Creating possibilities for life

Why Leo

The Leo brotherhood

For over 100 years, Leo has created a legacy of Leo Men. Once you join Leo, you are part of the Leo family. Leo Men are always there for Leo students, Leo staff and fellow Leo Men. A Leo student becomes a member of the Leo family from the day he walks through our door. Leo students join a legion of Leo Men once they graduate.

As a Leo Man, you can count on enduring friendships, support, and love of your Leo brothers for the rest of your life.

Our loyal and generous alumni network includes hundreds of influential Chicagoans and others across the country who are available and eager to help fellow Leo Men with college and career planning.

Facta Non Verba

Deeds not words. The Leo motto will carry you through what you do in the classroom, on the field, in your community and in life. A Leo Man acts, he cares, he supports, he works hard, he makes a difference. From the day you enter Leo you will understand to live Facta Non Verba.

Our Catholic heritage and beliefs help shape our approach to learning and to life.

Strong Academic Culture

Our certified faculty and staff are committed to working with students and challenging them to give their best and be there best. We have high expectations of our young Leo men.

Leo High School offers College Prep and Honors Curriculum. Our educational leaders have developed a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum designed to prepare our students for the “next step”—college, the military or the work force—as they convert 21st century challenges into opportunities.

Our small class sizes ensure each student gets the support and attention he needs to succeed.

You’ll never feel like a number here at Leo.

We stress academics first and offer a wide range of courses. Our emphasis is on math, reading and language arts, but we also offer classes in Art, Music, Journalism and Technology.

Leo has graduated 100 percent of its seniors in the last decade. More than 96 percent of them have gone on to college, several of them to some of the top schools in the Midwest.

Championship Athletic Tradition

Athletics is a rich and rewarding part of Leo High School’s tradition and history. We can count over 61 championships since 1926 and can proudly boast of titles in track, basketball and football. Our teams are respected around the nation and our student-athletes are heavily recruited, as much for their character, discipline and academic achievements as their athletic talent.

Our coaching staff is top-notch, and our student-athletes are consistently recruited to college, where they have the academic preparation to succeed. Smaller squad sizes in all sports means there’s an opportunity for playing time for all student-athletes. No one is overlooked. YOU WILL PLAY, not watch.

Our athletic program is recognized as one of the most accomplished in the Chicago area. The Leo Lions compete in seven varsity sports, with more on the way. Our track, football and basketball teams are consistent state contenders, and our basketball team achieved second in the state in 2016. Our boxing program is unique in the city. We also recently started a wrestling program that won a regional championship in its third year. Our baseball team is growing and developing and won regionals in 2022!

A Big Shoulders Fund Plus School

Our school participates in Big Shoulders Fund Plus, which is an initiative in 32 schools across Chicago. Big Shoulders made this commitment in recognition of the exceptional value our school provides to families and the important role we play in the community. We will be partnering closely with Big Shoulders Fund to strengthen our school’s long-term sustainability and vitality.

Through Leo High School’s Big Shoulders Fund, The LeoNewsMen are presented Civics, News Literacy, and Journalism programming with generous support from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We guide students through their own process of discerning between “fact and fake” accounts of today’s news through The Chicago Tribune and all digital offerings.

We help make Leo affordable

Leo’s tuition remains the best value among Chicago-area private schools. Cost should not be a detriment to attending Leo. Financial aid is available to anyone who requires assistance. If you have concerns about your ability to pay tuition, talk to President McGrath or Jim Earner. They will work with you to make your son’s Leo dream come true. Contact Dan McGrath: dmcgrath@leohighschool.org