Homecoming Week
Monday, October 5 - Sunday, October 11, 2026
We are excited for a week celebrating the Wheaton Academy community–both past and present!
Alumni—be sure to register for events using our Alumni Platform and click here for a special list of events.
Parents—We LOVE Homecoming week, and we need you to help us make it happen! Here are a few important things for you to note about this week:
- Review Dress Day Themes and activity schedule below.
- Review and complete steps for Saturday’s Homecoming event (including details regarding tickets, signing the mechanical bull waiver, and completing a guest form–if applicable)
- Volunteer Opportunities for you to help at our Thursday Tailgate
There are numerous ways to get involved. Take a look at the opportunities to help out and sign up here for activities throughout the week or here to help out with the Tailgate.
Monday, October 5
Bell Schedule
Field Day Schedule
8:00‑8:20 – Meet in 1st Period Class
8:25-8:35 – Meet as a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior class
8:50‑9:20 – Opening Ceremony
9:30 – Field Day Begins; meet with advisory groups at first game rotation
9:30‑12:00 – Field Day
12:00 – School Day Ends
Theme
Color Day
Wear as much of your class color as possible:
● Freshmen: Blue
● Sophomores: Green
● Juniors: Yellow
● Seniors: Red
● Faculty/Staff: Wear the color of your Advisory’s group grade
Evening Events
Home Athletic Events:
5:00pm – JV Football vs. Bishop McNamara Academy
5:00pm – Girls JV Volleyball vs. Christ the King Jesuit College Prep
6:00pm – Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Christ the King Jesuit College Prep
Tuesday, October 6
Bell Schedule
Chapel Schedule
8:00–8:43 – Period 1
8:49–9:32 – Period 2
9:38–10:22 – Period 3
10:32–11:07 – Assembly
11:17–12:01 – Period 4
12:01–12:34 – Lunch
12:39–1:22 – Period 5
1:28–2:11 – Period 6
2:17–3:00 – Period 7
Theme
Through the Decades
Travel back through Olympic history, dressing as your favorite Sport, Tourist, or Spectator from any decade of the Games.
Evening Events
Home Athletic Events:
4:30 pm – Girls Varsity Tennis vs. Nazareth Academy
4:30 pm – Girls Freshman A Volleyball vs. Marian Central Catholic
4:30 pm – Girls JV Volleyball vs. Marian Central Catholic
5:30 pm – Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Marian Central Catholic
Wednesday, October 7
Bell Schedule
Modified Block
9:00‑10:30 – Period 1
10:35‑11:20 – Assembly
11:25‑12:55 – Period 2
12:55‑1:25 – Lunch
1:30‑3:00 – Period 3
Theme
Event Day (Advisory Groups)
With your advisory group, dress as a current Olympic sport OR as something you think should be an Olympic event (whether that’s cooking, gardening, crocheting, or board games, etc.)!
Evening Events
Student Event:
7:00-9:00 pm – Service Project at Sonny Acres (Free to WA Students)
Students will bring their collected items to support the foster care efforts of the Youth Service Bureau. The class who brings the most items will win Homecoming points. Students can bring donations to Wheaton Academy until 3pm Wednesday and place it in their designated class pool (located in the Atrium) or they can bring their items directly to Sonny Acres Wednesday evening. The class who brings the most items before 3pm Wednesday will earn additional Homecoming points.
The need at Youth Services Bureau is Diapers (all sizes) and Baby Wipes so this is what all grades will be collecting.
During the event, students will also participate in hayrides, bonfire, and s’mores. The evening will conclude in worship. It is a community goal that over 500 WA students attend this event–see you there! Class with most students in attendance gets homecoming points!
Parent Events:
7:00-8:30 pm – Parent Social for Freshman and Transfer Families
Join us at WA in the Student Union for some light refreshments and a time to meet other parents!
Thursday, October 8
Bell Schedule
Modified Block
8:00‑9:25 – Period 4
9:30‑10:55 – Period 5
11:00‑11:25 – Assembly
11:25‑12:00 – Lunch
12:05‑1:30 – Period 6
1:35‑3:00 – Period 7
Theme
Medal Day
Claim your podium spot by dressing in gold, silver, or bronze!
