Immaculate Conception High School

I have two children who have attended ICHS and have had a stellar educational experience (one currently enrolled and one who has graduated and is currently excelling at a top-rated University. ICHS has an excellent teaching staff, a full honors program, and AP's in all the CORE subjects. In addition, the school has a program with Elmhurst College allowing students to take ACTUAL college courses for no additional tuition. That's better than an AP program. See what IC is about today versus taking an opinion from someone who indicates her son had a bad experience, several years ago (seems to me a long time to keep basing a school???). Keep in mind the school is celebrating 75 years of academic success, so they must be doing something right! The enrollment is around 350 and the neighborhood is beautiful.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school several years ago. It was the biggest mistake we made during his high school years. Luckily, we were able to enter him in the public school before it was too late He was not academically challenged at IC. He was an honor student, yet they were not able to offer enough honors classes or advanced placement classes to enable hin to get into a good university if he had stayed at IC. The student body and faculty only know students by their names, because there are only about 200 students in the whole school. I realy felt like the teachers did care about students. In our economic times, do not waste your money on this school. Public schools offer more advanced curriculums, challenging extracurricular activities, competitive sports programs, and teachers with years of experience and knowledge. Pease do not limit your child to this school. At least be an educated consumer and consider all of your options. It is in your child's best interest to research the educational opportunities that are available in your area, and this school is not worth your time or money. Thank you for allowing me to review this school as a concerned parent in the community.
--Submitted by a parent

I couldnt disagree more with the parent below. My daughter graduated from ICHS last year and went into college with a FULL SEMESTER of college credits. She is currently attending one of the top 10 public universities in the country. FACT: IC offers AP classes in History, Biology, Chemistry, English, Calculus. In addiition, during your senior year of high school, you can take classes at Elmhurst COLLEGE during the school day or evening at no additional tuition via a partnership IC has with Elmhurst College. This is right across the park, literally a five minute walk at most. My daughter took AP Calc at IC and Calc BC (2) at Elmhurst College as well as intro to Western Civ at Elmhurst College. She was on the Dean's list at Elmhurst College during her senior year of high school. She took AP History and AP Calc at IC. ICHS more than prepares you for University and beyond. It is a FANTASTIC school with a caring and dedicated staff.
--Submitted by a parent

I would not recommend this school. They do not prepare students for college, even though they claim that this is a college prep school. They only offer 3 AP classes, and their honor classes are not challenging. The environment is very exclusive, and the faculty and student body are not accepting of all students. This is very unfortunate, because diversity is very important in our culture. I highly recommend the public schools in the area as they offer challenging academic curriculums, AP classes (which you can use for college credit if you have a successful score), excellent sport programs, and wonderful music and arts classes. You will be an achiever and very successful, but please do not consider paying your hard earned dollars to a school that just doesn't care about all of its students. It is the money that they adore! Thank you for allowing me to post my recommendation.
--Submitted by a parent

ICHS has prepared my daughter extremely well for college & beyond. She was able to take several AP classes, all honors classes and will be graduating with a GPA well over 4.0. She was accepted to some of the finest universities in the country (Michigan, Illinois, Boston College and Notre Dame), even invited to attend the honors programs at 3 of them. During her 4 years at IC she has been a 3 sport athlete, involved in several clubs (math team, business club, Christian service leader), been on student council, been in the plays, taught RE...etc She was truly educated SPIRIT, MIND & BODY. She became a leader but more importantly she became a fantastic person. I truly believe that ICHS was a big part of that. The staff there knows their students well and cares about their successes/failures. They don't want anyone falling through the cracks. They will reach out to students and ask them to be part of something (clubs, student council, liturgies, etc) Thank you IC for all the OPPORTUNITIES you afforded her. Eternally grateful for the experiences.
--Submitted by a parent

As a recent graduate of ICHS, I couldn't be more proud coming from such a tight-knit and caring community. So many opportunities are offered at IC that made me feel welcome and not one bit overwhelmed. I was able to play on 3 varsity sports teams, reaching the State super-sectionals in 2 of them. I also got to participate in a handful of clubs and gain the leadership I needed to be admitted to one of the top business schools in the nation. The enrollment really shouldn't deter anyone from sending their child to IC. We are growing every year, which just means more opportunities will be available for the diverse students we bring in. As for the bullying, I never personally experienced or witnessed any serious behavior. This is something IC goes out of their way to avoid, as do most high schools in the area. As seen on the news, it's a sad reality in most communities, not just at IC. I LOVED my high school experience, from everything I learned in the classroom to the lifelong friends I made. Once a knight, always a knight! :)

When choosing a high school for our child, one criteria was certain - we were going to choose the environment that best suited our needs. We were looking for a strong, faith based education that offered the highest level of academics as well as opportunities for our child to get involved in leadership activities, athletics and community service. After researching and observing all the area schools, ICHS stood out not only for their quality but for their caring and connected staff and community of families. Now that we have experienced the school for a couple of years - I can tell you that they have lived up to every one of our high expectations. A straight A student throughout middle school/grade school, our child is challenged academically through a complete offering of Honors and AP courses with a faculty that is there to help every step of the way. The Principal is a solid, caring leader who is moving the school forward in a positive direction. As the school grows, they don't lose touch with the individual student which is what we love. If you are looking for a high school where you feel like family and will prepare your child for college and beyond - this is the place!
--Submitted by a parent

ICHS has been instrumental in preparing my children for college and beyond. As a parent who, as of May 2012, will have had 5 graduates of ICHS, I am very happy with the education, leadership and service opportunities, and extra curricular experiences my children have enjoyed while in attendance. There is commitment from administration and faculty alike to challenge and push the students to reach their full potential. The small school environment means every student is known by name and it creates an environment where everyone is encouraged to become active and to participate ; from clubs and student government to athletics and music, my kids have taken on roles beyond their comfort zone and learned how to become independent, resourceful and responsible adults - not to mention dedicated students and successful college graduates.
--Submitted by a parent

This is not a school that will prepare your student for college. My daughter attended IC for two years in which she was given only one social studies class and one science class in these two years. Instead of the "mandatory" study hall, students should be able to choose from a real class that will prepare them for college; after all it is College Prep. She transferred after her second year to a public school. We were told by the principal that we were stupid and would regret this. My daughter had great grades, however IC offered barely any extracurricular activities that colleges look for. Thank God we transferred her out. Because of her GPA or 4.56 from her public school, she was able to get a full ride scholarship to Elmhurst College. No thanks to IC. Also, I am aware that there is severe bullying at IC so if I was a parent I wouldn't send any of my children to IC. Coming from a parent who knows, IC is awful and can ruin a child's future.
--Submitted by a parent

I guess the parents who have written reviews do not know the real IC. The students do not learn anything. The academics are SO EASY. It really is no wonder that they are known for being smart kids. I had to transfer to a public school that actually taught me. I took 3 different Advanced Placement classes at my public school which IC does not offer so I dont understand why people think IC is so great. There really is a lot of bullying. I agree. People transferred left and right while I was there, including me and my three friends who had nothing but problems. I got straight A's and I did not get in trouble, but I was bullied and no one helped me. When you think you can go to the administration of a Catholic School about bullying issues, you're wrong.
--Submitted by a student