Wikipedia

De La Salle Institute

For other uses, see De La Salle Institute (New York) and De La Salle High School (disambiguation).

De La Salle Institute is a private, Catholic, coeducational secondary school run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was founded by Brother Adjutor of the De La Salle Brothers (French or Lasallian Christian Brothers) in 1889.

De La Salle Institute
Transforming Lives since 1680
Location
Map
3434 South Michigan Avenue

Chicago
,
Illinois
60616

United States
Coordinates41°49′53″N 87°37′28″W / 41.83144°N 87.624474°W / 41.83144; -87.624474
Information
TypePrivate, Parochial, Catholic, Co-educational Secondary education institution
MottoLatin: Signum Fidei
English: Sign of Faith
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic Church
(De La Salle Christian Brothers}
Established1889; 135 years ago (1889)
FounderBrother Adjutor of Mary, FSC
StatusOpen
OversightArchdiocese of Chicago
PresidentMike Zunica (2024 - )
ChairmanSteven Burrows '91
PrincipalThomas Schergen '97
Grades9–12
Enrollment751 (2024)
Average class size25
Student to teacher ratio25:1
Campus size4 acres
Campus typeUrban
Color(s) Royal blue  and  Gold 
SloganEnter to Learn, Leave to Serve
Fight songDe La Salle Men
Athletics conferenceCCL GCAC
IHSA
MascotMeteors
Team nameMeteors
AccreditationNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
NewspaperThe Victory
TuitionUS$15,050[2]
AffiliationInstitute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Websitehttp://www.dls.org/

The school is considered a historic institution on Chicago's South Side.[3] It is located three blocks east of Guaranteed Rate Field, the home of MLB's Chicago White Sox. While located in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, it has very strong ties to the nearby Bridgeport neighborhood. The school is separated from Bridgeport and Guaranteed Rate Field by the Dan Ryan Expressway.

While coming from a commemorative book published by the school, the authors of American Pharaoh:Mayor Richard J. Daley: His Battle for Chicago and the Nation note the following about the school's impact on the history of Chicago:[4]

"The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton" but "the business leaders of Chicago were trained in the Counting Rooms of De La Salle."

History

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De La Salle Institute was founded by Brother Adjutor, a former director of St. Patrick High School, in 1889, after being chartered by the State of Illinois the previous year.[5] The laying of the cornerstone on May 19, 1889 was a major event which began with an hour-long parade through the streets of Chicago. The ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Patrick Feehan, the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.[6] Classes and graduation ceremonies were held elsewhere until the building was complete, opening for students on 7 September 1891.[7]

The school started as a two-year commercial school.[7] The area which the school catered to was a poor area of the city, and many of the students were children of recent immigrants. As Br. Adjutor was quoted to have said: I made up my mind to leave nothing undone in the direction of fitting the boys of the masses for the battle of life, morally as well as educationally. As times changed, the school grew to emphasize a college preparatory curriculum.

On 11 April 1925, the school was severely damaged by an early morning fire causing US$35,000 in damage ($608,083 in 2023). Two of the four floors were lost.[8]

1926 saw plans for the addition of a new gymnasium behind the school at a cost of US$100,000 ($1.72 million in 2023).[9] These plans were later adjusted with a larger gym built on Michigan Avenue for US$175,000 (unadjusted).[10]

The 1953–54 school year saw the school purchase the remainder of the block on which the school is situated. In March, ground breaking occurred for an addition to the school.[11][12] In October, 1955, ground was broken on an addition to the brothers' residence attached to the school.[13][14]

By 1960, more room was needed to handle the increase in student population. A new addition was built north of the extant building, adding a gymnasium and more classrooms.[15] Groundbreaking occurred in late September, 1960, with the cornerstone being laid in June, 1961.[16] The US$850,000 ($8.56 million in 2023) addition was dedicated in May, 1962.[17]

After decades of not having an outdoor sports stadium of its own, plans were made in 1967 to construct a stadium and sports complex. In a rare move, the fundraising for the stadium, estimated at US$250,000 ($2.28 million in 2023) was not headed by an alum, with the honorary chair of the development committee being given to George Halas, owner of the Chicago Bears.[18][19]

In June, 1984, with no more space for expansion, and the need for new facilities, the original four story school building was demolished.[20]

The school has a history of diversity, dating back to its first class of nine students which included two Jewish students. Today roughly 28% of the school is African–American, 32% is Latino, and nearly 25% are non–Catholic.[21]

In 2002, the school opened the Lourdes Hall Campus, a collaboration with the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. The school claims to be unique in the United States in that it is a co-educational institution, while still offering single-gender campuses.[22]

Academics

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Coursework is divided into three areas: Social Sciences (which includes religious studies), Language Arts (which includes foreign languages and fine arts), and Applied Sciences (which includes the natural sciences, mathematics, and physical education). Students are required to take a minimum of six credits of course work for their freshman and sophomore years, and at least 5.5 credits as upperclassmen.

