About

Resurrection College Prep High School has been sponsored by the Christian Brothers of the Midwest since August 2020 and is the newest member of the Lasallian network of schools around the world.  Founded by the Sisters of the Resurrection, the school opened in 1922. Central to the Sisters’ mission was the transformation of society by uplifting women through education. Since its founding, Resurrection has enabled thousands of alumnae to reach their full potential and become leaders of Charity and Truth. Today, Resurrection incorporates cutting-edge academic programs and activities that prepare young women for success in college, career, and life.

School Timeline

1891 - the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection is founded in Rome by widow Celine Borzecka and her daughter Hedwig.

1900 - the Sisters of the Resurrection began their ministry in the United States when four Sisters came to Chicago and immediately began teaching at St. Mary of the Angels Parish. They soon opened many other schools around Chicago and in several states.

1912 - Sister Anne Strzelecka, C.R. purchased over 42 acres of land in northwest Chicago on Old Tanner Road, now Talcott Avenue.

1914 - a convent and school were built, and the following year Sister Anne opened Resurrection Academy, an elementary school for boys and girls and a boarding school for girls. Boys attendance was discontinued in 1922 when the high school was opened. Resurrection Academy continued as an all-girls elementary school until 1961.

1920 - Sister Anne bought the 52-acre Anderson onion farm and skating pond where Resurrection Medical Center now stands.

1922 - Resurrection High School opened in what is now the Sisters’ Provincial Home. Four years later, the first graduating class consisted of four young women, one of whom went on to become a successful attorney, as well as a mother and grandmother of future Resurrection graduates.

1926 - a wing was added to the original Academy building for the high school department and the high school expanded. In 1929 a larger L-shaped addition was added to the Academy building.

1947 to 1961 - after World War II the population on Chicago’s far northwest side increased rapidly, causing a dramatic increase in enrollment. In 1954, to help further relieve some of the capacity issues, the boarding program ended and plans to build a gymnasium began in 1955. In determining the location of the gymnasium, the decision to build an entirely new high school facility on the corner of Talcott and Oriole avenues was proposed and accepted. In 1961 the elementary department was phased out, since by that time there were sufficient parish schools in the area to accommodate the children.

1962 - a new, much larger school building opened at 7500 West Talcott Avenue. The curriculum continued to expand over the following decades as Resurrection began moving towards the strong college-preparatory curriculum that it provides today.

1970s -1990s -  the early high school provided two educational tracks: a two-year commercial program and a general four-year program. In the 1950s and 60s, the school offered 3 four-year tracks: college prep, business, and home and commercial economics. By the 1970s and 80s, all students were preparing for college and in the 1990s, the Practicum Program was added to provide students exposure to a variety of career experiences.

1997 - an $11-million construction program added two state-of-the-art science labs, two computer labs, a technology center with Internet capabilities, a 36-station fitness center, as well as air conditioning throughout the facility. Administrative space, which was scattered throughout the building, was centralized in an expanded administrative center, freeing up space for other educational uses such as a writing center and a student services center.

2008 - the Little Theatre underwent a $2-million renovation. The 500 seat auditorium, built in 1964, is the school’s central venue for the performing arts.

2008/09 - The daily schedule was re-evaluated and changed to a modified A/B block schedule. Classes meet every other day for an extended period of time.

2009 - the school library was transformed into a library/ media center and the school bookstore, the Fine Arts wing and the Social Room, next to the chapel, were also updated.

2011/12 – Resurrection College Prep High School celebrated 90 years of educating young women as the largest all-girls Catholic, Christian college preparatory high school on the north side of Chicago.

2015/2016 - completion of projects that continue to enhance academics at Resurrection, including the new Innovation Lab, a makerspace where students can experiment and work on projects under the direction of designated faculty, and the Think Tank, where students can find tutors ready to assist them in a variety of subjects.  Also completed renovations of the parking lot and new internal roadways and work on a new athletic track are underway. The college prep program continues to expand and now includes opportunities to explore engineering, robotics and STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math).

