Westlake Christian Academy

Grayslake kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school academy providing Christian families with private academic education.

(847) 548-6209   275 South Lake Street Grayslake, IL

Back to School

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Back-to-School Night | Wednesday, August 17th

4–7 pm, Registration Required (K–12th Grade)

All families (K–12th) should plan to attend Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Please sign up for a time slot here. The time slot that you sign up for is an arrival window. This helps to spread out check-in lines at the info table.

Preschool/Pre-K families should NOT attend Back-to-School Night. These families should sign up for Meet the Teacher on August 22nd or 23rd.

What to expect:

  • Visit classrooms to meet the teacher and learn about classroom procedures
  • Drop off school supplies (if you ordered an online school supply kit, the PA will deliver it to your classroom in advance).
  • 7th–12th graders receive locker assignment
  • K–6th families receive pick-up line number (required for picking up students on first day)
  • Opportunity to take “first day” photos of your students
  • Reconnect with friends on the playground after you visit your classroom

Register for Back-to-School Night

Preschool/Pre-K “Meet the Teacher”

New this year! Preschool and Pre-K students will NOT attend Back-to-School Night. Instead, parents should sign up for a “Meet the Teacher” time slot on Monday, August 22nd or Tuesday, August 23rd. These will be 30 minute time slots for a small group of parents and students. ALL families are expected to sign up for a time slot, regardless of whether or not this is your first year at Westlake. Teachers will be providing important information that is specific to each classroom. We hope this new format will make the school year transition smoother for our youngest students. If at all possible, families should make childcare arrangements for younger siblings.

Register for PS/PK Meet the Teacher

New Family Orientation | Wednesday, August 3rd

6 pm (Preschool–6th) & 7 pm (7–12th), Registration Required

All new families should plan to attend orientation on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 6 pm (Preschool–6th Grade) or 7 pm (7th–12th grade) in the gym. You can expect a presentation followed by a time for questions. Afterwards, families are invited to meet new friends outside by the playground. If you missed New Family Orientation, please contact the office to pick up your info packet.

Register for New Family Orientation

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

All families should review the guidelines for dropping off and picking up students. Please be patient and allow extra time in the morning. Due to increased enrollment, it will take longer to get everyone through the parking lot. 

Are you ready for school? 

Check out the links below to make sure you’re informed and prepared for the start of a great school year.

Required Forms

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The following forms must be signed and turned in at Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Preschool and Pre-K students can turn them in at Meet the Teacher on August 22 or August 23. You may print them at home, or you may pick up a copy at the check-in table.

Your child will not be allowed to start school until their signed forms are on file with the office. Questions? Call us at (847) 548–6209.

Authorization for Medical Treatment & Liability Release

Kindergarten Roundup

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We are planning a special night for families of Fall 2022 kindergartners. Make plans now to join us for Kindergarten Roundup on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

RSVP

Who Should Attend?

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 @ 6:00pm

  • Current WCA Pre-K families who are still exploring kindergarten options
  • Current WCA Pre-K families who are already committed to kindergarten at Westlake

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 @ 6:45pm

  • Prospective families who are exploring kindergarten options
  • Prospective/new families who have already applied or plan to apply in the future

What to Expect

  • A brief presentation in the gym with our principal and kindergarten teacher
  • Small group tours of the kindergarten classroom
  • Crafts and activities in the gym
  • Take home snack
  • Special info about kindergarten admissions requirements
  • Opportunity to ask questions

Health and Safety Guidelines

Attendees over the age of two are required to wear a face covering inside the building. Chairs will be socially distanced for the presentation in the gym, and tours will be in small groups.

Kindergarten Admissions

  • Students who are enrolled in pre-kindergarten at Westlake for 2021–22 will receive priority kindergarten admission through February 15, 2022. After this date, admission is not guaranteed. In January, current pre-k students will receive an online form to indicate their commitment. An additional application is not required. 
  • Prospective families may submit an online application, beginning January 15, 2022. New applications will be considered in the order they were received, beginning February 15, 2022.
  • Space is extremely limited for kindergarten. We recommend that interested families apply as soon as the application opens on January 15.

RSVP

Preschool Open House

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Visit our Preschool/Pre-K Open House for a hands-on introduction to the Early Learning Center at Westlake Christian Academy.

Are you looking for a literature-rich, Christ-centered early learning program that is provided in a warm and loving environment?

Come and learn more about our play-based program on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 9am or 10am. Registration is required.

***All time slots have been filled for this event.***

Please consider attending one of our regular open houses if you are interested in our early learning program.

Additional program information is available here.

Open House Format

Children can explore the preschool or pre-kindergarten classrooms while parents talk with teachers and learn more. Each classroom will have activity stations with hand sanitizer provided.

Health Protocols

Westlake’s Early Learning Center has remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Westlake follows guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding health and safety protocol. You can learn more about specific guidelines here.

Open House attendance will be limited and social distancing guidelines will be followed. All attendees over the age of two must wear a face-covering. If anyone in your household has experienced covid-like symptoms recently, we ask that you contact us to reschedule.

Event Capacity

We will have a 9am time slot and a 10am time slot, with a maximum of 10 families per time slot.

Preschool students must be 3 years old by September 1st and Pre-K students must be 4 years old by September 1st. 

WCA Hikes Lake County

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Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve, Photo by Alex Muniz (Sophomore)

WCA Hikes Lake County Challenge

Does your family need to get out of the house? Join the WCA Hikes Lake County Challenge! Until November 30th, you can log your hiking miles with Westlake for a chance to win a prize for your family or class. In addition, if you log your miles with the Lake County Forest Preserve’s Hike Lake County challenge, you can win a badge for each family member or even your dog at https://www.lcfpd.org/hlc/. Walking, running, or riding in a stroller count, but not biking.

