NEW LENOX, Ill. (WLS) — This week, we feature Providence Catholic High School on ABC7’s Friday Flyover, celebrating high school sports!

Fast Facts

Facts about Providence Catholic:
President: Fr. John Merkelis, O.S.A.
Principal: Mr. Paul Houston
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Anne Toutant
Athletic Director: Mr. Doug Ternik
Dean of Students: Mr. Keith Healy

Providence Catholic is a co-educational, college preparatory Augustinian high school located on 75 acres in New Lenox. The students come from more than seventy elementary, middle and junior high schools within a thirty mile radius of the school.
Website: www.providencecatholic.org
Social: Facebook: www.facebook.com/PCHSCharlieCeltic
Instagram: @PCHS_Celtics
X: @PCHS_Celtics
Tik Tok: @providence.celtics

Important message for this school year:

Merit scholarships have doubled for this year, up to $5,000

Academic Offerings

100+ College-Preparatory Courses
22 Advanced Placement Courses Offering College Credit
24 Honors Courses
Distance Learning Courses Through Brigham Young University Taught By College Professors
Dual Credit For Courses
Visual And Performing Arts
Sports Medicine, Sports Officiating, And Fitness
World Languages
Dual credit courses include:
Algebra 2 Honors
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Introduction to Technology

Class of 2025 Stats

$39 million in scholarship offered to the Class of 2025
46 students accepted $100k in scholarships
33 is the ACT score for the top 10% of the class
$21,268 is the average college scholarship accepted
52 Illinois State Scholars
2 Perfect ACT scores
1 National Merit Finalist
1 National Merit Commended Student
1 National Merit African American Recognition
2 Chick Evans Scholars
The class performed more than 12,000 hours of service to the community

Athletics:

Since 1984, every graduating class at PCHS has brought home at least one state trophy and added to the athletic tradition!
Celtics have brought home 33 state championships and 64 state trophies.
17% of 2025 graduates committed to college teams (the national average is 6%).
31 student-athletes from the class of 2025 committed to collegiate athletics
Last year alone:
o 1 Team State Championship
o 1 Individual State Championship
o 2 State Runners-Up
o 4 Team Conference Championships
o 6 Team Regional Championships
o 5 Team Sectional Championships
o 6 Individual Sectional Championships
o 3 IHSA Elite 8 Appearances
o 3 IHSA Team State Qualifiers
o 19 Individual State Qualifiers
o 50 All-Conference Athletes
o 24 All-Area Athletes
o 17 All-State Athletes
Counseling Department and College Preparation includes:
On-staff experts provide…
Classroom presentations
Individualized academic placement sessions
Test preparation and interpretation
Parent and student college planning sessions
Scholarship and financial aid seminars
Interactive career planning software
Individual college application assistance

National & International Travel and Trips

Providence Catholic believes in the transformative power of both national and international travel for their students. These trips, designed to immerse students in real-world experiences, extend classroom learning to a global scale. At Providence Catholic, students have the opportunity to expand their horizons through unforgettable travel experiences. Recent trips have taken students to destinations like Florida, New York, Greece, Peru, Italy, Spain, France, and England.

Focus on the Arts

Creativity is a powerful form of communication -there’s plenty of opportunity for performance via two musicals, Marching Band, Jazz Band & Choir, our annual concerts and art show, and other special events. Sophia Leverett, Class of 2025, was the recipient of the 2025 Best
Performer in an Actress Role Award at the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards! Sophia earned this prestigious honor for her dazzling performance as Ursula in Providence Catholic’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. With her incredible voice, captivating stage presence, and four years of standout roles, Sophia has been a cornerstone of the Provi Theatre. This recognition led to her first appearance on Broadway!
Tech classes that include:
3D Printing & CAD
Engineering Projects
Digital Media & Web Design
Robotics
Computer Science & Coding
Engine Design
Clubs and Student Life:
Student Life Includes:
o Spirit Weeks, Dances, Homecoming, Pep Assemblies
o Leadership Conferences & Retreats
o Dress-Down Days and School Spirit Events
o Encouragement through locker notes, prayer boards & “High-Five Fridays”
o Celtic Nation, our student cheering section!
30+ Clubs & Organizations including:
o Creative & Performing Arts: Art Club, Band, Choir, International Thespian Society, Marching Band, Color and Winter Guards, Provi Theatre, Celtic Pipers
o Tech & Media: eSports, Coding Club, Yearbook, Proviscope Newspaper
o Academic & Honors: Math Team, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Illinois Music Honor Society (ILMHS), Book Club, International Club, Science Club, Stock Market Club
o Service & Leadership: Student Council, Sandwich Patrol, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Student Ambassadors, Habitat for Humanity
o Community & Culture: International Club, Pop Culture Club, Dungeons & Dragons, Movie Club, Cosmetology Club

NEXT STEPS for Class of 2030 Students:

January 2026
o Placement exam results delivered
September – December 2025
o Shadow days
November 16, 2025
o Open House
December 3, 2025
o Mini Open House
December 5, 2025
o Veritas AWard application deadline
December 6, 2025
o Placement Exam

Notable Alumni:

Pete Bercich (class of 1990) was an NFL linebacker who spent his entire career (1995-98, 2000) with the Minnesota Vikings
Miles Boykin (class of 2015), wide receiver for the Chicago Bears
Brad Guzan (class of 2003) is a goalkeeper who has played for Chivas USA and now Atlanta United of Major League Soccer, the US National Team, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough the Premier League
Eric Steinbach (class of 1998) played in the NFL as an offensive guard for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns