Ground is broken on new Quest Academy campus expected to open this fall
At a groundbreaking ceremony May 31, Quest Academy announced the launch of Take Root, a $1.5 million capital fundraising campaign in support of the acquisition and development of its new West Campus.
Quest Academy, an independent school for gifted students in Palatine, recently expanded its footprint with the purchase of the adjoining Palatine Centre, as well as a 3.68-acre space at 530 N. Plum Grove Road, which will be transformed into the West Campus that Quest Academy will use for outdoor learning, athletics, physical education, and recreation. The new campus is expected to open this fall.
“Quest Academy’s continued pursuit of excellence is directly related to our educational mission of meeting the needs of gifted students throughout the Northwest suburbs and greater Chicago area,” said Ben Hebebrand, head of the school.
“This expansion is a credit to our tireless faculty and staff, and to the vision of past and current trustees, who have always recognized the critical need and demand for a school such as ours.
“To ensure a bright future here in the Northwest suburbs and throughout the world, gifted children deserve a school that is solely committed to meeting their needs.”
Chris Dickerson, chairman of the Quest Academy board of trustees, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“Quest believes that outdoor learning opportunities are important, and can complement the classroom experience,” Dickerson said.
“Our faculty wants to bring what they do inside our building, outside. Part of preparing a child for the real world is ensuring awareness of and connection to the physical worlds of nature, structure, laws of physics, good sportsmanship. Appreciation of the natural world, for exercise, fresh air, teamwork, and new environments, begins in youth.
“Quest Academy fully recognizes the financial challenges facing education, be it the public school system or an independent school such as Quest Academy,” Dickerson said.
“At Quest, we are happy to report that we have frozen tuition at present levels. None of the costs of acquiring and developing the West Campus property will impact tuition.”
The “Take Root” campaign will be chaired by Quest Academy Trustee William Markey, who said the name of the campaign was inspired by the community itself.
“Quest is a very special resource, which our families appreciate and help to sustain,” Markey said. “By supporting the school’s growth and mission, parents have vested their commitment to gifted education, Palatine, childhood and the great outdoors in a digital age. We are honored to help make that a reality.”
Markey noted that the campaign “will, of course, seek to exceed the $1.5 million goal in support of the acquisition and development of the land,” and that “our early conversations with individuals for philanthropic commitments have been most encouraging.”
Markey also said that the “spot auction” fundraiser in March enabled Quest to break ground early and begin development over the summer.
Founded in 1982, Quest Academy currently serves more than 285 students from throughout the Chicago area, with a faculty and administration of 55.
An independent day school for children from preschool through eighth grade, it admits students who show evidence of exceptional intellectual capability.
By providing these students with a rich and differentiated curriculum, Quest prepares them for competitive higher education programs and productive professional careers while inspiring a lifelong love of scholarship and appreciation of the arts.
To learn more about Quest Academy, visit questacademy.org.
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