Academics

Academics

Ready For College, Built For Life

Marmion offers a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum grounded in the Catholic and Benedictine tradition. 
Our holistic approach challenges students to grow intellectually, think critically, and lead with integrity.

In our focused learning environment, students form strong bonds, support one another, and strive for excellence, together. In our co-educational model, freshman and sophomore students will experience core classes in single-gender classrooms to preserve smaller class sizes, thus enabling them to build confidence, minimize distractions, and develop a strong academic foundation.

College is just the start—Marmion students leave ready for life.

  • 100% of Marmion seniors who apply to college are accepted.
  • 90% of Marmion seniors who were accepted to college will attend a four-year institution and 10% will attend a two-year institution.
  • 85% of our graduating seniors earn academic scholarships or honors*
    *This updated number is reflective of the average of the past five years

AP Classes

AP Exams taken in 2025

Dual Credit Classes

Honors Classes

Student to Teacher Ratio

Average Class Size

We’re proud to share that Marmion Academy has been ranked #1 in Kane County by Niche.com for:

• Best Private High School
• Best Catholic High School
• Best College Prep Private High School

These rankings reflect what families experience every day at Marmion: strong academics, dedicated faculty, a faith-centered community, and a commitment to forming students of character who are prepared for what comes next.

Academic Program

Courses We Offer

At Marmion Academy, our academic program is designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare students for success in college and in life. Grounded in the Benedictine tradition, our curriculum fosters critical thinking, creativity and a deep sense of purpose.
Explore our course offerings and see how Marmion shapes students into sharp thinkers and grounded leaders.

Download Course Catalog

Academic Center and Counseling Department

The Marmion Academy Academic Center provides assistance to students who are experiencing difficulties with their academics. The program currently serves over 60 students with diagnosed learning differences in the form of Student Support Plans (Accommodations Plans). Additionally, support is available to any student who may be struggling academically in any subject(s).

Program Goals

The goal of the Academic Center is to help students become independent and self-sufficient learners. As students become more independent, academic support is slowly reduced. We strive towards academic and personal success by encouraging personal responsibility, empowerment, and self-advocacy.

Services Offered

Each student at Marmion Academy has access to a School Counselor as well as a College Guidance Counselor. Services offered include:

  • Check-ins with all students to assess academic performance and social-emotional well-being
  • Providing students with strategies to improve on academic deficits
  • Social-emotional counseling
  • Accommodation plans for students with documented learning disabilities*
  • Teacher and peer tutoring for students needing assistance in a specific course or concept is available when schedules permit
  • Daily Math Labs, Science Labs, and World Language Labs (drop-in tutoring for any student needing additional help)
  • ACT/SAT accommodations application assistance

In addition to our College Guidance Department, Marmion Academy provides each student with access to Naviance. The Naviance Readiness Solution is a comprehensive tool set that helps students assess and develop essential competencies needed to be successful after high school. For more information, please contact Mr. Dan Thorpe, Director of College Guidance, at dthorpe@marmion.org.

Faculty
Christina Lipp, 630-897-6936 ext. 381, clipp@marmion.org
Counselor for last names A-F

Kristin Woosley, 630-897-6936 ext. 237, kwoosley@marmion.org
Counselor for last names G-N

Sherry Tietz, 630-897-6936 ext. 215, stietz@marmion.org
Counselor for last names O-Z

Dan Thorpe, 630-897-6936 ext. 245, dthorpe@marmion.org
College Guidance

Dave Rakow, 630-897-6936 ext. 305, drakow@marmion.org
Director of Academic Center

Kelsey Damato, 630-897-6936 ext. 256, kdamato@marmion.org
Asst. Director of Academic Center

English

Philosophy
The mission of the Marmion English Department is to help students become accomplished readers, writers, and speakers; to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills; to recognize various literary forms, genres, and terminology; to encourage close textual analysis; to promote and inspire a love of reading and writing; and to foster an appreciation for the English language.

Faculty

Summer Reading Lists
Summer reading list coming soon!

Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

  • English 1 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Required Course – freshmen)
  • English 2 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Required Course – sophomores)
  • English 3 – AP or Regular (Full Year Required Course – juniors)
  • English 4 – AP or Dual Credit or Regular (Full Year Required Course – seniors)
  • Publications (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective

    Fine Arts

    Faculty

    MUSIC

    Mission

    All students can learn and will perform at a very high standard when there is an expectation for excellence. Making excellence a habit and practicing it everyday results in excellence always being expected. Our role as music teachers is to be inspirational and have the student take ownership in the process. We will offer students an environment that is based upon growth, with the expectation that students will be inspired to lead others. Upon graduation students have been given the tools necessary for further pursuit of musical and artistic objectives.

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • Band, Band Honors  – (Full year course, all level elective. Meets five days a week from 6:40-7:25 AM)
    • Jazz Ensemble (Full year course – all level elective. Meets Monday and Wednesday from 6:00-7:00 PM)
    • Jazz Combo (Full year course – all level elective. Meets Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 – 7:30PM )
    • Chorus 1, Chorus 1 Honors (Full year course – all level elective. Meets 3 days per week during I Period)
    • Chorus 2 Honors (Full year course – sophomore/junior/senior elective)
    • Music Appreciation (2 day per week course required of sophomores)
    • Music Appreciation for the Musician/Performer (optional 2 day per week course for sophomores to replace Music Appreciation)
    • Music Technology (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • AP Music Theory (Full year course – junior/senior elective)

    VISUAL ARTS

     Mission

    The Visual Art Department of Marmion Academy believes that the arts are an essential part of every student’s education. Art and design impact every facet of life. The creation and appreciation of art and design enriches the lives of the students and enhances perception and awareness of environment and culture. Art education values both process and product. Education in the arts encourages imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving. The visual art department instructs on media technique and composition exploring the elements and principles of art and design while promoting a love of the visual arts past and present.

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • Art Appreciation (2 day per week course required of freshmen)
    • Film Production (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Art Exploration (One semester course – junior/senior elective. Meets 3 days per week during I Period)
    • Art Seminar (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Art History 1: Pre-History to 1900 (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Art History 2: 1900 to Contemporary (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Painting (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Ceramics (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Digital Design (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Web Design (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Basic Drawing 1 Dual Credit (One semester course – junior/senior elective)
    • Basic Drawing 2 Dual Credit  (One semester course – junior/senior elective)

    Leadership - JROTC

    Mission
    The mission of JROTC is “To motivate young people to be better Citizens.”
    Note: The JROTC program is not a recruiting tool of the U.S. Army. There is no active or reserve military obligation incurred upon completion of the program.

    Faculty

    • LTC Daniel Williams – Department Chair/Senior Instructor
      630-966-7646; dwilliams@marmion.org
    • MSG Joseph Fabish – Junior Army Instructor
      630-966-7641; jfabish@marmion.org
    • SFC Robert Norton – Sophomore Instructor
      630-966-7692; rnorton@marmion.org
    • SGM Andrew Weldon – Freshman Army Instructor
      630-766-7693; aweldon@marmion.org

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • Military 1, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Freshmen
    • Military 2, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Sophomores
    • Military 3, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Juniors
    • Military 4, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Seniors

    Leadership - LEAD

    Mission
    The Mission of the Leadership Education And Development Program is to provide an educational foundation of practical leadership skills based on Christian values and ethics.
    Faculty

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • LEAD 1, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Freshmen
    • LEAD 2, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Sophomores
    • LEAD 3, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Juniors
    • LEAD 4, ½ Credit, Full Year Course – Seniors

    Mathematics

    Mission
    The Mathematics Department seeks to challenge students through an integrated curriculum where skills and concepts are taught in a continuous manner. Each course is not an isolated learning experience, but rather part of a larger process. The use of multiple representations is emphasized to re-enforce a deeper conceptual understanding of the topics. Technology is used to assist and support the educational process. By the end of four years, the goal is to have our students leave not only well prepared for college, but also well equipped with critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that they can use in any career choice.

