Lookbook 2023-2024

OLI
EO
LORIA
Wheaton Academy is a Recipient of the national Blue Ribbon Award

What is a
Blue Ribbon?
A Blue Ribbon is the highest award a
school in the U. S. can receive. It is a
five-year recognition, awarded by the
Department of Education.
In order to apply for the award, a
school’s students must score in the
top 15% of the state’s test scores.
Schools that receive a Blue Ribbon are
recognized for curriculum,
co-curricular offerings, school
culture, parent & community
engagement, and the diversity of
students served.
Only 1% of the nation’s 133,000
schools are recognized as current
blue ribbon schools.
Scan the QR
codes in this
book to learn
more about our
programs.

Our Mission Explained
The mission of
Wheaton Academy
is to nurture
growth in
students through
relationships,
excellence, and
service to the
glory of God.
Growth
> Your education should be holistic—focused on the
development of your heart, mind, soul, and strength
(Luke 10:27) so that, like Jesus, you will grow in “wisdom,
stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
> Our faculty and staff partner with parents and the local
church to help you prepare for your future.
Relationships
> We invite you to encounter Jesus and grow closer to
Him. Every student at Wheaton Academy is known,
discipled, and challenged by a faculty of Christ-followers,
whose example is a “Living Curriculum.”
> We foster a Kingdom culture of welcoming and
belonging. We will challenge you to care for, disciple,
influence, and sharpen one another in Christ.
Excellence
> We will teach you to steward the gifts and abilities God
has given you for His glory.
> We will challenge you to grow into your full potential by
maximizing opportunities, and we expect you to meet
high standards for learning and school culture.
Service
> We encourage you to see service as an organic, ongoing
part of your life, following Jesus’ example.
> We foster an others-centered mindset by providing
opportunities for you to experience joy in giving to others
as you offer your gifts to build God’s kingdom.

egin
with
the end
in mind
Wheaton Academy wants
to help you begin with the
end in mind. Although you
are considering a high school
right now, thinking about the
next chapter—college and
beyond—is important too.
1
2
3
Develop a personal, vibrant, and
growing relationship with Christ
Adopt and continue to cultivate a
thoroughly Biblical worldview
Discover, explore, and practice
God-given gifts and abilities
4
Outcomes
Acquire the knowledge,
understanding, and wisdom
necessary for further study and for
preparing to represent the Lord
effectively in your life calling
Every class, every program,
and every opportunity offered
at our school is designed to
help you grow toward these
outcomes.
2

“During my time here, I
have been challenged
to become a better
student, leader, and
follower of Christ. The
teachers here expect
a lot from me and my
fellow students because
they see potential in
us. I can confidently
say that at Wheaton
Academy, you will be
encouraged to take
the hard path—the
one that will stretch
you! You won’t just drift
through school. You
will be challenged
to become the best
version of yourself, and
that includes being
encouraged to live a
life that is centered in
Christ.”
Karis
Class of 2023
3

Christ-Centered
Biblical Worldview
Wheaton Academy teachers commit
their lives to helping students build
their worldview. Every class, every club,
every team, and every opportunity at
Wheaton Academy helps students
identify and develop a Biblical
worldview.
Living Curriculum
Teachers TM
Our teachers do not just talk about
Biblical worldview; they practice it. All
Wheaton Academy faculty and staff
are born-again, growing followers of
Christ. They understand that modeling
through relationships is essential for
growth in Christian character.
Expectational Culture
Students thrive when they experience
responsibility, freedom, trust, and
accountability. We cultivate a culture
of high expectations, setting the stage
for students to be their best.
Discipleship Doesn’t
Happen By Accident
Our Advisory Program ensures that
every student has a faculty or staff
mentor who can help to foster growth
and belonging. In Advisory groups, we
build a culture of discipleship while
also providing academic guidance,
advocacy, and support for college
planning.
Setting a Biblical
Foundation
4

