Benet Academy
Benet Academy is a private, co-educational, Catholic college-preparatory high school for grades 9–12 located in Lisle, Illinois, sponsored by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey and rooted in the Benedictine tradition.[1] Founded in 1887 as St. Procopius Academy by Benedictine monks in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, the institution relocated with the abbey to Lisle in the late 19th century and evolved into its current form, emphasizing holistic formation through academics, faith, service, fine arts, and athletics.[2] With an enrollment of approximately 1,250 students, the academy reports a 100% college acceptance rate, an average ACT score of 29, and an average class size of 24, reflecting its commitment to rigorous college preparation.[1] Its mission focuses on developing compassionate leaders, critical thinkers, and faithful servants, supported by over 50 clubs, teams, and activities that foster discipline, teamwork, and social responsibility.[1] The school maintains a Hall of Honor recognizing alumni and affiliates for distinguished contributions in professional fields, faith and service, fine arts, and athletics, underscoring its legacy of excellence across diverse domains.[3]
History
Founding in Chicago (1887–1920s)
St. Procopius College and Academy, the predecessor to Benet Academy, was established in 1887 by Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood to provide higher education and secondary schooling for the local Bohemian immigrant community.[4] The institution began operations in the autumn of that year at St. Procopius Parish, located at 18th and Allport Streets, initially offering classes in a building adjacent to the church.[5] Rev. Nepomucene Jaeger, O.S.B., who assumed the pastorate of the parish on March 2, 1885, oversaw the foundational efforts, drawing on the monks' tradition of educational apostolate among Czech settlers.[6] This marked the first Czech-language institution of higher learning in the United States, emphasizing classical studies and preparation for priesthood or professions.[7] The academy component focused on secondary education for boys, with Rev. Procopius Neuzil, O.S.B., serving as the inaugural instructor in subjects such as Latin and mathematics.[8] By 1890, the college received its charter from the State of Illinois, formalizing its structure while recruitment targeted students from nearby parochial schools.[5] Enrollment grew amid the expanding Czech population post-Great Chicago Fire, with the all-male academy providing rigorous, faith-integrated instruction aligned with Benedictine values of intellectual and moral formation.[9] Through the early 1900s and into the 1920s, St. Procopius Academy operated as a day school in urban Pilsen, featuring facilities like study halls documented in 1911 photographs, though space constraints in the densely populated area foreshadowed future relocations.[8] The period solidified its reputation for academic discipline, with the academy and college sharing resources until accreditation pressures prompted considerations of separation, reflecting the institution's adaptation to growing demands.[5] Despite challenges from the city's industrial environment, the academy maintained its commitment to educating immigrant youth, laying the groundwork for its evolution into Benet Academy.[2]Development as Orphanage and College (1920s–1940s)
In the 1920s, St. Joseph's Bohemian Orphanage in Lisle, established in 1898 by Benedictine monks to serve Polish and Bohemian orphans under the Archdiocese of Chicago, continued to expand its capacity and educational offerings amid growing demand from immigrant communities.[10] By this period, the institution had transitioned into the Lisle Manual Training School for Boys and Lisle Industrial School for Girls since 1912, emphasizing vocational skills alongside basic academics, with a commercial class documented as operational by 1922. [11] Enrollment pressures led to reliance on the existing four-story red brick dormitory built in 1910–1911, which housed increasing numbers of children while Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart provided care and instruction.[12] Parallel to the orphanage's role in child welfare and training, St. Procopius College—relocated to Lisle in 1901—underwent infrastructural growth to support its liberal arts curriculum and preparatory academy. In 1925–1926, the college constructed a gymnasium and powerhouse at a cost of $180,000, enabling the formation of varsity basketball and football teams, while summer sessions introduced experimental university-level courses in sciences.[5] The adjacent St. Procopius Academy, serving as the high school feeder to the college, benefited from these facilities, though the combined enrollment dipped to around 140 students by 1930–1931 amid the Great Depression, prompting cost-saving measures like unpaid Benedictine faculty labor and alumni fundraising drives covering thousands of miles.[5] Bank failures in 1932 further strained finances, yet the institution persisted through self-reliance and monastic oversight.[5] The 1930s and 1940s saw further consolidation of educational and custodial functions on the Lisle campus, with the orphanage maintaining its focus on orphaned youth while the college advanced academically despite economic and wartime disruptions. Construction of a three-story science hall began in 1937 and was dedicated in 1942, built largely by monks over three years to enhance STEM offerings.[5] World War II reduced college enrollment as faculty and students served elsewhere, but post-1944 recovery included temporary housing like a 1947 Quonset hut and a 1948 memorial field for alumni casualties.[5] This era solidified the interdependent operations of orphanage, academy, and college under St. Procopius Abbey, laying groundwork for later specialization, though the orphanage's facilities would not fully transition to academy use until the mid-1950s.[12]Relocation and Expansion in Lisle (1950s–1980s)