There are three program levels: Honors, College Preparatory, and General Studies.

Community service is required as a component of the religious studies courses, with the number of required hours dependent on the course and year in school. The service is a component of the course grade.

The following seven Advanced Placement courses are offered: U.S. History, Government and Politics, Spanish Language, French Language, Studio Art, English Literature, and Calculus (AB). There is also a course entitled "Honors Calculus BC" which is a follow-up for students who have taken AP Calculus AB, but is not offered as an AP course.

There are also technical courses offered at various levels (including honors) in electronics and small engines. A course in Computer System Management requires students to aid in computer maintenance at the school.[23]

Tablet PC program

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De La Salle Institute at the corner of 35th Street and Michigan Avenue

In 2006, De La Salle began requiring incoming freshmen to lease or purchase an IBM X41 Tablet PC. The Tablet PCs allow students to take notes electronically and make use of the included textbook in e-books. Both De La Salle campuses are equipped with a WiFi network, allowing teachers and students to wirelessly access the Internet and print to network printers. De La Salle also has a computer repair center at each campus to deal with any computer problems or malfunctions. This year (2024), they are using the Lenovo Thinkpad L13 Yoga.[24]

The Tolton Center

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The Tolton Center, is an adult education outreach program founded by De La Salle in 1991. Currently spread around to five locations, the Center provides classes for low-income adults on topics related to literacy and employment skills. Child services are also provided. While begun by the institute, the courses are non-religious in nature,[23]

Extracurricular activities

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Athletics

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The De La Salle Meteors men's teams compete in the Chicago Catholic League (CCL), while the women's teams compete in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC). The school also competes in state championship tournaments sponsored by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

In 1961, De La Salle joined some schools in leaving the Chicago Catholic League in order to form a new conference (the Chicagoland Prep League) and participate in the IHSA.[19][25] At the time, the Chicago Catholic League members were not IHSA members, and under IHSA guidelines, schools in the IHSA could not play schools outside the organization, nor could schools outside the organization compete for state championships.

The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective IHSA state tournaments:[26]

  • basketball (boys) •• 3rd place (1976–77)

In the era before De La Salle came under the auspices of the IHSA, De La Salle won a National Catholic Basketball Championship in 1928–1929, defeating St. Stanislaus High School of St. Louis, Missouri.[27]

On October 24, 2008, De La Salle took part in Toyota Park's first ever American football game as opponents to Fenwick. De La Salle won the game, 17–10.

On February 22, 2014 the De La Salle basketball team won the first ever Inaugural Catholic League Tournament Championship against Mount Carmel High School with a score of 67–62.

Performing arts

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The school offers an introductory course to learning a musical instrument, as a pathway for novice musicians to enter the concert band. The concert band is a full year course, with an honors option involving research in addition to performance.[28]

In addition to courses in introductory and advanced Drama,[28] students may participate in such activities as improvisation, stage combat, one act plays and slam poetry. During the second semester, students are in charge of directing their own plays, and in some cases, writing and producing them as well. Students who participate in the theater program for an extended amount of time may be inducted into the International Thespian Society.

Other non-athletic activities

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De La Salle Institute offers 15 sports for boys and girls, as well as many clubs such as Mock Trial, Chess Club, Weight Lifting, Boxing, Guitar Club, Science Club, Spanish Club, French Club, Web Design, and Drama.

Financial information

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The tuition for the 2007–08 school year is US$9,125, however the school has an educational scholarship open to "most" domestic students, which is worth $1,825. The school also claims that about 55% of students receive additional financial aid through an application process.[29]

Students must also have their own Tablet PC. There is the option to "lease-to-own" at $56–per–month for 46 months. There is also the option to purchase the computer outright at $2,200.[30]

Notable alumni

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Government and politics

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Five mayors of Chicago are among the alumni. For only ten years (1979–89) between 1947 and early 2011, has the Mayor of Chicago not been an alumnus of this school.

