St. Bede Academy – A Visit Full of Warmth and Educational Excellence

On April 26, 2025, in the vibrant spring season, the GE Fam Tour team arrived at St. Bede Academy, located in central Illinois, for a school visit. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Marcia Wagner, the Director of the Residential Program, and her colleagues. Their kind smiles and heartfelt greetings instantly made us feel at home.

Mrs. Marcia Wagner, the Director of the Residential Program

Led by the staff, we stepped into the Perino Science Center, where our tour began. The school hosted a welcome session, during which we were introduced to the school’s history, geographic location, and the richness of campus life.

Academics

Established in 1890, St. Bede Academy has over 130 years of history and is a well-established boarding school. The 700-acre campus is surrounded by the Illinois River, providing a peaceful and picturesque environment ideal for focused learning. Located about 90 miles (a 90-minute drive) from Chicago, the school also has convenient access to an Amtrak station just 20 minutes away. With parental permission, students aged 16 and up may travel to downtown Chicago by train in groups of at least two, ensuring safety while enjoying city experiences.

Accompanied by the faculty, we toured the academic buildings, student dormitories, cafeteria, and gymnasium, and later enjoyed a broader campus tour aboard the school bus.

The main academic building, completed in 2019 with an investment of $15 million, features three university-level STEM laboratories with cutting-edge facilities. Classrooms are equipped with whiteboard surfaces, flexible layouts, and voice-activated technology that allows teachers to instantly share content to students’ Chromebooks—greatly enhancing classroom engagement.

We visited the following departments:

• Chemistry and Environmental Science Classroom

  Students grow their own plants here, showcasing hands-on learning.

• Biology Classroom

  Bright and spacious, equipped with all necessary teaching tools.

• Computer Science Classroom

  Offers AP Computer Science Principles and Programming courses.

• Spanish Classroom

• Religion Classroom

  Emphasizes history and philosophy, encourages critical thinking, and respects diverse beliefs without enforcing religious conversion.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel

• Learning Center

  Provides after-school tutoring and academic/emotional support.

• Social Work Office

  A licensed school social worker meets with every student at least twice per year. Remote counseling services are also available.

• Principal Office

• College Counseling Office

  The school offers four academic tracks, customized for varying backgrounds and student needs. Dual-credit programs are available in partnership with local colleges, allowing students to earn university credits early.

Boarding Life

We then visited the dormitory area, where we felt a strong sense of care and community. The dormitory buildings are connected to academic buildings via enclosed hallways, ensuring convenient access—especially during Illinois’ cold winters.

Girls reside on the fourth floor and boys on the third, each floor accommodating up to 26 students. Dorm parents such as Mr. Allen and his family live on-site, providing daily supervision and emotional support. Evening teacher shifts ensure academic assistance is available when needed. Quay Pond, located nearby, offers a peaceful place for students to relax and reflect.

• Girls' Lounge Area

• Boys' Lounge Area

• Student Lockers

• Snack Room

• Student Activity Room

The school currently enrolls approximately 275 students, with 10 to 15 international students in each new cohort. Over 80% of international students complete all four years and graduate successfully. The international community is diverse, representing countries such as China (about 50%), the U.S., Turkey, Hungary, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Mexico. During Thanksgiving, the school hosts a “Host Family Program,” allowing international students to experience the warmth of a family when returning home is not an option.

Dining & Student Life

At lunchtime, we visited the school cafeteria and enjoyed a healthy and delicious meal. The dining hall offers a daily salad bar, yogurt with oats, fresh fruit cups, and a variety of vegetarian and protein options to suit different dietary needs. Students are encouraged to cook during the week, and on weekends, they may order food via DoorDash or similar services for a more diverse culinary experience.

While touring the expansive campus by school bus, we saw St. Bede Academy in full bloom—lush green lawns, colorful flowers, and the sound of birds filled the air, along with the fresh scents of earth and blossoms. We passed by the main gymnasium, softball field, and even a disc golf course, where students are taught by semi-professional instructors, making outdoor life both engaging and enjoyable.

• School Bus

• Gymnasium

• Softball Field

Holistic Education Philosophy

St. Bede embraces a "small but excellent" educational model. Classes typically range from 15 to 18 students, allowing teachers to provide personalized academic and emotional support. The school uses a detailed progress-tracking system and provides additional tutoring as needed.

The curriculum includes college preparatory, honors, and AP-level courses. Honors courses offer a 0.5 GPA boost, and AP courses offer a 1.0 GPA boost, giving students a competitive edge for college applications.

Over the past six years, the school has had:

• 2 National Merit Finalists

• 6 National Merit Commended Scholars

• 34 Illinois State Scholars

• An overall college acceptance rate of over 95%

Vibrant Campus Activities

St. Bede ensures students lead a well-rounded life. On weekends, shopping shuttles take students to supermarkets, malls, and movie theaters. At least one off-campus group activity is arranged monthly, such as visits to museums in Chicago or ice skating in Bloomington.

Within the dormitory area, the Student Activity Center includes:

• Pool tables

• Ping-pong tables

• Air hockey

• TV and streaming access (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, etc.)

This visit to St. Bede Academy left us deeply impressed by the school’s strong sense of community and dedication to education. From modern facilities and attentive boarding services to a rich array of extracurricular activities and a student-centered academic system, St. Bede truly provides an ideal environment for growth.

We believe that on this safe and promising campus, every student has the opportunity to shine and pursue their dreams with confidence.