St. Irene Elementary School

I am a former student of St. Irene who has attended this school for many years. I was very pleased with the quality of the education, but I was very disappointed with the social aspect. Ever since I began attending this school, I was treated very coldly and disrespectfully by my classmates, a treatment that continued well until I graduated. I observed the formations of many cliques and verbal bullying throughout my time there, and the teachers would listen to what I had to say about these problems but not do anything about it. I could not bring myself to believe I was attending a "Catholic" school...very disappointing.

We are family! Supportive families and wonderful students ... I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.
--Submitted by a teacher

This is an amazing undiscovered treasure. I can't believe how many people in Warrenville don't know about this, much less Wheaton/Naperville. The teachers are great -- everyone in the school knows you by the time you're halfway through kindergarten. The academics are awesome -- every 8th grader is using the Wheaton/W'ville South freshman algebra book. These kids are involved in public speaking from kindergarden on -- math, music, sports, extracurriculars...it's a fantastic little gem.
--Submitted by a parent

I love St. Irene School! We live in Naperville with the 'bigger is better 'mentality and cannot believe how fortunate we were to discover little St Irene! So happy my child doesn't have to go to the mega middle school with all the drama and pressure to fit in. She has friends in the Naperville public schools so we hear what they are experiencing and are very happy we have the cocoon of the St. Irene Community. She plans on attending either Benet or St. Francis and I believe St. Irene has given her the academic tools and confidence to suceed at either. We just love it! Thanks to all of the teachers, truly a wonderful group of educators.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been going to Saint Irene School for many years. I beleive I have exceeded academically and spiritually. I not only enjoy my classes I have opened a new door to what it means to be Catholic.
--Submitted by a student

Really pleased so far with the school. My son has an IEP and the school has gone above and beyond to help us determine best strategies and interventions. Everyone we've encountered has been welcoming and really -- a family. People are always looking out for your child, and I've never seen such a place for 'it takes a village' type thinking. The academics can't be beat -- spanish starting in preschool, a buddy system that pairs older grades with younger, test scores are extremely high, the kids in the older grades routinely go to state and take gold at the science fair, and every kid who takes the high school placement exams for Benet & St. Francis get in. Sure, there's no gym, and the school is small. But there's tons of sports (fall & spring) and everyone seems to work together well.
--Submitted by a parent

Academically, it's great, but socially, it leaves a lot to be desired. Cliques, queen bees and verbal bullying abound and staff seems unwilling to address these issues. Hard to believe it's a Christian school at times. A good school, but definitely not for everyone.
--Submitted by a parent

Sports and music programs are great! Small class sizes allow teachers to teach to all levels. However, what used to be a happy, spirited school, now seems to be filled with tension and uncertainty. The principal, in my opinion, is the reason for the downfall of a once loving and close knit school. She never attends schools functions - dances, sports events, nothing. Nor is she approachable. Parents are afraid of confronting her in fear of the backlash to their children. Turn over is totally unacceptable for such a small school. Parent groups are wearing thin due to lack of support from office.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Irene is a rare gem in the western suburbs -- small and dynamic, vibrant and nurturing. In an area of mega-high schools and lost-in-the-crowd education, St. Irene cultivates a close-knit community that extends past the classroom, into the home and parish. Though it's appearance is off-putting (small, 1950s building that looks barely large enough for a single grade, much less PreK through 8th), it's another great example of how St. Irene makes something great from almost nothing. The teachers are wonderful -- and we've had experiences with children at each end of the educational spectrum. There's no sense of teaching to the test or to the middles -- even report cards look at what the child is capable of achieving. There's one class per grade -- which may seem limiting, but truly, it teaches a great lesson on forging lifelong relationships. A wonderful school -- a great environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Someone once described St. Irene School as Warrenville's best kept secret and I have to agree. My kids have gone there for over three years now and we couldn't be happier. The class sizes are small and there is one class per grade. The teachers are fantastic -- exactly the caliber I would expect for a private school. Best of all is the morality and personal responsibility the kids are taught to develop. This school stresses achievement and doing one's best and the teachers make every effort to help each student improve their strengths and develop their weaknesses. There truly is no child left behind here! Another really nice thing I like is the level of respect the students have for the teachers and administrators and vice-versa. My kids love going to school each and every day!
--Submitted by a parent