Educational Philosophy and Approach | Loyola Academy

Educational Philosophy

Forming the Whole Person

At Loyola Academy, education is about more than academic achievement.it is about the formation of the whole person. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis—care for the whole person—we nurture students intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially-emotionally while helping each young person discover who they are and who they are called to become.

Leadership Grounded in Formation

For Principal Steve Tortorello, Jesuit education is about accompanying students as they grow into people of character and conviction. Drawing on nearly two decades of leadership in Catholic education, he believes schools must challenge students academically while also helping them develop the wisdom, empathy, and resilience needed to lead meaningful lives.

A Jesuit education calls students to become more than successful—it calls them to become reflective, compassionate leaders who use their gifts in service to others. I am honored to join a community so deeply committed to forming young people of faith, intellect, and character.


Steve Tortorello, Princpal

View more about Principal Steve Tortorello

Mr. Tortorello comes to Loyola Academy with nearly 20 years of service in Catholic education at the elementary, secondary, and diocesan levels. He holds three degrees from the University of Notre Dame, including master’s degrees in Education and Educational Administration.

Steve began his career teaching sixth through eighth grade at a Catholic elementary school in East Los Angeles before serving as a Catholic high school teacher in the Chicagoland area, where he taught Freshman English, AP U.S. History, and AP European History. He later served for nine years as a Catholic high school principal.

Most recently, Steve worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools, where he served as a principal coach for 27 elementary school principals and as liaison to all 29 Catholic high schools in Cook and Lake Counties. With a lifelong commitment to innovation in education, he also served as the Office of Catholic Schools’ lead researcher and professional development coordinator on the impact of artificial intelligence in education. In addition, Steve serves on the Board of the Arrupe Virtual Learning Institute, a consortium of Jesuit and Catholic high schools that provides online learning opportunities for students across the country.

Steve is the recipient of the 2015 Michael Pressley Award for Excellence in Catholic Education. He and his wife, Loyola Academy alumna Maria (Hugo ’05) Tortorello, live on the North Side of Chicago with their daughter, Olive.

A Community of Reflection and Growth

Formation happens through relationships. Teachers, coaches, counselors, campus ministers, and mentors challenge and support students as they navigate their high school years. Through reflection, retreats, service, leadership opportunities, and daily interactions, students learn to grow in self-awareness, gratitude, and responsibility.

For the Greater Glory of God

The ultimate goal of a Loyola education is not simply what students know, but who they become. Guided by the Jesuit ideal of Ad majorem Dei gloriam—for the greater glory of God—students are called to use their talents in ways that promote human dignity, serve the common good, and transform the world around them.

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