April 2026 Academics

1. Aurora Christian Schools

Aurora Christian School’s Fine Arts Club transformed the childcare room at Mutual Ground into a sky-high adventure with their latest mural project.

Well done to these students for using their creativity to lift this community space to new heights.

Newly designed childcare room at Mutual Ground, courtesy of Aurora Christian Fine Arts Club.
Aurora Christian Fine Arts Club students Aurora Christian Fine Arts Club students pose for photos in the newly designed childcare room at Mutual Ground.

2. Batavia School District 101

The All-City Orchestra event at Batavia High School show cased performances by various student ensembles from Batavia High School and Rotolo Middle School.

District 101 has been named one of the country’s best school districts for music education for 10 years in a row by the National Association of Music Merchants! It is great to see this display of hard work and dedication by students and staff.

Batavia Student plays the cello at All-City Orchestra Event.
District 101 students perform at the All-City Orchestra event at Batavia High school.

3. Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA)

Congratulations to Laksh Patel ‘26 for winning the Amazon Future Engineers scholarship! This competitive scholarship supports a student’s pursuit of a degree in computer science by providing up to $10,000 per year of undergraduate study. The program also connects recipients with mentors and internship opportunities

Olivia Pan ’27, Isaac Lee '27, and Matthew Park '27 took first place at Olivet Nazarene University's "CreateurPitch Competition" with their product HIALO, a diagnostic headband worn inside helmets to diagnose concussions in real time. This is the second top-tier win for the team and their product.

IMSA student Laksh Patel ’26 poses for photo with school administration after winning the Amazon Future Engineers scholarship.
From left to right - IMSA Students Olivia Pan ’27, Isaac Lee ’27, and Matthew Park ’27, hold a first place check at the Createur Pitch Competition.

4. Aurora University

Over 30 Aurora University health science students attended and presented at the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA) Student Undergraduate Research Symposium, hosted by Lewis University. Participants strengthened their public speaking skills, learned about artificial intelligence in the health sciences, and connected with fellow undergraduate researchers.

Aurora University students pose for photo at the ACCA Student Undergraduate Research Symposium.

5. Aurora Central Catholic

Several Aurora Central Catholic students spent their Spring Break abroad in Madrid, Spain and Paris, France! Through the Chargers Abroad Trip, students receive an unforgettable experience with faculty chaperones.

Aurora Central Catholic Students pose for group photo after abroad trip through Europe.

6. East Aurora School District 131

Students from East Aurora High School and West Aurora High School recently participated in a Culinary Exchange, bringing together two outstanding culinary programs for a day of hands-on learning, food, and friendship.

Students worked side by side making pretzel rolls and smash burgers, shared a meal, and shared their passion for culinary arts.

East and West Aurora High School and students making smash burgers during a culinary exchange.

7. Indian Prairie School District 204

Metea and Nequa Valley High Schools qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championships in St. Louis! Nequa Valley’s Team 2360C “Clockwork” earned their robot, while Metea Valley’s Team 8995R qualified by winning the Innovate Award for their creative design. This global event features 700 teams from 60 countries.

Congratulations to these students for their teamwork, technical skill, and commitment to excellence in STEM!

Further congratulations to Adam Page and the Metea Valley High School online newspaper staff of the Stampede for being named an Online Pacemaker Finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association. They are one of 40 finalists across the nation and one of just two in Illinois! This award exemplifies how hard student journalists work totell the stories of Metea Valley. This is the sixth time Metea Valley journalist students have been Pacemaker finalists – five times for their online newspaper and once for their print news magazine,The Stampede.

Metea and Nequa Valley Robotics World Championship Qualifiers.
Adam Page and Metea Valley are named Online Pacemaker Finalists for their publication, The Stampede.

8. Kaneland School District

Kaneland High School senior, Emma G., recently led a fun, hands-on activity teaching students about circuits—as part of the Exelon STEM Ambassador program. Way to go, Emma!

Kaneland High School senior, Emma G, poses for photo with student during the Exelon STEM Ambassador program.

9. Marmion Academy

Marmion Academy senior, Henry Medernach of Aurora, has accepted an offer with Ford Motor Company’s engineering division! Attending Kettering University in the Fall to study mechanical engineering as part of the school’s co-op program, Henry secured a paid, full-time internship at Ford that will begin this July.

Henry’s path took shape inside Marmion’s Computational Prototyping and Research Center (CPARC), where students move beyond textbooks and into real-world engineering challenges.

Marmion Academy senior, Henry Medernach, working in the computer lab.

10. Community Unit School District 308

Gear It Forward Robotics, a team made up of students from Oswego High School and Oswego East High School, won both the Midwest Regional Competition and Miami Valley Regional Competition!

While at the Midwest Regional, the team earned the Excellence in Engineering Award and is now preparing to compete at theFIRST(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) World Championship in Houston, Texas!

Oswego High and Oswego East pose for team photo at the Midwest Regional Competition and Miami Valley Regional Competition.

11. Rosary College Prep

The Rosary Math Team placed 8that the 2026 State Competition at Illinois State University out of 64 schools.

State honors included:

  • Geometry Team, 8th place
  • Algebra Team, 8th place
  • Freshman/Sophomore 8-person team, 9th place
  • Freshman/Sophomore 2-person team, 5th place
  • Oral team, 8th place

Special shout-out to Math Team coaches—Mrs. Hoying, Mrs. Johnson, and Mr. Ward—for their leadership and dedication.

Rosary Math Team poses for photo after winning 8th place at 2026 State Competition at Illinois State.

12. West Aurora School District 129

Advanced and AP Art students at West Aurora High School took a field trip to the Chicago Art Expo at Navy Pier, exploring hundreds of contemporary and historic works from galleries around the world. Through this trip, students strengthened their critical thinking and collaboration skills, pushing their creative boundaries to envision new possibilities.

West Aurora Art Students attend the Chicago Art Expo at Navy Pier.