With over 276 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, this area has become a common destination for ACE alumni who want to continue working in Catholic education after their two years of service. As the second-largest nonpublic school system in the country, Chicago is an ideal city for ACErs to relocate, and provides an energetic and enthusiastic community. One school that has gained a high number of ACE graduates is St. Ignatius College Prep. With six ACE alumni currently on staff, and several others who have served over the years, St. Ignatius has a strong Catholic and academic identity, which appeals to those who have done ACE.
When asked about the draw to St. Ignatius, Erin Luby (ACE 7) responded, “The three pillars of ACE – community, spirituality and teaching – parallel all that St. Ignatius espouses. The emphasis on caring for the whole student mirrors what is taught in ACE.” Luby teaches 9th, 10th and 11th grade English and is also the girls cross country and track coach. Lynne Ruozzi (ACE 9) shared similar sentiments and also added that St. Ignatius is known for its, “academic integrity, teacher support and focus on classroom teaching, not management.” Ruozzi is the 11th and 12th grade mathematics teacher in pre-calculus and advanced algebra as well as being the head sophomore girls basketball coach and Kairos retreat director.
St. Ignatius is located in the heart of Chicago, which appeals to many families, and of the 1300 students there is a standard of academic success and Catholic values, enriched through retreats and service opportunities. The beautiful grounds and facilities, coupled with the diverse, urban community at St. Ignatius, makes this school an ideal learning environment.
When asked about teaching with a notable number of ACE alumni, Ruozzi said, “The school really values the ACE teachers who are already there and what they have contributed to the school community. St. Ignatius appreciates the academic background of an ACE teacher and the experience that they bring coming out of ACE,” not to mention their energy and enthusiasm.
In addition to Lynne and Erin, Jim Gaffey (ACE 10), Dave Madden (ACE 5), Wendy Schmeideler (ACE 1) and Sean Byrne (ACE 4) are all current or former St. Ignatius teachers. St. Ignatius sends many of its students to Notre Dame, and many of the teachers and administrators of the school hold degrees from the University. Also, the ACE teachers who serve at Ignatius span much of the program's history - from ACE 1 through ACE 10. The relationship between St. Ignatius, Notre Dame and ACE is well established, and this school provides an ideal environment for those looking to continue their commitment to Catholic education. If you would like to learn more about St. Ignatius College Prep, visit their website at http://www.ignatius.org/.