Evening Events
Home Athletic Events:
4:30 pm – Girls Freshman A Volleyball Game vs. Latin School
4:30 pm – Girls JV Volleyball Game vs. Latin School
5:30 pm – Girls Varsity Volleyball Game vs. Latin School, including recognition of the 50 years of our Girls Volleyball Program + honoring Edie Rooks and DA Nichols’ legacy.
5:00 pm – JV Soccer vs. Woodstock North
7:00 pm – Varsity Soccer vs. Woodstock North
Halftime will include a Furnace Dance Company performance, recognition of our Homecoming Court, and honoring the 50th year of our Girls Volleyball Program.
5:00-8:00pm – Taco Tailgate Party for Project Lead Global. All students, parents, and members of our community are welcome to join in on the yard game fun. ($10 minimum donation to our Seed to Sower partners in the Dominican Republic).
Parents: we would love your help for our tailgate for supplies and serving: Parent Volunteer Sign Up HERE
We will have a Fireworks show following the conclusion of the match. Fireworks will be launched from the Baseball Field, so please orient your seating accordingly.
Be sure to stop by the Alumni and Development tents!
Alumni Event:
7:00pm – Alumni Tent Opens
Friday, October 9
Bell Schedule
Pep Rally Schedule
8:00‑8:38 – Period 1
8:44‑9:22 – Period 2
9:28‑10:06 – Period 3
10:16‑10:53 – Chapel
11:03-11:41 – Period 4
11:41-12:09 – Lunch
12:14-12:52 – Period 5
12:58–1:36 – Period 6
1:42–2:20 – Period 7
2:20-2:30 – Meet as a Class
2:30–3:00 – Pep Rally
Theme
Spirit Day
Show your school colors in maroon and white, and save your maroon best for the Maroon Out at the football game in the evening.
Evening Events
Athletic Events:
7:30 pm – Varsity Football vs. Aurora Christian
Halftime will include a cheer routine and a celebration of the 2026 Boys Lacrosse State Championship team. It is also Senior Night for our football and cheer teams.
Student Events + Alumni Events:
5:00pm: Community Wide Family Picnic
Join us for a fun evening with food trucks from Bricks pizza, 302 burgers, Taco Truck, King Kream Ice Cream, Shack Cinnamon Rolls, and more.
Enjoy FREE games, face painting, inflatables, pony rides, camel rides, and petting zoo. Ricky Lindy Band will play hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Be sure to stop by the Alumni and Development tents!
Alumni Events:
4:30 pm: Catered Alumni Dinner Sign-in Begins (Atrium)
5:00 pm: Catered Alumni Dinner (Atrium) $25 and recommended for Classes of 1955-1990.
6:00 pm: Homecoming Program for all alumni and current families (Student Union)
All are welcome to join us as we honor the Alumni of the Year, the Distinguished Young Alumni, and enjoy music from WA’s instrumental and choral groups.
Saturday, October 10
Morning Events
9:00 am – Heritage Breakfast (Atrium – Complimentary)
All alumni and former faculty/staff are invited to this special breakfast. We will be specifically honoring the life and legacy of Mac Airhart. Registration requested at alumni.wheatonacademy.org.
10:30 am – Brick Dedication
The following beloved members
of the WA community will be remembered with a memorial
brick: Harold “Mac” Airhart, Bruce Johnson ’53, Mike Morgan ’70, Joey Rooks ’96, Roya Sadigh ’96, Ed Willis.
11:00 am – Campus Tour with Dr. Frost.
12:00 pm – Come celebrate 50 years of our Girls Volleyball Program and recognize Edie Rooks and DA Nichols’ coaching legacy. Lunch provided.
Evening Events
Student Activities:
7:00 – 9:30 pm – Fall Informal
($45 pre-purchase; $50 at door; Student Union) Carnival and yard games, mechanical bull, food trucks, DJ, & dancing
Tickets will be available for purchase during lunch periods beginning September 28.
If students would like to bring a guest from another school, they need to pick up and complete a guest form. LINK TO FORM
If students would like to ride on the mechanical bull at the Fall Informal, they must sign a waiver. LINK TO WAIVER
Alumni Events:
Individual Class Reunions
Register here
Sunday, October 11
Morning Events
9:30 am – Coffee Fellowship
10:00 am – Worship Service with special message by Dr. Gene Frost ’71, former Head of School.
Located in the
Alumni White Chapel
Special music by Loren Lustig ’66 and Alumni Choir (practice hosted at 9am) led by former WA Choral Director Burt Kettinger.