    Faculty

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

      • Algebra 1 – Honors or Regular  (Full Year Required Course – freshmen)
      • Geometry – Honors or Regular (Full Year Required Course – sophomores)
      • Algebra 2 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Required Course – juniors)
      • Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry – AP/Dual Credit or Regular (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
      • Calculus 1 AP/Dual Credit (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
      • Calculus 2 AP (Full Year Course – senior elective)
      • Statistics – AP/Dual Credit or Dual Credit (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
      • Computer Science AP/Dual Credit (Full Year Course – senior elective) AP Exam Expected
      • Advanced Topics in Mathematics (Full Year Course – senior elective)

    Science

    Philosophy
    To develop an innovative science education system integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to benefit our students in this 21st century world.

    Faculty

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • Biology – Honors or Regular  (Full Year Required Course – freshmen)
    • Biology AP (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Chemistry – Honors or Regular (Full Year Required Course – sophomores)
    • Chemistry AP (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Physics – Honors or Regular (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Physics AP (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Anatomy / Physiology (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Geology (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Astronomy (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Science Research (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Engineering Research (Full Year Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Engineering Design (½ credit course – all levels elective)
    • Applied Engineering Design 1-5 (½ Credit Courses – sophomore/junior/senior electives)

    Social Science

    Philosophy
    The Social Studies Department of Marmion Academy, in compliance with the overall philosophy of the Academy, is concerned with the students’ Christian principles, democratic ideologies, college preparation, and development to live in a modern society. Our aim is to provide an atmosphere in which each student can use methods of inquiry to search out the truth. Better understanding of the complexities of modern society requires each student to be capable of knowing facts, practice critical evaluation, understanding the basic values, articulating judgments, and having compassion dealing with his fellow man through the study of past and present historical, political, social, and economic behavior.

    Department Objectives

    1. To help students discover basic principles guiding human behavior so they can better discern and discuss problems, issues and values of modern society.
    2. To assist and encourage students when they make critical evaluations.
    3. To help students become more aware of their historical, cultural, economic, and religious heritage, so that they can better understand the present in terms of the past.
    4. To facilitate the students’ understanding of the interacting forces influencing human behavior, and to better appreciate the demands that these forces place upon him as an individual and as a member of society.
    5. To incorporate at every level of instruction the dimension of moral values and Christian principles as they cast light on the role of the student in society and give direction to him in fulfilling his moral obligations.

    Faculty

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • World History – AP or Regular (Full Year Required Course – sophomores)
    • US History – AP or Regular (Full Year Required Course – juniors)
    • American Government – AP or Regular (Full Year Required Course – seniors)
    • Economics – AP or Regular (Full Year Required Course – seniors)
    • Psychology (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Intro to Philosophy – Honors/Dual Credit (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Intro to Ethics – Honors/Dual Credit (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Principles of Business (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • History of Chicago (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Accounting (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Intro to Marketing – Dual Credit (One Semester Course – junior/senior elective)
    • Intro to Law 1&2 (½ Credit Courses – sophomore/junior/senior elective)

    Theology

    Mission
    The Theology Department seeks to impart to all students the Benedictine spiritual hallmarks of: Love of Christ and love of learning, cultivation of a personal prayer life, instilling a sense of community that includes a call for service to the common good and respect for the individual, hospitality, stewardship of God’s creation, and humility, the acceptance of the demand for realism and accountability. At the same time, an effort is made to transmit the values of the Benedictine Rule and the tradition of monastic spirituality that has been so much a part of Marmion’s heritage. Students are encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with Jesus and the Church. The Theology Department focuses on understanding and living the teachings, traditions and sacramental life of the Catholic Church.

    The Theology Department offers:

    • Comprehensive curriculum designed for faith formation and spiritual growth
    • Rigorous academic standards, with a skills-based approach
    • Yearly retreat offerings for each grade level
    • Over 70 Kairos retreats completed: Led by seniors, attended by many faculty and staff, and with over 96% attendance rate from graduating seniors
    • Sacramental offerings, including reconciliation on select days and during seasons of Lent and Advent
    • Daily masses during activities period
    • Monthly all school masses

