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A Message to Alumni
Dear Aquin Alumni,
There are moments in life when words seem inadequate—when the weight of sorrow and loss feels too great to fully express. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that after more than 100 years of faith, learning, tradition, and community, Aquin Catholic School will close its doors on May 29, 2026.
This decision, made by the Diocese of Rockford together with area clergy, came after much consideration regarding the future of Catholic education in our region. Yet no explanation can soften the sadness of what this means for the countless lives forever touched by Aquin.
For those who walked its halls, Aquin was never simply a school.
It was Friday night lights and the electricity of cheering crowds. It was music drifting through hallways before concerts and musicals that brought the community together. It was the anticipation of Prom Draw, the traditions that united generations, and the moments that became stories retold for decades. It was teachers who believed in students before they believed in themselves. It was lifelong friendships formed between classes, in cafeterias, on buses, in locker rooms, and in quiet conversations that somehow became the foundation of a lifetime.
For many families, Aquin was a tradition itself—a place where parents, grandparents, siblings, and children all followed the same path, creating generations of shared memories and deep-rooted pride. Diplomas may have been earned there, but so too were values, faith, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Most of all, Aquin was filled with young people—laughing in the hallways, growing into who they were meant to become, celebrating victories, weathering disappointments, and experiencing the unforgettable moments that define high school years. For over a century, these walls held dreams, friendships, prayers, celebrations, and the everyday moments that, over time, become the memories we treasure most.
Though I am not an alumnus, my many years working with Alumni Relations have shown me something remarkable: Aquin lives deeply in the hearts of those who knew it. I have heard your stories, witnessed your devotion, and seen firsthand the enduring connection that binds generations of alumni together. It has become abundantly clear to me that Aquin is far more than brick and mortar. It is part of who you are.
And that is why this loss feels so profound.
It is hard to imagine that the classrooms will be quiet, the gym will grow still, and familiar traditions will no longer unfold within those beloved walls. There is grief in saying goodbye to a place that held so much of our youth, our families, and our shared history.
Yet perhaps the true measure of Aquin was never the building itself.
Its spirit lives in every friendship that stood the test of time. In every lesson carried into adulthood. In every family story that begins with, “When I was at Aquin…” It lives on in reunions, memories, photographs tucked away in albums, songs once sung on stage, games still talked about decades later, and in the values of faith, service, and community that continue long after graduation.
Schools may close, but legacies do not.
As we approach this final chapter, we hope you will continue to honor the extraordinary history of Aquin Catholic School—celebrating not only what was built over more than a century, but the lives forever shaped because of it.
Though the doors may close on May 29, the heart of Aquin will remain open—in each of you.
With sadness, gratitude, and deep respect,
Joanne Chang and Peyton Glawe (Alumni Relations)
Along with the Faculty and Staff
Aquin Catholic School
Commemorative Brick Pickup
After many years of faith, learning, and community, Aquin Catholic School officially closed its doors on May 29, 2026.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, parishioners, and supporters who have been part of the Aquin tradition and legacy throughout the years.
Individuals who purchased commemorative bricks located in the school courtyard are invited to retrieve them. Please contact the school office at 815.235.3154 to make arrangements for information about your brick.
Thank you for being part of Aquin Catholic School’s history.