At Wheaton Academy, we believe that God is the ultimate designer, and as His image-bearers, our students are called to create, innovate, and serve. By providing flexible instruction, opportunities for collaboration, faculty mentorship, and hands-on applications, Academy by Design trains students to serve others through innovation.
Academy by Design is a three-year program that empowers students to purposefully engage with challenges that matter
to them and their communities. Throughout the three years, students in Academy by Design take courses that teach
them to think like designers, collaborate like professionals, and understand the needs of those around them.
We do school a bit differently by restructuring their schedule so students can invest the time to create solutions for real-world problems with professionals.
We give students the opportunity to show colleges and employers what they can do beyond test scores through their in-depth, project-based experience.
We give students the opportunity to do Christ-centered service, year-round, through applied empathy and design.
As parents, we want to give students time to dive deeply into their God-given passions that we have seen grow in them from a young age, and connect those passions to real-world solutions.
Enrollment
Any student may enroll in Academy by Design courses beginning with "Introduction to Design" during sophomore year.
Diploma Designation
Students who complete all three Academy by Design courses earn a Design Thinking designation on their diploma.
First Steps
Students wanting to pursue the “Design Thinking” designation may contact the Academy by Design Director or enroll in the "Introduction to Design" course.
Introduction to Design
🔹 1 semester
🔹 The starting point for Academy by Design
In this course, students identify real-world challenges, develop human-centered design solutions, and present their work to a relevant audience. This course provides the foundational tools for design thinking, including empathy-driven problem-solving, ideation, prototyping, and user feedback.
Design Intensive
🔹 Prerequisite: Introduction to Design
🔹 2 semesters
This hands-on, yearlong course takes learning beyond the classroom and into the real world. Students will:
Design Capstone
🔹 2 semesters
🔹 Prerequisite: Design Intensive
The final step in the Academy by Design program, this capstone allows students to:
