The Academy by A Bigger World

08/11/2026

LET’S FILL THESE WISH LISTS.

College move-in is coming and some familiar faces are getting ready for a very big first day.

These students have been with us since middle school. This fall, they’re heading to four-year universities—and we want our community to help send them off with what they need.

They’ve made the Wish Lists. We’re asking you to help fill them.

Choose something big or something small. Every purchase is one less thing a student has to worry about before move-in day.

Open a list, pick an item, and help one of our students get ready for college.

🛒 Amazon Wish List #1: https://tinyurl.com/AcademyCollegeWishList1
🛒 Amazon Wish List #2: https://tinyurl.com/AcademyWishList2

And if you can’t purchase today, share this post. Someone in your network may be looking for a simple way to support a Waukegan student heading to college.

07/28/2026

The most fun rivalry of the summer!

Our Staff vs Students game reminded us that athletics are about more than winning. They are a place where confidence grows and community is built.

We’re ready for next summers rematch!

07/28/2026

Our summer ended with a visit to Lake Michigan, a basketball game, a soccer match, and recognizing our students for the work in the classroom that doesn’t show up on a highlight reel.

07/24/2026

What A Summer!

Today was our final day of our 6th annual summer program. We were joined by our families to play friendly basketball and soccer games and then to celebrate the academic and personal growth of our students this summer. Our students showed up each day ready to learn, improve, and have fun.

We honored our two Most Improved Students and our two Most Outstanding Students that were selected by our staff.

We celebrated our students who improved their reading levels by multiple grade levels through the year.

And we acknowledged our rising 9th graders for the work they have done over the last three years to complete our middle school program.

Thank you to all our families, students, and staff who made this summer a success. We’re proud of what our students accomplished and look forward to continuing our journey together this upcoming school year.

07/22/2026

The best summer days are spent together!

Good friends, fresh air, and a beautiful day. We played football and soccer, built sandcastles, and skipped stones.

These days bring us together, strengthen our friendships, and enjoy every opportunity to learn, explore, and have fun together.

07/21/2026

Serving beyond Waukegan.

Today we spent the afternoon at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. We collectively packed 94 boxes that contain enough food to ensure that over 50 children receive a year’s worth of meals.

Service is about more than giving back; it teaches us that our actions make a difference, no matter your age.

Every meal packaged reminds us that leadership starts with showing up, working together, and caring for others.

07/20/2026

Every girl belongs on the court!

Our girls took the floor this weekend for their first basketball tournament— and they earned every minute.

This was the first girls team in the history of The Academy, a goal we have been working toward for the last year.

They played hard, worked together, and celebrated each other’s successes, and pushed together through every challenge.

These moments remind us why sports matter. They teach discipline, confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

We’re so proud of our girls and are excited to watch them continue to grow.

07/14/2026

This year, our students didn't just participate—they achieved.

They improved multiple grade levels in reading and math.

They competed, led, and represented on our school athletic teams.

They explored college campuses, discovered new opportunities, and all 5 of our graduating seniors are heading to four-year universities.

Every number tells a story. Every student reminds us what's possible.

Thank you to our families, staff, and community partners for making this work possible. Together, we're helping students build brighter futures.

Read our full 2025–2026 Impact Report and celebrate what we've accomplished together. Follow our page to stay connected as another exciting year begins!

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

07/10/2026

Today we stepped onto the stage for a karaoke and game show experience. Our students sang, laughed, and cheered each other on. They tried something new.

Moments like this build confidence. They encourage teamwork. And they remind our students that exploration is about saying “yes” to new experiences and supporting one another along the way.

07/03/2026

This week, learning took a lot of different forms.

In the classroom, we learned to map the plot of narrative fiction and discovered how great stories are built.

In the gym, we trained with purpose, building discipline, confidence, and resilience one workout at a time.

We explored Milwaukee from the water with a boat tour on Lake Michigan.

We’re proud to spend each week growing through academics, exploration, and athletics.