# DePaul College Prep

DePaul College Prep is a Vincentian Catholic college preparatory high school founded in 2014 in Chicago. The founders were a group of administrators and trustees of DePaul University and other individuals committed to Catholic education. As part of its mission and vision, DePaul Prep teaches the charism of St. Vincent de Paul, encouraging its students to serve those who live on the margins of society.

## School history

In 2012, a group of trustees and administrators of DePaul University was asked by the Archdiocese of Chicago and the priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Resurrection (“Resurrectionists”) to assist Gordon Tech High School. As the academic partnership with DePaul University progressed successfully, the school officially became DePaul College Prep in 2014. In July 2019, in response to a rapidly growing enrollment, DePaul College Prep's Board of Directors acquired a new 17-acre campus and modern school buildings at 3300 N. Campbell, Chicago, Illinois. DePaul College Prep moved its operations to the new campus in August 2020. The religious sponsorship of the school transferred from the Resurrectionists to the Congregation of the Mission (“the Vincentians”) in September 2019. In August 2020, DePaul College Prep proudly began the 2020-2021 school year on the school's new campus. Since 2020, additional renovations and new construction have been completed. The 17 acre campus includes the 178,000 square foot Mary A. Dempsey Academic Center, comprising 62 modern classrooms, 2 student dining halls, 4 maker spaces, 10 state-of-the-art science labs, Black Box Theatre, strength training and weight room, library, chapel, and 2 student gathering spaces. The campus also includes an organic teaching garden, greenhouse, grass practice field, and 1,800-seat turf field stadium.

## Academics

Students are able to choose from a wide range of course offerings, including College Prep, Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. In partnership with DePaul University, dual enrollment classes are offered at DePaul University's Lincoln Park and Loop campuses.
International Baccalaureate Program
DePaul Prep became authorized as an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme School in 2015. It is the only co-ed Catholic high school in Chicago to offer the IB Program. IB is a highly regarded educational opportunity for DePaul Prep students that teaches critical thinking with a global perspective and, like AP classes, offers the potential for college credit opportunities. Students may apply to the full IB Diploma Programme or take individual IB courses.

## Extracurricular activities

DePaul Prep offers over 45 co-curriculars, clubs, and academic teams for its students. More than 80% of DePaul Prep students participate in co-curricular activities and/or athletics.

### Athletics

DePaul Prep is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and competes in two conferences: the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) and the Chicago Catholic League (CCL) for boys athletics.
There are 31 total athletic programs in 2024-2025 for the following sports: Basketball, Baseball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
The following teams have placed in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state tournaments:
* Boys Basketball
** 2023-2024 - 3A State Champions
** 2022-2023 - 2A State Champions
** 2021-2022 - 3rd Place in IHSA Tournament
** 2020-2021 (Covid) - #1 ranking in IL and #23 in the country
* Football
** 2024-2025 - 4A State Champions
* Boys Cross Country
** 2022-2023 - State Champions
* Girls Cross Country
** 2022-2023 - 2nd Place

## Notable alumni

* Louis Antonelli (class of 1981) — independent filmmaker and director
* Gregg Bingham (class of 1969) — former Houston Oilers linebacker
* Chris Bourjos — former MLB player for the San Francisco Giants
* Jason Gedrick (born Jason Gedroic) (class of 1982) — actor from stage, film, and television (Iron Eagle, Murder One, Luck, Dexter)
* George Gomez (class of 1973) — designer of toys, video games and pinball machines
* Tom Kleinschmidt (class of 1991) — former DePaul University and professional basketball player; men's head coach at DePaul Prep
* Lawrence Langowski (class of 2003) — wrestler who represented Mexico in the 120 kilogram weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics
* Theodore Matlak (class of 1983) — former 32nd ward Chicago alderman
* Robert Meschbach (class of 1976) — professional soccer player who set a national high school record with 71 goals in one season
* Dennis Tufano (class of 1964) — original lead singer of The Buckinghams, a 1960s Chicago rock and roll group
* Ken Warzynski (Class of 1966) —basketball player at DePaul University, 2nd Round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons
* Raequan Williams (class of 2015) — football player on the Philadelphia Eagles; college football player at Michigan State University
* Jitim Young (class of 2000) — basketball player at Northwestern University and the NBA