Marquette Academy

What Marquette Academy does

Marquette Academy is a private, nonprofit K-12 Catholic school in Ottawa, Illinois, operating under the Diocese of Peoria. It serves families in the Ottawa, IL area seeking faith-based education across two physical campuses: a PreK and Elementary Campus at 1110 LaSalle Street and a High School Campus at 1000 Paul Street. The school accepts students of all faiths, and approximately one-third of its students are non-Catholic. Programs span preschool (3-year-old and 4-year-old options, plus the Power Preschool full-day program with afternoon enrichment), elementary (grades K-8) with extracurriculars including academic team, robotics, art club, band, and choir, and high school (grades 9-12) with a college preparatory curriculum, 18 interscholastic sports, and the 120-hour Living Faith service requirement.

The school's revenue model is a layered combination of tuition (primary, with differentiated Catholic/non-Catholic rates and financial aid), annual fundraising (May Merriment gala, annual appeal, RaiseRight Scrip gift card rebates), and ancillary services including transportation (550-1,350 USD/year), before/after care (7 USD/hour, 7am-5pm), summer sports camps (30-40 USD), and Century Club membership (75 USD/year). The 2025 May Merriment gala raised over 315,000 USD, contributing to nearly 7 million USD cumulatively since the event's inception in 1983. Administrative operations are run on third-party platforms TeacherEase (parent portal) and FACTS (tuition management); the school itself has no proprietary technology and no AI/ML capabilities.

The school reaches prospective families through a direct-to-consumer GTM using its website, open houses, shadowing programs, email communications, social media (Facebook), and alumni networks. Key external partnerships include Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) for the Running Start dual credit program, OSF HealthCare as the official athletic training partner, RaiseRight for the scrip rebate program, and an extensive roster of local business sponsors supporting the May Merriment gala. The institution is governed by a Consultative Board under the Diocese of Peoria and led by Principal Brooke Rick, with an Advancement Office managing fundraising and alumni relations. Listed headcount is 11-50 employees, which likely reflects a subset of staff; the named management roster alone spans 20+ roles across administration, faculty, and athletics coaching.

Name

Marquette Academy

Legal name

Marquette Academy

Website

https://marquetteacademy.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marquette Academy is a private K-12 Catholic school in Ottawa, Illinois, operating under the Diocese of Peoria. It serves preschool through grade 12 families across two campuses, with 18 sports, dual credit via IVCC, and annual fundraising through the May Merriment gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH)

Keywords

• K-12 Catholic education
• Faith-based schooling
• Preschool programs
• College preparatory curriculum
• Extracurricular athletics

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa, Illinois

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition payments for K-12 education, with differentiated rates for Catholic and non-Catholic families and financial aid available
2. May Merriment Gala: Annual gourmet dinner and auction event, the largest fundraiser contributing nearly $7 million since inception, raising over $315,000 last year
3. RaiseRight Scrip Program: Gift card rebate program where 70% of earnings go to tuition credit for participating families, generating revenue through retail partner rebates
4. Annual Appeal: Annual fundraising campaign supporting scholarships, academic programs, and school operations
5. Transportation Services: Rural bussing services for out-of-city families at $550 per student or $1350 for 3+ students
6. Before and After Care: Childcare services at $7/hour for preschool students, providing extended care from 7am-5pm
7. Century Club Membership: $75/year membership providing preferred seating at athletic events and scholarship funding

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Marquette Academy is a private Catholic K-12 school in Ottawa, Illinois offering preschool through 12th-grade education with faith formation, college preparatory academics, dual credit opportunities through IVCC, and an extensive athletics program. The school operates two campuses and accepts students of all faiths, with approximately one-third of students being non-Catholic. Tuition is supplemented by fundraising programs including the May Merriment gala, Annual Appeal, and RaiseRight scrip gift card program.

