Senior Reflections
This place will have a lasting impact on me because the people here showed me that not only is Scripture trustworthy, but it impacts every area of life.
Katie Morden '24
2023-2024
A Year in Review
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 | Year Verse
SAT Benchmark Data
Our most recent benchmark SAT data shows Wheaton Academy scoring among the very best public schools in the state of Illinois.
3 National Merit Finalists
Three Wheaton Academy students were selected as National Merit finalists, placing them in the top 1% of US high school seniors. Congratulations to Adrian Gear, Andrew Hancock, and Daniel Titcomb!
Winterim
Winterim 2024 offered over 150 internships, 45 classes, and 10 trips!
Selective College Acceptances
Wheaton Academy students were accepted at the following selective colleges and universities.
DECA
Twelve Wheaton Academy students competed at the DECA State competition against 1,800 students from across Illinois. Nine students placed in the top 10. Seven qualified to compete at Nationals!
Leah Rinker: Teacher of the Year
What does Academy Hall, Maroon Platoon, and Hair and Makeup have in common? You guessed it! Congratulations to Mrs. Leah Rinker on her nomination as the 2024 Wheaton Academy Teacher of the Year!
WAZoo
Our new Animal Behavior initiative hosted over seventy third grade visitors to the WA Zoo this year. We explored a partnership with the Vet Tech program at Joliet Junior College.
Math
While math scores are declining nationally, Wheaton Academy’s math team boasts an impressive competitive record. This year, the Math team placed 3rd at State for Division 2A.
Academy by Design
Our first Academy By Design (AbD) cohort graduated in 2024. In partnership with the Entrepreneurship class, AbD students presented their human-centered design projects through interactive demonstrations at an Expo in May. Below, see students presenting an adaptive rowing machine designed to service people in wheelchairs.
Calamos MarketWatch Competition
Five Wheaton Academy teams competed in a $1M Stock Portfolio Calamos MarketWatch Competition against other schools in the area. Team FTX Bros – Charles Scherer, Daniel Ciszek, Thomas Sias, and Alex Bounds – won the competition, accumulating total gains of $143,000 in 3 months with only 14 trades.
Senior Reflections
Wheaton Academy has invested in me beyond what I could ever have imagined. From the amazingly caring and frankly overqualified teachers to the administration that is truly welcoming and involved, my time here has powerfully developed both my character and my abilities.
Mateo Noguera Montoya '24
30 Athletes Signed
Thirty senior athletes signed to play in college. Special congratulations to our 2 Division 1 athletes!
Leading FCA Youth Programs
Twelve student-athletes led FCA Wheaton Christian Grammar School. Student-athletes are involved in coaching and instructing in 7 FCA youth programs.
Team Travel
Students continually report that the team travel is one of the highlights of their time at Wheaton Academy, providing important lessons that will last a lifetime. This year, ten programs traveled as far as California and Texas to compete across the country.
Notable Athletic Successes
FALL
Boys Golf: Conference Champs, Regional Champs, Freshman Owen Coniaris qualified for the State Finals
Girls Golf: Conference Champs, Vivian Kutek qualified for the State Finals
Football: Advanced to the State Semifinals for the first time in school history, Brett Kasper Conference Offensive Player of the Year, All-State, Ethan Head Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, All-State Honorable Mention
Boys Cross Country: Conference Champs
Girls Cross Country: Freshman Addie Painter qualified for the State Finals
Girls Volleyball: Regional Champs
Boys Soccer: Conference Champs
WINTER
Wrestling: Lincoln Hoger and Chasen Kazmierczak were conference champions and qualified for the State Finals. Lincoln finished 5th in the State and was awarded All-State
SPRING
Girls Track & Field: Conference Champs, Quynh Sedlacek and Sophie Roberts qualified for the State Finals in Pole Vault, Maddie Jenkins qualified for the State Finals in 100m and 200m.