In 1956, St. Joseph's Orphanage, which had operated on the Lisle campus since 1898, closed due to declining enrollment and rising operational costs, freeing up its facilities for educational expansion. This closure enabled the relocation of St. Procopius Academy's high school operations to the orphanage site north of Maple Avenue, approximately across from the existing college campus.[5] The move consolidated academy resources and addressed space constraints from growing student numbers, with boarding students previously outnumbering day students.[8] By 1957, St. Procopius Academy commenced classes on the new campus, utilizing the former orphanage buildings adapted for classrooms, dormitories, and administrative offices; this shift marked a pivotal step in separating secondary education from the adjacent St. Procopius College while remaining under Benedictine oversight.[5][13] The relocation supported enrollment growth, as the academy had evolved into a boarding and day school primarily for boys, with facilities now better suited to accommodate increased demand amid post-World War II population shifts in the Chicago suburbs.[8] Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the academy underwent further physical and programmatic expansion to handle rising student populations and curricular needs. In 1967, it merged with the nearby Sacred Heart Academy—a Benedictine nuns-operated girls' school established in 1926—to form Benet Academy, effectively doubling enrollment potential and integrating facilities on the St. Procopius site while maintaining single-sex sections initially.[14] This consolidation reflected broader Catholic educational trends toward efficiency amid demographic changes, with the renamed Benet Academy honoring St. Benedict and emphasizing classical liberal arts rooted in monastic tradition. By the 1970s, additions included updated athletic fields and auxiliary buildings to support extracurriculars, though specific construction records indicate modest incremental growth rather than large-scale projects.[15] Into the 1980s, Benet Academy continued modest expansions, including enhancements to existing structures from the 1957 relocation, to sustain its reputation as a rigorous preparatory school; aerial views from 1984 depict a campus with expanded parking, fields, and integrated buildings amid surrounding open land, underscoring adaptation to suburban development pressures in Lisle. Enrollment stabilized around several hundred students, supported by the Benedictine monks' ongoing administration from the adjacent abbey, which itself added a new monastery building in 1970 to house its community.[16] These developments positioned Benet as a key educational anchor in Lisle, prioritizing academic excellence over rapid modernization.Transition to Co-educational High School (1990s–2000s)
In the decades following its 1967 merger and 1969 operational independence from St. Procopius College, Benet Academy solidified its identity as a co-educational high school during the 1990s and 2000s, emphasizing facility expansions and academic rigor to serve a growing student body of both genders. Enrollment stabilized and increased, supporting a balanced co-ed environment where female students participated fully in the curriculum, athletics, and extracurriculars alongside males. The school's Benedictine roots informed a disciplined approach, with programs designed to prepare students for college through advanced coursework in math, science, and humanities.[17] A key development was the 1993 launch of a $3 million capital campaign to fund infrastructure improvements, including a new gymnasium with 2,000 seats to accommodate expanded athletic programs for boys' and girls' teams, addressing the demands of co-ed participation in sports like basketball and volleyball. This initiative reflected the academy's response to rising enrollment and the need for modern facilities to foster competitive yet formative experiences. Academic achievements underscored the transition's success; Benet's Math and Science Academy, integrating rigorous preparation, produced consistently high ACT scores, positioning the school as a national leader among high schools with comparable participation.[18][2] By the early 2000s, Benet had matured into a premier college-preparatory institution, with nearly 100% of graduates enrolling in four-year universities, a metric sustained through co-ed enrollment policies that prioritized merit-based admissions. Principals and administrators, such as Ernest Stark in the late 1980s transitioning into the 1990s, highlighted the school's commitment to intellectual and moral formation without gender distinctions, enabling alumni like female Olympian Nancy Johnson (class of 1992) to excel in pursuits from academics to national athletics. These years marked a phase of institutional confidence, as the academy leveraged its co-educational model to enhance community engagement and competitive edge in Illinois Catholic schooling.[2]21st-Century Developments
