Latest News
Latest News at Marquette Academy
Catholic Schools Week 2026!
Catholic Schools Week 2026
Monday 1/26
Celebrating Your Community
- GS - Blue & Gold Day
- All Academy Mass 10:15 am (Parents, grandparents, alumni and friends of Marquette are welcome to attend.)
- CSW - Kick Off in the gym following lunches with 1:15 pm start
- Dance off in blow-ups
- Rock-Paper Scissors Tournament Kick-off (best out of three). Done in classrooms first.
- HS - Junior/Senior Appreciation Lunch
Tuesday 1/27
- GS - Disney Day (clothes with Disney characters)
- School-Wide Spelling Bee in the gym @ 10:15 am - parents are welcome to attend
- Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament Continues
Wednesday 1/28
Day of Thanks
- All Academy - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon - both campuses
- Day of Thanks (Students will write thank you letters to community supporters, family members and staff)
- Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament Continued
- Dance with Fr. Patrick (Forrest Frank song)
- Pie-a-Priest
Thursday 1/29
- GS - Pajama Day
- Teacher Swap at the grade school
- Ice Cream Treats (9:00- 9:30)
- Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament Continues
- Freshman & Sophomore Appreciation Lunch
- Run an All Academy Mass schedule. During Mass time, have Adoration and Confession in St. Columba.
Friday 1/30
Student Appreciation Day
- GS - Sports Day
- Super Bowl Snack followed by school-wide Zoom BINGO
- 8th Grade Staff v. Student Vball game
- Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament Concludes with the final round
MA Recognized Among 2026 Best Schools in America!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2025
Marquette Academy Recognized Among 2026 Best Schools in America
OTTAWA, IL – Marquette Academy is proud to announce that it has been nationally recognized as one of the Best Schools in America by Niche, the country’s leading platform for researching K–12 schools and colleges. Niche has awarded Marquette an A overall grade for 2026, ranking the school among the top 10% of schools nationwide.
Marquette Academy is the only high school in LaSalle County and one of only three grade schools in the county to receive an A rating, underscoring its commitment to excellence in education and student success.
This prestigious ranking highlights Marquette Academy’s exceptional performance across multiple areas evaluated by Niche, including academic excellence, extracurricular opportunities, and feedback from students, alumni, and parents. Data sources include the U.S. Department of Education and millions of user reviews.
"This recognition is a testament to our teachers’ passion, our students’ commitment, and our families’ support,” said Brooke Rick, Principal at Marquette Academy. “At Marquette, we strive to provide not just strong academics, but a foundation of values and faith that prepares our students for life.”
"We are honored to be recognized among the best schools in the nation,” said Nikki Speirer, Director of Admissions and Enrollment at Marquette Academy. “This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and faith-centered community that make Marquette such a special place for students to learn and grow.” To explore Marquette Academy’s profile and view the complete list of 2026 rankings, methodologies, and data sources, visit niche.com.
Marquette Academy extends its heartfelt thanks to its dedicated staff, supportive parents, outstanding students, and the entire community for helping make this recognition possible.
If you would like to learn more about Marquette Academy, schedule a private tour today! Families of 7th and 8th graders are also invited to attend the Marquette Academy Freshman Open House on November 19 at 6:00 PM at 1000 Paul Street, Ottawa, IL.
The evening will feature:
• Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
• Guided Campus Tours
• An Activity Fair showcasing Athletics, Clubs, and Organizations
• Information on Dual College Credit and Degree Programs
• Prizes and Drawings, including a Full and Half-Year Tuition Giveaway!