by Erin Gessert Plenty of smiles and, of course, some tears from the youngest students could be seen as St. Walter-St. Benedict (SWSB) Elementary School welcomed everyone back on Aug. 25 for a first day of school unlike any other. After years of operating between two campuses, all students are learning together at the Chicago campus, 11741 S. Western Ave. For Robert Madrid, who has a kindergartener and a fourth-grader enrolled at the school, the consolidation is especially me

My last day and my last school visit as Superintendent was to St. Walter-St. Benedict where our own children were students decades ago. Thank you Msgr. Lyle, Mrs. Leonard, Mrs. Agner, Ald. Matt O’Shea, and all the students and staff for providing me with such a warm welcome and send off. I was touched by the gift basket and the cards. Special shout out to Mrs. C and St. Jyothi who were teaching at St. Walter when our kids were there. God bless St. Walter-St. Benedict and all

by Jim Lynch August 26, 2026 MORGAN PARK — For the first time since St. Walter-St. Benedict Elementary School was established in 2021, all students starting the school year on Tuesday assembled under one roof. St. Walter-St. Benedict School formed after the St. Walter Parish in Morgan Park and St. Benedict P arish in Blue Island merged through the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church initiative.

By Erin Gessert Jul 21, 2026 After years of operating across two campuses, St. Walter-St. Benedict Elementary School will begin the 2026-27 school year with every student learning together at the Chicago campus, 11741 S. Western Ave. Administrators have spent the summer rearranging classrooms, renovating spaces and finding creative ways to make room for the return of junior high students. Principal Kim Leonard said the move will strengthen relationships across the school and