Wheaton Academy
History
Wheaton Academy was founded as a part of the Illinois Institute in 1853 by evangelical abolitionists. In 1855, they were granted permission to form a college. The first head of the school was Jonathan Blanchard. At this time, the institute was organised into Wheaton College, and a prep school, known as Wheaton College Academy. In 1915, under Dean William Rice, the academy began to achieve its own identity, by acquiring its own separate faculty and building on the campus of Wheaton College. In 1945, the school moved off of the Wheaton College campus to a location in West Chicago, Illinois. The school was equipped with dormitories for boarding students. The Aurora and Elgin train line also ran north of the schools location, making it accessible to student commuters. In 1951, campus facilities were complete. Until 1963, Wheaton College was still financially supporting the academy. After 1963, support for the academy waned, and in 1970, Wheaton College decided to close the academy permanently. Parents and board members, however, eager to see the institution survive, continued the school themselves. It was renamed to Wheaton Christian High School, and the dormitories were closed.
The school underwent building advancements in 1979 and 1983, respectively. In 1995, the school was again renamed to Wheaton Academy. The school is currently undergoing building advancements to replace a section of the old campus, known as Academy Hall.
Academics
WA is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, recognized by the state of Illinois and the DuPage County Education Service Region. The school was awarded a National Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education in 2019.
Academic facilities
Wheaton Academy has 3 buildings used for academics. The Academic Building (main building) hosts a variety of classes, including math, science, languages, and English, along with several non-traditional classes. Academy Hall was used for history classes taught in its historic building and was used as storage space, until its demolition in 2023. The fine arts facilities include a multipurpose performance hall, a visual arts room, and a ceramics studio. Students can access a maker space called the “Idea Lab” with woodworking equipment, laser cutter machines, and 3D printers.
Athletics
The "Warriors" compete in baseball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' cross country, girls' cross country, football, boys' golf, girls' golf, boys' lacrosse, boys' soccer, girls' soccer, softball, boys' tennis, girls' tennis, girls' volleyball, boys' volleyball, and wrestling. Until 2023, the academy was a member of the Metro Suburban Conference of the Illinois High School Association. After the 2023 school year they joined the new Chicagoland Christian Conference. They also offer boys and girls swimming and sideline cheering.
State titles
| Sport | Division | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Boys' Golf | AA | 2009 † |
| Boys' Soccer | 2A | 2014 |
| Boys' Soccer | 1A | 2021 |
| Girls' Soccer | A | 2004 |
| Girls' Soccer | AA | 2009 |
| Girls' Soccer | A | 2016 |
| Boys Lacrosse | A | 2023 |
† Tie
Athletic facilities
The school's athletic facilities include Heritage Fieldhouse with four basketball courts, Performance Trust Field for football, soccer, and lacrosse, one baseball and one softball diamond, seven tennis courts, and a weight room.
Notable alumni
Business
- Wess Stafford, class of 1967, chief executive, activist, and author
- Robert Van Kampen, class of 1960, businessman and founder of Van Kampen Investments
Christian ministry
- Robert Kenneth Strachan, missionary
- Jon M. Sweeney, class of 1985, writer
Politics and culture
- Randy Hultgren, class of 1984, congressman
- Todd Beamer, class of 1985, passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks
Sports
- Jake Cousins, class of 2013, MLB player
- Ryan Dzingel, class of 2010, NHL player
- Christian Fischer, class of 2013, NHL player
- Leah Fortune, class of 2009, Brazil women's national football team
- Grant Stoneman, class of 2014, USL player
- Crystal Thomas, class of 2012, NWSL player
- JD Gunn, class of 2018, MLS Next Pro player
References
- ^ "Wheaton Academy". National Center for Education Statistic. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Leadership". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "History". Wheaton Academy. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "Wheaton Academy Warriors Athletics". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Sports Offered". Wheaton Academy. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ "Boys' Golf: State Standings by Year". Illinois High School Association.
- ^ "Boys' Soccer: State Standings by Year". Illinois High School Association.
- ^ "Girls Soccer: State Standings by Year". Illinois High School Association.
- ^ "Boys Lacrosse: Wheaton Academy claims first state championship". Shaw Local. 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
- ^ "Heritage Fieldhouse". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Performance Trust Field". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Warrior Baseball Field". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Softball Field". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Tennis Courts". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Weight Room". Wheaton Academy.
- ^ "Arizona Coyotes Draft Former WA Student Christian Fischer '15". Wheaton Academy. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Grant Stoneman". 2018 Men's Soccer Roster. Loyola University. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
