Announcement: 

Homeschooling & Part-time Options

Announcement

Glory to God! We are humbled and grateful to Panagia and to our Patron Saints for their intercessions! We are excited to announce our updated schedule! We will open as a full-day school with a 9th grade and 10th grade class (pending transcript review). Additionally, we are offering Part-time and Homeschooling Options. Families will have the flexibility to mix traditional schooling with homeschooling, creating a personalized education experience for their children.If you are interested, please fill complete the interest form: https://forms.gle/XQDKRyT8XivncT3i8

Key highlights of our part-time homeschooling options include:

- Exposure and Participation in Liturgical Services

 -Customizable schedules to balance home learning and in-person schooling 

- Expert faculty providing guidance and support 

- Access to comprehensive educational resources and materials

Below is the course schedule for the 2024 – 2025 School Year (August 21, 2024 – June 5, 2025). If you have any questions, please email Principal Elizabeth Kotis at principal@thochs.org. 

I also wanted to share with you that our recruiting team will begin active recruitment on 3/4. 

Thank you very much for all that you are doing for our school and I kindly ask that you continue to pray for its growth.

In Christ,

Elizabeth Kotis, EdS

Principal 

Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School

Faculty Update: Mathematics

February 22, 2024- On The Finding of the Precious Relics of the Holy Martyrs in the Quarter of Eugenius, we at Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Alla Shroeter, MA, MBA, MS, and MSc, who has a deep commitment to our Orthodox Christian faith and brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the fields of mathematics, advanced statistics, and physics.

With a background in higher education teaching and extensive experience in data analysis, quality assurance, and certification engineering of solid materials and medical equipment, Mrs. Alla Shroeter is well-equipped to enrich our academic environment and support our students' intellectual growth. Additionally, she has a diverse skill set that includes proficiency in a variety of programming languages such as R, Java, Python, SAS, SQL, C#, Visual Basic, C++, and Perl, among others. Her hands-on experience in managing and operating small business research and development illustrate her flexibility and expertise.

Throughout her professional journey, Mrs. Alla Shroeter has held positions at reputable institutions such as Elgin Community College, German International School of Chicago, Brightmont Academy, and College of Du Page, where she has excelled in teaching mathematics, statistics, physics, and computer science.

Her academic accomplishments include a Master's Degree in Applied Mathematics from Northeastern Illinois University, studies in Computer Science, and an MBA in Engineering and Science from Technical University Munich, Germany.

Mrs. Alla Shroeter's dedication to education and her passion for mathematical modeling of physical processes make her a valuable addition to our faculty. Her certifications in CAD and CNA, along with her multilingual proficiency in English, German, and Russian, highlight her commitment to personal and professional growth.

We are excited to have Mrs. Alla Shroeter join our community and look forward to the knowledge, expertise, and passion she will bring to Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School. She will undoubtedly make a positive impact on both our students and our broader community.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mrs. Alla Shroeter as she embarks on this new chapter with us.

THOCHS Updates:

I hope and pray this message finds you well.  I wanted to share with you the blessings God has bestowed upon us at Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School.

Background

Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School is the first and only Pan-Orthodox Classical high school in Illinois, dedicated to providing a superior Classical and Orthodox Christian education rooted in faith, academic excellence, and character development to students. At Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School, Orthodoxy is at the core of our mission. We strive to educate and cultivate students' relationships with God, their neighbors, and the world around them in a supportive Orthodox Christian environment that nurtures their spiritual and intellectual formation.

Faculty and Staff

We are pleased to announce that our school will be offering an exciting range of courses taught by highly qualified educators starting in the upcoming 2024 - 2025 academic year. While the official announcement is yet to be made, we wanted to share with you the details of the courses and the degrees of the esteemed educators who will be instructing them.

