Annual Gala
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St. Sava Academy is more than a school — it’s a gathering place for families who believe in tradition, character, and the next generation. Every year, this gala brings that community together for one extraordinary evening.
What began as a small parish initiative has grown, over decades, into a beloved Chicago institution. St. Sava Academy was founded to give children a place where academic excellence and cultural heritage live side by side.
Today, the Annual Black Tie Gala stands as the academy’s most important fundraising tradition — a night that has welcomed governors, ambassadors, business leaders, and neighbors alike. The dress is formal, but the purpose is deeply personal.
Behind every chandelier, every champagne flute, every signed check, there is a child whose education is being made possible.
Founded by a small group of parish families committed to giving Chicago’s Serbian-American community a school of its own.
The first St. Sava Academy Annual Black Tie Gala welcomes founding families and marks the beginning of a new tradition for the community.
The second gala arrives at The St. Regis Chicago, welcoming more than 200 guests — a meaningful step forward for the community and the academy.
The 3rd Annual Black Tie Gala arrives at the Peninsula Chicago — the most ambitious evening in the academy’s history.
The Planning Committee is a volunteer group of parents and friends who give their time so that every detail of the gala honors the academy and its families.
We honor the traditions that shape us, weaving language, faith, and culture into every aspect of our children’s education.
We hold our school, our students, and ourselves to standards that prepare young minds for the world they will lead.
We believe an academy is more than a building. It is the families who gather, give, and grow within it.
Whether you attend, sponsor, or donate from afar — every contribution carries our community forward.