Basic
Download the 2025-2026 Parent/Student Handbook. Every parent and student is expected to have read and signed an agreement to follow the Handbook by the beginning of each school year.
Student should aim to arrive when school doors open at 7:30am. If a student is not in their Homeroom classroom by 7:45am, they will be marked absent until further notice.
Students that arrive late need to be checked in by their parent/guardian at the front office. All tardies and absences should be sent to the office via email at office@chestertonorlando.com
If your student is going to an appointment we do ask that you provide a doctors note so that the absence/tardy can be excused.
If a parent/guardian does not inform the office of why a student is absent, the office will call home to verify that the student is at home and safe.
Office (email) - office@chestertonorlando.com
Office (phone) - (407) 627-1250
Headmaster (Mr. Hickel) - jhickel@chestertonorlando.com
Admin Assistant (Ms. Currier) - acurrier@chestertonorlando.com
Academic Dean (Dr. De Salvo) - mdesalvo@chestertonorlando.com
Events/Volunteer Coordinator (Mrs. Hayes) - dhayes@chestertonorlando.com
Receptionist (Mrs. Mora) - mmora@chestertonorlando.com
Transportation
Drop off in the Morning occurs between 7:30am-7:45am. It is recommended that you plan to arrive early as students must be in their Homeroom classroom no later than 7:45am or they will receive a demerit.
Persons dropping off and picking up students should drive around the building and pull up all the way up through the parking drop off lane, either to the stop sign in front or to the nearest stopped car.
Students are dismissed from school at 3:30pm each day, but we encourage parents to arrive early as the car line builds well before then.
During both drop off and pick up, drivers should NOT get out of their vehicles and should NOT stop in the middle of the parking drop off lane. All vehicles should pull forward as to not hold up the dismissal line.
If students are taking too long to dismiss, the dismissal crew will ask the drivers to circle back around the building.
Mrs. Nicole Bradica has been organizing the carpooling needs for the Academy. If you have any questions regarding the carpool list please reach out to her at nbradica@gmail.com
Academics
QuickSchools is the online platform we use to record grades and attendance, and to allow easy, direct communication between parents and teachers.
Each new parent will be sent an invite to QuickSchools to make an account and stay on top of their students grades and attendance.
(Please check your email for this invite and if you do not see it, please check your spam folder before reaching out to the office.)
We highly encourage that students also have their own QuickSchools account. If you are interested in having them join the platform, to stay on top of their own grades, please fill out the QuickSchools Signup Form below and let us know your student's name and email address. We will then register an account for them:
Chesterton Academy offers dual enrollment options for eligible Juniors and Seniors through Seminole State College, Valencia College, and the Franciscan Advantage Program.
These courses provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.
For more information, please contact Dr. DeSalvo at mdesalvo@chestertonorlando.com.
To request a copy of your student's transcript, simple fill out this Transcript Request Form.
Below you will find our CLT and ACT testing dates, along with registration info and practice exams:
CLT Exam
September 18, 2025
(Seniors Only) - Start time will most likely be right after morning prayer.
April 16, 2026 (Juniors + Seniors) - For upperclassmen who were absent or want a retake (retake will require payment, not covered by school.). Test will begin after Mass.
CLT 10 Exam
February 3, 2025 (Freshmen + Sophomores) - Start time will most likely be right after morning prayer.
ACT Exam
Fall Date TBD and on March 21, 2026 (Juniors + Seniors) - Start time will be 9:00am, same morning as the Placement Exam for incoming freshmen. Register for the ACT by emailing Mrs. Tanya Podchaski at tpodchaski@chestertonorlando.com.
PRACTICE EXAM LINKS
Students preparing for 9th grade should read the following texts in the summer before 9th grade, prior to the new school year beginning.
- Mythology by Edith Hamilton
- The Life of Chesterton: The Man Who Carried a Swordstick and a Pen by Holly Geiger Lee
The books are provided by the school and are covered by the Books and Supplies Fee.
Click here for the Summer Reading Study Guide:
Version 1.0.0
Students preparing for 10th grade should read the following text in the summer before 10th grade, prior to the new school year beginning.
- Myths of the Norsemen by Roger Lancelyn Green
The book is provided by the school and is covered by the Books and Supplies Fee.
Click here for the Summer Reading Study Guide:
Students preparing for 11th grade should read the following text in the summer before 11th grade, prior to the new school year beginning.
- The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The book is provided by the school and is covered by the Books and Supplies Fee.
Click here for the Summer Reading Study Guide:
Students preparing for 12th grade should read the following text in the summer before 12th grade, prior to the new school year beginning.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The book is provided by the school and is covered by the Books and Supplies Fee.
Click here for the Summer Reading Study Guide:
Student Life
Chesterton Academy requires that all students volunteer at least 10 hours of their time per semester, to give back to the community.
Click here to download the Apostolic Hours Log, which students can use to document the hours they accumulate throughout the semester. At the end of each semester, the form should be submitted to their Homeroom teacher:
Chesterton Academy follows the guidelines set out by Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Bright Futures Program offers substantial scholarships to students choosing to attend a college in the state of Florida. The scholarship amount depends on factors such as GPA, number of volunteer hours, SAT/ACT/CLT scores, and more. For more information, please visit the Bright Futures Program webpage.
