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Redtail Academy - In the News!
Redtail Academy was featured on the front page of the News Gazette on February 6, 2026!
Recent Redtail Academy Events
We recently hosted two open houses at our new location, Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana Champaign (309 W. Green Street, Urbana). During these events, we offered tours of the building, and founding members of Redtail Academy met with visitors.
Upcoming Redtail Academy Events
We have a beautiful space! Come celebrate with us!
Upcoming Open Houses / "Howdy" Events:
We will be hosting an Open House / "Howdy" Event on Saturday, March 7 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm. Current applicants will be able to attend this event and complete the "Howdy" Event attendance requirement as well as the parent/guardian interview and student interview. The Open House / "Howdy" Event will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana Champaign (309 W. Green Street, Urbana) on Saturday, March 7 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm (please enter through the rear doors adjacent to the parking lot).
We will be hosting a second Open House / "Howdy" Event* on Friday, March 27 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Current applicants will be able to attend this event and complete the "Howdy" Event attendance requirement as well as the parent/guardian interview and student interview. The Open House / "Howdy" Event will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana Champaign (309 W. Green Street, Urbana) on Friday, March 27 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (please enter through the rear doors adjacent to the parking lot).
We will be hosting a third Open House / "Howdy" Event* on Friday, April 10 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Current applicants will be able to attend this event and complete the "Howdy" Event attendance requirement as well as the parent/guardian interview and student interview. The Open House / "Howdy" Event will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana Champaign (309 W. Green Street, Urbana) on Friday, April 10 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (please enter through the rear doors adjacent to the parking lot).
During these events, you will have a chance to tour the building where Redtail Academy will be located, and meet members of the Redtail Academy Board. As well, current applicants will be able to complete their requirement to attend a "Howdy" Event by attending one of these events. Additionally, parents/guardians and potential students will be able to complete their interviews at any of these these events in order to complete that portion of the application process.
Please RSVP to let us know if you plan to attend! However, an RSVP is not required. We welcome you to just drop in!
Attendance at one "Howdy" event* is a requirement for applicants in order for them to get to know prospective students, experience what learning will be like at Redtail Academy, and see how the students work together. Since the school is not yet open, this will be our version of a "shadow day." *The dates and times for the "Howdy" events are also listed on the Redtail Academy application.
If you are unable to attend any of our open houses, please contact us at redtail.academy2026@gmail.com if you would be interested in scheduling a tour of our new location.
Redtail Academy - History Events
Redtail Academy hosted three events pertaining to the history of Champaign-Urbana on July 11, 2025, November 15, 2025 and December 6, 2025, in partnership with history students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. These events provided opportunities for prospective students and their families to get a feel for what learning would be like at Redtail Academy. It was exciting to have these students get a taste of researching primary sources and engaging in hands-on learning.
Blast to the Past History Event*
July 11, 2025
*The PhD student who led this event, Alex Jacobs, was spotlighted in this article, based on the work she did with us at the Blast to the Past History Event on July 11, 2025!
Students learned about how Champaign-Urbana has changed over the past 120 years. They used primary sources and completed hands-on activities to compare our community now with what it was like in 1905.
Students investigating historical primary source maps of Champaign-Urbana.
Students investigating historical primary source maps of Champaign-Urbana.
Students learning about the historic alleys in downtown Urbana.
Students learning about the historic alleys in downtown Urbana.
Students collaborating to prepare their presentation about a location in historic Champaign-Urbana.
Students collaborating to prepare their presentation about a location in historic Champaign-Urbana.
How Do We Learn About the Past?
November 15, 2025
Students continued learning about how Champaign-Urbana has changed over the past 120 years by continuing to use primary sources and completing hands-on activities about current locations in the area.
Students examining primary sources regarding locations in historical Champaign-Urbana.
Students examining primary sources regarding locations in historical Champaign-Urbana.
Students conducting research while viewing exhibits at Spurlock Museum.
Students conducting research while viewing exhibits at Spurlock Museum.
Students learning how to analyze primary source documents in order to discover local history.
Students learning how to analyze primary source documents in order to discover local history.
How Do We Build Stories About the Past?
December 6, 2025
Students learned research skills needed in high school and beyond while investigating Champaign-Urbana history.
Students collaborated and learned research skills while also learning to utilize library resources. They investigated topics related to Champaign-Urbana history.
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