“The Wheaton
Academy classroom
is defined by
leadership from the
Living Curriculum
Teacher Ṭ M Our
students are under
the guidance of
teachers who care
deeply about their
discipline, who
care deeply about
students, and most
importantly, who
love Jesus Christ.”
Brad Thornton
Vice Principal of Instruction
Luke 6:40 tells us that students
become like the teachers who train
them . . . this truth is the reason it’s so
important that one hundred percent
of our faculty and staff at Wheaton
Academy are empowered to speak
Biblical truth to every student and to
model a life of commitment to Christ.
5

6

We are
Building a
Kingdom
Community
32% of Students
Identify as
People of Color
30 International
Students
At Wheaton Academy, you can expect to
learn, lead, serve, and worship together in a
Christ-centered educational community that
reflects the diversity of God’s kingdom.
As a part of our Kingdom Community
initiative, student groups meet regularly to
listen to one another, engage related topics,
and pray. By fostering an environment of
empathy and understanding, these groups
strive to shape a culture that celebrates
individual diversity and corporate unity
through Jesus Christ.
1:3
1:3 Families Receive
Financial Aid
200 Churches
Represented
Wheaton Academy students come from diverse
school backgrounds.
60% Private School
30% Public School
70 Zip Codes
Represented
10% Home School
7

Endless Academic
Possibilities
At Wheaton Academy, you will experience innovative, cross-disciplinary
learning opportunities grounded in Biblical truth. Check out our
Curriculum Guide to explore over 160 courses offered here.
Curriculum
Guide
High School
Roadmap
Your Schedule is 100% Customized
Every student’s schedule is customized. Check out our
High School Roadmap booklet to find sample schedules
that reflect the breadth of customization available to
students with varying interests and passions.
Your Learning Zone
When we build your schedule, we consider your unique
“learning zone.” You are in your learning zone when you
feel appropriately stretched and academically challenged
in class.
Specialize in the Subjects you love
You will find many ways to customize your education
to reflect your passion and giftings: from our extensive
catalog of AP courses, to our cutting-edge MASTER
certificate program, to our two-week Winterim term
packed with specialized courses, internships, and travel
options.
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8

Wheaton Academy, you will experience
ovative, cross-disciplinary learning
portunities grounded in Biblical truth.
Wheaton Academy, you will be challenged
maximize your intellectual potential so
t you will be prepared for college. We
er classes that place you in your unique
rning zone.” Research shows that you
l learn best when you are appropriately
etched and challenged. Classes that are
easy or too hard actually impede your
rning process. At Wheaton Academy,
sses are designed and teachers are
ined to help you realize your gifting,
eive individualized and appropriate
llenge, and apply your learning outside
classroom.
“When teachers
make explicit
connections
between God and
the subjects they
teach, they remind
students that
God is sovereign
over every field of
study.”
Luke Regan
Science Department Head
Luke Regan holds an MAT
in Science Education and
is pursuing his doctorate at
Vanderbilt. Luke serves as the
MASTER Program Director, the
Science Department Head, and
the teacher of several MASTER
courses.
9

“The teachers here are
amazing! They take
time to know each
student personally.
Not only do they push
us toward academic
excellence, they
also care about our
faith and character
development. I know
that many of my
teachers are praying
for me and I can go
to them when I need
help.”
Greta
Class of 2023
We asked the Class of 2023 a few
questions about their experience at
Wheaton Academy. Scan the QR code
to see what they had to say.
10

Where Ideas
Come to Life
We want to teach you to steward the gifts and abilities
God has given you for His glory. To that end, Wheaton
Academy offers many programs that allow you to
specialize and build your expertise in an area of
interest. The programs below are just a sampling of
our specialized offerings.
Business & Innovation
Become equipped to take the lead in today’s competitive
marketplace by developing core business knowledge and
skills with a Christian mindset.
Academy By Design
In this flexible, project-oriented, four-year cohort, you will
be empowered to purposefully engage with challenges that
matter to you and your community.
The Master Program
Mathematics, Applied Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Research
Interested in pursuing a career in STEM? The MASTER
program will provide you with cutting-edge opportunities
in robotics, technology, engineering, and laboratory
research.
Video Journalism
While enrolled in our video journalism classes, you will have
the opportunity to experience various technical and talent
roles as you produce WAtv episodes and sports broadcasts
each week.