  • Frank J. Corr (class of 1895) was the interim mayor for a few months in 1933 after the assassination of Mayor Anton Cermak by a bullet that was assumed to be intended for Franklin D. Roosevelt.[31]
  • Martin H. Kennelly (class of 1905) was mayor from 1947 to 1955. He was the first alum to be elected mayor. When he proved to be too "reform" oriented for the Democratic Party, Richard J. Daley was supported to run against him, defeating him in the primary election. Prior to being mayor, Kennelly briefly served as general chairman of the De La Salle Golden Jubilee fund campaign.[32][33]
  • Richard J. Daley (class of 1919) was mayor from 1955 to 1976, winning seven mayoral elections in total.[34][35]
  • Michael A. Bilandic (class of 1940) was mayor from 1976 to 1979. He was selected as interim mayor in the wake of Richard J. Daley's death, and subsequently won a special election to the office. In 1990, he was elected to a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court (serving 1990–2000, and as Chief Justice 1994–96)[36]
  • Richard M. Daley (class of 1960) was the mayor of Chicago from 1989 to 2011. He was the longest-serving mayor of Chicago, surpassing his father on December 26, 2010, and was succeeded by Rahm Emanuel the following year.[37]

Others:

Sports and entertainment

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Notable staff members

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References

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  1. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  2. ^ "2024–2025 tuition". Archived from the original on 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  3. ^ Unger, Rudolph (7 September 1988). "100-year-old De La Salle cites its proud tradition". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. ^ from chapter one of American Pharaoh Mayor Richard J. Daley: His Battle for Chicago and the Nation By Adam Cohen and Elizabeth Taylor
  5. ^ "Church school to hold jubilee". Chicago Daily Tribune. 19 November 1911. p. 7. ProQuest 173625899.
  6. ^ "De La Salle Institute; laying of the corner-stone by Arch Bishop Feehan yesterday...". Chicago Daily Tribune. 20 May 1889. pp. 1–2. ProQuest 174323634.
  7. ^ a b "New school in Chicago; The De La Salle Institute to be opened Monday, Sept. 7". Chicago Daily Tribune. 30 August 1891. p. 25. ProQuest 174572419.
  8. ^ "De La Salle Institute Is Swept By Fire". Chicago Daily Tribune. 11 April 1925. p. 1. ProQuest 180635212.
  9. ^ "De La Salle High to build new $100,000 gym". Chicago Daily Tribune. 4 April 1926. p. a2. ProQuest 180653195.
  10. ^ Chase, Al (30 December 1926). "De La Salle to build big gym on Boul Mich". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 20. ProQuest 180749770.
  11. ^ "Ground broken for addition to De La Salle". Chicago Daily Tribune. 18 March 1954. p. B2. ProQuest 178630763.
  12. ^ "De La Salle to start on new building". Chicago Daily Tribune. 14 March 1954. p. S1. ProQuest 178652082.
  13. ^ "Ground broken for addition at De La Salle". Chicago Daily Tribune. 1 October 1955. p. 3. ProQuest 179613380.
  14. ^ "De La Salle to construct new building". Chicago Daily Tribune. 22 June 1961. p. S3. ProQuest 182904739.
  15. ^ "De La Salle to Get Addition". Chicago Daily Tribune. 21 August 1960. p. S4. ProQuest 182576780.
  16. ^ "Break Ground for School Addition". Chicago Daily Tribune. 29 September 1960. p. S A3. ProQuest 182617847.
  17. ^ "De La Salle to Dedicate $850,000 Wing Tuesday". Chicago Daily Tribune. 20 May 1962. p. S4. ProQuest 183148185.
  18. ^ "De La Salle Plans New Stadium, Sports Complex". 23 March 1967. ProQuest 179165606.
  19. ^ a b "Mammoth Sports Complex Planned by De La Salle". Chicago Tribune. 30 March 1967. p. G18. ProQuest 179172869.
  20. ^ Presecky, William (1 May 1984). "Wrecking ball awaits a long school tradition; De La Salle". ProQuest 170671577.
  21. ^ "Good schools color blind". 8 January 1976. ProQuest 171228365.
  22. ^ "History of De La Salle Institute". Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  23. ^ "Curriculum guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  24. ^ Tablet PC Program
  25. ^ "Marist joins Chicagoland Prep League". 11 April 1967. ProQuest 179196933.
  26. ^ IHSA record page for De La Salle Institute
  27. ^ Rohm, Harold (25 March 1929). "De La Salle wins U.S. Catholic cage meet". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 23. ProQuest 180979289.
