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

Discover Westlake

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Westlake Christian Academy offers a complete preschool through 12th-grade educational program.

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Principal’s Welcome

Thank you for visiting our website! On behalf of our school board, faculty, staff, parents, students, and myself, we would like to welcome you as you are searching for the best education option for your family.

If you are looking for a dynamic educational environment, sound Christian principles, and high academic standards, Westlake Christian Academy may be the right fit for you! I encourage you to explore our website, watch our videos, and contact us for more information.

Our primary focus as a Christian school is discipleship. We are driven by the initiatives to further God’s Kingdom, to develop our young men and women to be followers of Christ and servants to those around them, and to equip them to be successful in their next stages of life. We look forward to meeting you!

Blessings,

Dr. Joseph Scifo
Principal of Westlake Christian Academy

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2023 Open House Series

Our Spring Open House series has concluded for 2023, but we are still scheduling tours for grades that have availability. To request a tour, please call (847) 548–6209 or submit an inquiry.

The following grades have a waitlist for 2023–24:

  • Pre-K (age 4 by 2023–24)
  • Kindergarten
  • 1st grade
  • 2nd grade
  • 4th grade
  • 6th grade

Application Process

Our application process is online. Learn more about important dates and apply here. 

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Emergency Closing

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WCA places safety as a top priority, and that includes traveling to and from school during times of inclement weather. On days when the school is open but travel conditions in your area are still treacherous, it is important for you to keep your child at home until travel conditions improve. If conditions improve later in the morning, you may bring your child for the remainder of the school day. Determining the safety of road conditions in your area is a parental decision.

Of course, we want as many children as possible to be in attendance but not at the risk of their safety. Please weigh carefully whether or not to attempt to come to school.

rotary_telephoneIf school is open but you choose to keep your child at home, please submit an absence form online or in the WCA app.

If you’re wondering whether or not Westlake will be open due to the weather, you can find out in a few different ways:

  1. Check your phone for a text alert (make sure your cell phone number is current in your FACTS Family Portal Account)
  2. Check the Westlake website for a homepage notification (or this page for a header notification)
  3. Call our office and listen for an automated message: 847-548-6209
  4. Check your email; we will send each family an email by 6:00 AM

Please note: Westlake no longer uses Emergency Closing Center to report school closures.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

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UPDATE: Conferences will be held virtually on Friday, February 16th.

Parents who signed up for a conference should check their email on Thursday morning for a Google Meet invitation from your child’s teacher(s).

We are not able to accept new requests for conferences at this time.

Thursday, February 16, 2023 |  4:30 – 8:30 PM

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a critical way that you can partner with us in the education of your child, and we encourage everyone to sign up for a conference. 

While there will be no childcare on site, we do understand that you may need to bring your child with. In which case, your child may sit outside the classroom for the duration of your conference.

If you have children in both elementary and secondary, the office staff will coordinate your secondary conference requests with your elementary times. 

Contact the school office at Info@WestlakeChristian.org or 847-548-6209 ext. 0 with any questions.

Elementary Parents (Preschool-6th Grade):
Sign up is closed, but you may click here to view the schedule.

Secondary Parents (7th – 12th Grade):
You may click here to sign up for a secondary (7th-12th Grade) conference.

Please note: After Care is NOT available during conferences, unless your child is already registered and stays after school on the day of conferences. Children are checked in for After Care at 3:30 and families are billed $17 per child if a payment plan has not been pre-selected. We are not able to accommodate checking in students after 3:30, as we may no longer have appropriate staffing available.

Tuition Assistance

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Did you know that no family pays the full cost of educating a child at Westlake Christian Academy? In addition, 62% of Westlake families receive need-based tuition assistance and benefit from the generosity of friends like you.

Donate Now

You can make a difference in a student’s life by donating to Westlake’s Tuition Assistance Fund. Your donation makes it possible for students to receive a high quality Christian education at an affordable price. 

As a ministry, Westlake Christian Academy walks by faith, depending on God to use his people to cover the gap between what it actually costs to provide an education and what some of our families can pay. Thank you for helping us to meet the needs of these families!

Tax-deductible contributions can be made online, or by mailing a check:

Westlake Christian Academy
275 S. Lake Street
Grayslake, IL  60030

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Christmas Concerts

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Friends and family are invited to attend our Christmas concerts in-person this year. We look forward to celebrating the Advent season and the birth of Christ with you.

ELC – Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten

Friday, December 2nd | 6:30 pm | Westlake Gym

The school doors will open at 6pm. Students should arrive by 6:15 pm and go to the main building. Directions for each class will be posted inside the main hallway. One parent should take the student to the assigned classroom, and other family members may find a seat in the gym.

