Click the graphic above to read more about academic highlights and excellence.
ACT Scores
Our average composite ACT Score is consistently higher than the Illinois average.
- Class of 2024 Highlights:
- Top 10% ACT Average – 31.2 (top 2% of test takers in the country)
- Honors ACT Average – 28.1
- Top 50% ACT Average – 31.2
- ACT Average for the Senior Class– 23.4
College Scholarships Outcomes
- 893 scholarships were offered to 167 students in the amount of $47,428,765.00
- 302 scholarships were accepted by 152 students in the amount of $13,010,701.00
- The average scholarship accepted is $21,399.00 per year
- 50 students accepted $100k+ in scholarships to their attending college over four years
Click the image above to read more about academic growth.
Other Class of 2024 Academic/Athletic Accolades
- 28 students made athletic commitments 15%
- 58 Illinois State Scholars 31%
- 1 National Merit Winner
- 3 National Merit Commended Students
- 1 National Merit Recognition Program
National Merit Scholars
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that began in 1955. More than 1.5 million students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year. Approximately 34,000 students are named Commended Students.
Class of 2025:
- National Merit Semifinalists for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program: Katherine Timm and Richard Walsh
Perfect ACT Score and National Merit
- In the past five years, four Providence Catholic students have achieved perfect ACT score.
- National Merit since 2020:
- (2) Winners – 2024 & 2025
- (1) Finalist – 2025
- (17) Commended – 4 in 2020, 3 in 2021, 3 in 2022, 3 in 2023, 3 in 2024, 1 in 2025
- (4) African American Recognition – 2 in 2023, 1 in 2024, 1 in 2025
- (1) Hispanic Recognition – 2023
National Honor Society
Providence Catholic National Honor Society is founded on the principles of scholarship, leadership, character and service. The selection process begins when students who meet academic qualifications are given applications for NHS membership. Once the student completes their application, Providence Catholic faculty members are asked to evaluate the candidates on the four guiding principles. Finally, the Faculty Council reviews the prospective students and makes the final decision on membership. This year, there are 200 members – including 109 new inductees – of the National Honor Society, comprised of members of the junior and senior class.
Illinois State Scholars
The Providence Catholic students in the linked story were named Illinois State Scholars. Selection is based on ACT scores received prior to senior year and other critical criteria as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Providence Catholic Principal Mr. Paul Houston is pleased to announce 51 students from the graduating class of 2025 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars, representing 29% of the class. (Read more here)
Augustinian Scholars
The Providence Catholic Augustinian Scholar distinction was created in 2020 to honor those outstanding students who have strived to push themselves academically over these past four years and earned the Top 10 grade point averages of the graduating class. These students are awarded with the Augustinian Scholar stole to wear over their gown at graduation.
Student of the Month
Faculty members from each academic department select students for this award based on academic achievement, as well as attitude, effort, and improvement. Read about them in our news section: https://www.providencecatholic.org/news/.
Honor Roll
Providence Catholic is proud to have so many young men and women achieve academic excellence. View the honor roll in our news section: https://www.providencecatholic.org/news/.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Providence Catholic High School Principal, Mr. Paul Houston, announced Zachary Ford as the Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Caden Baudek, Dominic Ford, and Joseph Gelonese as co-Salutatorians. “The Celtic community is very proud of Zach, Caden, Dominic, and Joe, who are talented and dedicated young men. They are strong leaders among their peers at Providence Catholic and have contributed greatly to the Celtic family. They have very bright futures in and out of the classroom, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish,” offered Houston. Class of 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be named soon. (Read more here)