    Faculty

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • Theology 1 – Sacred Scripture/Catholicism (Full year course required of freshmen)
    • Theology 2 – Life of Christ/Introduction to Morality (Full year course required of sophomores)
    • Theology 3 – Church History/Catholic Social Teaching (Full year course required of juniors)
    • Theology 4 –World Religions (First semester course required of seniors)
      • Seniors then choose from one of the following options for their 2nd Semester elective to fulfill their senior Theology requirement:
        • Apologetics
        • Classic Theological Questions
        • Theology of Life and Exploration of Catholic Writers
        • Introduction to Christian Mysticism and Prayer

    World Languages

    Philosophy
    In accordance with our Benedictine college preparatory mission of spiritual formation, academic excellence, and leadership development, the purpose of the world language program is to prepare enlightened citizens and leaders in a multilingual and multicultural world by the following:

    • Empowering students with the tools to communicate effectively with people from other cultures
    • Fostering a positive attitude toward and an appreciation of cultural diversity in our nation and the world
    • Encouraging student involvement in authentic language experiences in local communities, Chicago, and the world through service, travel, and study abroad programs

    The curricula are designed in accordance with the specifications for the national examinations in each language as well as the National Foreign Language Standards. All students participate in the highly competitive National Examinations or equivalent state and national competitions. Every year, Marmion students garner top state and national awards and scholarships in each of the languages offered.

    Faculty
    World Languages Phone: 630-897-6936 ext. 249

    • Rebecca Cann, Latin Chair, 630-897-6936, ext. 240; rcann@marmion.org
    • Siobhan Kates, French Chair/Instructor, 630-897-6936, ext. 249; skates@marmion.org
    • Luz-Maria Acosta-Knutson, Spanish Instructor, 630-897-6936, ext. 249; lacostaknutson@marmion.org
    • Judy Valenti, Spanish Chair/Instructor, 630-897-6936, ext. 249; jvalenti@marmion.org

    Courses – See Course Catalog for full details.

    • French 1– Honors or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • French 2 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • French 3 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • French 4 – Honors/Dual Credit or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Spanish 1 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Spanish 2 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Spanish 3 – Honors or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Spanish 4 – Honors/Dual Credit or Regular (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Spanish 5 AP (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Spanish for Heritage Speakers (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Latin 1 Honors (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Latin 2 Honors (Full Year Elective Course)
    • Latin 3 Honors (Full Year Elective Course)

    Typical Schedule

    Freshman Year

    6.75 credits

    • Theology 1
    • English 1
    • Biology
    • World Languages or Study Hall
    • Algebra 1 (or Accelerated Math Track by placement)
    • Health/P.E./Freshman Skills
    • Leadership/Science Lab/Art Appreciation

    Sophomore Year

    6.75 credits

    • Theology 2
    • English 2
    • Chemistry or Science Elective
    • World Language
    • Geometry (Accelerated Math Track by placement)
    • World History (AP)
    • Leadership/Science Lab/Music Appreciation

    Junior Year

    6.50 credits

    • Theology 3
    • English 3
    • Physics or Science Elective
    • World Languages or Elective
    • Algebra 2 (Accelerated Math Track by placement)
    • U.S. History
    • Leadership/Science Lab/Study Hall or P.E. or Fine Arts

    Senior Year

    6.50 credits

    • Theology 4
    • English 4
    • Science Elective or General Elective
    • World Languages or Elective
    • Pre-Calculus w/Trig (Accelerated Math Track by placement)
    • American Government / Economics
    • Leadership/Science Lab/Study Hall
    Marmion student with ipad

    Tech

    One-To-One Technology

    Every student is issued an iPad to support and enhance their learning experience. iPads are used daily in class, for homework, and for accessingdigital tools that personalize andenrich education,without replacing traditional learning methods.

    A $500 annual technology fee includes:

    • iPad, charger, and case (leased for the school year)
    • Access to educational apps and eBooks
    • AppleCare+ warranty
    • On-campus IT support
    • Printing access
    • Marmion network and infrastructure services

    Technology

    Apple ID Requirements

    Students must have an Apple ID set up before Freshman Orientation in August. You can use an existing Apple ID or create one at applied.apple.com using your @marmioncadets.org email.

    Questions? Contact the Technology Department at 630-897-6936 ext. 294 or helpdesk@marmion.org.