In 2020, Benet Academy completed construction of St. Mary Hall, a 33,000-square-foot addition costing $10.2 million that included a modernized 5,100-square-foot library, collaboration centers designed for 21st-century learning, updated classrooms for two- and three-dimensional art, and multipurpose performing arts spaces.[17] This expansion addressed growing needs for advanced instructional and creative environments amid stable enrollment of approximately 1,250 students.[1] The school continued investing in infrastructure during the 2020s, with summer 2024 projects encompassing a new roof for the Alumni Gym, a replaced HVAC system in St. Ronald's Gym, and an extended fire suppression sprinkler system across campus facilities.[19] In June 2025, administration proposed a major renovation of Baumgartner-Gilbert Stadium and adjacent athletic fields, featuring synthetic turf resurfacing, a new grandstand with press box and hospitality areas, upgraded lighting, audio systems, and scoreboard to enable more home competitions for varsity teams currently limited by outdated infrastructure.[20] These enhancements aimed to improve safety, accessibility, and competitive capacity while preserving the 50-acre campus's Benedictine heritage.[21] In February 2025, Benet Academy inaugurated its Hall of Honor, inducting the inaugural class to recognize alumni, faculty, and contributors for excellence in professional distinction, faith and service, fine arts, and athletics, marking a formal institutional effort to celebrate historical legacies amid ongoing modernization.[22]Governance and Religious Affiliation
Benedictine Monastic Oversight
The Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois, exercised governance and oversight over Benet Academy from its origins as an extension of the abbey's educational apostolate, which began with the founding of St. Procopius College in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood in 1887.[17] [23] The abbey, established in 1885 by Czech Benedictines under Abbot Procopius, prioritized the education of youth in line with the Rule of St. Benedict, emphasizing ora et labora (prayer and work) alongside intellectual formation rooted in classical and Catholic traditions. This oversight encompassed spiritual direction, curriculum alignment with Church doctrine, and administrative control to ensure fidelity to Benedictine charism.[24] The abbot of St. Procopius Abbey held the position of chancellor ex officio, providing ultimate authority over major decisions, including personnel, finances, and mission integrity.[25] Governance operated through a 25-member board of trustees, augmented by two ex officio monastic members, which handled day-to-day operations while subject to abbatial veto on matters conflicting with Catholic moral teaching or Benedictine principles.[26] The abbey supplied ongoing financial subsidies, covering deficits and capital needs, as part of its commitment to the school's sustainability as a diocesan-approved Catholic institution under the Diocese of Joliet.[16] Monks actively participated in oversight by serving as faculty, chaplains, and confessors; for instance, they taught subjects like Latin and theology, reinforcing the academy's emphasis on liturgical life and moral formation.[27] This structure reflected the abbey's broader educational legacy, which included relocating operations to Lisle in 1946 and transforming the high school division into Benet Academy in 1967, named after St. Benedict to honor the monastic founder.[17] Oversight ensured that extracurriculars, admissions, and hiring adhered to canonical norms, such as reserving certain roles for practicing Catholics in good standing, thereby safeguarding the community's religious identity amid secular pressures.[28] By 2021, the abbey comprised approximately 20 monks, whose limited numbers strained but did not diminish their supervisory role until resource constraints prompted reevaluation.[24]2022 Separation from Benedictine Monks
In September 2021, Benet Academy initially rescinded a job offer to Amanda Kammes as girls' lacrosse coach after discovering she was in a same-sex marriage, as indicated by listing her wife as an emergency contact; the school later reinstated the offer amid public pressure and criticism from alumni and advocacy groups.[29][16] On January 4, 2022, Abbot Austin G. Murphy of St. Procopius Abbey announced that the Benedictine monks would transition out of their governance and financial support roles for Benet Academy, citing "events in recent months" that had created an untenable situation for fulfilling their founding mission of providing a Catholic education aligned with Benedictine values.[30][31] The abbey, which had sponsored the school since its origins as St. Procopius Academy in 1940, stated that the separation would allow Benet to continue operating with an emphasis on academic excellence and Catholic identity, though without ongoing monastic oversight.[32] The decision led to the resignation of five Benedictine monks from Benet's 24-member board of directors, reducing direct monastic influence.[33] Benet Academy responded by pursuing new sponsorship, ultimately partnering with the Diocese of Joliet.[34] A joint statement from the Diocese of Joliet and Benet Academy on March 29, 2022, formalized the arrangement, designating the school as an independent Catholic institution effective July 1, 2022, sponsored by the diocese while preserving its Benedictine heritage, traditions, and commitment to faith-based education.[34][17] This shift ended the abbey's annual financial contributions, previously a significant portion of the school's support, prompting Benet to seek alternative funding sources to maintain operations.[30]Academics
