Beyond the Ladies' of the Moose's commitment to our own communities and community service, Mooseheart supports our own in their time of need. Mooseheart serves as a full service school for children in need that are affiliated with Moose fraternity members. Each lodge conducts their own fundraisers to support this school.
The history of Mooseheart Child City & School is inextricably intertwined with that of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Women of the Moose, two organizations whose stupendous growth during the first quarter of the 20th century was inspired by the idea of creating this beautiful home and community for children in need. Mooseheart, the famed Moose "Child City," is a home and school founded in 1913 by the Loyal Order of Moose for the children of Moose member families in need and as of 1994, for all qualifying children in need. Mooseheart is a complete community for young people, situated on 1,000 acres of prime Illinois farmland in the Fox River Valley, about 38 miles west of Chicago. Mooseheart has its own homes, schools, cathedral, farm, health center, post office and utilities.
Families whose young people come to Mooseheart are generally charged nothing, but the "entrance fee" is nonetheless extremely high: many youngsters at the Child City reside at Mooseheart because they have lost one or both of their parents. In many other cases, their parents have separated or divorced, or there has been severe financial need, or other problems causing family instability. Over 11,000 children have resided at Mooseheart for such reasons since its founding.
In assuming the obligation of raising these children, the Moose fraternity makes every effort to provide them with a stable, secure environment, in houses as well-appointed and comfortable as the best single-family homes, along with the best academic education and vocational training possible. Awaiting every eligible Mooseheart high school graduate with a 3.0 or better grade average is an annually renewable full tuition-room-and-board scholarship, with value equivalent to state-university expenses, to any North American college or university to which he or she can be academically accepted.
Families whose young people come to Mooseheart are generally charged nothing, but the "entrance fee" is nonetheless extremely high: many youngsters at the Child City reside at Mooseheart because they have lost one or both of their parents. In many other cases, their parents have separated or divorced, or there has been severe financial need, or other problems causing family instability. Over 11,000 children have resided at Mooseheart for such reasons since its founding.
In assuming the obligation of raising these children, the Moose fraternity makes every effort to provide them with a stable, secure environment, in houses as well-appointed and comfortable as the best single-family homes, along with the best academic education and vocational training possible. Awaiting every eligible Mooseheart high school graduate with a 3.0 or better grade average is an annually renewable full tuition-room-and-board scholarship, with value equivalent to state-university expenses, to any North American college or university to which he or she can be academically accepted.
Mooseheart has its own complete accredited school system located on the campus. Beginning at age three, children begin their formal education in Nursery School. The elementary school serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade, in self-contained classrooms where the teaching of basic skills is the primary focus. Middle School is for students in grades six through eight; Mooseheart High School for grades nine through twelve. Class sizes are small, generally, with fifteen or fewer students.
The curriculum in the Mooseheart Schools is typical of what is used in schools across the nation — with one significant difference. Beginning with career exploration at the middle school and evolving into vocational education at the high school level, each Mooseheart student learns a vocation in addition to earning an academic diploma. Vocations include areas such as Agribusiness, Business, Child-Care, Computer Science, Cosmetology, Graphic Arts, Health Occupations and Small Engines. A broad extracurricular program is available at Mooseheart, including athletics, vocal and instrumental music and club activities. The majority of Mooseheart students participate in both athletics and music.
The Moose fraternity’s support of Mooseheart students does not end at the time of high school graduation. A generous financial aid program exists which provides scholarships for students meeting academic criteria. Students who achieve a 2.0 grade point average are eligible for consideration for a two-year scholarship and students with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible for consideration for a four-year scholarship. The majority of Mooseheart graduates do go on to college, attending universities throughout the nation.
James J. Davis (right) conceived the Child City concept and Rodney Brandon (left) is credited with planning construction, staff, and supervision of the program for its first three years.
Housing at Mooseheart
Student at Mooseheart
Arial view of Mooseheart
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