Parents Launch Independent School Shuttered by Joliet Archdiocese

JOLIET, Ill., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- It only took a few seconds to eliminate the 115-year history of Saint Joseph School as the Archdiocese of Joliet announced that unless the school came up with financial and physical options, it would close in June of 2010.

"People were shocked and stunned," said Tony Kambich, President of the Saint Joseph School Foundation. "So I said if you don't like your situation, change it and form an independent school." They did, and Kambich has led the way.

Kambich, a 1948 Saint Joseph alum, is no stranger to the world of education. He and his wife Carolyn started the Deerfield, IL Montessori School 44 years ago and have opened three additional schools in suburban Chicago. They also helped to establish a school in Entebbe, Uganda, worked jointly with Northern Illinois University on a Special Ed school in Kenya, and consulted on the opening of a Montessori school in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Kambich arranged for a meeting with Bishop J. Peter Sartain to ask if an independent school could operate under the jurisdiction of the Joliet Archdiocese so the children could continue to receive sacraments at the church where generations had before.

Bishop Sartain said it "would not be permissible."

Those words gave birth to Saint Joseph Academy, a school now on its own physically, financially, and spiritually.

With an opening date of September 2010, Kambich formed a Steering Committee to work on logistics including faculty recruitment, financial donations, books, equipment, and supplies. The school leased space just a block away from the shuttered location in downtown Joliet.  Five job offers were made to former teachers at the school and all five accepted. A former Assistant Principal will head the new venture and more teachers are in the process of being hired.  

Saint Joseph Academy's slogan is "The Tradition Continues…Plus" and Kambich is excited about the "Plus."

"We will go well beyond the previous curriculum," Kambich said. "We'll follow the Catholic tradition, but also offer a special enrichment program including 'Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.'" It begins in pre-school and continues through 6th grade providing a deeper, hands-on insight of what it means to be a Christian."

The "Plus" will prepare older children and parents, too.

"We'll offer formalized adult programs including how to find a job, how to balance a household budget, how to pay for tuition and more," noted Kambich.

Classes are filling up. Downloadable application forms are available at www.sjsacademyjoliet.com or by calling 815-773-9553.

Kambich knows this endeavor to prepare students for a lifetime of living as a Christian in a world of peace will need strong financial support, and he remains positive about the future.  

"What I'm hoping to leave behind is people who will become the next inventors and leaders in their world," Kambich said. "They will be a positive challenge when they go to their next school."

SOURCE Saint Joseph Academy