George J. Rassas suggested opening St. Martin de Porres in the Waukegan/North Chicago area to enroll grades 9-12 students of limited economic means.

St. Martin de Porres initially enrolled 95 students and was based in an office building in downtown Waukegan.

In 2006, SMdP leased the old St. Joseph parish and school property and relocated to Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

The second remodeling phase ended in 2021, and the school then had a gym, fitness center, coffee shop, and more classrooms, and an enrollment of 408 students.

There are five school-wide liturgies, prayer services on Martin Luther King Day and Ash Wednesday, and a spiritual retreat program for all the students.

This includes 4 credits in English and math, science, and social studies, 2 in world languages, and 1 in physical education/health.