Grace Christian Academy (Illinois)

Grace Christian Academy (GCA) is an accredited Preschool-12th grade private, evangelical, Christian school located in Kankakee, Illinois.

GCA serves students in Kankakee County, Iroquois County, and Will County.

History
In 1973, Grace Baptist Church in Kankakee, Illinois, founded Grace Baptist Academy as a school for kindergarten through sixth grade. In 1975 the academy expanded to serve junior high students, and in 1977, added high school classes. It is a private, non-profit corporation.

In the summer of 1978, Grace Baptist Church broke ground on a new educational annex, which was completed and dedicated in May 1979. As the school grew, the church purchased additional land and added more classroom space.

In December 2012, Grace Baptist Academy changed its name to Grace Christian Academy, "to better represent the students and faculty made up of multiple Christian denominations".

In January 2020, GCA was granted accreditation through the Association of Christian Schools International.

Until the beginning of the 2020 school year, the school was part of the Illinois Christian Conference Association for athletic competitions. In the fall of 2020, GCA became affiliated the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) for sports and other extra-curricular activities. GCA joined the River Valley Conference for athletic competitions, effective for the 2021 school year.

In 2023-24, Grace Christian Academy celebrated its 50th anniversary. The school commemorated five decades of providing Christ-centered education, emphasizing wisdom, character, and integrity. Principal Aaron Most highlighted the school's ongoing commitment to its founding principles of grace and Christian values. The celebration acknowledged the contributions of past leaders and the enduring support from the school community, marking a significant milestone in GCA's history.

Notable alumni

 * Don Bacon - Don Bacon is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 2nd congressional district of Nebraska since 2017. Before his political career, he served in the United States Air Force for 29 years, retiring as a Brigadier General.
 * Gabriel Burch – Award-winning filmmaker and television producer. Burch was presented with the College Television Award in the Nonfiction Series category for their outstanding work in student-produced content. The recognition highlights Burch's dedication, creativity, and passion for storytelling.