Curriculum Structure and Advanced Offerings
Benet Academy requires 23.5 credits for graduation, comprising four credits each in religion and English, three credits each in mathematics (typically including two in algebra and one in geometry) and science (biology freshman year, chemistry sophomore year, physics junior year), two credits each in social studies (world and American history) and classical or world languages (in the same language), 1.5 credits in physical education (freshman, sophomore, and senior years), and four elective credits.[35] [36] Students must also complete the ACT without writing section, along with examinations on the U.S. and Illinois constitutions.[35] A typical freshman schedule includes religion, English, mathematics, science, social studies, a classical or world language, and physical education, with course placement based on entrance exams and proficiency tests administered in spring of eighth grade.[36] Courses are tiered into College Preparatory (standard secondary-level preparation for college), Honors (accelerated and enriched content with a +3 GPA point weighting), Advanced Placement (college-level rigor administered by the College Board, +5 GPA weighting), and Collegiate (university-level extension of AP, also +5 weighting) levels.[36] [35] The science sequence enforces chemistry for all sophomores (regular or honors) and physics for all juniors, a structure revised in 2024 to ensure comprehensive foundational coverage before electives.[37] Advanced offerings emphasize the AP program, which includes 24 courses such as AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1/2 and C (Mechanics/Electricity and Magnetism), AP U.S. History, AP European History, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics/Microeconomics, AP French Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A/Principles, AP 2-D/3-D Art and Design, and AP Capstone (Seminar and Research).[38] [35] Prerequisites for AP enrollment include strong prior grades, teacher recommendations, and demonstrated critical thinking skills; exams occur in May, with scores of 3 or higher qualifying for potential college credit or placement.[38] Collegiate options, like Multivariable Calculus, extend beyond AP for highly prepared students.[35] Classical languages, including Latin, fulfill the language requirement and support advanced study in humanities.[36]Scholars Program
The Benet Academy Scholars Program, launched in the 2023–2024 school year, is a selective initiative designed to extend and enrich the standard curriculum for high-achieving students through targeted enrichment in humanities and arts, mathematics and science, or leadership, while emphasizing Benedictine and Catholic intellectual traditions.[39][40] Participants engage in interdisciplinary seminars, discussions, field trips, and guest speaker events to foster deeper intellectual, spiritual, and social development.[39] Membership in the program is denoted on students' transcripts, signaling advanced engagement to college admissions offices.[41] The program is structured around three distinct communities, each with tailored academic and extracurricular expectations. The St. Anselm of Canterbury community focuses on humanities and arts, requiring participants to maintain a 95% weighted GPA, enroll in at least four honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses annually, and complete one fine arts class.[39] The St. Hildegard of Bingen community emphasizes mathematics and science, with identical GPA and course load requirements, plus four years of mathematics and at least one AP course in science or mathematics.[39] The Conversatio community prioritizes leadership development, mandating a 90% weighted GPA, one honors or AP course, and active involvement in school clubs or activities.[39] All communities require service commitments of 25 hours per year for freshmen and sophomores, or 15 hours for juniors and seniors, to remain in good standing.[40] Admission is application-based and open to freshmen through juniors, with selections emphasizing academic excellence and alignment with community foci.[40] In its inaugural year, the program hosted signature events including a fall dinner featuring biomedical researcher Dr. Michael Flavin (class of 1974) and a spring dinner with Sister Mary Bratrsovsky, OSB, alongside masses, receptions, and service initiatives such as a Christmas Drive fundraiser and partnerships with Villa St. Benedict.[42] Field trips encompassed the Harvard Model Congress in February 2025, where 13 scholars participated in debates and campus tours, and a visit to Argonne National Laboratory to explore nuclear energy and supercomputing facilities.[42] Additional engagements included sessions with State Senator Seth Lewis on legislative processes and summer teaching assistant roles in the school's CARE program for students with learning differences.[42] These activities underscore the program's commitment to practical application of knowledge and holistic formation, with seniors receiving honor cords at completion.[42]Academic Performance Metrics
