MOUNT GREENWOOD — Mother McAuley's Little School has a new home within the big school.
The popular preschool program moved down the hall this summer to the English wing at Mother McAuley , according the Jennifer Busk, a spokeswoman for the all-girls Catholic institution.
The move comes ahead of the planned demolition of the Little School building and a pair of vacant convents on Mother McAuley's campus, according to several sources close to the situation.
Mother McAuley founded its preschool program, or Little School, in September 1973. The program offers about 50 high school seniors an opportunity to work directly with preschoolers each year.
Mother McAuley students participating in the program typically have an interest in early childhood education. The high school students also receive college credit from Saint Xavier University in exchange for their work at the Little School.
The Southwest Side preschool started in the basement of the former Sisters of Mercy convent on the east end of Mother McAuley's Mount Greenwood campus. The program moved upstairs, replacing the school's business office in 1996.
Mother McAuley will continue to lease a small portion of property owned by the Sisters of Mercy for its English classrooms and the relocated Little School, Busk said.
The preschool's move comes after the completed construction of Mercy Circle at 3659 West 99th Street in Mount Greenwood.
The faith-based retirement community was built to replace the aging convent. It has 110 total units, 44 independent living apartments and mix of 66 assisted living units, memory care and skilled nursing units.
While Mercy Circle is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, it is a separate entity that is managed by CHE Trinity Senior Living Communities.
The Sisters of Mercy founded Mother McAuley and the adjacent Saint Xavier university in 1956. Officials with the religious order not return phone calls requesting information about the planned demolition.
But several sources confirmed that the wrecking ball expected this spring.
Michelle Nitsche of Morgan Park graduated from Mother McAuley in 1993. Though she did not participate in the Little School program as a student, the preschool was her first choice for her eldest son, Marty.
"Little School was one of the best places my son could have gone. There is no other place you could go where your child is greeted with an abundance of smiling faces and hugs and get almost one on one attention," Nitsche said.
Marty Nitsche attended the Little School in 2010. His mom said she's a bit disappointed to see the building go but still highly recommends the unique pairing of enthusiastic high school and wide-eyed preschoolers.
"It's hard to see any part of the school change," Nitsche said.
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