Boys Track & Field: Had a school record 6 athletes qualify for the State Finals: Miguel Boney 4×800, 400m, Luke Dorn 4×800, Emery Eckert 100m, Luke Osterholm 4×800, Shaymis Powell 4×800 and 1600m, Canyon Roberts 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, Pole Vault. Canyon Roberts earned All-State honors in both Pole Vault and 110m hurdles
Boys Tennis: Eddie Dykema and Elliot Poland qualified for the State Finals Doubles Tournament
Baseball: Conference Champs, Regional Champs
Lacrosse: Sectional Champs
Girls Soccer: Sectional Champs, Conference Champs, Becca Schulenburg Conference Player of the Year, Calla Brust Goalkeeper of the Year
Winning State on the soccer team during my sophomore year was an unforgettable experience, but I would have to say playing Jack Kelly in Newsies was equally important because of Mrs. Burick and how much she poured into me. These two are my best memories from high school. They have changed my life forever!
Scotty Murray '24
Kids Alive Partnership
Eighteen students traveled to the Dominican Republic this Winterim to teach and observe the "Life Skills Job Skills" course, developed by Jack Schroeder '24. The course is being utilized in schools and after-school programs, while Jack continues to work with partners to update and supplement teaching materials.
Spiritual Life Week: Dr. Christopher Yuan
During our spring Spiritual Life Week, Dr. Christopher Yuan shared his testimony and challenged our community greatly in chapel and at our Q&A lunch sessions. Over 175 students attended these lunches, engaging in conversations about holy sexuality.
Newsies
Audiences flocked to Academy Theatre’s production of Newsies, involving nearly 200 students in a wide range of roles.
Service
Meet some of our long-term service partners:
- Students tutor local elementary school students through Puente Del Pueblo every Friday.
- Once a month, students serve with Replanted, providing childcare for foster and adoptive families.
- Each month, students serve at By the Hand and Moving Everest in Austin.
- Students offer music and encouragement at Windsor Park throughout the school year.
ILMEA
Fifteen students earned ILMEA state-wide music recognition in January.
- Ben De Haan and Karly Benware sang in the All-State Choir! Karly auditioned and performed a solo.
- Josiah Doebler sang in the All-State Honors Choir, and Brendan Novak performed in the All-State Honors Orchestra ranked #5.
- Aedan Koop and Peter Handy had award-winning compositions this year at the conference!
- Scotty Murray placed FIRST overall in the Singer/Songwriter this year and was blessed with the opportunity to perform in the Composition Showcase.
Whether it’s the countless teachers who have shared their testimonies in class, the impactful teachings in our Spiritual Life Week chapels, or the daily conversations with fellow peers, Christ’s love and mercy has been the center of it all.
Andrew VanHuis '24
For Generations to Come
In August, we announced Wheaton Academy's most ambitious capital campaign yet, For Generations to Come. Thriving programs needed a new space, and our campus began expanding to meet our students' needs.
Goodbye Academy Hall
Over the summer of 2023, we said goodbye to Academy Hall.
A Biblical Foundation
As a symbol of our prayer for the new space, Mr. Steve Bult placed his personal Bible, given to him by a former student, beneath the foundation of the new front door.
Campus Construction
The construction site itself became a classroom throughout the year. Engineering students visited the site to learn about the construction process and one student even interned with our site foreman!
Celebrating Wheaton Academy's 170th Birthday
Birthday gifts to the Warrior Fund helped us continue to maximize transformational learning experiences and sustained the Academy Effect.
Challenge Accepted
In May, a generous partner agreed to match gifts and pledges towards our “For Generations to Come” campaign up to $100,000. The Wheaton Academy community accepted the challenge! Students competed across WA's social media, raising over $620,000!
Celebrating The Class of 2024
As we celebrate the achievements of the class of 2024, we thank God for his faithfulness to these students over the last four years. Watch Commencement and Baccalaureate messages, download photos, and see a recap video here.
Play Video about Scotty Murray
Our Mission
The mission of Wheaton Academy is to nurture growth in students through relationships, excellence, and service to the glory of God.
These aren’t just words. Our mission is the heartbeat of our school. It’s the foundation for all of the accomplishments we are celebrating this year. Visit our mission page to learn more about the way our mission informs everything that we do.