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OUR LEGACY

Wheaton Academy has provided a Christ-centered education to students for nearly 170 years. It continues to be one of the oldest and most respected private Christian high schools in America.

Our story begins with a group of abolitionist parents who knelt on the grassy knoll and founded the Illinois Institute. These parents gathered in hopeful anticipation that God would allow them to build a school to anchor their children in their faith and to use them to shape the culture around them. That school held its first classes on December 14, 1853.

Today, our mission is unchanged: to nurture growth in our students through relationships, excellence, and service to the glory of God. With a commitment to biblical truths, Wheaton Academy strives toward a vision to expand excellence in education and to equip students for a lifetime – academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Wheaton Academy has made a promise to our community and our students, both past and present, to provide an outstanding and innovative college preparatory experience rooted in biblical truth.

Just as it has for nearly 170 years, Wheaton Academy stands as a school whose desire remains Soli Deo Gloria: To God alone be the glory.

Explore Our History

CHALLENGES

Throughout campus, our building and room configurations restrained us from future growth and innovation advancement for the long term.

  • Facilities in disrepair posed safety threats.
  • Programs driving high levels of student engagement did not have adequate space.
  • Lack of specific equipment and space limitations hindered opportunities to grow as more and more families are seeking to enroll their students.

SOLUTIONS

To address our needs and continue our legacy of excellence, Wheaton Academy has carefully developed a 15-year master plan for the campus. This plan will shape the physical environment enjoyed by our students and will serve to unlock the transformative power of education, community, and Kingdom purpose.

Phase One of the master plan focuses on an expansion of the main Academic Building. Completed in 2025, the expansion provides students with increased academic offerings and enrichment activities in a fresh and vibrant learning environment.

Flexible Classrooms

Flexible Classrooms

Enhanced Security

Enhanced Security

Maker Space and Video Studio

Video Studio

Student Union

Collaborative Spaces

Collaborative Spaces

Cross Plaza

Cross Plaza

LEADERSHIP

Campaign Leadership Team

From left to right: Julie Litfin, Justin Peacock, Steve Bult, Dave Ochs ’85, Gene Frost ’71, Joy Crowe, Joe Selvaggio ’05

Campaign Leadership Team

Dave Ochs ’85, Chairman
Steve Bult
Joy Crowe
Gene Frost ’71
Julie Litfin
Justin Peacock
Joe Selvaggio ’05

GIVE A GIFT

The total anticipated cost for the Phase One expansion of the Academic Building is $30 million. To date, we have received over $29 million in commitments.

Progress Bar

We trust that this God-sized vision for the future of Wheaton Academy can be realized through the generosity of those who believe in our mission and our commitment to equip every student with a biblical worldview and a hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

MAKE A PLEDGEGIVE A GIFT

For more information regarding partnership opportunities, please contact our Director of Development, Doug Hardy, at dhardy@wheatonacademy.org.

PRESS & PROGRESS

All School PhotoNews
May 27, 2025

Tour Our Expansion

West Chicago, IL – Through your generosity to the For Generations to Come campaign, Wheaton Academy added 43,000 square feet of new and remodeled space to our campus this year.…
News
August 14, 2024

Wheaton Academy Celebrates Expansion with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

West Chicago, IL – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Wheaton Academy on August 10, 2024 to mark the completion of the initial expansion of the school’s Academic Building…
WA Campus Aerial RenderingNews
February 29, 2024

Wheaton Academy launches Public Phase of For Generations to Come capital campaign

West Chicago, IL – February 29, 2024 – Wheaton Academy proudly announces the launch of the public phase of its For Generations to Come capital campaign. This ambitious initiative seeks…
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