A small group of Mercy Sisters arrived in Chicago in 1846, led by Frances Warde, Catherine McAuley's closest friend. Within weeks they opened a "select school" that became St. Francis Xavier Academy for Females, the first school chartered in the city of Chicago. The course of study covered primary , secondary and collegiate levels. The first building was located on Wabash Avenue between Madison and Monroe Streets. When the Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed the original building, St. Francis Academy relocated to 29th and Wabash for a short time, then to a larger site at 49th and Cottage Grove in 1900.

In the 1950's, the southwest side of Chicago needed a Catholic girls' school to serve a fast-growing population. In 1956 "the Academy" relocated once again. Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and St. Xavier College (which is now a university) opened in the fall of 1956 to serve secondary and post secondary women students respectively. McAuley opened with 523 students, 300 of which were first year students.

McAuley has continued to expand. Today approximately 1500 young women and 150 faculty and staff members form the McAuley community.
Mother McAuley was dedicated to serving those in need. She had strong faith, courage and initiative. Others joined her and worked with her because they too believed in the dignity of all persons. They also believed that one must work actively to make the world a better place in which to live.
The young women of Mother McAuley High School have inherited a great tradition and a great challenge. They are challenged to preserve the faith and make it grow, to have the courage to live by the Catholic values they believe in, to take the initiative to be women of the 21st century - educated women who will respond to the needs of others. The faculty, staff and administration share in Mother McAuley's call to educate young women. The challenge for the future requires the commitment of each person who helps form the community of Mother McAuley High School.
Service is an essential dimension of the mission of the school. Through direct service and with reflection, students respond compassionately to the needs of the community and critically reflect on needed societal systemic change.
          
     
     
©2006 Mother McAuley Liberal Arts H.S.
3737 W. 99th Street • Chicago, IL 60655 • phone 773.881.6500 • fax 773.881.6562
Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, educating young women since 1846