Overview and Quick Facts
MISSION
Deliver exceptional education value by: Providing children with an educational environment that allows them to attain their highest intellectual, creative, social and physical growth in a secure and nurturing environment while respecting their ethnic, cultural and learning differences.
HISTORY
In February of 2000, a core group of parents, community members, and administrators founded Peoria Academy as an independent, private, non-profit school, serving students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The founders were committed to the mission of promoting and attaining the highest intellectual, creative, social and physical growth in each child while respecting ethnic, cultural, and learning differences. A 3 million dollar capital campaign was established to purchase the Knights of Columbus building on Willow Knolls Drive and renovations began immediately. Peoria Academy opened its doors in August of 2000 with 137 students. In 2001, a PreK program was added, and additional classes were added at each grade level. Due to the growth of the school and insufficient space, the Board of Trustees began leasing the Notre Dame Youth Center, which is adjacent to the Peoria Academy property. In 2010, the school began building additional, permanent classrooms to accommodate our student population.
Mutual Respect
In school, where so many years of a student¹s life are spent, the strength and influence of our academic community must be profoundly positive. While the quest for excellence has many paths at Peoria Academy, the one fundamental principle that guides us is mutual respect. Staff, teachers, or students lead daily assemblies. This time is a distinct opportunity for school members to come together as a community to engage and reflect on the meaning of the higher values we embrace in our personal and collective lives. The impact of mutual respect is felt beyond our school environment. Our students reach out to the greater Peoria area with service projects and discover more of the world around them. These life lessons place an emphasis on understanding people and the different types of needs they may face.
Making A Match
The Peoria Academy offers a challenging curriculum and holds all members of the community to the highest academic and personal standards. Students are admitted on the basis of school records, interviews, achievement test results, and teacher recommendations. In pursuit of our goal of gathering a highly qualified student body with diverse talents, interests, and backgrounds, Peoria Academy makes a strong commitment to financial aid. Financial aid awards are based on a family's demonstrated need and are available to students at every grade. The staff at Peoria Academy is happy to meet with prospective families and students to learn about their educational interests and needs. We are always available to set up an appointment to discuss our school and its programs. We look forward to hearing from you.
QUICK FACTS
- Peoria Academy serves students in grades (Bulldog Buddies 3/4 yrs - 8th grade)
- Peoria Academy is an independent, private, non-profit school
- Peoria Academy is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees
- School hours are from 8:15 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
- A Before and After care program is available
- Foreign language is offered from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Music, art and P.E. are an integral part of the curriculum for students at all grade levels
- Peoria Academy offers a holiday program during most days when the regular school day is closed.
- Peoria Academy students wear uniforms.
- A hot lunch program is available
- Peoria Academy has a summer program
- Peoria Academy started with 137 students in August of 2000 and has grown to 330 students
- Class sizes are small, with flexible grouping between classes and grades
- Peoria Academy seeks students from all ethnic, cultural, racial and religious backgrounds that can benefit from a challenging academic program
- Parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from school
- Peoria Academy offers scholarships to families in need of financial assistance
