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About Augustus Tolton
A Community Forming Scholars & Saints
Our Mission
Rooted in Faith. Dedicated to Learning. Committed to Service.
Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy is devoted to forming scholars and saints through a Christ-centered education that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. Our mission is to create a welcoming learning community where every child is known, loved, and challenged to reach their highest potential—academically, spiritually, and personally.
We strive to cultivate compassionate leaders who live the Gospel, serve their neighbors, and grow in wisdom, faith, and integrity.
Our Vision
Preparing Students for Purposeful Lives
Through the implementation of a strong STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math), Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy prepares students to become confident future leaders and spiritually grounded 21st-century thinkers.
Our educational approach encourages academic excellence while building both critical and creative thinking skills. In a nurturing environment where curiosity is encouraged and faith is central, students learn to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world with confidence, compassion, and resilience.
God’s love calls us
God works in all of us
We are made for a purpose
I am because we are, and we are because I am
Success comes from joy
Learning is a lifelong habit
We are a family
A Story of Legacy, Faith, and Community Strength
A Neighborhood Rich in Heritage
Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy is situated in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing, a community known for its resilience, cultural pride, and faith traditions. The area has a rich history of churches, organizations, and schools that support families and empower education. The neighborhood's enduring spirit of perseverance and strong community ties continues to influence the school's identity.
1909 - 2015
The Legacy of St. Dorothy and St. Columbanus Schools
Before Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy opened its doors, two beloved parish schools—St. Dorothy School and St. Columbanus School—served families on Chicago’s South Side for decades.
St. Dorothy School was known for its strong Catholic identity and family-centered culture, becoming a place where generations of families received a foundation in faith and academics. It was deeply connected to parish life and community service, fostering a nurturing environment for its students.
On the other hand, St. Columbanus School was recognized for academic rigor, discipline, and high expectations, serving as a flagship for preparing students for high school and beyond. It provided stability and excellence for families seeking strong educational opportunities. Both schools were powerful institutions in their own right, each shaping leaders, nurturing faith, and serving as trusted cornerstones of their communities.
2015
A New Chapter: The Formation of Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy
In 2015, St. Dorothy and St. Columbanus Schools united to form Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy, merging the strengths of both communities into a dynamic, future-focused educational model.
Named in honor of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, the first publicly recognized African American Catholic priest in the United States, the school draws inspiration from his legacy of perseverance, faith, leadership, and advocacy for education. The merger was not just a practical consolidation but a reimagining of Catholic education, maintaining strong academic foundations and strengthening Catholic identity and community partnerships.
Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy embraces innovation with STREAM instruction and 21st-century learning, while also expanding support, access, and opportunity for all students. Since its founding, the academy has become one of the fastest-growing Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, serving as a model for innovation rooted in tradition.
Present
Honoring the Past, Leading Toward the Future
Before Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy opened its doors, two beloved parish schools—St. Dorothy School and St. Columbanus School—served families on Chicago’s South Side for decades.
Today, Tolton Academy continues to honor the legacy of St. Dorothy and St. Columbanus by upholding high academic standards, cultivating deep faith formation, and preserving a family-centered culture. Through a dedicated emphasis on education and spirituality, the academy remains steadfast in its mission to nurture students who are both intellectually and morally grounded.
At the same time, we boldly embrace the future through STREAM learning and technology-rich classrooms. By fostering strong community partnerships and committing to developing confident, spiritually grounded leaders, we ensure that our students are well-prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow with resilience and integrity.
Meet Principal Bradford
Dear Families and Scholars,
Welcome to our Catholic school community! It is with great joy and gratitude that I welcome you to Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy. We are truly excited to partner with you in the education and formation of our scholars, and we are honored that you have entrusted us with this sacred responsibility.
Rooted in our Catholic faith, our mission is clear and unwavering: to create scholars and saints. We strive to nurture the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—by fostering academic excellence, moral character, and a deep love for God and others. Every day, our faculty and staff work to ensure that our students grow not only in knowledge, but also in faith, compassion, and leadership.
Through high-quality instruction, engaging field experiences, and meaningful enrichment programming, we prepare our scholars to thrive in an ever-changing world while remaining grounded in Gospel values. Our academic offerings are designed to challenge students intellectually and inspire curiosity and creativity. In addition to a strong core curriculum, we are proud to offer innovative programs such as a stock market class for our 8th-grade scholars and entrepreneurship courses for all middle school students, equipping them with real-world skills, financial literacy, and a spirit of innovation.
As a faith-filled learning community, we believe that every child is a gift from God with unique talents and potential. Together, through prayer, academic rigor, and service, we will guide our scholars to become confident learners, responsible global citizens, and faithful disciples of Christ.
Thank you for being a valued part of our school family. We look forward to working with you to create a joyful and successful year as we grow together in faith and learning.
May God bless you and your family.
In Christ,
Keith Bradford
Principal
A Story of Legacy, Faith, and Community Strength
A Neighborhood Rich in Heritage
Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy is situated in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing, a community known for its resilience, cultural pride, and faith traditions. The area has a rich history of churches, organizations, and schools that support families and empower education. The neighborhood's enduring spirit of perseverance and strong community ties continues to influence the school's identity.
1909 - 2015
The Legacy of St. Dorothy and St. Columbanus Schools
Before Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy opened its doors, two beloved parish schools—St. Dorothy School and St. Columbanus School—served families on Chicago’s South Side for decades.
St. Dorothy School was known for its strong Catholic identity and family-centered culture, becoming a place where generations of families received a foundation in faith and academics. It was deeply connected to parish life and community service, fostering a nurturing environment for its students.
On the other hand, St. Columbanus School was recognized for academic rigor, discipline, and high expectations, serving as a flagship for preparing students for high school and beyond. It provided stability and excellence for families seeking strong educational opportunities. Both schools were powerful institutions in their own right, each shaping leaders, nurturing faith, and serving as trusted cornerstones of their communities.
2015
A New Chapter: The Formation of Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy
In 2015, St. Dorothy and St. Columbanus Schools united to form Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy, merging the strengths of both communities into a dynamic, future-focused educational model.
Named in honor of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, the first publicly recognized African American Catholic priest in the United States, the school draws inspiration from his legacy of perseverance, faith, leadership, and advocacy for education. The merger was not just a practical consolidation but a reimagining of Catholic education, maintaining strong academic foundations and strengthening Catholic identity and community partnerships.
Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy embraces innovation with STREAM instruction and 21st-century learning, while also expanding support, access, and opportunity for all students. Since its founding, the academy has become one of the fastest-growing Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, serving as a model for innovation rooted in tradition.
Present
Honoring the Past, Leading Toward the Future
Before Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy opened its doors, two beloved parish schools—St. Dorothy School and St. Columbanus School—served families on Chicago’s South Side for decades.
Today, Tolton Academy continues to honor the legacy of St. Dorothy and St. Columbanus by upholding high academic standards, cultivating deep faith formation, and preserving a family-centered culture. Through a dedicated emphasis on education and spirituality, the academy remains steadfast in its mission to nurture students who are both intellectually and morally grounded.
At the same time, we boldly embrace the future through STREAM learning and technology-rich classrooms. By fostering strong community partnerships and committing to developing confident, spiritually grounded leaders, we ensure that our students are well-prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow with resilience and integrity.