Students can join a female or male ensemble led by Mr. Caiola one day a week. Students can also join a recorder ensemble led by Mr. Caiola two days per week.
Please reach out to Mr. Caiola at ccaiola@chestertonorlando.com for more information.
Click below to access Chesterton Academy of Orlando’s Merchandise Store. You will find apparel, pins, bags, hats, and much more.
All proceeds from the store go directly towards the Seniors' Rome Pilgrimage Fund every year.
Saints Sports
We love sports and play many of them at Chesterton, but our philosophy is that sports is a game, not a religion.
Chesterton Academy is a school with sports, not a sports program with a school.
Sports do indeed teach valuable virtues such as teamwork and discipline, but so do drama and the other fine arts. When a performance or play goes well, everyone wins—not just one team or the other, as with sports.
That said, we do have many sports teams. If your student is interested in joining any of our Saints Sports teams, or if you have questions regarding the program, please contact our Athletic Director:
Alexis Currier
acurrier@chestertonorlando.com
(407) 627-1250
If you’re interested in coaching or assisting with one of our school sports teams, please email our Athletic Director, Ms. Lexi Currier, at acurrier@chestertonorlando.com. We’d love to have your support!
Fall 2025
— Cross Country (Co-Ed)
— Volleyball (Girls)
— Weight Training (Saints Strength Training)
Winter 2025-2026
— Basketball (Girls)
— Basketball (Boys)
— Cheer
Spring 2026
— Golf (Co-Ed)
— Volleyball (Boys)
Rome Pilgrimage
Each year during the Easter season, our senior class has the incredible opportunity to embark on a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. This unforgettable journey deepens our students' Catholic faith and culture understanding as they visit holy sites, attend Papal events, and walk in the footsteps of saints.
This year the Rome Pilgrimage will take place from Mon, March 30, 2026 - Mon, April 13, 2026, meaning our seniors will get to experience Holy Week in Rome.
For more information about registering in the future, please visit ProRome Tours.
Volunteering
We are always looking for parent volunteers to help around the school, assist with events, or even serve as substitute teachers!
If you're interested in getting involved, please reach out to Dorina Hayes at dhayes@chestertonorlando.com. We appreciate your support!
If you would like to volunteer at and or for the school, you will have to undergo a background check, get your fingerprints taken, and complete the Virtus Safe Environment Training.
Please download and sign the Privacy Policy and email it to Ms. Currier acurrier@chestertonorlando.com to begin the process.
Fundraising
The annual Gala Dinner is our one big fundraiser of the year. At that one event, in one night, we aim to fund all of the school's operating expenses for the following year.
Per the Parent/Student Handbook, each family is expected to host a table of ten guests (including the parents themselves.) Hosting a table is free. It does not cost any money, and there is nothing to sell. We do not sell tables or tickets. The whole evening, including the elegant plated meal, is completely free to guests.
Look for more information about the Gala from the Headmaster and the Gala planning committee.
Click below for photos/video from past Gala dinners:
Throughout the year, we offer a few other minor fundraising opportunities, such as selling Christmas trees or carwash coupons. These fundraisers typically go to support particular causes, such as the Rome Pilgrimage Fund.
The Houses of Chesterton Academy
On their first day at a Chesterton Academy, each student is sorted into one of four Houses: Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine, or Chrysostom. Students have the opportunity to earn or lose House points through merits and demerits, and they remain in their House for their tenure at Chesterton.
The Houses at Chesterton Academy provide real, tangible community within the larger school, giving students the opportunity to take ownership, fulfill the call to leadership, and to cultivate the ideal conditions for virtue. Within the Houses, students build meaningful relationships through service projects, competitions, celebrations, and prayer. Houses are led by Prefects, who are nominated by their peers.
Learn more about the House System here:
St. Ambrose
(338–397)
The Bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the fourth century. He promoted the rights of the Church in relation to the imperial state and is counted as one of the four original Doctors of the Church. He was also the teacher of St. Augustine.
White Horse Cup Winner
2024-2025
St. Athanasius
(293–373)
Also known as St. Athanasius the Great, a theologian who later became the patriarch of Alexandria, a leader of immense significance in the theological battles of the fourth century. He is best remembered for his role in the conflict with Arianism, although his influence covers a vast array of theological topics.
White Horse Cup Winner
2023-2024
St. Augustine
(354–430)
The Bishop of Hippo, was both a philosopher and theologian, as well as an influential church leader in north Africa. He framed the concept of original sin and related teachings on divine grace, free will, and predestination, as well as the theory of the just war. His works remain among the most influential in Christian history.
White Horse Cup Winner
2022-2023
St. John Chrysostom
(347–407)
The Archbishop of Constantinople, known for his eloquence in preaching, his denunciation of the abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, his ascetic sensibilities, and his violent opposition to paganism. He is particularly honored in the Eastern Orthodox Church.