History of Driscoll Catholic High School

In the mid-1960s, under the administration of Bishop Martin McNamara, first bishop of Joliet, plans were finalized for the creation of a new Catholic high school to be located in Addison, IL. The school was named in honor of Elizabeth F. Driscoll, a generous supporter of Diocesan education, and the Highlander was adopted as the official mascot.

In the fall of 1966 Driscoll Catholic High School opened its doors with an enrollment of 134 students. The faculty consisted of three Christian Brothers, five School Sisters of St. Francis, and three lay teachers. Over the next three years, an additional class of students was admitted every year until the 1969-1970 school year, when Driscoll became a full, four-year, co-educational institution.

Over the years, Driscoll has altered its programs to meet the changing academic needs of the nearly 5,000 students who have attended the school. Since 1986, the school has been operated solely by the Christian Brothers and their lay associates; Driscoll provides a high quality, college preparatory education in the tradition of St. John Baptist de la Salle. The school has students from over 40 elementary and middle schools, located in 25 towns and villages throughout suburban Cook and DuPage counties. Enrollment stands at approximately 410 students, with an average class size of 22 and a student/teacher ratio of 14:1. Driscoll is fully accredited by the State of Illinois and the North Central Associates of Secondary Schools, both of which require regular and extensive evaluations of school personnel, programs, and facilities. Driscoll is also a member of IHSA and the Lasallian Schools Association.

Driscoll offers three academic programs designed to challenge students at the highest level possible while offering assistance and guidance as needed. Honors and college-level advanced placement (AP) courses are offered to those students capable of the most rigorous of academic endeavors, while all courses offered as part of the College Prep I or College Prep II sequences are designed to prepare students for university study. Driscoll students boast an average composite ACT score of 23.1, while students in the honors program average a composite score of 27. Members of the Class of 2006 were awarded college scholarships and grants in excess of $2.5 million.

Driscoll also offers 18 interscholastic sports programs and 26 extracurricular clubs and activities. Since 1990, Driscoll has won nearly two-dozen conference championships, 15 regional or sectional championships, and 9 state titles.

In addition, Driscoll continues to promote a strong tradition of service to the community. As a requirement for graduation, each Driscoll student must perform 12 hours of community service per academic year, but many significantly surpass this number. Even the school’s annual fundraiser “Help-A-Thon” revolves around the central theme of service to the community.

Since 1966, nearly 5,000 students have walked the hallways of Driscoll Catholic High School. These students, our alumni, have created a lifetime of memories, they have shared joy and laughter, and they have studied hard and earned their diplomas. Together, they make up the history and tradition that is Driscoll Catholic High School.