 The courses and their respective educators' degrees are as follows:

- Theology, taught by Protodeacon Dr. Jovan Anicic, PhD, & MTh

- Science, taught by Amelia Bartholomew, MD, MPH, & FACS

- Mathematics, taught by an educator with an MA in Mathematics, MBA in Engineering and Sciences, and M.Sc. in Physics 

- History, taught by Eva Economy, MA 

- English, taught by an educator with an EdS degrees

- Physical Education, 

- Ancient Greek (in-person), taught by an educator with a Doctorate degree

 - Ancient Greek online, taught by an educator with a Doctorate Degree

- Philosophy, taught by an Educator with a Doctorate degree

- Logic, taught by an Educator with a Doctorate degree

- Spanish, taught by Elizabeth Kotis, EdS, MEd, MEd, and CAS degrees

- Licensed Social Worker

 - Orthodox Lifestyles Course, Jolynn Ruggerio

Faculty Bios may be found here: https://www.thochs.org/about-us/faculty-staff

Exciting News Regarding Curriculum and Instruction

-       Science Lab: We are currently in the process of building a science lab.

-       Science: In a typical high school, students are provided with 5 days/periods of Science, 45 minutes each day, totaling 225 minutes a week of Science. However, at our beloved Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School, our students will be provided with 3 double periods, totaling 270 minutes a week of Science. The extra minutes will be utilized as a Science Study Hall, a biology sanctuary. Dr. Bartholomew will be there to guide students as they catch up on homework, write up lab reports, and work on projects. 

-       Mathematics: In a typical high school, students are provided with 5 days/periods of Mathematics, 45 minutes each day, totaling 225 minutes a week of Mathematics. However, at our beloved Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School, our students will be provided with 3 double periods, totaling 270 minutes a week of Mathematics

-       English: In a typical high school, students are provided with 5 days/periods of English, 45 minutes each day, totaling 225 minutes a week. However, we are going to provide a total of 270 minutes a week of English.

-       Spanish: We are currently looking into forming a "Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica", which is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or Portuguese, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP).

-       Ancient Greek Language and Culture: we are currently working on lesson planning and building our online course.

-       ACT & SAT Test Prep: We are exploring approaches and strategies to offer test preparation at THOCHS.

Our students will enroll in the following subjects during the school day:

 - Theology & Orthodox Lifestyles Course (.5 credit)

 - Math (1 credit)

 - Science (1 credit)

 - English (1 credit)

 - Ancient Greek (1 credit)

 - History (1 credit)

 - Logic (Fridays)

 - Physical Education (.5 credit)

 - Spanish (1 credit) 

You may view our Scope and Sequence, here https://www.thochs.org/2024-2025-admissions/scope-and-sequence 

Professional Development provided for Faculty and Staff

Professional Development for our teachers on the following topics:

-       Orthodox Thinking and Classical Education

-       Classical Education

-       Critical Thinking

 -      Assessment

-       Gifted Education

-       Socratic Method Across Disciplines

-       Special Education

-       Understanding the Behavior and Development of Middle and High School children

-       Writing Across the Curriculum

Enrollment Process

I pray your child can one day walk through the doors of our beloved school.  As a parent, I understand how much thought and prayer goes into making a monumental decision and I am here to assist you with anything you may need. I would also like to inform you that need-based financial assistance and scholarships are available, please feel free to schedule a time to discuss this with me.  

Below are the steps and links to assist you:

1. Our enrollment form for the 2024 – 2025 school year can be found here:https://www.thochs.org/2024-2025-admissions/enrollment-form;  this is where you enroll your child. 

2. Our tuition schedule can be found here: https://www.thochs.org/2024-2025-admissions/tuition-and-fees; please keep in mind we offer financial assistance and clergy discounts.

3. Our 2024-2025 schedule can be found here:https://www.thochs.org/2024-2025-admissions/course-schedule. The start and conclusion of our school day will remain the same; the order of content will change to reflect block scheduling. Our 2024 – 2025 School Calendar can be found here: https://www.thochs.org/2024-2025-admissions/school-calendar .

Financial Aid Opportunities

Recognizing the importance of making Pan-Orthodox Classical Education accessible to all deserving students, we are pleased to inform you that we offer financial aid programs and clergy discounts. I encourage you to reach out to our principal to explore the various financial aid programs available and learn about the eligibility criteria.

Personalized Tours

To provide you with a deeper insight into our school community and facilities, I would like to offer you a time to come and visit our school, at your convenience. Please email me with dates and times that work for you. This will offer you the chance to meet with our administration, tour our campus, and gain a comprehensive understanding of our mission. We kindly invite you and your child to join us and experience firsthand the warm and engaging environment that awaits them.

