Academics
WA Women’s Prayer
Once a month on Tuesdays, the women of Wheaton Academy meet to pray for our school. Please join us on for our next prayer time on Tuesday, September 8. Please sign in at the front desk when you arrive.
Off-Campus Learning Day
Once again this year, we are excited to provide our students with the opportunity to participate in Off-Campus Learning Days. These days afford our students time for uninterrupted learning on days they typically would have off for in-service/teacher conferences. Additionally, our Off-Campus Learning Days will prepare our students to seamlessly continue in their classes during snow/inclement weather days.
Our first Off-Campus Learning Day this year will take place on Monday, September 14. Students should plan to allocate the same amount of time for schoolwork as they would for a traditional on-campus day (approximately 7 hours). Teachers will make expectations clear to our students, and they will be able to access all work via OnCampus.
Orah
Thank you for everyone who has downloaded the Orah app, activated their accounts, and have been submitting absences/late arrivals through the system. If you are having issues logging in or submitting attendance, please contact Mr. Felinski in the IT department at CFelinski@wheatonacademy.org. Any screenshots of errors or issues you are experiencing is very helpful as we are doing the setup of our system.
Contact:
Chris Felinski
Parent Partnership
WA Men’s Prayer
On the second Saturday of every month, the men from Wheaton Academy meet to pray for our community and hear from one of our faculty/staff members. Please join us on Saturday, September 12. This month, we will hear from Wheaton Academy teacher, Grant Tillotson. Light refreshments are served.
Moms in Prayer Fall Brunch
All women are invited to attend the Mom's in Prayer Fall Brunch. Please join us for a time of prayer, fellowship, and food. Please click here for more information and to RSVP.
Parent Event: An Evening with Dr. Jon Eckert
On September 24, join Dr. Jon Eckert on the Academy's campus as he walks WA parents through the ideas in his new book, The Happiness Crisis: How Adversity Can Build a Resilient and Joyful Next Generation. RSVP for the event to receive a free copy of Jon’s book.
Jon Eckert is the Copple Professor of Educational Leadership at Baylor University and executive director of the Baylor Center for School Leadership. He taught and coached middle-grade students outside Chicago and Nashville before earning his doctorate at Vanderbilt University, then served in the U.S. Department of Education. He later prepared teachers, including some of our very own Living Curriculum Teachers, as a professor at Wheaton College.
Speaking from decades of experience, Eckert will show parents how to invite young people into challenges, risks, and adventures; prioritize real-life connections that show kids they matter; resist echo chambers and the pull of fleeting success; and welcome kids into lives that move beyond circumstantial happiness to lasting joy.
Homecoming Tailgate Volunteers Needed
Project LEAD is excited to announce the annual Tailgate. This event is for EVERYONE! There will be good food, games, face painting, and more! Bring your students and your families and enjoy time together before heading to the soccer game! All proceeds will go to support the students that Wheaton Academy supports in the Dominican Republic and Haiti through Kid’s Alive International. Finally, in order to make this event successful, we need your help! Please sign up to donate food, plates, napkins, etc. Please reach out to Melanie Marr (mmarr@wheatonacademy.org) with any questions. We are excited to see you there!
Homecoming Fall Informal Help Needed
Student Activities is planning the Homecoming Fall Informal on October 10. We would love our parents to help us that evening. If you are willing to run carnival games or help clean up, please contact Jim Holtrop. We will have two shifts: 6:30-8:30 pm for carnival games, and 8:30-10:00 pm for carnival games and clean up. Please consider helping us out! It is a fun time! Thank you.
Contact:
Jim Holtrop
Community
Picture Retakes
If your student was absent or did not have the chance to get their picture taken with Lifetouch, retakes will be October 2! Please encourage your student to stop by the atrium before school, at lunch, during passing periods, or during their study hall. Lifetouch will be here from 8:00-2:00. Please contact Ms. Rusthoven (krusthoven@wheatonacademy.org) if you have any questions. Thank you!
Contact:
Kristen Rusthoven
Senior Picture Submission
Please begin thinking about the photo your student would like to submit to the yearbook. For their senior year, students are able to choose a photo that they would like to submit to the yearbook as their senior portrait. Your student may have chosen to take their senior picture with Prestige over the summer, or they may have had their photos taken through a different company. Either option is perfectly fine, but each requires different steps for submitting their photo.
If your student chose to take their photos with Prestige, Prestige will ask you which photo you would like to select for the yearbook, and it will automatically be sent to us. If this is the option your student chose, please simply select the photo you want submitted to the yearbook, and no further action is needed. You are all set!
If your student had their photo taken with a different company, that is perfectly fine as well. However, since Wheaton Academy does not work directly with other companies, you will need to submit your chosen photo to yearbook@wheatonacademy.org. Once you have sent in your student’s photo, you are good to go!
Please keep a few things in mind when selecting the photo you plan to submit to the yearbook:
- Please do not send in a cropped or altered photo. Our system will not allow us to import a screenshot or cropped photo. Please make sure to send the original photo via email to yearbook@wheatonacademy.org. Please send the photo as a file, not a link. Thank you!
- Please submit a forward facing, clear picture of your student's face from the shoulders up, with a non-distracting background. Due to the dimensions of the yearbook photo frame, all photos will be cropped from the shoulders up. You are welcome to send in a full body photo, but please understand that given the dimensions of the frame, it will need to be cropped. Please do not crop the photo before sending it as the program will not allow us to upload it. We will crop it when we import it.
- When emailing your student’s photo, please include their first and last name.
All photos must be submitted by December 18, 2026. Please reach out to Ms. Rusthoven (krusthoven@wheatonacademy.org) with any questions. Thank you!
Contact:
Kristen Rusthovern
Athletics
Athletic Passes
We are happy to announce again that this year we will be providing to all Wheaton Academy families, faculty, and staff one athletics pass per household that will provide you and your family free entry into any regular season home sports game(s) for the 2026-27 season. Please stop by the Athletic or Front Office any time M-F from 9 am-4 pm to pick up your pass.
The Center for Lifelong Learning
Free Parent Meeting: Starting the School Year Strong
Join us for a practical, parent-focused workshop led by Holly Taritas, designed to equip families with tools to support organization, time management, task initiation, and study skills at home. A special invitation is for parents of new students.
Contact:
Holly Taritas
College Essay Writing Workshop
Application deadlines are approaching—Give your student the support they need to create an authentic, standout essay and feel confident submitting it! The Center for Lifelong Learning invites Class of 2027 seniors to an engaging, interactive 4-hour workshop designed to guide them through the college essay writing process. Using proven strategies, students will brainstorm ideas, write their compelling story, and refine it using guided exercises, peer feedback, and expert support. Optional one-on-one coaching is also available afterward to give the essay a final polish.