Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart represents a grass-roots effort on the part of many parents to bring a Chesterton Academy Network School to the Peoria area. Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent high school that will utilize the award-winning curriculum model of the founding Chesterton Academy in Edina, MN, which was recognized by Cardinal Newman Society’s Catholic Education Honor Roll as a 2014 School of Excellence. In addition, our participation in the Network of Chesterton Academy schools allows for “best practice” in operational procedures.

The purpose of Chesterton Academy is to nurture the minds and the souls of our children through an integrated education. We believe that all truths are related to the central truth of the Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Faith and reason do not contradict one another, nor are they to be segregated from one another. Through the study of art, music, literature, language, history, mathematics, science, philosophy and religion, we want to prepare our children to think both rationally and creatively, to defend their faith, to contribute positively to society, and to promote a culture of life.

We are called as faithful Christians to build a Culture of Life, which means going against modern trends and fashions in almost everything, especially in our approach to learning. As G.K. Chesterton said, “A dead thing goes with the stream; only a living thing can go against it .”

G.K. Chesterton represents the ideal of a complete thinker but also of a modern cultural warrior. At the beginning of the 20th century, he foresaw and addressed many of the destructive trends that have continued into the 21st century. As a recognized defender of the faith, a literary genius, and a stellar example of Christian charity, Chesterton is a perfect model on which to develop an integrated education.

We are preparing our children for both temporal life and eternal life: to be good citizens and to be saints.