Ms. Mamta Kapadia

Title
Faculty – Assistant Teacher

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x475

Ms. Karen Dickerson

Title
Director of Development

CONTACT INFORMATION
School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x461

EDUCATION
Degrees(s)
B.M., Music Education, Lawrence University

BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Dickerson has been a part of Quest Academy since 1998, when her two oldest daughters entered second grade and kindergarten. Two additional daughters later, she is now the proud alumni parent of four Quest Academy alums from the Classes of ’05, ’07, ’13, and ’17. During the time that her children were in the school, she volunteered in many volunteer positions, including PSA, Auction, as a Room Parent, and as a substitute teacher. She joined Quest Academy as the Development Director in 2018 and is thrilled to be able to devote her time to ensuring the continued success of Quest Academy, the school that she loves!

Joined Quest Academy
2018

Mrs. Diane Tovar

Title
Faculty – Kindergarten

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x418

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.S. Illinois State University
M.A.T., National Louis University

BIOGRAPHY

Mrs. Tovar’s favorite part of teaching is to watch her students’ faces light up with excitement when learning something new. In her class, students learn how to show kindness to others, work independently, and discover their love of learning. One of her goals is to teach students to explore new ideas while developing their skills and talents. Before coming to Quest Academy, Mrs. Tovar taught kindergarten at Da Vinci Academy for 17 years and Summit School for nine years. Her motto is, “Work hard, dream big, and never give up!”

Joined Quest
2017

Mr. Darrell Maskell

Title
Faculty – Fifth Grade

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x401

EDUCATION

Degree(s)
B.A., Elementary Education, Newport University, United Kingdom

BIOGRAPHY

Mr. Maskell has been teaching third, fourth, and fifth-grade students for twenty years in both the UK and US. This is his eighth year at Quest. He came from Da Vinci Academy where he taught for eight years. Prior to that, he taught at the Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove. He has worked with advanced learners for twelve years and looks forward to continuing being challenged by these kinds of students. Above all, the valuing of children, raising their self-confidence, and enhancing their love of learning are his main objectives.

Teaching Awards

2007 Postive Promotions, Midwest Teacher of the Year
Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year 2007

Joined Quest Academy
2017

MEDIA

“Class project inspires Palatine fifth grader to publish her own book.”

Ms. Bernice Lau-Paredes

Title
Faculty – Second Grade, Primary Team Leader, and DEIB Committee Co-Chair

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x407

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.S., DePaul University
M.Ed., National Louis University

BIOGRAPHY

Ms. Lau-Paredes loves creating challenging opportunities and developing the growth mindset of “loving a great challenge!” She encourages a literacy-rich environment in her classroom and strives to establish a love for reading in all learners. Before coming to Quest Academy, she worked for three years at an independent early childhood school teaching kindergarten and first grade. She loves working at Quest Academy because of the opportunity to provide a creative, challenging, and nuturing environment for gifted learners. There’s no other place that offers children a more personalized learning experience in the most fun way!

Joined Quest Academy
2008

Mrs. Cathy Gruzinsky

Title
Faculty – Third Grade

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x430

EDUCATION

Degree(s)
B.S., Illinois State University

BIOGRAPHY

Quest Academy is Mrs. Gruzinsky’s teaching home, where she creates a caring and challenging environment for her students based on who each person is as an individual. She uses her talents in music, creativity, and ingenuity to use a strong gifted-focused approach toward guiding her students along their learning path.

Joined Quest Academy
1988

Mrs. Kristin Fiore

Title
Faculty – Second Grade

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x463

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.S., Merchandising, Eastern Illinois University
M.A., Elementary Education, Roosevelt University

BIOGRAPHY

Mrs. Fiore has been teaching kindergarten, first grade, and second grade gifted students at Quest Academy for the last 20 years. Prior to her teaching career, she was a merchandiser for J.C. Penney. As she proceeded in her different careers, her love of helping others and teaching children took over as she discovered her lifelong dedication to education. She continues to enjoy teaching gifted children the ability to understand themselves as learners, as well as expanding their knowledge in all interests.