Chapel
Chapel is the steady heartbeat of
our school. We gather twice a week
to grow in our understanding of
Scripture, proclaim the name of the
Lord, and reflect on what it means to
follow Jesus.
12

In a world that is increasingly
filled with uncertainty,
information, and change,
building our faith on the
bedrock of Scripture is so
important.
Our Bible
Curriculum
Foundations of faith
During your freshman year, we lay the
foundation for our Bible curriculum. A
full understanding of the Bible rests
on a knowledge of the Old Testament
and how it points to Jesus in the New
Testament.
Spiritual formation
Armed with an understanding of the
totality of Scripture, your sophomore
year will focus on the question, “How do
believers grow in their faith?” You will
learn the difference between justification
and sanctification as you learn to
practice spiritual disciplines.
Life of Christ
Junior year, you will spend time working
through the four Gospels so you can
respond to the question Jesus posed to
His disciples in Phillipi—“Who do people
say that I am?”
Doctrine and apologetics
As a senior, you will study the
fundamental beliefs of Christianity. Our
goal is for you to know exactly what a
person who lives a life committed to
Scripture believes.
A sampling of Bible course work
at Wheaton Academy…
> Study, exegete, interpret, and apply a chosen passage from
the Sermon on the Mount
> Research and debate cultural and theological topics using
Biblically supported arguments
> Take a spiritual gifts assessment and consider ways the Holy
Spirit empowers students in daily life
> Study and write about the historicity and reliability of the
Bible
> Memorize Scripture
> Write a personal doctrinal statement
13

Fine Arts
Wheaton Academy offers over forty
different fine arts classes and over
a dozen musical ensembles so you
will have opportunities to explore
and refine your craft as an artist and
performer during your high school
career.
Graduates of the Fine
Arts program Have gone
on to become…
> Lead actors in films
and TV shows
> Grammy award-winning
musicians & producers
> National best-selling authors
> Performers with Broadway
Touring Companies
> News anchors
> Recording artists with albums
appearing on Billboard’s top
ten charts
14

Athletics
Men’s
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
Women’s
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Since 1980, the warriors have
brought home this impressive
record of championships:
> 152 Conference Championships
> 73 Regional Championships
> 39 Sectional Championships
> 18 Super-Sectional Championships
> 7 State Championships
One hundred percent of our
coaches are empowered to
speak Biblical truth to student
athletes. Coaches will teach
you to treat teammates,
opponents, referees, fans,
equipment, and facilities in a
way that reflects the truth of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ—no
matter what.
Wheaton Academy is a member
of the IHSA and the Chicagoland
Christian Conference.
“Wheaton Academy Athletic
programs strive to build
student athletes through
discipleship, competitive
excellence, and processoriented
results. Coaches
model healthy relationships
with both Christ and
competition, and they
invite their athletes to strive
for excellence while also
building life-transforming
relationships.”
Brad Byrne
Athletic Director
15

At an event organized
by Project LEAD Local,
students donated and
packed 5,000+ cans for
delivery and distribution at
Neighborhood Food Pantry
in West Chicago.
Project
LEAD
Project lead Teams
Project IX student-leaders build mentoring relationships
with freshmen.
We believe that you have an
incredible ability to influence your
peers and the world around you. For
that reason, we invest in training
you to be a leader who will protect
our Kingdom Community and
encourage your peers to grow in
faith. At Wheaton Academy, you will
be empowered to lead our campus
community by facilitating worship
events, service projects, and global
initiatives for our entire student
body.
Spiritual Life leads our community in large-group and smallgroup
spiritual formation.
Local facilitates our school’s key local service events and our
partnership with Puente del Pueblo.
Global helps lead missions trips over Winterim, fundraises,
and educates our student body regarding global missions.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes seeks to see varsity
student-athletes live out Jesus’ example of servant
leadership by creating opportunities to impact our campus
and community for Christ.
16
70%
of the senior class
serves on LEAD

