The School
Wheaton Academy is a college preparatory, inter-denominational Christian high school. The Academy was founded in 1853. Wheaton Academy's enrollment is 654 students in grades 9-12.
WA is characterized by: high academic standards, a mature student culture, opportunities for leadership,life-changing relationships with teachers, a beautiful 50-acre college-style campus, a love
for Wheaton Academy from parents, students, and alumni, and state-of-the-art facilities. WA
offers a traditional college preparatory curriculum, an innovative January term, and comprehensive
co-curricular programs. Wheaton Academy admits students of any race, national origin, and gender and does not discriminate on these bases in its educational policies, financial aid, athletics, and other school-administered programs.
Mission
The mission of Wheaton Academy is to nurture growth in our students through relationships, excellence and service to the glory of God. The school seeks to deal with the whole person - mind, body, and spirit.
Accreditation
- Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International beginning in 2010, the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1911
- Recognized by the State of Illinois and the DuPage County Education Service Region
- Member of Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI – an association of 5,500 schools in 100 countries)
- Charter member of the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA)
- Recognized consistently as a Best Christian Workplace
- Recognized by the Council for Standards in International Education Travel Awards Committee with an Honorable Mention for strong commitment to international education
- Fine Arts groups and productions have been commended as outstanding by the IMEA and ACSI
- Association with Wheaton College for much of its history
Faculty and Class Size
Seventy-four percent of Wheaton Academy’s faculty hold graduate degrees. The student/teacher ratio is 15:1, with an average class size of 20. The average teaching experience is nine years with department heads averaging 17 years experience.
Winterim
In addition to its two traditional semesters WA features a unique curricular experience called Winterim. This interim of two weeks during January allows for intensive in-depth study. Students receive 30 hours of classroom instruction in each of two courses. In addition to upper level and practical arts courses, students are also encouraged to travel or serve internships in the work environment of their choice.
Students receive 30 hours of classroom instruction in each of two courses. In addition to upper level and practical arts courses, students are also encouraged to travel or participate in internships in the work environment of their choice. Various classes are offered, including Internet Broadcasting, Introduction to Biblical Greek, Computer Networking and Programming, Shakespeare, Starting Your Own Business, World Cultures & Cross Cultural Communication, Chicago Then – Chicago Now, Dian Ying (Asian Film Study), Illustrated Journaling, and Interior Design. About 100 Wheaton Academy students complete two-week internships in a professional work environment each Winterim. Internships have been carried out in various fields, including physics, architecture, orthopedics, biomechanics, chemical engineering, international business, law, and pharmacology. A quarter of WA students travel during Winterim on numerous trips to locations like Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, Scotland, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Graduation Requirements
Semesters
| |
Minimum |
College Prep |
| Bible |
6 |
6 |
| English |
8 |
8 |
| Social Studies |
6 |
6 |
| Math |
6 |
6 |
| Science |
6 |
6 |
| P.E. |
5 |
5 |
| Fine Arts |
2 |
2 |
| Computer |
1 |
1 |
| Health |
1 |
1 |
| Foreign Languages |
0 |
4 |
| Winterim |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
8 |
6 |
| Consumer Economics |
1 |
1 |
| Total |
54 |
56 |
Grading Scale Data
Percentage grades are used to evaluate students' progress. Letter grade and GPA equivalents are shown below. Percentage grades and letter grades appear on report cards; permanent records and transcripts reflect letter grades only. GPA is calculated on academic subjects only. Honors and AP courses receive one additional quality point for GPA. Wheaton Academy does not rank.
| Percent |
Letter |
GPA |
| 100-97 |
A+ |
4.0 |
| 96-93 |
A |
4.0 |
| 92-90 |
A- |
3.7 |
| 89-87 |
B+ |
3.3 |
| 86-83 |
B |
3.0 |
| 82-80 |
B- |
2.7 |
| 79-77 |
C+ |
2.3 |
| 76-73 |
C |
2.0 |
| 72-70 |
C- |
1.7 |
| 69-67 |
D+ |
1.3 |
| 66-63 |
D |
1.0 |
| 62-60 |
D- |
0.7 |
| Below 60 |
F |
0.0 |
Administration
Dr. Gene Frost, Head of School
Jon Keith, Chief Operating Officer
Steve Bult, Principal
Kori Hockett, Assistant Principal
Kevin McDonell, Assistant Principal
Andrew Tink, Dean of Students, Athletic Director
Bart Gregersen, Director of Student Services
Anne Case, Director of Student Records
Dan Crabtree, College/Career Counselor
Beth Mitchell, Personal Counselor
Advanced Placement
Wheaton Academy currently offers Advanced Placement courses in fourteen subjects on campus and several more online. In 2011, 154 students sat for 289 exams in sixteen subjects. Seventy-two percent of Wheaton Academy students scored a 3, 4, or 5, which typically results in college credit.
Wheaton Academy also offers and continues to pursue dual/concurrent credit opportunities through partnerships with several colleges.
Class of 2012 Profile
Enrollment ........... 639 (grades 9 – 12)
ACT Results (All seniors take the ACT)
WA Average Composite....... 24.8 (Mid-50%: 22-29)
State Average Composite .......... 20.9
National Average Composite ...... 21.1
National Merit
2 Finalists, 5 Commended
College Acceptance
The 139 members of the Class of 2012 enrolled in 64 colleges in 22 states. Ninety-four percent are attending four-year institutions, such as: Anderson University, Baylor University, Belhaven University, Carthage College, Clemson University, Cornerstone University, Duke University, Grace College, Grove City College, High Point University, Hope College, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Indiana Wesleyan University, John Brown University, Judson College, Miami University, Oxford, Michigan State University, Moody Bible Institute, North Central College, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, United States Military Academy, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Taylor University, University of California Los Angeles, Western Illinois University, and Wheaton College.
Co-curricular
Wheaton Academy provides over 2,200 co-curricular spots and many clubs and group activities have unlimited participation opportunities. The Academy has 36 athletic teams, 18 of which are varsity teams (Suburban Christian Conference). The Warriors have seen success at both the conference and state levels. Since 1980, the Warriors have brought home 88 Conference Championships, 44 Regional Championships, 16 Sectional Championships, 4 Super-Sectional Championships, and 3 State Championships (Girls Soccer – 2004, 2009 and Boys Golf – 2009). Strong programs in fine arts include nationally recognized innovations in theatre, state-recognized choral and instrumental music groups, as well as a new media program that has also produced nationally recognized work. Additionally, the Academic Bowl and Scholastic Bowl teams are strong competitors. WA has an award-winning climbing club, and an innovative service and leadership development program called Project Lead.