Visiting Current Enrichment Courses

I would also like to invite your child to attend one of our after-school classes. If you would like she/he may attend one session for free; first, make sure to let me know which date they would like to attend by emailing me.   This would be a great way to gain insight into our school courses and content.  We will also provide these courses during the 2024 - 2025 school year, from September 11, 2024 - May 28, 2025.

 - On Mondays, we have Theology, taught by Protodeacon Jovan Anicic, from 4:00pm - 5:30pm

 - On Wednesdays, we have Orthodox Lifestyles Course taught by Jolynn Ruggerio, from 4:00pm - 5:30 pm.

Upcoming Events

We are blessed that Mr. Christopher Chiakulas will present “Paving the Road to High School” on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm. RSVP required: forms.gle/XMm4RN9adguCmUCJA .

Mr. Christopher Chiakulas (MA, M.Ed.) is a consultant for Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School and serves as the Postsecondary Counselor at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. With 11 years of experience as a school counselor, Christopher has gained expertise in college and career readiness. In recognition of his dedication, he was selected as the ACT K-12 College and Career Readiness Champion for the state of Illinois in 2018.

Christopher's educational background includes working as an Academic Advisor for undergraduate students at DePaul University and as a high school Business Education teacher. Additionally, he is currently an Adjunct Instructor at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois, where he teaches a course called "College Success Seminar."

Moreover, Christopher is the founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling, a platform that assists Eastern Orthodox Christians in navigating the college search, application, and selection process from an Orthodox perspective. His deep understanding and commitment to his faith make him a valuable resource in guiding individuals through this important life phase.

 We look forward to the possibility of welcoming your child into our school-community, where they can embark on an enriching spiritual and educational journey grounded in Orthodoxy and guided by experienced educators.

Thank you for considering Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School for your child’s education. We hope to have the opportunity to speak with you, soon. As always, I am happy to answer any additional questions you may have and I am here to address any concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me and please feel free to peruse our website: www.thochs.org. 

 I kindly ask that you please continue to pray for our beloved school. 

In Christ,

Elizabeth Kotis, EdS

Principal 

Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School

Faculty Announcement:  History 

January 30, 2024 - On the feast day of the Three Holy Hierarchs, Patron Saints of our beloved school, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Eva Economy, MA as a new faculty member of the History Department. With her extensive teaching experience and dedication to Orthodoxy and Classical education, we are confident that Eva will greatly contribute to the academic and spiritual growth of our students.

Eva Economy holds a Master's in Teaching and Certification from Seattle University, with endorsements in English, History, and Political Science. She also possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington. With her exceptional educational background and commitment to professional development, Eva is well-equipped to meet the instructional needs of our student body.

Prior to joining Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School, Eva taught at prestigious institutions such as The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, The Latin School of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago, Illinois, and North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois. Her experience spans a variety of subjects, including History, English, Humanities, Asian Civilization, Western Civilization, and World Religions.

Eva's teaching approach is characterized by her ability to engage students through a variety of instructional methods, including constructivism, lecture, and discussion. She has a strong focus on integrating content across disciplines to foster deep connections and enduring learning. Eva's dedication to fostering critical thinking skills in her students is evident through her incorporation of primary and secondary sources, as well as the use of technology to enhance classroom instruction.

In addition to her teaching experience, Eva has actively participated in various volunteer activities, including serving on the Saint John the Baptist GOC Parish Council Executive Committee and as an Iconography Member. She has also contributed to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) as a Parish Liaison Docent, and has been involved with the Museum Education Department at the Art Institute of Chicago. Eva's involvement in these organizations showcases her commitment to serving the community and promoting cultural awareness.

                  Our Year in Review

Glory to God for all things!

As the year ends, we reflect upon the abundant blessings God has bestowed upon us during this remarkable year filled with strong leadership, spiritual development, academic excellence, and community engagement at our beloved Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School in 2023. 

Leadership

With God's great benevolence and through the prayers of our beloved community, Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School was blessed by the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis, the Antiochian Diocese of Toledo and Midwest, the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gracanica-Midwestern America and the Diocese of the Midwest, Orthodox Church in America. Additionally, our Board of directors, Faculty, and Staff is comprised of humble, selfless, and phenomenal individuals. Each individual brings an array of skills and talents and works diligently to fulfill our mission. 

