All girls Catholic high school founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1921, closed in 1981. Immaculata opened its doors in 1921 as an all girl Catholic high school on Chicago's northeast side with 225 freshman students. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the school was originally housed in a former private residence, the Greenlee Mansion built in 1893 by Ralph S. Greenlee. In 1922, the BVMs opened the main school building located at Irving Park Road and Marine Drive designed by renowned architect Barry Byrne. The new building allowed enough space for upper and lower division classes, or a total of more than 700 students. In 1977, the same building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1983 received landmark status recognition from the City of Chicago. The school population and campus continued to grow steadily from the 1920s to the 1950s. In 1928 Home Economics (clothing division) moved into Carmel Hall, a three story apartment building on Bittersweet Place. This was the same building that also temporarily housed the BVM faculty in 1955 when their new convent, St. Philomena Hall located just north of the school, was under construction. At the same time, the old Greenlee Mansion was torn down to make room for a massive new addition to the school, St. Joseph's Hall, completed in 1956. This construction boom was carefully supervised by Sr. Mary Naola, BVM, principal of the school. The school student population peaked in 1963-1964, with 1,225 students but fell into persistent decline afterward. By 1981, the school's sixtieth anniversary, enrollment barely reached 500. Coupled with rising expenses related to building maintenance, increased cost of faculty, and a running deficit, the decision was made to close the school. Sr. Diane O'Donnell, BVM served as the last principal.
From the description of Immaculata High School records, 1921-2000. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 568045961