Benet Academy demonstrates strong academic performance through standardized testing, Advanced Placement (AP) results, and high college matriculation rates. For the Class of 2024, 99% of graduates enrolled in post-secondary institutions, with 96% attending four-year colleges or universities.[41] [43] This aligns with historical trends, where 96-99% of graduates pursue four-year higher education.[41] Standardized test scores exceed national and state averages. The Class of 2024 achieved an average composite ACT score of 28.0, with 294 students tested and 48% scoring 29 or higher; the five-year average stands at 29.[41] [43] Approximately 25% of the class took the SAT, averaging 1310 total.[41]| Test Section | ACT Average (Class of 2024) | SAT Average (Class of 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| English/ERW | 28.6 | 662 |
| Reading | 29.0 | - |
| Math | 26.7 | 652 |
| Science | 27.2 | - |
| Composite/Total | 28.0 | 1310 |
Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Aid
Admissions Process and Selectivity
The admissions process at Benet Academy emphasizes evaluation of academic readiness and alignment with the school's Catholic, Benedictine values, primarily for incoming freshmen from 8th grade. Prospective students begin by submitting an inquiry form on the school's website, followed by a formal online application through the MyBenet admissions portal, which includes a $35 non-refundable fee that automatically registers the applicant for the High School Placement Test (HSPT).[45] The HSPT, a standardized aptitude exam administered by Scholastic Testing Service, is held on the first Saturday in December, typically December 6 for recent cycles, and serves as a core component of the evaluation.[46] Applicants must submit all required supporting materials—such as 7th and 8th grade report cards, standardized test scores from prior years, and a pastor recommendation—prior to sitting for the exam.[46] Admission decisions incorporate a holistic review, with primary emphasis on HSPT performance, cumulative grade point average, classroom conduct, and demonstrated potential for success in a rigorous college-preparatory environment. The process also considers interviews or shadow days for borderline candidates and prioritizes Catholic applicants, reflecting the school's religious mission, though non-Catholics are admitted if space allows. Transfer admissions for upperclassmen follow a similar but less standardized path, involving review of current transcripts and possibly additional testing, with availability limited by enrollment capacity. Notifications are typically issued in January following the December exam.[46] Benet Academy's selectivity stems from its limited enrollment of approximately 1,300 students across grades 9–12, drawing from a competitive applicant pool in the Chicago metropolitan area, where it ranks among the top private high schools in Illinois. While precise acceptance rates are not publicly reported, the requirement of strong HSPT scores—often in the 90th percentile or higher for admission—and the school's sustained high academic outcomes, including an average ACT score of 29, indicate a rejection rate exceeding 50% in peak years based on regional Catholic school benchmarks. In September 2025, the academy's board-approved five-year strategic plan introduced "intentional" admissions practices aimed at increasing racial and ethnic diversity by reducing the share of white enrollees, involving targeted recruitment, scholarships, and evaluation criteria adjustments, amid criticism from local observers for potentially prioritizing demographics over merit.[47][48] This shift responds to the student body's historical composition, which has been predominantly white (around 80% as of recent data), though its long-term impact on selectivity metrics remains under observation.[49]Tuition Rates and Affordability
Tuition at Benet Academy for the 2025-2026 academic year is set at $15,950 for grades 9 through 12, encompassing core instructional costs with a required $500 down payment due by May 1 and the initial installment due July 5 following a signed agreement.[50] This rate remains consistent across sources reporting for the current period, reflecting no grade-level differentiation in base charges.[51][52] To address affordability, the academy administers need-based financial aid via the FACTS application process, enabling eligibility for institutional scholarships and those from the Diocese of Joliet based on family financial documentation.[53] Merit scholarships for incoming freshmen reward high entrance exam performance, granting the top 30 applicants $1,000 annually renewable for four years, for a total of $4,000 per recipient, with notifications issued in mid-to-late summer.[53] Donor-funded initiatives, such as the Father Ronald Tuition Assistance Fund, support over 125 students yearly, covering portions of tuition to broaden access beyond full payers.[54] Tuition revenue accounts for approximately 90% of the school's operational expenses, with the One Benet Fund bridging the shortfall through alumni and community contributions, thereby sustaining program offerings without imposing auxiliary fees on all students.[55] Families pursuing enrollment are advised to submit aid applications early, as awards are competitive and tied to demonstrated need or achievement, though exact distribution percentages remain undisclosed in public records.[53] This model underscores Benet's commitment to subsidizing costs internally while relying on external philanthropy for equity.Campus and Facilities