Concerts are a dress-up event, and students should wear their “Christmas Best” attire.

Parking

If there will be two adults in your vehicle, please drop off all passengers at the front door, to minimize the number of people walking in the dark parking lot. Families should arrive in as few vehicles as possible. Additional parking will be available behind the school on the playground blacktop, but we anticipate that some families will need to park on the street.

After the concert, parents should remain seated in the gym until they are dismissed. Students may be picked up in the room where they were dropped off before the concert.

Intermediate & Concert Bands, Leadership & Worship, Orchestra

Thursday, December 8th | 7:00 pm | Westlake Gym

Call time is 6:40 pm. Parking will be limited, and families should travel together if possible. Additional parking will be available on the playground blacktop or on side streets.

Elementary (1st–6th Grades)

Thursday, December 15th | 7:00 pm | Lakeland Church

The elementary concert will be held at Lakeland Church, 440 Hunt Club Road, in Gurnee. Students should wear their “Christmas Best”.

Students should arrive by 6:40 pm. Cast members who are wearing a costume should arrive at 6:15 pm.

Please enter through the North Doors and proceed to the multi-purpose room. Parents should hold on to student coats for the duration of the concert.

We love to hear our students praising God with their voices and the sound of their instruments! The generous support of friends and family helps students receive a well-rounded, Christ-centered education at Westlake Christian Academy. Please consider donating today, which supports our tuition assistance program for families with financial need.

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High School Preview

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Are you wondering what high school looks like at Westlake? Do you have questions about what courses we offer and what athletic programs are available?  Are you wondering if this would be a good fit for your student?

This event is for you!  On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM, Westlake will be opening its doors to all current WCA 8th graders and to any prospective students interested in learning more about high school at Westlake. We’ll tell you a little bit about our school, talk courses and college readiness, share details about the trips and the special activities in which our students participate, and answer any questions you may have.

The program will be held in the gym, with tours available for prospective students. Face coverings are required for all attendees.
 
Afterward, students can join our high school student council team outside for snacks and games.

All of the specific details are broken down below. We hope to see you there!

Please take a moment to register below. We’ve included a section in the form for any questions you may have ahead of time.

Who is this for?

  • Current WCA eighth graders and their families AND
  • Anyone interested in attending high school at Westlake (2nd semester of 2022-23 or for 2023-24)

What should I expect?

  • Our Principal, Dr. Scifo, will share a little bit about Westlake and our radically different definition of the good life
  • Our guidance counselor & teacher, Mr. Flemming, will discuss our high school program and college readiness

What if I have questions?

  • We will have some high school teachers present to talk about
    • what to expect in their class
    • what courses are available
    • options for dual-credit college classes
  • Our Athletic Director will also be available to discuss varsity sports
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball

Covid-19 Guidance

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Board Approved 2022-23 Covid-19 Guidance

With the recent CDC updates regarding Covid-19 Guidance, the objective behind Westlake’s guidance is to keep students in school, to keep students and teachers safe, and to protect the quality of the instructional process in accordance with local guidelines. Furthermore, we want to ensure the school can focus on its Mission of providing Christian families a Christ-centered education that disciples our students to honor Jesus Christ in thought, word and deed. As such, this update will serve to nullify any previous publication of Westlake’s Covid-19 Protocols.

As of the start of school year 2022-2023, the following guidance will be in place for Westlake Christian Academy:

  1. Masks will be optional, at all times, for all people, within the school and during school functions.
  2. Handwashing: We will continue to encourage regular handwashing.
  3. Ventilation: At the teachers’ discretion, to increase outside airflow, we will keep classroom windows open as much as possible.
  4. Remote Learning: Remote learning will no longer be available, unless necessitated by school-wide quarantine/closure in accordance with local guidelines.
  5. When your child is sick:
    1. Keep your child home if they are exhibiting any Covid-like symptoms, or any other illness.
      1. In the event of a symptomatic child, it is recommended, but not mandated, that a Covid test is given.
    2. The sick child may return to school once symptoms have improved and they are fever free for 24 hours*. We ask that you continue to take extra caution. When in doubt, stay home an extra day.
      1. *In the case of a positive Covid test, the child should stay home for 5 days.
  6. Visitors:
    1. We will allow visitors into the school.
    2. Parents will be permitted to attend classroom parties, as invited by the teacher.
  7. Athletics:
    1. To take place without restrictions.
    2. Masks were deemed optional for all sporting events as of February 28th, 2022.

