History

In 1989, a small group of committed parents with a vision for Christian education prayerfully formed a steering committee to establish a Christian school in McHenry County. Their chief desire was to honor the Lord by providing a quality, Christ-centered education for their children as an alternative to the public educational system “because a quality Christian education will make a difference.” The vision for Trinity Oaks Christian Academy (founded as Harvest Christian School) was cast.

In the fall of 1991, the school opened its doors with 10 students in kindergarten through grade four. Over the next few years, the school rented space in several different area churches before settling into the campus of the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake in 1993.

By the fall of 1994, the school expanded to include a full kindergarten through eighth grade program with an enrollment of 65 students. In 1999, the school extended its early childhood program to include a pre-kindergarten. Over the next ten years, the school grew and was spread over three campuses.

In 2004, the name of the school was changed to Trinity Oaks Christian Academy and prayers were answered to be united on one campus and under one roof. Trinity Oaks relocated to the Oak Knoll campus on First Street in Cary.

In the spring of 2012, the Trinity Oaks Board of Trustees signed a 10-year lease to purchase agreement with the Cary School District for the Prairie Hill campus on East Oriole Trail. In July 2012, the school moved into its permanent home and was able to change the street name to Trinity Oaks Way. With the move to a larger facility, Trinity Oaks was able to expand its program by starting a high school program in the 2012-2013 school year. Trinity Oaks Christian Academy graduated its first senior in May, 2015.

In 2015, Trinity Oaks Christian Academy was granted initial accreditation by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and AdvancED/NCA CASI (Cognia) which is maintained and re-accredited every five years. Trinity Oaks is annually certified as a “Recognized Non-Public School” by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

In 2021, Trinity Oaks celebrated 30 years of partnering with Christian homes and the church in the training of children, maximizing their potential to lead Christian lives according to biblical standards. A new logo was introduced at that time which highlighted our core values. In August, 2022 Trinity Oaks finalized the purchase of our facility at 233 Trinity Oaks Way.

Over the past 30+ years, Trinity Oaks Christian Academy has been successful in crafting a carefully refined and balanced program for early childhood, elementary and secondary grade levels. As enrollment has grown, the Lord has continued to provide and enable Trinity Oaks to fulfill its distinctive mission.

At present, TOCA has approximately 300 enrolled students, representing over 24 communities and approximately 45 churches. Before the addition of the high school program, Trinity Oaks Christian Academy graduated 254 students from 8th grade. Trinity Oaks graduated its first senior in 2015 and currently has 50 graduates from 9 graduating classes impacting the world for Christ.

Trinity Oaks Christian Academy is a non-profit corporation governed by an independent self-perpetuating Board of Trustees with no legal ties to any church or other specific organization.

Timeline of TOCA's History

1989 – Steering Committee formed for Harvest Christian School
1990 – First Fundraising Banquet held for Harvest Christian School
1991 – HCS opened its doors to 10 students (Kindergarten – 4th grade) at Fox Valley Christian Reformed Church
1992 – HCS grew to include 12 students and moved to Christian Fellowship Church
1993 – HCS moved to its third location at the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake
1993 – Dr. Robin Kohl became first Principal of HCS
1994 – Enrollment grew to 65 students and expanded to a full K – 8 educational program
1996 – HCS graduates first 8th grade class awarding eight diplomas
1998 – Dr. Gary Arnold becomes first Head of School
1999 – Pre-kindergarten class added
2002 – Enrollment spread across 3 different campuses throughout Crystal Lake
2004 – HCS changes its name to Trinity Oaks Christian Academy and moves to the Oak Knoll campus in Cary on First Street.
2006 – Dr. Paul Wrobbel begins tenure as Head of School
2007 – TOCA adds a Preschool (3’s) program and Full-Day Kindergarten option
2007 – TOCA began offering the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD) program.
2012 – TOCA signs a 10-year lease to purchase agreement with the Cary School District for the Prairie Hill Campus on E. Oriole Trail.
2012 – TOCA relocates to the Prairie Hill campus and changes street name to Trinity Oaks Way
2012 – High School program begins
2015 – TOCA awards first High School diploma to its Senior graduate
2015 – ASCI and AdvancEd (NCA CASI) awards accreditation to K- 8
2020 – ACSI and Cognia renews accreditation for K – 12 including high school program
2021 – TOCA celebrates 30 years and adopts new logo
2022 – TOCA finalizes purchase of facility on Trinity Oaks Way