Academy High

We're looking ahead to next school year, and we're glad to announce one of two academic electives students in grades 10-12 will be choosing from this fall: World Religions.

The stories people tell about the world, about meaning, about what happens after we die, about how to treat each other: those stories have shaped civilizations, sparked conflicts, and offered comfort for thousands of years. World Religions approaches Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other traditions through the texts and narratives that define them.

Students will develop close reading and writing skills, and more importantly, they'll come away better equipped to sit with perspectives that are genuinely different from their own.

As students start thinking ahead to next school year, we're happy to share another module coming this fall. Good art starts with good fundamentals, and Art Studio is built around exactly that.

Students new to art will develop drawing and painting skills through structured technique-building and produce a small body of work they can be proud of. Students who have taken art with us before will push their skills further and develop a new portfolio organized around a theme they choose themselves. It's a course that meets you where you are. Open to grades 9-12.

We're excited to share one of the modules students can look forward to this fall. There are stories worth telling, and this fall students will learn how to tell them.

Podcasting takes students through the full arc of audio production: finding a subject, doing the research, conducting interviews, recording and editing, and shaping something that an audience actually wants to hear. Every project builds on the last, and the course ends with a self-directed episode or series that reflects each student's own editorial vision.

Whether you're drawn to storytelling, journalism, or just curious what goes into the podcasts you already listen to, this one is worth getting excited about.

Last month, we had the privilege of graduating the Academy High Class of 2026 at the Siebel Center for Design on the University of Illinois campus, and we have been waiting for this moment ever since. Our professional photography is back, and we could not be more excited to share some highlights with you.

The evening was everything a graduation should be. Family members, friends, and school community members filled the room alongside our faculty, who have walked with these students every step of the way. The speeches from faculty and a student representative were quite moving, and the reception that followed was a true celebration of everything this class has accomplished.

We are so proud of the Class of 2026. Congratulations, graduates. 🎓

🌟 Academy High is looking for our next Head of School! 🌟

We're seeking an inspiring, student-centered leader to help guide our growing independent high school into its next exciting chapter.

If you’re passionate about innovative education, building community, and empowering young people to thrive, we’d love to hear from you!

Full details are available at: https://www.academyhigh.org/employment

📍 Champaign, IL
📅 Priority application deadline: June 19, 2026
📧 Send a resume and letter of interest to [email protected]

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share!

Summer is a good time to slow down and connect, and we want to do that with you!

On Tuesday, June 30, we're gathering at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery for the Academy High School-Wide Summer Social. It's Taco Tuesday on the farm, which means food and drinks available for purchase, open space, and good conversation. There may even be goat hikes if the timing works out.

Incoming families, current students and parents, and alumni are all welcome. The official gathering runs 5:00 to 6:30 PM, but there's no rush to leave. RSVP so we know to expect you.

School-Wide Summer Social 2026 | Academy High Join us for an evening of fun for students and families at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery

🎉 Congratulations to Shivani, who took first place in the High School division at the 2026 UAAT Mandarin Speech Contest last month!

Hosted by the UAAT Mandarin Education Program Liaison Office and the University of Illinois Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies, the contest brings together young Mandarin learners from across Central Illinois to showcase their language skills in front of a live audience, without notes, in a competitive setting. Shivani rose to the occasion and came home with a first-place finish.

This kind of achievement reflects what our Mandarin Chinese program is built around: real communication, real confidence, and real connection to a living language and culture. We're incredibly proud.

Thank you to the organizers for creating such a welcoming and meaningful community event.

Academy High Rock Band is LIVE this Saturday!

Come support our student musicians as they take the stage at Rose Bowl Tavern in downtown Urbana. They've been putting in the work all semester -- come see it pay off!

Rose Bowl Tavern, 106 N Race St #1, Urbana
Doors at 10:45 AM | Show at 11:00 AM
Free and open to everyone

Families, friends, alumni, and community members -- all are welcome. See you there!

Last week, our Spanish classes took their learning beyond the classroom in two memorable ways.

Spanish III students visited University Primary School, where they led conversations entirely in Spanish about the uses of water and practical ways to conserve it. It was a meaningful chance to apply their language skills while engaging with a topic that matters.

Spanish II headed to Maize restaurant, where students ordered their meals in Spanish, enjoyed the food, completed a questionnaire, and interviewed their peers. A real-world test of their skills in the best possible setting.

Proud of both groups for showing up with confidence and curiosity. ¡Bien hecho!

What a day for Academy High Science Olympiad! 🔬

This past weekend, six of our students traveled to McHenry County College to compete in the Illinois Individual Science Olympiad State Tournament, a competition reserved for students who already earned medals at the regional level.

Getting here took real work. Since January, these students gave up their Wednesday afternoons to prepare together, with support from Mrs. Capell, their peers, and adult volunteers. Competing against some of the largest schools in the Chicago area, they showed up and made us proud.

We are especially proud of Piper and Sophia, two 9th graders who brought home 5th place medals in Water Quality.

Thank you to everyone who supported these students from preparation through competition day. Congratulations to all six!