OUR SCHOOL

THIS IS

our lady of mt carmel

Your purpose here goes beyond the amazing things you achieve. It’s also about diving deep into self-discovery, valuing the differences of others, and believing that you can— and will—make a difference in the world.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School extends the Catholic traditions of our parishes by serving the educational needs of families throughout the southern Illinois region. We strive to inspire students to work towards academic excellence, to become knowledgeable and active in their faith, to develop a strong moral character and sense of social responsibility, and to become life-long learners.

We believe the responsibility of educating the whole child is shared through family involvement, faculty commitment, and parish support. We welcome students from all faith traditions and diverse backgrounds. We attempt to address the unique needs of each child within a disciplined, safe and nurturing environment.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School focuses on proclaiming the Good News of the risen Lord through teaching Catholic Doctrine, building Christian Community, and helping students acquire skills, virtues and habits required for effective service to others. We strive to integrate Christ into the moral development of our students lives each day. Discipline, respect and a spirit of Christ-like charity are promoted as well.

Devotional practices include class participation on a rotating basis at Mass, Thanksgiving food drive, migrant worker clothes drive, Catholic Relief Services Lent collections, Stations of the Cross, the Living Rosary, Jump Rope for Heart, Celebration of Liturgical Feast Days, Collections for our sister parish in Uganda, and donations to the LightShield and Red Cross Blood Drives. Additional activities include the Living Rosary, Candlemas and the Blessing of the Pets.

Fantastic Church community. Best school in Southern Illinois. Never regretted sending my kids here.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Learn More

CELEBRATING OVER A CENTURY OF catholic education

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School, originally St. Mary’s, was established in 1912 to educate children of Italian immigrants working in the coal mines. The school began with 104 students in a three-room building at the rear of St. Mary’s Church, and the Precious Blood Sisters arrived in 1914. The school grew rapidly, reaching 365 students by 1920, and its first high school opened in 1947 but closed in 1950 due to low enrollment.

The school underwent significant expansions and improvements, including the construction of a fire-proof school building in 1940, new classrooms, a library, and a cafeteria in the 1940s and 50s. In the 1960s and 70s, additional curriculum changes and facility upgrades were made. By the 1990s, a computer lab was added, and new gym bleachers and renovations were completed. The school continued to improve its facilities in the 2000s, including purchasing Cabrini Hall, adding a Pre-K program, and further upgrading classrooms and the library.

Today, OLMC continues to provide Catholic education from Pre-K through 8th grade in Herrin, Illinois, with a new school built in 2017. Future plans include the construction of a new gymnasium and cafeteria.

EXPLORE

OUR SCHOOL

THIS IS

our lady of mt carmel

CELEBRATING OVER A CENTURY OF catholic education

15:1

Student/Teacher Ration

Top 10

where graduates generally place at their respective high schools

90%

matriculate to colleges

10%

of families receive tuition assistance