Founded in 1890, St. Bede Abbey and Academy lies on the banks of Illinois River and has a campus of over 1000 acres.  Today we pride ourselves on preparing our students both academically and spiritually for life after high school.  Our students continue to exceed both national and state levels on standardized testing.  99% of our students attend college and 97% of our students participate in at least one extra curricular activity while at St. Bede.  We offer Honors, Advanced Placement and College Courses on our campus.  Boarding students enjoy being housed in a home-like setting with boy and girl boarders being housed separately.  Our residential staff dedicates themselves to all boarding students by monitoring study time, encouraging extra curricular involvement and discussing college and career choices with all boarders.  St. Bede Academy expects spiritual dedication, extra curricular involvement and academic excellence from all of our students.  In return, a graduate of St. Bede can expect to be prepared to excel in life after high school.