St. Francis de Sales High School Opens Quantum Lab
The new facility aims to expand scientific and job opportunities for South Side students.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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St. Francis de Sales High School in South Chicago has officially opened a new quantum science lab. The initiative is supported by a $20,000 donation from PsiQuantum.
Why it matters
The lab aims to expand scientific and job opportunities for students on the South Side. It prepares local youth for the developing quantum industry near the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.
The school received a $20,000 donation from PsiQuantum to fund the construction of the new laboratory. The program serves as a localized hub for advanced scientific inquiry.
The players
Dr. Roni Facen
Dr. Roni Facen serves as the principal of St. Francis de Sales High School.
PsiQuantum
PsiQuantum is a quantum computing company that provided the donation for the laboratory construction.
Jane Healy
Jane Healy is a science teacher responsible for managing the lab equipment and student curriculum.
The details
Principal Dr. Roni Facen secured the funding through outreach following the site selection for a nearby quantum campus. Science teacher Jane Healy now manages the hands-on student learning and the new lab equipment.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: The opening of the lab was announced in a news report.
The Tech Race
The new lab aligns with the construction of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in South Chicago. This development reflects a shift toward building local talent pipelines for the emerging quantum hardware sector.
Students at participating schools, including Bowen High School and Thomas Hoyne Elementary, gain access to specialized science training. This program bridges the gap between high school instruction and local industrial careers.
The takeaway
The investment underscores a growing trend of private companies funding specialized education in underserved urban areas. Students looking to enter the workforce are now better positioned to leverage local industrial growth in high-tech sectors.
Further reading
For more on local developments in the field, see Quantum Computing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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