Spiritual & Academic Development

Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School is the first and only Pan-Orthodox Classical high school in Illinois, dedicated to providing a superior Orthodox Christian education rooted in faith, academic excellence, and character development to students. At Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School, Orthodoxy is at the core of our mission. We strive to educate and cultivate students' relationships with God, their neighbors, and the world around them in a supportive Orthodox Christian environment that nurtures their spiritual and intellectual formation. 

Throughout the year, our Theology courses and Orthodox Lifestyles courses have been engaging and filled with much joy. Before each class, our children pray together in our chapel with their teachers and classmates and partake in discussions and projects where students strengthen their beliefs and their relationship with God and one another. As I stand in the chapel, hearing faculty and children pray, my heart leaps with gratitude and glee.

Additionally, we have hosted speakers who further enriched our students' knowledge and faith. In September, Mr. Christopher Chiakulas, MA & MED, School Guidance Counselor, presented "Paving the Road to College: Choosing Your Path through an Orthodox Perspective." His presentation focused on the Spiritual, Academic, Social, and Financial aspects of choosing a college. In October, we had the pleasure of hosting our first youth retreat. Mrs. Vicki Natsis, MHS & OTR Health Coach, presented on "Health and Resiliency" during this retreat. Her presentation focused on the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional aspects. Our students found her examples of Modern Saints applicable and inspiring.  

Academically, our students continue to strive for excellence in all their courses. Our dedicated faculty members work tirelessly to provide high-quality education, ensuring that our students gain knowledge and cultivate their critical thinking skills and Orthodox values. During our Theology courses taught by Protodeacon Dr. Jovan Anicic, one can hear students utilizing the Socratic Method as they apply, discuss, and defend their faith and the actions of others, including Saints. During our Orthodox Lifestyles courses taught by Mrs. Jolynn Ruggerio, one can see the integration of science, music, art, literature, history, geography, and theology. 

Community Engagement

In our Orthodox Lifestyles Course, our students explored what it means to be a good steward not only of our material gifts but also of God's gift of creation. We must understand that nothing really belongs to us but is a gift from God to be used to glorify Him. Project Pay it Forward is a program where each student is given a sum of money. They are then challenged to devise a plan to use the money for the good of humanity and to glorify God. We are grateful to our benevolent and generous board members who donated $50.00 for each child. Each child is assigned a donor to whom they are accountable. This is a yearlong project for the students to develop, implement, and ultimately give a written and oral presentation at the end of the year to the board and parents of their accomplishments (personal communication, Jolynn Ruggerio).

Collaborative Partnerships & Founding Families

In 2023, we forged meaningful and active relationships with our Hierarchs, clergy, founding families, donors, educational consultants, scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs. We actively collaborated with our families, benefactors, and experts to create a financially secure school, provide valuable learning and spiritual opportunities for our students, and strengthen our relationships with our Pan-Orthodox community. These collaborations have further enriched our academic curriculum and strengthened our faith.

Looking Ahead

As we bid farewell to 2023, we look ahead to the future with prayer, hope, and enthusiasm. We remain prayerful and committed to our mission as we strive to educate and cultivate students' relationships with God, their neighbors, and the world around them in a supportive Orthodox Christian environment that nurtures their spiritual and intellectual formation. We will continue to work diligently to provide a robust classical education and Orthodox environment. 

We express our gratitude to our prayerful Hierarchs, hardworking Board of Directors, dedicated faculty, supportive parents, committed staff, and, most importantly, our incredible students. Together, we have made 2023 a year filled with prayer, growth, and faith-centered experiences. We eagerly anticipate the adventures and blessings that the upcoming year holds for our beloved school. 

Here is a sneak peek into what awaits us:

- Creation of a Mobile Science Lab

- Fully Functional Day School

- Faculty Interviews

- Field Trips

 - Fundraising Initiatives

 - Grant Writing

- Presentation on "Paving the Road to High School"

- Presentation on Parenting 

- Professional Development for our teachers on the following topics: Classical Education, Socratic Method, Understanding the Development of Middle and High School children, Special Education, Gifted Education, and Writing Across the Curriculum—to name a few.

- Spiritual Field Trips

If you would like to volunteer your God-given talents, please email Principal Elizabeth at principal@thochs.org

May you and your beautiful families have a blessed New Year! 

In Christ,

Elizabeth Kotis

Principal

Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian High School