About us
Our Mission, Vision, and History
Mission Statement
St. Sava Academy delivers a rigorous preparatory education grounded in the timeless traditions of the Orthodox Christianity and the rich heritage of the Slavic people. St. Sava Academy couples a superior dual-language academic curriculum with the spiritual depth of Eastern Orthodoxy. Our mission to provide our students with both objective truth and moral clarity. We pledge to nurture the spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth of every student, inspiring them to achieve rigorous scholarship while acquiring the skills of servant-leadership in order to become impactful community leaders and faithful stewards of their heritage.
Vision
To cultivate generations of clear-thinking, faithful leaders who are profoundly anchored in their heritage, exceptional in their academic pursuits, and uniquely equipped to bring traditional Orthodox values to the forefront of modern civic and community life.
While English is the primary language of instruction, the Academy values multiculturalism and inclusivity. In addition to Serbian, we currently accommodate Russian-speaking students with a dedicated Russian teacher. We are prepared to support other ethnic groups by hiring qualified language instructors on showing of demonstrated need.
Our vision unites the home, the school, and the global Orthodox community in the singular task of Christian character formation. St. Sava Academy provides a culturally rich, faith-centered environment where scholarship and spiritual maturity develop hand-in-hand. We prepare our students to step into the world not merely for professional success, but as principled leaders uniquely equipped to lead and steward their communities.
Our History
St. Sava Academy was founded in 2001 as a collaborative Orthodox-Christian effort between Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, both located in Chicago. The initiative began when leaders from the Greek community approached the late V. Rev. Dennis Pavichevich, who had a vision and seized the opportunity to establish the first Serbian dual-language parochial school in the United States. Supported by the Socrates School community from Holy Trinity, this partnership laid the foundation for the Academy’s mission.
On August 28, 2006, the school made history by opening its doors as an independent Serbian Orthodox parochial school. The event marked the beginning of the first academic year, with parents, students, clergy, and faculty celebrating the school’s launch. St. Sava Academy proudly holds the distinction of being the first dual-language Serbian Orthodox parochial school serving preschool through eighth-grade students in the United States and Canada.
In 2023, the Academy moved to a new facility at 5650 N. Canfield Ave, Chicago, IL, formerly home to St. Paul Lutheran School. This new location offers much-needed infrastructure improvements, including classrooms, a gym, cafeteria, and auditorium, providing enhanced resources for the school’s growing student body and expanding its educational programs.
Jackie Majdov
PrincipalYouth is our future
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