Snapshot: St. Mary of Gostyn School

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 St. Mary of Gostyn School (SMG) combines exceptional academics with a strong faith-based environment. SMG students experience a Catholic culture, including daily prayer, religion class, and weekly Mass. They also encounter a challenging curriculum that inspires them to excel academically, develop confidence and a strong sense of self, build personal relationships, and serve others. The school’s dedicated team of teachers and staff emphasizes creativity, critical and analytical thinking, and real-world application with a Catholic worldview to help students learn, grow, and thrive.

Over 125 years ago, SMG opened as the first parochial school in Downers Grove in a one-room wooden schoolhouse. Today, after several additions to the original structure, activity center, and gyms, SMG is home to over 490 students from preschool through eighth grade.

Parents, the primary educators of their children, partner with SMG to create an environment that meets each child’s specific needs. SMG believes that every child has God-given abilities, talents, and needs. They maintain a curriculum and environment that encourages each child to succeed, providing additional academic support such as supplemental reading and math programs when necessary. In addition, religious education is a priority at SMG and helps each child develop a personal relationship with God.

Furthermore, SMG provides opportunities for growth in self-esteem and happiness inside and outside the classroom, and the curriculum subjects – beyond Common Core – are essential. Many extracurricular opportunities are offered to help create this learning environment, including Math Club, Environmental Club, Geography Club, Voices (a literary magazine), BAM Theater,

Students for Life, chess class, school musical, and various other clubs. Basketball, cross country, volleyball, cheerleading, track and field, and football are also offered with a no-cut policy. 

For more information about how SMG is the right fit for your family, visit stmarygostyn.org/school.

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Kristina and Matthew Bailey began reading books to their son, Owen when he was six months old— they haven’t stopped.
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Kristin Bailey said she saw an ad about the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and decided it was a good fit for Owen.

“He’s always been really into books,” Bailey said. “He had a natural interest in books at nine months old. That’s when COVID started, and he didn’t get out much, so reading books to him worked out very well. He’s a naturally curious kid, and imagination-building is important. The reading allows him to learn and explore new things, and he really wants to learn to read now.”

Krista Devlin, the Clarendon Hills library’s youth services librarian, said there’s a specific reason The Friends of the Library-sponsored 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge was started in 2022.

“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

Bailey, who said she is “a big reader,” said her family usually goes to the library once a week. Reading three books each night to Owen, along with a book before nap time, is the household normal.

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