Calvary Academy of Springfield, IL

Welcome Coach Derick Briscoe Jr. to Calvary Academy!

Calvary Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Derick Briscoe Jr. as the new Head Coach of our Boys Varsity Basketball program.

A Springfield native and Lanphier High School graduate, Coach Briscoe brings valuable coaching experience from both Lanphier High School and Springfield High School, along with strong relationships throughout the Springfield basketball community. More importantly, he is a man of faith whose character and values align with Calvary Academy's mission of developing student-athletes who pursue excellence both on and off the court.

"His passion for mentoring young men, his deep roots in the Springfield basketball community, and his commitment to faith make him an excellent fit for our program," said Athletic Director Brittany Welk.

Coach Briscoe shared, "I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the head coach at Calvary Academy. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with our players and families while developing a program that reflects excellence, character, and faith."

Please join us in welcoming Coach Briscoe and his family to the Saints community! We are excited for the future of Calvary Academy Basketball and look forward to seeing how God uses Coach Briscoe to impact the lives of our student-athletes.

📣 Just a few of our cheerleaders with Coach Sanders returning from a great day at cheer camp - the whole squad has been together this week preparing for another great season! 📣

⚠️ Vertical Extreme Weather Update ⚠️

Due to the potential for severe weather in our area today, all Vertical Extreme field trips have been cancelled and campers will remain on site for the entire day.

Please be assured that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Extreme weather procedures are in place, and our staff has been fully prepared and trained to respond if needed. We will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the day and follow all recommended safety guidelines.

Camp activities will continue indoors, and we are looking forward to a fun and safe day together at Vertical Extreme.

Thank you for your trust and partnership. Stay safe today! ♥

— 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺

The campers (and the counselors!) are having EXTREME FUN at Vertical Extreme this summer! 😎☀️

Calvary Academy 5th grader Brodie Phillips had an incredible time at the UIS Basketball Camp! Brodie said he had a lot of fun and really liked all of the coaches. But if you ask him who his favorite coach was, the answer comes quickly—Calvary Academy alumnus Luke Blackford! 🏀

There’s something special about seeing former students invest in the next generation. We love watching our alumni use their talents, leadership, and love for the game to encourage young athletes like Brodie.

Way to represent, Luke, and way to go, Brodie! We’re proud of both of you! ♥️🏀

Calvary Academy High School Graduation 2026 ✨🎓

As we close out another incredible school year, we were honored to celebrate the 45th graduating class of Calvary Academy.

Throughout the ceremony, we recognized outstanding academic, athletic, artistic, and leadership achievements that reflect years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

Congratulations to our Salutatorian, Ainsley Johnson, and our Valedictorian, Elesha Levine, for their exceptional academic accomplishments.

The Performing Arts Award was presented to Kaylee Dunning for her dedication and excellence in the arts.

We also honored two remarkable student-athletes. Ainsley Johnson was recognized for her incredible volleyball career, while Luke Blackford was celebrated for his outstanding basketball career. In a special surprise announcement, Luke's jersey will be retired in recognition of his school-record-setting accomplishments and the legacy he leaves in our school, the city of Springfield, and Illinois!

The Timothy Award, our highest student honor, was presented to Andrew McElroy. This prestigious award recognizes the graduate who best exemplifies Christian character, servant leadership, integrity, and a commitment to living out biblical values.

We were blessed to hear an inspiring commencement message from Pastor Chris Stanley, who challenged and encouraged our graduates to follow Christ faithfully and pursue God's purpose for their lives.

To the Class of 2026, thank you for the example you have set and the legacy you leave behind. We are proud of your accomplishments, grateful for your impact, and excited to see where God leads you next.

As we conclude the 2025–2026 school year, we celebrate God's faithfulness, the growth of our students, and the countless memories made along the way. Congratulations, graduates—and thank you to all of our students, families, faculty, and staff for another wonderful year at Calvary Academy.

Celebrating Our 8th Grade Graduates

We recently had the privilege of honoring our 8th Grade Class of 2026 as they completed an important chapter and prepared for the next exciting step in their educational journey.

During the ceremony, we recognized students for their outstanding academic achievements. Scholarships were awarded to students who maintained all A's in their classes, demonstrating exceptional dedication and excellence throughout the year.

Our highest honor, the Christian Leadership Award, was presented to Juliette Blakley and Mykah Welk. This award recognizes students who consistently demonstrate Christ-like character, servant leadership, integrity, and a commitment to living out their faith. Along with this honor, each recipient received a scholarship recognizing their achievement.

We are incredibly proud of all of our graduates and pray God's continued guidance and blessings as they move forward into high school.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎉

Kindergarten Graduation 2026 ✨🎓

What a joy it was to celebrate our Kindergarten graduates as they reached their very first academic milestone! These precious students have spent the year learning, growing, building friendships, and discovering more about God’s love for them.

We are so proud of each of these young learners and excited to watch all that God has in store as they continue their journey at Calvary Academy. Thank you to our teachers and families who have poured so much love, encouragement, and support into these students throughout the year.

Congratulations, Kindergarten Class of 2026! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

Tonight we celebrate a milestone as Calvary Academy honors the Class of 2026 at our 45th Commencement Celebration! 🎓✨

Calvary Academy | 1730 West Jefferson Street
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Ceremony Begins: 7:00 PM

We are grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness through 45 graduating classes and excited to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 tonight. Congratulations, Saints!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
— Jeremiah 29:11

🏅 REMINDER: Calvary Saints HS Athletic Awards Night is TONIGHT!

Join us at 6:00 PM in the CA Auditorium as we celebrate an outstanding year of Calvary Athletics and honor our Saints athletes and Senior Saints.

We look forward to a special evening of recognition, celebration, and prayer with our athletes and families. Dessert and drinks will be served.