40+
Winterim
Classes
every year
2023 Classes included
> Aviation
> American Sign
Language
> Cyber Security
> Rock Climbing
> Woodworking
Winterim
Modeled after the college January term concept,
Winterim was introduced in 1991 and has become
an enormously popular component of a Wheaton
Academy education. As a Wheaton Academy
Winterim student, you will be given forty to sixty
classes from which to choose each year. In addition,
you will have the unique opportunity to travel the
world on a variety of educational and missions trips
or to experience a profession first-hand through an
internship.
100+
Internships
every year
11
Students Recently
Interned at…
> The Chosen TV
Show
> Windy City Bulls
Media Team
> Chicago Equine
Medical Center
> Loyola University
Medical Center
> Illinois Aviation
Academy
> Tyndale House
Publishers
Winterim Trips
in 2023
17

PERSEVERANCE
grit, resilience, continuing toward
goals in the face of struggles or
difficulty—a better predictor of
success than talent
SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE
discern the norms for social
situations & relationships—
conduct yourself appropriately
SELF-CONTROL
delay gratification—motivated to
accomplish tasks & have a way to
do so
GRATITUDE
pursue a lifestyle which
recognizes & honors the blessings
in life regardless of circumstances
COLLEGE READINESS
Current research trends show that students
must be equipped with valuable skills that not
only help them to navigate school but also
equip them to navigate life.
In our pursuit to ensure that you are ready
for your life calling, Wheaton Academy seeks
to train and equip you in six primary areas:
perseverance, social intelligence, self-control,
gratitude, passion, and hope. We call these
six traits our “College Readiness” skills. Not
surprisingly, these values are also character
traits advocated in Scripture.
PASSION
engagement rather than
passivity & apathy—care about
the problems that face our world
& become a force for change
HOPE
view failure not as a reflection
of ability or personal worth;
understand your true identity in
Christ
18

OUR STUDENTS
ATTEND TOP-TIER
COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES
Wheaton Academy students have
been accepted into some of the most
prestigious colleges in the United States.
This list is a snapshot of where Wheaton
Academy students have been accepted
over the last five years.
19

There is
a place for
you here.
“Wheaton Academy transforms
lives. Students are known, loved,
and yet challenged to grow. My
children learn what it means
to be a follower of Christ each
day in the hallways. The biblical
foundation we establish at
home is reinforced at school.
That alone is invaluable to my
family.”
Immerse yourself in a Christcentered
learning community where
you will grow as a problem-solver,
leader, and innovator.
Laura
Alumna and Parent
20

Take the
Next Step
Experience
Join us for a shadow day or an Admissions
event to experience Wheaton Academy.
wheatonacademy.org/visit
Connect
Connect with our Admissions team at
630-562-7501 or visit
wheatonacademy.org/admissions
“Wheaton
Academy
changed my
daughter’s life.
She came from
another school
and did not know
anyone before
her first day. But
after her four
years at Wheaton
Academy, I am
convinced that
it was the best
choice we have
made for
our daughter.”
Sophia
Alumna and Parent
Apply
Start your application at
wheatonacademy.org/apply

170
660
11:1
Year
History
Student
Body
Student:Faculty
Ratio
30 International
Students
14
100%
70 Zip Codes
Represented
National Merit
Finalists in the
last 5 years
200 Churches
Represented
of our faculty
and staff are
disciple-makers
150+
443
32%
70%
Courses
Offered
AP Exams Taken
in 2023
of our students
identify as people
of color
of the senior
class serves on
LEAD teams
85% 100%
$7,018,370 20+
of AP students
scored a 3 or
higher on AP
exams in 2023
Acceptance Rate
of College-Bound
Seniors
Total amount of college merit
scholarships offered to the
Wheaton Academy Class of 2023
AP Classes
Offered
By the Numbers
Wheaton Academy is a private Christian high school located in West Chicago, Illinois.
Named an Exemplary High Performing Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of
Education, we can deliver on our promise to provide an outstanding and innovative
college prep experience rooted in Biblical truth.
900 Prince Crossing Rd | West Chicago, IL 60185 | 630.562.7501 | wheatonacademy.org