Product overview

Marquette Academy is a K-12 Catholic school institution in Ottawa, Illinois, offering a comprehensive educational portfolio spanning early childhood (Preschool programs including 3-year-old, 4-year-old traditional, and Power Preschool), elementary (grades K-8), and high school (grades 9-12) with college preparatory curriculum. The school operates alongside administrative platforms including TeacherEase for parent portal access and FACTS for tuition management. Fundraising programs include the RaiseRight Scrip gift card program and the annual May Merriment gala. Athletic and extracurricular activities are supported by the Go Club organization. Faith formation is delivered through the Totus Tuus summer program and Living Faith service hour requirements. The institution is organized across two campuses: an Early Education and Elementary Campus at 1110 LaSalle Street and a High School Campus at 1000 Paul Street.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Programs Early childhood education for children ages 3-5, including 3-year-old preschool (3 or 5 day options), 4-year-old traditional half-day preschool, and Power Preschool full-day program with afternoon enrichment in art, music, physical education, and Spanish. Includes before and after care from 7am-5pm at $7/hour.
• Elementary School (Grades K-8)
• High School Programs
• Totus Tuus Summer Program Catholic faith formation summer program for grades 1-12, featuring catechesis, daily Mass, the Ten Commandments, and the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.
• May Merriment Gala Annual fundraising auction gala in its 44th year (2026), featuring gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, and Big Cash Raffle. Has raised nearly $7 million since inception in 1983, with the 2025 event raising over $315,000.
• RaiseRight Scrip Program Gift card-based fundraising program where families earn tuition credits by purchasing gift cards from participating retailers. 70% of earnings are directed to chosen beneficiaries including tuition credits.
• Rural Bussing Transportation Rural bussing services for out-of-city families at $550 per student or $1350 maximum for families with 3+ students, billed annually.
• Summer Sports Camps Summer athletic camps for various sports with tiered pricing: Lil' Cru camps at $30, regular camps at $40 for first camper and $30 for siblings, volleyball camps at $30.
• Century Club Membership $75/year membership providing preferred seating at athletic events and funding two $500 scholarships. Supports the Go Club organization funding high school athletics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of freshmen who applied for scholarship or financial aid received support
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• May Merriment Sponsors (various)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026Multiple local businesses sponsor the annual May Merriment gala including Platinum sponsors (St. Brigid, Matthew Bullock Auction Gallery), Gold sponsors (Halfacre Construction, Handy Foods, Cantlin Law, Conness, CIMCO, Jackpot, Backos, Anderson Concrete, English, RCK Law, Hawk VW, FNB, Ganiere, MS Sheet Metal, Brian Hughes, Knights of Columbus, Children's Dentistry, SMS, HR Imaging, Muffy's, Gladfelter-Roetker, McDonald's, Ottawa Funeral Home, Muffler Concrete), and Mobile Bidding Sponsors (FFSB, Fin Plus, Cheese Shop, Rachke, Stack Test, Vactor, Ottawa KIA, Star Ford, McConnaughhay Roofing, OSF Healthcare, Midlands, Tapatios).
• OSF HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSF HealthCare is the official athletic training partner of the Marquette Crusaders, providing athletic training services for student athletes.
• State Farm AgencysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerState Farm Agency is the Voyager Sponsor for May Merriment XLIV (2026), supporting the annual fundraising gala.
• Sullivan's SweetssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSullivan's Sweets is the Big Cash Raffle Sponsor for May Merriment XLIV (2026).
• IVCC (Illinois Valley Community College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIVCC provides dual credit opportunities for Marquette Academy high school students, allowing them to earn college credits while in high school through the Running Start program.
• Diocese of PeoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarquette Academy operates under the Diocese of Peoria, which provides oversight, accreditation, and alignment with Catholic educational standards.
• RaiseRightsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRaiseRight (formerly Scrip) is a gift card fundraising program that allows Marquette families to earn tuition credits through everyday purchases at participating retailers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Bede Academy: St. Bede Academy is a Catholic college-preparatory high school in Peru, Illinois, with faith formation, academics, and athletics. Its nearby regional location and Catholic high-school model make it a close operating and market analogue to Marquette Academy.
• Marmion Academy: Marmion Academy is a Catholic college-preparatory high school in Aurora, Illinois, serving students through a faith-based academic and extracurricular program. It is comparable to Marquette’s high-school component, although it operates in a larger regional market.
• DePaul College Prep: DePaul College Prep is a Catholic college-preparatory high school in Chicago, Illinois, with a faith-based academic and extracurricular program. It is comparable to Marquette’s high school despite serving a different metropolitan catchment.
• Fenwick High School: Fenwick High School is a Catholic college-preparatory high school in Oak Park, Illinois, combining rigorous academics, faith formation, athletics, and other activities. Its established Chicago-area presence makes it a broad incumbent analogue for Marquette.
• Loyola Academy: Loyola Academy is a Catholic Jesuit college-preparatory high school in Wilmette, Illinois, with a broad academic, faith, and extracurricular offering. It is a relevant regional benchmark for Marquette’s Catholic college-prep positioning.
• Joliet Catholic Academy: Joliet Catholic Academy is a coeducational Catholic high school in Joliet, Illinois, offering college-preparatory academics, faith formation, and athletics. It serves the same broader Illinois Catholic-school market as Marquette.
• Nazareth Academy: Nazareth Academy is a Catholic college-preparatory high school in La Grange, Illinois, serving students through academic, faith, arts, and athletic programs. It is another relevant Illinois benchmark for Marquette’s high-school and extracurricular positioning.
• St. Viator High School: St. Viator High School is a Catholic college-preparatory high school in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with faith formation, academics, arts, and athletics. It offers a comparable Catholic high-school value proposition in a different suburban catchment.

Regional players

• Seton Catholic Schools: Seton Catholic Schools is a Milwaukee-based network of Catholic elementary and middle schools with a faith-based K-8 operating model. It is particularly comparable to Marquette’s preschool and elementary continuum, although it spans multiple sites in another regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools: The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools is a large Catholic-school system serving preschool through high school across the Chicago area. It overlaps with Marquette’s faith-based K-12 mission and enrollment infrastructure but operates as a broader incumbent at materially greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC25SOfhHuPXQN71coUVicDA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/marquette-academy-71

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marquette Academy