The classes with the most miles per capita (PS-K, 1st–6th and 7th–12th) win a special treat (PS-K = special snack, other grades = pizza party)! The families with the most miles (PS–6th and 7th–12th) win a special prize. For families with students in multiple grades, the family category will be assigned by the grade of the oldest student.

For this challenge, only Lake County Forest Preserves count, and you can only count each forest preserve once. You can hike Lake County Forest Preserves other than the official list for 2021 to count for the WCA challenge.

Our ninth graders are organizing this activity as a service learning project, under the supervision of Mrs. O’Malley, the secondary science teacher.

Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve, photo by Alex Muniz (Sophomore)

Families can log their hikes using the form in the Westlake App, or by returning paper slips to your child’s teacher (or Mrs. O’Malley).

Video Guidelines

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We want to hear your story of why Westlake means so much to you! Please record a short video and submit it by April 20th so that we can all “see” each other during the online Celebrate Westlake event.

In order to get the best quality video, please follow these guidelines:

General:

  • Videos should be horizontal orientation, not vertical (if recording on a phone, turn it sideways).
  • Whatever you choose to record with (computer, cell phone, iPad, camera) please be sure it is resting on something stable.  DO NOT HOLD THE DEVICE, as in a selfie video, as that will have lots of shake. Position the camera to be at face-height (it’s the most flattering angle), not below you or above you.
  • When possible, stand facing near a window – this will give you the best possible lighting.  If that’s not possible, stand somewhere with the least background distraction – a blank wall or an area of your home which doesn’t have clutter or too many “lines”
  • Follow the rule of thirds — pretend your screen is cut in 3s, both vertically and horizontally. Whoever is recording, should make sure the subjects face is in the top third of the screen whether on the right or left.
  • Wear simple clothing – no crazy stripes or patterns (sometimes these get distracting or the video will distort it).
  • Please speak clearly, make sure there are no background noises, and speak slightly louder than you think necessary.  We can always adjust the volume down, but increasing volume isn’t possible.
  • Videos can be individuals or families.

Recording:

  • Stand or sit up straight — no slouching.
  • Smile!
  • Press record and take a deep breath, looking straight at the camera, count to two in your mind, then begin speaking.  At the end of your video, please do the same (look at the camera, smile, and count to two) before ending the video.
  • Start by introducing yourself and tell us your grade and how long you have been part of Westlake.
  • You can just say “hi” to all of your friends at Westlake, or you can take an extra minute to let us know how Westlake has impacted your life.
  • Each video should between 30 seconds and two minutes.

Send your completed videos to pictures@westlakechristian.org. Thank you!

Impact Stories

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Westlake students experience education in an environment where they are loved, challenged, and encouraged to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. YOU make that possible through your prayers and financial support!

Feed My Starving Children

During Spiritual Emphasis Week, our students in grades 7-12 spent time volunteering at Feed My Starving Children.  While working at a station with 7th-8th grade boys, a student who is new to Westlake this year began telling another volunteer about how much he liked his new school.  He shared that the kids are actually nice, and the teachers really care. He said that for the first time in his life he actually had friends at school. Westlake Christian Academy is very intentional about teaching students how to love God and love others.

Seed Nursery

This year the 9th grade biology class has spent a little time each quarter helping at the Lake County Forest Preserve Seed Nursery.  The students plant seedlings, harvest seeds and sort seeds that have already been gathered. This is part of our effort to help our students become good stewards of the environment. 

It gives them an opportunity to serve our community, work hard, and gain an understanding of the work that goes into following the creation mandate by caring for the earth.  

4th Grade Chapel

Recently, our 4th graders presented a skit in chapel about two doctors who spent all their time learning, but never actually helping the sick people.  They made the point that if we just learn about God, but don’t tell others, then we are not following Jesus’ direction to go and make disciples.  At Westlake our students are not just taught the truth, but they are equipped to share it with others. In fact, one of our 4th graders shared her testimony at her church the following week as part of her decision to be baptized.  

Leadership Vision Night

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Join us Monday, November 4th, 2019 at 7pm for a special evening of fellowship and vision casting. This small gathering will provide an opportunity to engage with school leadership and to hear about the exciting things happening at Westlake Christian Academy.

Schedule:

7:00 Reception and Fellowship
7:30 Presentations
8:15 Discussion

Location:

Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC)
18215 IL-120
Grayslake, IL 60030

College Chaos Seminar

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Parents and high school students are encouraged to attend Westlake’s College Chaos Seminar on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. This night is THE BEST venue for you to get all of the counsel you need to prepare your student for college.

We are pleased to have Admissions staff from Judson University, as our presenters. First, this event is not an advertisement for Judson, although their staff will talk a little about the strengths of Judson. Second, they will share from their years of experience about important topics like:

  • What admissions departments look at
  • What you should be doing NOW to prepare for college
  • How to pay for college, and other critical issues

Even if you have come before, this should be a helpful refresher.  College may seem like a long way away, but there are steps families and students of each grade should be taking to optimize their opportunities.

Schedule:

6:30 – 7:00      Student and parent interactive college planning activity

7:00 – 7:45      College Chaos presentation

7:45 – 8:00      Q&A

Please register below so we can have enough packets of information available:

 

275 South Lake Street
Grayslake, IL 60030
(847) 548-6209