Elgin Academy (Elgin, Illinois)
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| Elgin Academy | |
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Non Sibi
(Not for One's Self) Finis Origine Pendet (The End Depends Upon the Beginning) |
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| Location | |
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| Elgin, Illinois United States of America |
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| Information | |
| Head of school | Dr. John W. Cooper (2000-) |
| Enrollment |
~400 (main campus) |
| Type | Private, Independent |
| Grades | Preschool-12 |
| Mascot | Foxman (team name Hilltoppers) |
| Color(s) | Orange & Black |
| Established | 1839 |
| Homepage | www.elginacademy.org |
Elgin Academy, founded in 1839, is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school in Elgin, Illinois.
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[edit] History
The Academy was established by charter of the Illinois General Assembly in 1839 to provide students with a classical education. The Academy's original building, "Old Main", was constructed in 1856, and is now on the United States' National Register of Historic Places. It serves as a museum of the Elgin Area Historical Society (see below).
Trustee and benefactor Nathaniel C. Sears expanded it from a local-area school to a boarding school with the construction of its Sears Hall. Edwards Hall was built in 1969.
[edit] Facilities
The school occupies a 15-acre (61,000 m²) campus 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Chicago in the Historic District of the city of Elgin. The school's classrooms are largely housed in three buildings (with a soon-to-be-completed fourth building, the Harold D. Rider Family Media, Sciance and Fine Arts Center):
- Edwards Hall
- Sears Hall
- North Hall
Other buildings on campus include:
- Sears Gallery
- The Gymnasium
- Raymond House (business office)
- Penney House (admissions, marketing, development and alumni relations offices)
The Elgin Academy also owns a sports field complex, approximately one half-mile away from the main campus, including tennis courts, grass fields, and 1/5-mile all-weather track.
[edit] The Old Main
The Old Main is the original building in which the Academy was housed. When the school had enormous debt, the Academy attempted to donate the building to the city of Elgin, so it wouldn't have to pay for a dilapidated building. Due to legal technicalities, the building could not be given as a gift. The school consequently sold it to the city for $1.
Today, the building is primarily used as the museum for the Elgin Area Historical Society. However, there is one room set aside for use as a regular classroom by the school, commonly referred to as the "Museum Room" by students.
[edit] The Academy today
The Academy offers an academic, college-preparatory curriculum that ensures a tradition of innovation and excellene. This prestigious Illinois school boasts top rankings in state high schools (both public and private) and an enormous 83% rate of graduates being accepted to Ivy-League or equal level colleges and universities. The Academy is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by both the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The school is a member of the Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools, the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools, the Cum Laude Society, the National Honor Society, and many other academic organizations. It is recognized by the Illinois Non-Public Schools Recognition Program. Its sports affiliations include the Illinois High School Association, the Illinois Council of Private Schools, and the Independent School League. A highly successful student recruitment program combined with strategic financial aid, provides for a diverse and highly selective student body.
[edit] Athletics
Sports teams of Elgin Academy are nicknamed the Hilltoppers--Elgin Academy is built on a hill--and the mascot is Foxman, after the nearby Fox River. The sports offered are golf, men's and women's soccer, track, cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, field hockey, and baseball.
