# Northeastern Athletic Conference (Illinois)

The Northeastern Athletic Conference is a high school conference in northeast and north central Illinois. The conference participates in athletics and activities in the Illinois High School Association. The conference comprises 3 small public high schools and 9 small private school, with enrollments between 19 and 850 students in Cook, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, McHenry, and Winnebago counties.

## History

Established in 2009 with nine teams from various conferences including five teams from the Indian Trails Conference, which is a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, the Northeastern Athletic Conference included teams from the communities of Arlington Heights, Aurora, Chicago, Elgin, Hebron, Kirkland, Mooseheart, and Rockford. After the conclusion of the 2011–12 school year, Rockford Christian left the conference and Elgin's Harvest Christian Academy joined the league. The conference expanded to 10 teams prior to the 2013–14 school year as Crystal Lake's Faith Lutheran High School joined. The conference expanded yet again in 2015 with the addition of Aurora Christian High School, taking the total to 11 teams. The following season the conference expanded to its largest total by adding two teams; Schaumburg Christian High School from Schaumburg, and South Beloit High School from South Beloit making a total of 13 teams. In 2017 the league would shrink back to 12 as Chicago's Luther North High School would close its doors after 108 years of educating students. The league would change again in 2018 after Aurora Christian would leave to join the Metro Suburban Conference, however, Parkview Christian Academy from Yorkville would take their place, keeping the league at 12. In 2019, Faith Lutheran High School would begin a coop with existing conference school Alden-Hebron High School. This coop would allow Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy to join, again keeping the league with 12 members.

### Current membership

| School | Location | County | Mascot | Colors | School Type | Joined | Enrollment | IHSA Classes 2/3/4 | IHSA Music Class | IHSA Football Class | IHSA Cheerleading Class |
| Alden-Hebron High School | Hebron, IL | McHenry | Giants/Lady Giants | Green, Black, White | Public Coed | 2009 | 110.5 | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Christian Liberty Academy | Arlington Heights, IL | Cook | Chargers | Royal Blue, White | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 110/ 181.5 multiplied | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Christian Life High School | Rockford, IL | Winnebago | Eagles/Lady Eagles | Blue, Silver, White | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 143/ 235.9 multiplied | A/1A/2A | C | 2A (Coop) | Small squad |
| Harvest Christian Academy | Elgin, IL | Kane | Lions | Navy, Vegas Gold | Non-Public Coed | 2017 | 210/ 347.3 multiplied | A/1A/1A | B | 3A | Small squad |
| Keith Country Day School | Rockford, IL | Winnebago | Cougars | Blue, Red, White | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 101/ 166.6 multiplied | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Mooseheart School | Mooseheart, IL | Kane | Red Ramblers/Lady Ramblers | Red, White, Black | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 98.5/ 162.5 multiplied | A/1A/1A | D | 3A (Coop) | Small squad |
| Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy | Rockford, IL | Winnebago | Guardians | Royal Blue, Red | Non-Public Coed | 2017 | 19/ 31.3 multiplied | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Parkview Christian Academy | Yorkville, IL | Kendall | Falcons | Columbia Blue, Navy, Silver | Non-Public Coed | 2018 | 56/ 92.4 multiplied | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Schaumburg Christian School | Schaumburg, IL | Cook | Conquerors | Orange, Black, White | Non-Public Coed | 2016 | 184.5/ 304.4 multiplied | A/1A/1A | C | 1A | Small squad |
| South Beloit High School | South Beloit, IL | Winnebago | Sobos | Scarlet Red, White | Public Coed | 2016 | 262 | A/1A/1A | C | 1A | Small squad |
| Westminster Christian High School | Elgin, IL | Kane | Warriors | Royal Blue, White | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 157.5/ 259.9 multiplied | A/1A/1A | C | 3A (Coop) | Small squad |
Sources:IHSA Conferences, IHSA Coop Teams, and IHSA Member Schools Directory

### Football only members

| School | Location | County | Mascot | Colors | School Type | Joined | Enrollment | IHSA Classes 2/3/4 | IHSA Music Class | IHSA Football Class | IHSA Cheerleading Class |
| Kirkland-Hiawatha High School | Kirkland, IL | DeKalb | Hawks | Blue, Gold | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 170 | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Ottawa Marquette High School | Ottawa, IL | LaSalle | Crusaders/Lady Crusaders | Navy, Vegas Gold | Non-Public Coed | 2012 | 159/ 263.1 multiplied | A/1A/1A | B | 3A | Small squad |
| Rockford Christian High School | Rockford, IL | Winnebago | Royal Lions | Blue, Metallic Gold, Black | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 378.5/ 624.5 multiplied | AA/2A/2A | A | 3a (Coop) | Small squad |
| Walther Christian Academy | Melrose Park, IL | Cook | Broncos | Green, White | Non-Public Coed | 2018 | 276/ 344.4 multiplied | A/1A/1A | D | 3A | Small squad |

### Previous members

| School | Location | County | Mascot | Colors | School Type | Joined | Exited | IHSA Classes 2/3/4 | IHSA Music Class | IHSA Football Class | IHSA Cheerleading Class |
| Aurora Christian High School | Aurora, IL | Kane | Eagles | Red, White, Gray | Non-Public Coed | 2015 | 2018 | A/1A/2A | C | 3A (Coop) | Small squad |
| Faith Lutheran High School | Chicago, IL | Cook | Saints | Red, Black | Non-Public Coed | 2013 | 2018 (closed) | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Luther North High School | Chicago, IL | Cook | Wildcats | Scarlet Blue, Gold | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 2017 (closed) | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |
| Illinois Math & Science Academy High School | Aurora, IL | Kane | Titans | Light Blue,Navy Blue,White | Public Coed | 2009 | 2020 | A/1A/2A | C | 3A | Medium Squad |

### Previous football only members

| School | Location | County | Mascot | Colors | School Type | Joined | Exited | IHSA Classes 2/3/4 | IHSA Music Class | IHSA Football Class | IHSA Cheerleading Class |
| Chicago Hope Academy | Chicago, IL | Cook | Eagles | Navy Blue, White | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 2017 | A/1A/1A | D | 3A | Small squad |
| Chicago Longwood High School | Chicago, IL | Cook | Panthers | Blue, Gray | Non-Public Coed | 2013 | 2018 | A/2A/2A | B | 1A | Medium squad |
| North Shore Country Day | Winnetka, IL | Cook | Raiders | Purple, White | Non-Public Coed | 2009 | 2015 | A/1A/2A | C | 3A | Small squad |
| Varna Midland High School | Varna, IL | Marshall | Timberwolves | Dark Green, Silver, Black | Public Coed | 2016 | 2019 | A/1A/1A | D | 1A | Small squad |

## Membership timeline

Other Conference Full members Full members (non-football) Partial member (listed sports) Football Only) Full members (Football Coop) Other Conference