Wheaton Academy, a private Christian high school located in West Chicago, IL, was announced as a recipient of the prestigious 2019 National Blue Ribbon School award from the U.S. Department of Education on September 26, 2019. The Blue Ribbon award is the highest honor an American school can receive and 362 schools throughout the United States received this recognition.

In her video message, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos applauded the 2019 schools: “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning.”

Wheaton Academy was nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), and was one of only 8 private high schools in the nation to receive the award.

“This is a tremendous honor for Wheaton Academy,” said Head of School Steve Bult. “Our 165-year legacy is rooted in setting a high bar for academic standards and fostering student learning and growth. Every day our faculty and staff work tirelessly to create an environment for students to think critically and engage global problems.”

Wheaton Academy principal, Kori Hockett said, “We are proud of the work our students and teachers have done to achieve this outstanding award. We believe this recognition is evidence of the creativity, innovation, dedication, academic rigor and curriculum that our students experience in their classrooms every day.”

The National Blue Ribbon School award program was created in 1982 and has recognized more than 9,000 schools in its 37-year history.

Wheaton Academy will join the other schools honored in the recognition at a celebration in November hosted by the Department of Education in Washington DC on November 14-15.