Physical Layout and Infrastructure
Benet Academy occupies a 50-acre campus at 2200 Maple Avenue on the northwest corner of Maple and Yackley Avenues in Lisle, Illinois.[56] The site features athletic fields and parking lots surrounding the primary academic structure, a multi-hall building connected linearly from west to east.[56] Entry during school hours is restricted to Doors 6 and 9, with Door 9 designated for late arrivals, deans' offices, athletics, and the spirit store, while Door 6 serves general visitors via the welcome center.[56] The core facility comprises several named halls housing classrooms, administrative spaces, and specialized areas. At the western end lie the Large Gym (St. Ronald Gymnasium) and adjacent Small Gym (Alumni Gymnasium), followed eastward by St. Jude Hall, St. Thomas Hall, St. Joseph Hall, Benet Hall, and St. Daniel Hall at the eastern extremity.[57] South of the Small Gym is St. Martin Hall, added to provide 13 classrooms, deans' offices, a lobby, kitchen, and cafeteria.[17] St. Jude Hall includes the 50,000-square-foot Science and Activity Center dedicated to laboratory and hands-on learning spaces.[58] Additional infrastructure encompasses St. Daniel Auditorium for assemblies, St. Therese of Lisieux Chapel (incorporating elements from a 1910-1911 orphanage structure), a weight room, and the St. Mary Hall.[56][59] Athletic infrastructure includes the Main Soccer Field, Stadium Field with track, varsity and freshmen baseball fields on the main campus, supplemented by off-site facilities at St. Scholastica Athletic Campus for tennis courts, softball, and additional soccer/lacrosse fields.[57] The layout supports both academic and extracurricular functions, with interconnected halls facilitating movement while dedicated zones like gyms and fields enable specialized activities.[57]Recent Renovations and Stadium Expansion Proposal (2024–2025)
In summer 2024, Benet Academy undertook several infrastructure improvements during the break, including installing a new roof on the Alumni Gym, replacing the HVAC system in St. Ronald’s Gym, and extending the fire suppression sprinkler system to the second floor of St. Martin Hall and the St. Ronald Gymnasium lobby.[19] These upgrades addressed maintenance needs for aging facilities.[19] The school also renovated its Welcome Center—relocating the business office to the second floor of Benet Hall and marketing to the first floor—and updated the main entrance to St. Joseph’s Hall, completing the Welcome Center on November 3, 2024, to include a secure entry, staff offices, and areas for prospective student events like “Bagels at Benet” recruitment sessions.[19] On June 27, 2025, Benet Academy proposed a two-phase modernization of Baumgartner-Gilbert Stadium and surrounding athletic fields to replace outdated infrastructure and enable on-campus hosting for sports including football, soccer, cross-country, track, and lacrosse.[60] Phase one entails a multi-sport synthetic turf field, all-weather track, new grandstand with integrated press box, hospitality areas, and coaches’ boxes, east-side visitor seating, upgraded lighting, audio systems, scoreboard, and an alumni plaza at the entrance.[60] [21] Phase two would add a hospitality pavilion featuring concessions, a spirit store, restrooms, team rooms, and a training facility, alongside a second synthetic turf field east of the main drive for soccer practices and games.[60] [21] The project requires zoning approval from the Village of Lisle, with submission occurring in summer 2025 and initial public hearings held on July 16, August 20, and September 17, followed by a conditions review on September 29.[61] [62] [63] As of October 2025, approvals remain pending, with construction targeted to start post-approval for completion ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.[21] Local residents have expressed opposition citing potential increases in noise and nighttime lighting.[64] Funding draws from a capital campaign with early donor commitments secured.[60]Student Body and Faculty
Enrollment Demographics and Diversity
Benet Academy enrolls approximately 1,250 students in grades 9 through 12, with recent figures from the Illinois High School Association reporting an average of 1,271.5 students for the 2023–2025 cycle.[1][65] The student body is co-educational, reflecting the school's transition to co-ed status in 1993, though specific gender ratios are not publicly detailed beyond equal access policies.[66] Racial and ethnic demographics indicate a predominantly white student population, with sources varying slightly in precise percentages due to self-reporting and differing methodologies. According to aggregated data from Niche, approximately 74.6% of students identify as white, 11.1% as multiracial, 5.5% as Asian, 4.3% as Hispanic, 3.1% as unknown, 1.2% as African American, and 0.2% as Pacific Islander.[67] U.S. News & World Report reports a higher white proportion at 79.1%, with 20.9% minority enrollment including 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, 6.6% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, and 6.1% two or more races.