Former teacher leaves $500K to St. Patrick High School in Portage Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago teacher and counselor loved his job so much, he left more than a half million dollars to the school.

Jim Barrett worked at St. Patrick's, an all-male Catholic high school in the Portage Park neighborhood. He died in November 2014.

Recently, his brother notified the school about the donation. It will be used for tuition assistance.

"We're a very middle income, very proud school and our parents need help in terms of tuition assistance. This kind of money given through an estate like Jim did, really helps our families," said Dr. Joe Schmidt, president of St. Patrick High School.

The school will name its media center after Barrett during a ceremony this spring.