Joined Quest Academy
2003

Mrs. Deanna Armentrout

Title
Faculty – Lower School Performing Arts

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x492

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.F.A, Theatre, University of Detroit Mercy
M.F.A., Performance, University of Texas at Austin

BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Armentrout is passionate about drama and its impact on people’s lives. She remains committed to nurturing people’s gifts and abilities to communicate clearly and creatively. She is dedicated to inspiring others to love the actor’s process and to direct each student toward authenticity through disciplined practice. Mrs. Armentrout performed in the drama ministry at Willow Creek Community Church where she trained and developed student and adult actors and upfront communicators. She has directed and performed for various organizations across the U.S. and the world, with the goal to entertain and demonstrate how the arts can bring clarity to content and engage the listener.

Joined Quest Academy
2013

Summer Quest

Welcome to Summer Quest!

Summer Quest is a camp provided by Quest Academy designed to create memorable fun with friends for children entering Grades 1-6. Summer Quest offers six weeks to choose from that will have your child playing games, making new friends, swimming, going on field trips, and much, much more!

Registration for Summer Quest 2025 is now available! Register before March 31st, 2025, and save! See below for details. To be added to receive e-mails about Summer Quest, e-mail [email protected].

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Ready for Summer Fun?

Summer Quest Camp is a full day experience from 8:30am-4:00pm with both structured and unstructured activities. Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, creative play on our playground, cooling water activities and exploring at our 2-acre West Campus complete with a soccer field, basketball court, wetlands, walking path with nature facts, amphitheater, raised gardens, and a covered pavilion with bathroom access.

Each week will feature a different theme with crafts and games. Included in Summer Quest are weekly field trips to enhance the camp experience and showcase that week’s theme. Summer Quest also takes weekly walking trips to the local pool and outdoor shows (weather permitting). There are no extra fees for any trips.

Weekly Themes!

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Week 1 - Space Week (June 9 - 13, 2025)

Blast Off to Space Camp for an Out-of-This World Adventure!
Have you ever dreamed of visiting Mars, jumping on the Moon, or flying among the stars? Now’s your chance to make those dreams a reality! Join us at Space Camp, where we’ll build rockets, taste Astronaut Ice Cream, and explore the wonders of gravity. To top it off, we’ll visit the Adler Planetarium and unlock the mysteries of the universe! Prepare for an adventure that’s out of this world!

Week 2 - Adventure Week (June 16-20, 2025)

Get Ready for Adventure Week – Survival Skills and Outdoor Fun!
During Adventure Week, students will learn essential outdoor survival skills! They’ll discover how to tie knots, track animals, and build emergency shelters. We’ll take the adventure to new heights with rock climbing at First Ascent Arlington Heights and try slacklining at West Campus. To wrap up the week, we’ll gather around a campfire to cook a tasty snack, creating lasting memories from our thrilling outdoor experience!

Week 3 - Sports Week (June 23 - 27, 2025)

Get Ready for an Action-Packed Sports Week!
Join us for an exciting week of sports where we’ll explore a different sport each day! Children will learn the rules, practice body awareness, and develop sportsmanship. They’ll even get the chance to make their very own baseball bat and compete in Quest’s Home Run Derby! As a grand finale, we’ll head out to watch the Chicago Dogs take on the Sioux Falls Canaries in an unforgettable game! It’s going to be a week full of fun, learning, and friendly competition!

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Week 4 -Wild West Week (July 7-11, 2025)

Yeehaw! Saddle Up for a Wild West!
Step back in time with us for a Wild West experience like no other! Put on your cowboy boots and hat as we learn to lasso a pig, pan for gold in the riverbed, and take on the role of a sheriff trying to catch a runaway criminal. Once we’ve solved all the mysteries of the wild frontier, we’ll head to Action Territory for even more fun and excitement! Get ready for a rootin’-tootin’ good time!