2017/2020 - When the Sisters of the Resurrection recognized that the dwindling number of Sisters would make it impossible for them to continue operating Resurrection College Prep High School, they conducted an exhaustive search to find a new sponsor.  After on-going discussions, the Christian Brothers of the Midwest stepped forward to welcome Resurrection into their Lasallian network of schools and an announcement was made in May 2019 regarding the sponsorship transition. The transition became complete on August 28, 2020, and we celebrate that Resurrection College Prep High School has become a Lasallian school in the Resurrection tradition, honoring the school’s past, present, and future.

On August 28, 2020, the Sisters of the Resurrection completed the much-awaited transfer of Resurrection College Prep High School to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest Lasallian network of schools. 

Today -  Resurrection incorporates cutting-edge academic programs and activities that prepare young women for success in college, career and life.  Since its founding in 1922, Resurrection has graduated nearly 15,000 alumnae and Resurrection continues to shape young women to reach their full potential and to become leaders of charity and truth who make a difference in society. The 2021-22 school year marks the Resurrection's 100th year!

The young women of Resurrection College Prep High School are prepared for the future.

They are given the opportunities, support, and resources to continue to:

Discover...

• their identity as strong, capable women,
• their voice and their calling,
• their passion and their potential, and
• their gifts and their strengths

Participate...

• in Catholic Christian studies,
• in academic pursuits,
• in athletics and the arts, and
• in healthy lifestyles

Succeed...

• in attaining personal and professional goals,
• in promoting a hopeful future, and
• in celebrating the differences among us

Serve...

• one another in Charity and Truth,
• the needs of the larger community, and
• as women of faith

Resurrection staff and faculty believe in empowering young women to make a difference in our world. The Resurrection Value Proposition incorporates the five pillars of the Resurrection Mission Statement (intellectual, spiritual, ethical, physical, and social growth of our students) and the Resurrection Vision Statement. 

Intellectual Rigor - Challenging Academics in a Supportive Environment
Since 1922, Resurrection has been educating young women and preparing them for success in college, career, and life. Resurrection understands how girls learn best. Whatever their academic abilities or needs, Resurrection’s different levels of learning ensure that all students are academically challenged and supported. Students are taught to be critical thinkers, intellectual risk takers, and problem solvers in a rapidly-changing world. Resurrection offers students in-depth learning opportunities through block schedules, Advanced Placement courses, travel, clubs, and honor societies, and students are encouraged to explore future careers through the Practicum Job Shadowing Program.  

Spiritual Growth – Caritate et Veritate
Resurrection devotes attention to the spiritual development of its students, as a close relationship with God leads to a deeper sense of self and gives them the building blocks to make a difference in their families, workplaces, communities, and world. Resurrection students are taught to embody the school motto Caritate et Veritate (Charity and Truth).

Ethical Development – Making a Positive Difference as a Global Citizen
As today’s young people become adults, they will face great challenges. Resurrection provides young women with the moral compass to guide them to thoughtful and just solutions and to be responsible and compassionate members of the global community.

Physical – Well-Being and Well-Rounded Development
Resurrection encourages girls to explore new academic interests, participate in athletics, demonstrate leadership, and develop healthy life-long habits.  Resurrection creates opportunities for students to stretch beyond their comfort zone and ensures that students have access to a variety of sports, clubs, fine arts, and other activities. With 12 competitive sports, over 30 clubs, and 11 honor societies, there is something for every girl.

Social Growth – Leadership, Friendship, and Mentorship
Through classroom experiences, extracurricular activities, and mentoring programs, Resurrection students are encouraged to develop personal interests, leadership opportunities, and life-long friendships. Our alumnae base provides students with examples of and access to strong, accomplished role models. Alumnae nurture and share through mentorship in the Practicum Job Shadowing Program, during Alumnae Career Days, and as speakers and visitors to classes and clubs. 

The motto has and continues to be core to the values and philosophy of Resurrection College Prep and is part of the Resurrection approach to education.  The motto has been etched into all logos and documents of the school from the very beginning of the school's founding in 1922. 

By expressing and celebrating the words "Charity and Truth," we acknowledge that God's love for us is merciful and unfailing. The truth is that God's love for us is unconditional and from that love we express God's love and charity through our own actions. As the Resurrection community, we believe that God calls us to work together for the resurrection of society, bringing his life and love to all.