  28. ^ a b Curriculum guide
  29. ^ "Financial aid application process". Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  30. ^ "Tablet PC program finances". Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  31. ^ "De La Salle students graduated". Chicago Daily Tribune. 15 June 1895. p. 3. ProQuest 175118626.
  32. ^ "History of Bridgeport Politics @uic.edu".
  33. ^ "Calling a Strike for De La Salle". Chicago Daily Tribune. 13 June 1939. p. 21. ProQuest 175273662.
  34. ^ Adam Cohen and Elizabeth Taylor. "excerpt from American Pharaoh:Mayor Richard J. Daley".
  35. ^ "Political History of Bridgeport @uic.edu".
  36. ^ "Biography and inventory of Michael A. Bilandic Papers; Special Collection, University of Illinois, Chicago Library".
  37. ^ Biography @cityofchicago.org
  38. ^ "2 Democratic units endorse Geo, W. Dunne". Chicago Daily Tribune. 24 December 1953. p. 9. ProQuest 178571212.
  39. ^ "Biographical Sketch of Morgan M. Finley". Illinois Blue Book 1965–1966. pp. 258–259.
  40. ^ "Igoe appointed U.S. Attorney; to quit House". Chicago Daily Tribune. 16 May 1935. p. 7. ProQuest 181694704.
  41. ^ Wood, Percy (28 March 1938). "Igoe--A leader in fat and lean years of party". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 12. ProQuest 182072993.
  42. ^ Healy, Paul (9 March 1941). "Note to Irish: It's De La Salle next on W-G-N; Citizens' program to feature school". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. S1-S2. ProQuest 176546085.
  43. ^ National Sports Review Interview, naming Dan Ryan as alumnus
  44. ^ "Curtis Blaydes | UFC". 14 September 2018.
  45. ^ Condon, David (11 March 1956). "Comiskey: 'SOX WILL WIN!'; Baseball has been Chuck's life for most of his 30 years...". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. I33. ProQuest 179713197.
  46. ^ American League Team Presidents accessed 14 September 2008
  47. ^ Healy, Paul (9 March 1941). "Note to Irish: It's De La Salle Next on W-G-N". ProQuest 176546085.
  48. ^ "Biography @Chicago Bears.com".
  49. ^ "Cook County Board Resolution (#2) of condolence on George Connor's death". Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  50. ^ a b Shnay, Jerry (2 December 1983). "De La Salle's scars are healing slowly". ProQuest 170542694.
  51. ^ Norma Libman (14 July 1991). "A sportscaster's career is rooted in a love of hometown teams". Chicago Tribune (FINAL, C ed.). p. 4. ProQuest 283170074.
  52. ^ Libman, Norma (14 July 1991). "A sportscaster's career is rooted in a love of hometown teams". ProQuest 283170074.
  53. ^ Nidetz, Steve (4 October 1993). "Gumbel Feels At Home With White Sox". ProQuest 283604993.
  54. ^ "Jamarco Jones NFL Draft Update". eFilmRoom.
  55. ^ "Kennedy to Manage A's; Finley to Tap Former Cub Head Coach Kennedy to Manage Athletics". 20 October 1967. ProQuest 169985257.
  56. ^ "Bob Kennedy:Obituary" (PDF). June 2005. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  57. ^ "Jack Kerris stats & bio". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  58. ^ "Chicago loses to Notre Dame quintet, 39-26". Chicago Daily Tribune. 5 February 1933. p. a1. ProQuest 181409759.
  59. ^ "De La Salle alumni plan banquet Friday". 20 November 1977. ProQuest 169646189.
  60. ^ Myslenski, Skip (28 December 1980). "A lifetime beneath the Golden Dome". ProQuest 172174947.
  61. ^ LaRue Martin stats & bio; basketball-reference.com; accessed 1 January 2009
  62. ^ "Calling a Strike for De La Salle; Ormsby Backs $100,000 Drive". Chicago Daily Tribune. 13 June 1939. p. 21. ProQuest 175273662.
  63. ^ "Ormsby, Ex-Umpire, Dies of Heart Attack". Chicago Daily Tribune. 12 October 1962. p. C1. ProQuest 182853039.
  64. ^ "Lou Pote stats & bio". The Baseball Cube.
  65. ^ "De La Salle retains Catholic League junior hoops title". Suburbanite Economist. 28 March 1956. p. 18. Retrieved December 28, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ^ Renaldo Wynn stats & bio nfl.com
  67. ^ "Meteors to Play on Chet Bulger Field" (PDF). De La Salle Magazine. January 2008. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-25. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  68. ^ "Bulger helps football coach at De La Salle". Chicago Daily Tribune. 13 September 1951. p. D5. ProQuest 178198524.
  69. ^ "Bulger moves up as coach at De La Salle". Chicago Daily Tribune. 21 February 1958. p. C3. ProQuest 182033226.
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