As part of its commitment to supporting local Catholic education, DePaul University will host an information fair featuring 13 Catholic high schools mainly serving Chicago’s north side and northern suburbs.

The fair will take place on April 14, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the DePaul Welcome Center, 2400 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Presenting schools will provide an overview about their academics and curriculum as well information on financial aid and scholarships in Catholic high schools.

Schools participating in the fair include (in alphabetic order): De La Salle (Institute Campus for boys and Lourdes Hall Campus for girls); Fenwick; Guerin College Prep; Holy Trinity; Josephinum Academy; Mother McAuley Liberal Arts; Notre Dame (for girls); Resurrection; St. Benedict Prep; St. Ignatius College Prep; St. Lawrence; St. Patrick; St. Scholastica Academy; and Trinity.

A similar fair featuring predominantly south and southwest Chicago and suburban schools will be held April 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Xavier University in the Warde Academic Center’s Butler Reception Room at Xavier’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago.

“These fairs are designed to help guide middle school students and their families through the often complex process of choosing the right high school,” said Rev. Patrick J. McDevitt, C.M., a professor of education who is also spearheading the fair. “Many families will find that Catholic schools are often times an affordable option for a quality college preparatory education thanks to scholarships and financial aid that is frequently made available.”

Free parking will be provided to the first 100 people for garage parking on Clifton Avenue (off Fullerton) and also on Sheffield Avenue next to Dominick’s.  Metered street parking is also available on nearby streets including Fullerton, Sheffield and Webster avenues.

DePaul’s involvement with Catholic elementary and secondary education has long been multi-faceted and robust. The Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning at DePaul currently spends over 75,000 hours a year tutoring school children across Chicago. DePaul also partners with numerous high schools through their School of Education to support Chicago students who are preparing for college.

For more information, please call Robert Karpinski, director of Catholic school initiatives at DePaul, at 312-362-7637 or at rkarpins@depaul.edu.