Week 5 - Pirate and Mermaid Week (July 14 - 18, 2025)

Ahoy, Mateys and Mermaid Adventures!
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure during Pirate and Mermaid Week! We’ll be diving into fun activities like designing our own mermaid tails, embarking on an epic treasure hunt, and racing our sails to see who’s the fastest pirate in the sea!
This week’s adventure will take us to the beach, so don’t forget to pack sunscreen, a hat, and your sense of adventure! Get ready to sail the seas and dive into magical fun—it’s going to be a splash!

Week 6 - Knights Week - (July 21 - 25, 2025)

Hail to the Knights! Celebrate Our Final Week of Camp!

In our grand finale, we’ll step into the world of chivalry and honor as we celebrate being Knights! Together, we’ll embark on a daring quest to rescue a princess captured by a dragon, design our own coat of arms and shields, and learn the responsibilities of what it truly means to be a knight. We’ll put our newfound skills to the test and head to Medieval Times to witness the noble sport of jousting in action! It’s going to be a week full of adventure, bravery, and honor!

Pricing & Registration

Click here to register online. Register before March 31st, 2025, and save!

Early Registration is $425/week per child.

After March 31st, 2025, the fee increases to $475/week per child

Procedures & Information

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Arrival & Dismissal

Families can drop off starting at 8:20 a.m. at our playground gate located off the main parking lot near Door #1. Camp instruction begins at 8:30 a.m. Children should be picked up no later than 4:00 p.m. each day from the playground gate.

Late fees will begin accruing at 4:05 p.m. each day and will be charged at $20/15 minutes per child. Late fees will be billed to your account.

Grade Entering

Eligibility for Summer Quest are those entering Grades 1-6 in Fall 2025.

Field Trips

Field trips are planned for every week of camp! Field trips are subject to change due to weather conditions. There is no extra charge for field trip days; nor is there a refund for not attending on a field trip day.

Food at Camp

Students will be responsible for bringing their own shelf-stable lunch and two snacks. Quest Academy is a nut-aware campus and Summer Quest students should be mindful to bring nut-free lunches to maintain the safety of all participants. Summer Quest staff will not have access to microwaves or refrigeration.

What to Bring from Home

Two snacks and a shelf-stable lunch must be brought from home.
Walking will be a daily activity so please ensure that your children have comfortable footwear.
Parents should provide sunscreen, bug repellent, and a refillable water bottle. Water bottles can be refilled on campus during the day.
On pool days, campers should come wearing their swimsuit and sunscreen. They should also bring a pool bag to carry their towel and water bottle.
All campers will be provided with a special shirt to wear on field trip days.

Photo Policy

Quest Academy may take photographs of participants enrolled in summer programs. These photographs may be used in print, online, or in other promotional materials.

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Cancellation & Refund Policy

Quest plans all staffing and supply purchases for our Summer Camp program based on the registration commitments we receive so we hope to limit cancellations as much as possible.

If Quest cancels a session of camp for any reason, you will receive a full refund for that session. We do NOT refund any portion of the cost if field trips are canceled due to inclement weather. We DO reschedule and supplement activities to the best of our abilities in an attempt to make up for any cancellations.

If you enroll in camp and your plans change, you can cancel before May 1, 2025, and receive a 50% refund. Participant cancellations received on or after May 1, 2025, are non-refundable.

First Aid & Safety

All Quest Academy employees have been First Aid/CPR/AED trained. First Aid needs will be administered by summer staff as needed.

Contact Camp Directors

You may contact Summer Quest Directors during camp hours at the main school phone number 847-202-8035 or at [email protected].

Facilities

Summer Quest will utilize space throughout the Quest Academy campus including the main building, adjacent spaces in the plaza, and West Campus located across Plum Grove Road a short walk from the main building.

In Case of Inclement Weather

Quest Academy is equipped with indoor facilities to accommodate summer programming.

Quest Academy will limit or eliminate outdoor activities, including outdoor trips, if the Air Quality Index (AQI) is 101 or higher. An AQI of 0-100 is generally considered safe for most individuals.

Quest Academy does monitor the heat index as well, and we will monitor temperatures starting at 86 degrees or higher against the relative humidity. Quest Academy may limit or eliminate outdoor activities, including outdoor trips, if the heat index is deemed unsafe for campers and staff.