ST. CELESTINE SCHOOL – 90TH ANNIVERSARY

90th School Anniversary Celebration Kick-Off – January 25, 2026

Cardinal Blase Cupich presided at the 11 AM Mass on Sunday, January 25, as we kicked off the 2026 Catholic Schools Week and the celebration of the 90th anniversary of St. Celestine School. All parishioners were invited to attend this Mass. There was also an Open House from 12 PM to 2 PM in the school, so everyone could come and see all of the amazing, exciting, and interesting things happening at St. Celestine School!

See Pictures of our Celebration Kick-Off on January 25

Sunday, January 25

  • Early Childhood Information Session at 9:30 am.
  • Family Mass at 11 am – Students who come in uniform and check in with their teacher at Mass will receive an out-of-uniform pass. This special Mass is being celebrated by Cardinal Cupich!
  • Open House from 12 pm to 2 pm – Come see all of the amazing, exciting, and interesting things happening at St. Celestine School!

Monday, January 26 – The Future’s Looking Bright!

  • Students dress in clothes related to their future careers.
  • Alumni and guests come to speak about their careers – Email Mrs. Petri at spetri@stcelestineschool.org if you wish to be a speaker.

Tuesday, January 27 – We Are Family!

  • Cards for seniors will be created in Art classes.
  • Students will attend an all-school mass with their special person.

Wednesday, January 28 – We Rock Around the Clock!

  • Students who ordered will have pizza lunches thanks to the Parents Club.
  • Students will dance to music from over the decades at a sock hop in the gym.
  • Students can dress like their favorite decade.

Thursday, January 29 – We are the Champions!

  • Students will participate in an all-school game morning, dressed in Celtic spirit wear or their favorite sports team attire, sponsored by the 8th Graders.

Friday, January 30 – We’re Having the Time of Our Lives!

  • Students will enjoy an afternoon movie wearing PJ’s or cozy clothes and bringing their own pillows, blankets, and movie snacks.
  • Special lunch for our DEDICATED and AMAZING staff.

Did you know?

  • Our first school opened on October 1, 1936.
  • Portable partitions six feet high were placed in the church building to divide it into four classrooms.
  • Folding chairs with detachable arms were used as desks.
  • Ninety-one children registered for the first four grades and special catechism classes were established for all school children of the other four grades.
  • The Adrian Dominican Sisters opened the school.

St. Celestine School – 90th Anniversary Fund

You can give to our 90th Anniversary Fund any time during this year!

Join our school families, parish families, and fellow alumni and extend your legacy by giving a gift to St. Celestine School. All gift amounts are very appreciated and make a huge impact on the students’ educational and environmental experience.

School 90th Anniversary Online Contributions (GiveCentral)

School Registration is Now Open for Year 2026-2027

Keep in mind that many spaces fill up quickly – Make sure you are part of the wonderful year ahead!

School Registration Information

Private Tours and Admission Events

Some School History Captured in Time

Did you know?

  • Our first school opened on October 1, 1936.
  • Portable partitions six feet high were placed in the church building to divide it into four classrooms.
  • Folding chairs with detachable arms were used as desks.
  • Ninety-one children registered for the first four grades and special catechism classes were established for all school children of the other four grades.
  • The Adrian Dominican Sisters opened the school.

Hidden treasures from the Class of 1957 – This trophy was awarded to the 1957 Girls Basketball Team. This collection of pins are for the Class of 1957 – Graduation, including a pin for a choir member.

Years 1955, 1956, and 1957 – What a gift to our school community!

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing alumna Eugenie from the Class of 1957 for donating these incredible photos from over 50 years ago. These images are more than just pictures – they’re pieces of our shared history, capturing memories, friendships, and moments that helped shape the legacy of our school. It’s so special to see how far we’ve come while honoring where we started.

The 1955 picture is of 7th grade and 1956 is from 8th Grade. Sister Rosita taught 55 Seventh Graders and Sister Paul Kathleen taught 53 seventh and Eighth Graders.

We’d love to continue preserving and celebrating our history! If any other alumni have photos, yearbooks, uniforms, trophies, programs, or other memorabilia they’d be willing to lend or donate, please reach out. Your contributions help keep our story alive for future generations. Once a Celtic, always a Celtic!

Flashback Friday all the way back to 1949!

From tiny kindergarten students to proud 8th Grade graduation gowns — what a journey! These photos capture such a special time in history. Here are a few highlights from 1949: Harry S. Truman began his elected term as U.S. President – The beloved TV show The Lone Ranger premiered – Hank Williams was topping the country charts – The classic film The Wizard of Oz was re-released and reached a whole new audience on television in the years that followed – Everyday Life in 1949: A gallon of gas cost about 17 cents; The average home cost around $7,450; A loaf of bread cost about 14 cents; and A dozen eggs around 60 cents.

In February 2026, Scouting America marked it’s 116th birthday! – Some of the history of Pack 690 at St. Celestine School!

Scouting has helped shape young leaders through adventure, service, and character development – and we’re proud that our school has been part of that legacy for so many years. Our long history of Scouting reflects our commitment to leadership, community service, and building strong values in our students. From campouts and service projects to earning ranks and lifelong friendships, Scouting continues to make a lasting impact on our school community.

(Cold) Blast from the Past! – Here are pictures of our school and parish from January of ’67 – Brrr!

Building the future, brick by brick – These photos capture the beginnings of our school in 1946/1947, when vision, hard work, and hope laid the foundation for generations to come.

St. Celestine School Class of 1948

Blast from the Past – St. Celestine School Class of 1940

A Trip Down Memory Lane… Sisters and Students on the march!

Did you graduate from St. Celestine School? Here is a photo from 1938.

Year 1936 – This picture is of the combination church, school, and auditorium!