St. Matthias School welcomes new Principal for the 22-23 school year

St. Matthias School, the only wall-to-wall, Catholic International Baccalaureate (IB) elementary school in the state of Illinois, is pleased to announce that Mrs. Nicole Pacholski will serve as the Principal of St. Matthias School beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. She will lead a group of thirty-four faculty and staff members to ensure that the 300 St. Matthias scholars will receive an education sound in academic and spiritual excellence. She will replace Mrs. Katie Carden as Principal at St. Matthias School. Since joining St. Matthias in 2011, Mrs. Pacholski has proven herself a passionate leader and educator. For the past four years as the Assistant Principal of St. Matthias School, she has positioned herself for this next step in leading our great school.

With Mrs. Pacholski’s recent Master of Educational Leadership from Loyola University and strong endorsement from Big Shoulders Fund, Mrs. Pacholski has shown herself to be our next great leader. Mrs. Pacholski has demonstrated her institutional knowledge, commitment to our community and focus on academic excellence while she served as a teacher, parent, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme Coordinator and Assistant Principal at St. Matthias School.

School Board Co-President,Mrs. Molly Cook said, “We are thrilled to officially welcome Mrs. Nicole Pacholski to the new role as Principal of St. Matthias School (SMS). Since joining SMS in 2011 as a teaching assistant, Mrs. Pacholski has continuously proven to be an integral part of our SMS community. The pride we have in being the first and only wall to wall Catholic International Baccalaureate School (IB) in the state of Illinois is absolutely a result of Mrs. Pacholski’s stewardship and passion for IB education. As a parent community, we have no doubt that given her commitment to diversity and academic and spiritual excellence, our school will continue to thrive under her leadership.”

Mrs. Pacholski, Principal stated, "I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to lead St. Matthias School. It is such a blessing to love your job so much that it doesn't feel like work. For me, being a member of the SMS community is a privilege. I keep feeling like I should pinch myself to make sure it's real! Our scholars, families, and staff are so very special to me. They are like an extension of my family. It is an honor to have been named the Principal of this outstanding school, and I am so full of gratitude!"

The St. Matthias community feels the same gratitude for our school and of our new leader. Please join the School Board of St. Matthias School in welcoming Mrs. Nicole Pacholski as Principal.

About St. Matthias School
In the City of Chicago, families have a wide variety of school choices. St. Matthias School, nestled in the beautiful Lincoln Square neighborhood, is a diverse, community-oriented, Catholic School. We are the only wall to wall, Catholic International Baccalaureate (IB) elementary school in the state of Illinois, and one of only seven in the United States. We were authorized to provide the IB Middle Years Programme for grades 6-8 in 2013 and authorized to provide the IB Primary Years Programme for grades PreK-5 in the spring of 2020.

Additionally, St. Matthias offers an inclusive environment, able to assist a range of diverse learners. We provide all students with instruction in Spanish/French, Physical Education, Technology (K-8), Music, Art, Religion, and Library (K-5). St. Matthias students benefit from a kind, caring community while taking advantage of a rigorous, socially-conscious curriculum.

Our graduates enjoy acceptance to the most prestigious high schools in the area, including Northside College Prep, Loyola Academy, Lane Tech, St. Ignatius, DePaul College Prep, Von Steuben Scholars Program, Walter Payton College Prep, Amundsen IB Programme, Jones College Prep, Resurrection High School, Trinity High School, Notre Dame College Prep, Regina Dominican, St. Patrick High School, and many others.

For more information, visit www.stmatthiasschool.org/. Limited spots remain for the 2022-2023 school year.