This year, the focus in the chapel is to have our “eyes up” on Christ. We should not look to the world for satisfaction or answers but immediately turn to Christ, the supplier of surpassing peace. We all face the same difficulties, but at Wheaton Academy, the solutions we are taught depend on Christ alone.
Meet Bella
Bella is a student, a friend, and a disciple. As she moves from subject to subject, she seeks to see God’s sovereignty in the most unlikely of places. Bella is passionate about learning and chooses not to accept unanswered questions, but instead embraces the ambiguities of the world and dives into what they teach us about our Savior. She pours into her peers, friends, and teachers and is shifting the culture of Wheaton Academy through the way she loves God and loves others.
Bella's Class Schedule
Period 1
Spanish II | Instructor: Jessica Hands
This course continues to build on the foundational workings of Spanish I while emphasizing authentic language input. Course content will include concepts taught in both Spanish II and Spanish III. Students will work toward language proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Grammar is taught directly and practiced in each of the skill areas.
Period 2
AP World History | Instructor: Nate Leman
This course will require students to analyze and interpret significant events in world history. Over the course of the year, students will be asked to identify six themes: 1) people and the environment; 2) societal interactions; 3) governmental style and conflict; 4) economic functions; 5) cultural roles and purposes; 6) impacts of technology. Students will also develop the writing and analytical skills necessary for the AP exam, including answering document-based questions, short-answer questions and long essay questions, and AP level multiple choice questions.
I have learned to push myself to pursue excellence in all things at Wheaton Academy. This is the mindset taught at our school. If people see that I live my life purposefully, they will know that my God is important to me. This is my foundation. To persevere towards excellence, I set realistic goals that I can work towards.
Period 3
Orchestra | Instructor: Steve Willemssen
This level I course is Wheaton Academy’s music ensemble for classical stringed instrument players. Over a four-year cycle, the ensemble will learn and perform a wide variety of music of various styles and time periods. Performance opportunities include concerts, chapels, and service performances in the community. Students enrolled in orchestra can also elect to be involved in numerous co-curricular activities, including chamber music groups, pit orchestra, and instrumental tour.
Period 4
English II | Instructor: Daniel Ball
English II examines novels, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, emphasizing close reading, use of literary tools for analysis, and vocabulary development. Communication skills focus on thesis-driven essays, which utilize research and appropriate evidence.
Period 5
Chemistry | Instructor: Kiernan Mack
Chemistry is the ongoing investigation of matter— its composition, structure, properties, and changes thereof. Chemicals and their properties affect our lives in more ways than we can imagine. Students will learn about chemistry through lectures, demonstrations, and labs. Although the majority of the course revolves around inorganic chemistry, topics in organic chemistry are included.
Period 6
Story and Animation Design | Instructor: Brigitta Engebretsen
In this cross-curricular course, students will integrate the art of storytelling with animation. They will compose a story, expanding their literary creativity, and then generate an animated feature using physics-based programming. An emphasis on problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration will be essential as students are responsible for constructive feedback to their peers throughout the development process
Period 7
College Algebra | Instructor: Cassie Prempas
This course follows Geometry (Adv) for the advanced math student and provides an extension of fundamental algebraic concepts. Topics include solving equations derived from polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions and systems of equations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills and problem solving in anticipation of continuing toward Advanced Placement mathematics courses.
Bella competes in a quiz bowl tournament after school.
After School
Quiz Bowl | Club Sponsor: Evan Jasper
Bella meets with the Scholastic Quiz Bowl team once a week to prepare for competitions.
Quiz Bowl is an academic competition between different schools, testing knowledge of History, Literature, Mathematics, and more. I love Quiz Bowl for more reasons than just challenging my brain. The community involved in this co-curricular is friendly and welcoming. Secondly, at the end of each match, our team has the opportunity to pray with our opponents, Christian or non-Christian, win or lose. It’s a gift to pray with these schools and shine God’s light, so we never take this for granted. That’s probably the most memorable thing about Quiz Bowl.
Growing TOgether
At Wheaton Academy, you will learn and grow within a Christ-centered Kingdom Community. Our student culture is founded on the belief that students who are seeking to live out their relationship with Christ can be treated maturely. As a student, you will be trusted and simultaneously held accountable to steward your opportunities well.