[49] Private School Review estimates students of color at 16%, aligning with the school's suburban location in Lisle, Illinois, where over 68% of residents are white per U.S. Census data.[52][48] These figures reflect limited racial and ethnic diversity compared to national public high school averages, where minority enrollment exceeds 50%. In response to this composition, Benet Academy announced in September 2025 an "intentional" admissions process aimed at reducing white student admissions to enhance diversity, prompting criticism from observers who described it as discriminatory rather than inclusive.[48][68] The school does not publicly release annual demographic breakdowns, and its non-discrimination policy explicitly prohibits bias based on race, color, or national origin in admissions and programs.[66] Economic diversity data is unavailable, but tuition of $11,300 annually suggests reliance on families from middle-to-upper income brackets, supplemented by financial aid for qualifying students.[47] Overall diversity ratings, such as Niche's "B" grade, account for both racial composition and student/parent surveys on school culture.[51]Faculty Qualifications and Student-Faculty Ratio
Faculty positions at Benet Academy require a minimum of a bachelor's degree, with a master's degree preferred in the relevant subject area.[69] For specialized roles such as foreign language instruction, candidates must hold Illinois Type 09 licensure or an equivalent professional educator's license from another state.[69] The school's emphasis on college preparatory education aligns with these standards, ensuring instructors are equipped to deliver rigorous curricula in subjects like mathematics, sciences, and humanities.[36] Many faculty members possess advanced degrees and substantial professional experience. In the Social Studies Department, for instance, four teachers have accumulated more than 30 years of service at Benet Academy, contributing diverse perspectives informed by long-term dedication to the institution.[70] Individual profiles reveal typical qualifications including bachelor's degrees in core disciplines paired with master's degrees in education or related fields; one example is a Spanish instructor holding a bachelor's in Spanish and Psychology alongside a master's in school social work.[71] The English Department features faculty described as writers, readers, thinkers, and scholars with specialized training in areas such as Shakespearean studies and speech coaching.[72] Benet Academy maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, facilitating personalized instruction amid an enrollment of approximately 1,333 students.[51] Alternative assessments place the ratio at 19:1, calculated from 67 full-time classroom teachers.[52] This range supports the school's capacity for engaging lessons, as noted in parent and student feedback where 80% affirm teachers' effectiveness in delivering compelling content.[51]Extracurricular Activities
Athletics Programs
Benet Academy's athletics program, representing the Redwings mascot, fields competitive teams in multiple sports sanctioned by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), typically in Class 3A or 4A divisions based on the school's enrollment of approximately 1,333 students. The program integrates Benedictine traditions with a focus on developing student-athletes' leadership, discipline, and Catholic virtues including prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and charity, while promoting core character traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.[73] Varsity sports offered include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling for boys; basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball for girls; with additional opportunities in flag football, ice hockey via a club team, and lacrosse for boys. Participation supports holistic growth, with recent seasons featuring five teams advancing to IHSA state finals and over 48 athletes signing National Letters of Intent for college programs in 2025.[74][75][73] The Redwings have secured numerous state championships, demonstrating sustained excellence. In boys' basketball, the team captured its first IHSA Class 4A title in 2025, defeating Warren Township 55-54 in the championship game after three prior runner-up finishes since 2014. Girls' volleyball has won four IHSA Class 4A state championships in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2019, establishing a national reputation with rankings among the top dynasties. Girls' tennis claimed the 2024 IHSA Class 1A championship, with doubles pairs repeating as state winners. Soccer programs have also triumphed: boys' teams won IHSA titles in 2000, 2001 (Class A), and 2019; girls' soccer secured the 2019 Class 2A championship. Additional highlights include the 2019 sweep of titles in girls' cross country, girls' tennis, and boys' soccer, alongside a 2025 Class 3A baseball state runner-up finish.[76][77][78][79][80][81][82]| Sport | Gender | IHSA State Championship Years (Class) |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Boys | 2025 (4A) |
| Volleyball | Girls | 2011 (4A), 2012 (4A), 2014 (4A), 2019 (4A) |
| Tennis | Girls | 2024 (1A) |
| Soccer | Boys | 2000, 2001 (A), 2019 |
| Soccer | Girls | 2019 (2A) |