelong learning. The school's faculty participates in professional development programs aimed at boosting student success. Silver Lining Learning guided the faculty through a year-long professional development program focused on enhancing ACT performance and embedding effective teaching strategies.

Extracurricular Activities and Athletics

St. Rita competes in the Chicago Catholic League (CCL) and has participated in nine Prep Bowls. The school's athletic teams are known as the Mustangs. St. Rita has a strong rivalry with Mt. Carmel and Brother Rice.

The "Spirit of Cascia" and Aviation History

In 1957, students at St. Rita built a "Spirit of Cascia" Baby Ace airplane, showcasing the school's aviation program. Robert D. Blacker, the Aeronautical Instructor, and The Reverend Joseph A. Coyne, O.S.A., Dean of St. Rita's Technical Department, inspired the program. Blacker's 1958 book, Basic Aeronautical Science and Principles of Flight, acknowledges Father Joseph A.

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Notable Alumni

St. Rita has produced numerous successful alumni, including:

Judge William J. Campbell
Jim Clancy
Darius Fleming
Matthew Conrath

Cognia Accreditation

St. Rita of Cascia High School is accredited by Cognia. Dr. Mark A. emphasizes that "Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments."

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