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Chesterton Academy
High School with a Higher Purpose
St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy is raising up a new generation of joyful leaders and saints, educated in the classical tradition and the truths of the Catholic faith. St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy serves high school students in grades 9-12 and offers rigorous, integrated curriculum unlocks their potential and prepares them to succeed in college, professional life, and service of family, country, and God. An extension of St. Ignatius Catholic School and a member of the international Chesterton Schools Network, St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy is the only Catholic classical high school in the region and serves students from across Kaukauna, the greater Appleton area, and the Fox Valley.
st. ignatius CHESTERTON ACADEMY OFFERS:
- An integrated classical, liberal arts curriculum in the Catholic intellectual tradition
- A well-rounded education that develops strong intellectual habits
- A supportive community growing in virtue and holiness
- A culture of prayer and spiritual growth in the Catholic tradition
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A catalyst for promoting character and leadership skills
Model of Formation
Inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II and as a member of the Chesterton Schools Network, we take our motto Cultura Vitae, the culture of life. At St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy, we prepare our students to triumph over the materialism and despair that pervade our culture and to accept our Lord’s offer to have life and have it abundantly. Our Catholic classical curriculum combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. We form our students in three pillars or formation:
Intellect
We teach the classics of Western thought and the interrelationship of the great ideas, teaching students not merely what to think but how to think.
character
We help students grow in the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice, which we believe are the foundation of leadership.
SPIRITUALITY
Our students come to understand and embrace the truth of why they exist: to know, love, and serve God in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next.
Hallmarks of a Chesterton Education
An Incarnational Environment
From history and theology to math and science, the Incarnation is the central mystery we explore across the entire curriculum. It is our desire that each student would personally experience the Incarnation.
Rediscovering the Lost Tools of Learning
Our curriculum is centered on skills seemingly forgotten in our modern society – reading, writing, oral presentations, and the development of critical reasoning skills through logic and philosophy.
A Focus on Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Our classical curriculum combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty.
The Socratic Seminar
The Socratic seminar is perhaps the oldest educational tool. Through this method, a teacher imparts knowledge through directed questions and guided dialogue, bringing ideas and knowledge to life.
A Joyful learning environment
We create environments where students experience the joy of community and the discovery process, providing them with an opportunity to live out their spiritual life in an atmosphere of joy and fun.
The Wit and Wisdom of G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton exemplified the Catholic faith through through his wit, his clarity, his kindness, and his ability to love people with whom he disagreed, while sharing the faith in Christian charity.
An Integrated, Classical Curriculum
Students at St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy enjoy a cohesive, content-rich education. A broad exposure to many different disciplines helps students expand their interests and uncover hidden talents. Each year builds on the previous, so that by the end of senior year, our students are articulate, clear-thinking, well-rounded, and, very importantly, joyful individuals.
Nothing could be a better preparation for success at college. Our classically educated students fare very well on standardized tests and college admissions. Yet our mission does not end with merely getting students into college. We are preparing them for life, which includes finding their vocation. A Catholic classical education at St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy helps students discern and follow God’s calling for their lives.
HUMANITIES
History, literature, philosophy, theology, and languages are connected and braided together in our Catholic integrated, classical curriculum.
SCIENCE AND MATH
Math and science are intimately connected. Reason and faith meet in every class. The logic of math is seen in philosophy and God’s handiwork in the sciences.
FINE ARTS
Equal emphasis is given to the arts, so that every student learns to draw and paint, sing in the choir, act on the stage, give speeches, and engage in debate.
Student Life
Students at St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy develop and grow in mind, heart, and soul. Student life and cocurricular activities support and complement the strong Catholic classical curriculum and enhance every student’s overall St. Ignatius experience.
Faith
Catholic culture is integrated into all that we do. Daily Mass, prayer, confession, service, pilgrimages, retreat, and a joyfully Catholic culture help students grow in relationship with God.
House System
The Chesterton Academy House System draws on the 1,000 year-old tradition of Christian education exemplified in the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. Houses provide real, tangible community within the larger school, giving our students the opportunity to take ownership, to exercise true leadership, and to grow in virtue.
Each student is assigned to one of four houses for their tenure at St. Ignatius and have the opportunity to lead as a House Prefect during their junior and senior year. The Houses are named for the four saints who hold up the Chair of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica: Saints Ambrose, Augustine, Athanasius, and Chrysostom.
The White Horse Cup
The Houses are engaged in continual competition for the White Horse Cup, which is awarded each year to the House with the most points at the end of the year. The winning House’s name is engraved on the cup each year to keep a record for posterity.
Athletics
St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy offers athletics opportunities to students. The school co-ops with Stockbridge High School on some sports.
Chesterton Academy (Grades 9-12) Athletics
- Boys and Girls Cross Country
- Girls Volleyball
- Coed Soccer
- Girls Golf
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Girls and Boys Track
- Boys Golf
Fine Arts
The arts are woven into the integrated classical curriculum at St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy, including choir, band, visual arts, drama and theater, debate, speech, and more. Our students are regularly invited to perform at Masses, community events, and other outreach opportunities.
Additional fine arts co-curricular opportunities may be available depending upon student interest.
Clubs and Activities
Due to the broad, content-rich integrated curriculum of Chesterton Academy, many opportunities positioned in modern education as co-curricular activities are embedded in the academic and community experience for students. This includes drama/theater, debate, speech, choir, band, the sciences, pro-life outreach, faith formation, etc.
Current co-curricular Clubs and Activities Include:
- Band
- Choir
- Yearbook
- STEM Club
Additional co-curricular opportunities may be added and made available depending upon student interest.
Planning for College
The rigorous, integrated Catholic classical curriculum at St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy prepares students to succeed beyond high school—in college, their vocation, and professional life, and to excel in service of family, of country, and of Christ our Lord. We have staff and resources available to our high school students to help navigate educational options, college admissions, and more.
Our classically educated students fare very well on standardized tests and college admissions. Yet, our mission does not end with merely getting students into college. We are preparing them for life, which includes finding and living out their vocation, for their holiness, for the greater good, and for the glory of God.
St. Ignatius Chesterton Academy News
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The Most Rev. Bishop David L. Ricken shares his full endorsement of Catholic classical high schools and Chesterton Academy member schools like ours!
Bishop David L. Ricken