**All guidelines are subject to change depending on ISBE, IDPH and local guidelines

Families should report any absence using the WCA app or website absence form. 

Picture Day & Retakes

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Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, October 18th from 8:30-9:30 AM.

Bring your original packet of photos if you are getting your photo retaken.

Instructions for Ordering AFTER Picture Day:

Step 1: Log in to ordercp.com and click on the blue icon “AFTER PICTURE DAY”.

Step 2: Enter your student’s information and the Ticket Code from your student’s portrait proof (sent home with student).

Step 3: Choose your package and background.

Complete checkout and your order is placed!

Questions about your order? 

Please contact Color Portraits Customer Service at (847) 382–7505 ext. 7.

Picture Day is Friday, September 16th. 

All students will have an individual photo taken for their student ID. Parents may pre-order photos, or they can wait to order until after a proof is received. 

Photos will start at the beginning of the school day. All preschool (3 yrs) and pre-k (4 yrs) students are invited to participate in Picture Day, too! Parents, if your child does not normally attend school on a Friday, you may bring your child to school between 11:15–12:00. Parents should check-in at the main building, and then wait with their child in the gym. 

  • Picture day is a dress-UP day (girls should bring sneakers for recess)
  • All students will have their picture taken
  • Uniforms are not required
  • It is expected that students wear their “picture-best” 
  • Jeans and t-shirts are not “picture best”
  • As always, attire must be modest and neat.
  • Skirt/dress length must be to the kneecap or longer!
  • Shoulders must be covered (no spaghetti straps, tank tops, or sleeveless shirts or dresses).
  • Parents will be called to bring a change of clothing if there is a question with their child’s attire.

Ordering BEFORE Picture Day:

Step 1: Log in to ordercp.com and click on the green icon “BEFORE OR ON PICTURE DAY”.

Step 2: Enter your student’s information and the school code: 10067501.

Step 3: Choose your package and background.

Complete checkout and your order is placed!

Ordering AFTER Picture Day:

Step 1: Log in to ordercp.com and click on the green icon “AFTER PICTURE DAY”.

Step 2: Enter your student’s information and the Ticket Code from your student’s portrait proof (sent home with student).

Step 3: Choose your package and background.

Complete checkout and your order is placed!

Questions about your order?

Please contact Color Portraits Customer Service at (847) 382–7505 ext. 7.

Grandparents Open House 2022

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We love our Grandparents!

Westlake Christian Academy looks forward every fall to having our students’ grandparents visit the school. This year, grandparents are invited to visit Westlake for afternoon tours. Grandparents will be able to tour the school, view their student’s classwork, and share some time in the gym making a craft.

For long-distance grandparents, we will be publishing a video featuring preschool–6th grade students in their classrooms. Please watch for the video to be released via email on the morning of Grandparents Day.

Friday September 23, 2022

1:00–2:30pm: Drop-in Classroom Tours

Grandparents Day is a Half Day (9am–12pm)

Grandparents Day is a HALF DAY for all students. There is no After Care on all-school half days. Because it is also a Late Start Friday, the school day runs from 9am–12pm for Preschool through 12th grade. Pickup for all Preschool–6th grade students is from Slusser Street, via the back entrance to the playground.

All students are expected to be picked up between 12:00–12:20pm. Please leave campus for lunch, and then students may return with grandparents any time between 1:00–2:30pm for an in-person classroom tour.

Afternoon: Drop-In Tours (Preschool–12th Grade)

Grandparents are invited to visit the school with their grandchildren to take a tour of the classroom. Students will be able to show you where they sit, along with some of their school work. The gym will also have activities available.

The school will be open from 1:00–2:30pm for tours. You may come at any time during that window, but please let us know that we should expect you. The doors will not open until 1:00 pm, as our teachers need time to eat lunch and prepare for your arrival. Please RSVP here.

RSVP

School Supplies

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Want to save time? You can order a grade-specific school supply kit from School Toolbox. If you purchase before July 4, 2022, school supply kits are shipped directly to the school and will be delivered to the classroom for you. If you purchase after July 4, 2022, you can have the box shipped directly to your home. Please refer to the School ToolBox website for additional charges and shipping times. 

If you purchase your own school supplies (including ship-to-home from School Toolbox), please bring them with you to Back-to-School Night (K-12) or Meet the Teacher (PS/PK). Lists for each grade are available here. 

Students in grades 7–12 are also required to have a Chromebook. Parents can purchase whichever Chromebook they prefer. We recommend that you consider durability and battery life when making a purchase. We also strongly suggest that you purchase a case or sleeve to protect the Chromebook. Additional details are available here.

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