You Belong at CJA

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Admission Process

Apply to CJA

You belong at CJA

We’d Love to Have You Join Our Community

CJA is a loving and supportive 3rd-8th grade school community that believes in helping all students reach their full potential. We care for each student as a whole person by supporting their strengths and needs through comprehensive academic, social-emotional and physical resources.

After graduation, we continue to support our alumni as they navigate the transitions to high school, on to post-high school options and ultimately their careers.

If this sounds like a community your family wants to join, we invite you to explore why your child belongs at CJA….

Catholic School Welcoming all Faiths

We are a faith-based school and believe all of our students are created in the image and likeness of God, but there is no religious requirement for admission.

Full Scholarships Given to all Students

CJA is a tuition-free school. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch are given preference in our admissions process, but all are encouraged to apply.

Admission is First Come, First Served

We are first come, first served for incoming 3rd through 5th grade applicants. For 6th through 8th grade applicants, academic performance and commitment to partnering with the school are taken into account.

Now Welcoming Young Women

In the 2022-2023 school year, we welcomed our inaugural class of girls to the 3rd and 4th grade. We will add one grade per school year until we are able to serve young women in grades 3-8 in the 2026-2027 school year. Academic classes are separated by sex, while non-academic time is co-educational.

Students Attend from Neighborhoods all Around Chicago

While originally opened to serve the Austin community, our student population has expanded to include students from all over the Chicagoland area.

Broad Variety of Athletic and Creative Programs

Students have music classes every week and also select one co-curricular offering that is a part of their daily schedule. Co-curricular choices vary quarterly based on student interest. Past offerings included: Robotics, Culinary Arts, Boxing, Basketball, Flag Football, Jazz Band/Choir, Soccer, Cheer/Dance and Agriculture.  

Learn Why Students Love CJA

Students of CJA

My favorite thing about CJA is definitely the teachers because they're all so welcoming. I'm in the fifth-grade classroom, and my teachers welcome me and they give me a hug or fist bump or good morning greeting when we come in in the morning. They never try to make you feel bad about yourself. They always want what's best for you.

Mariah

Class of 2027

Being part of the CJA community is like being a part of a family. Teachers here treat me like their son. If you have a dream, there are going to be people here who are going to push you to follow it. They want to see you succeed, and it's something that I absolutely love about this place.

Alex

Class of 2024

Apply to CJA

The link above will direct you to CJA’s PowerSchool. You will create an account, which will then direct you to our enrollment application. If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact Dave Zalesky at [email protected].

Inquiry Form

Do you prefer a quick callback first? Fill out this quick Inquiry Form link above with your name and contact information, and Dave Zalesky will reach out to you. You can also call our front desk at (773) 638-6103.

Dave Zalesky

Director of Student Recruitment and Compliance

[email protected], (708) 762-3603