ABOUT US
Who We Are

Who We Serve

Faculty and Staff

Work at CJA

Our Way of Proceeding

Gies Campus and History

Board of Directors

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ABOUT US

CJA is a loving and supportive life-long community for our students and alumni. We are a tuition-free, Catholic lower and middle school for students and families impacted by historic disinvestment. We also accompany alumni as they transition to high school, post-high school options and on to the start of their careers, and we engage with the larger community to support creating access to better educational resources.
ADMISSIONS
You belong at CJA

Visit CJA

Admissions Process

Apply to CJA

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ADMISSIONS
CJA accepts 3rd-5th grade students first come, first served and we are not academically selective. For 6th-8th grade applicants, academics and willingness to partner with the school are taken into account. We accept students in all grades without regard to race, ethnicity or religion. Learn more about our school and see why your child belongs at CJA!
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Third & Fourth Grades

Fifth & Sixth Grades

Seventh & Eighth Grades

Student Support Services

Nurse

Specials

Meal Program

Co-Curriculars

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SCHOOL PROGRAMS
At CJA, we believe in caring for the whole person. We provide rigorous academics in a loving and supportive environment but we also support our students physically, mentally and spiritually through a dedicated school nurse, a team of social workers, a faith-based education, enriching co-curriculars and a nutritious meal program.
ALUMNI SUPPORT
College & Career Persistence Program

High School Transition

Post-High School Transition

Career Transition

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ALUMNI SUPPORT
After students graduate from CJA, they work consistently with their College & Career Persistence (CP) counselor until age 25 and they and their families are considered part of our community forever. Our dedicated team of CP counselors accompany students and alumni through the transition to high school, post-high school and ultimately careers.
IMPACT
A Unique Approach

Evidence of Impact

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IMPACT

When children are given the resources they deserve in order to thrive in and outside of the classroom, they can reach their full, incredible potential. We see the impact each day in working with our students, alumni and partner schools. Their hard work, dedication and resilience demonstrates what can be achieved when obstacles to educational equity begin to be removed.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
High School Bridge

Notre Dame Partnership

HSB Partner Schools

Community Partnerships

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We’re expanding our services to students across Chicagoland! By 2027, we’ll be supporting students in nineteen elementary schools as they identify and choose their best-fit high schools.

And, now that our expanded school building is open, we are working to deepen relationships with neighbors and local organizations as we seek to provide a community gathering space.
SUPPORT US
Donate Now

Ways to Give

Scholarship Pledge

Planned Giving

Goods & Services

Wish List

Volunteer

Hire an Alum

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SUPPORT US
As a tuition-free school, the success of our mission depends entirely on the generosity of people who believe in the great promise of our students and alumni. All gifts are critical investments in ensuring access to the academic resources and holistic care for the community we serve.

Writing Cover Letters

A cover letter is a one-page letter that introduces you to a potential employer, explains the purpose for your application, highlights your experiences and skills and shares why you are excited about the role that you are applying for at an organization.

Cover letters are just as important as resumes! Many employers will pass on a resume if a cover letter is not included.

Good Cover Letters are....

Engaging

Hook your reader from your first sentence
Tailored to the job you are applying for

Include Your Research

What is important to the company and their mission? How does this relate or resonate with you?
What skills are necessary for this job? How can you highlight those sills in your own experiences?

Include Powerful Storytelling

Highlight your specific skills and accomplishments
Showcase your personality or interests

Formatted to Match Your Resume

Be concise! About 350-45- words – a full page with your header, date, address block and salutation.

An Accurate Representation of You

Examples by Industry

Use these examples to guide your original ideas. Your CP Counselor would be happy to work with you on your cover letter.

Architecture and Engineering

Engineering – Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.docx

Arts & Entertainment

No examples available at this time.

Banking and Finance

Finance-Internship-Cover-Letter-Synchrony-Financial.docx-1

Finance Job Cover Letter – Northern Trust

Banking – First American Bank

Business, Marketing and Sales

Consulting – Campbell and Company

Marketing Cover Letter – Communications Associate.docx

Marketing Cover Letter – Digital Marketing Intern.docx

Banking & Finance – Wells Fargo

Computer Science

Computer Science Cover Letter – Greenwood Project

Education

Education – KIPP

Education Cover Letter – Chicago Scholars College Counselor

Education Cover Letter – Noble Network of Charter Schools

Health Care

Healthcare Cover Letter – Registered Nurse – Presence St. Mary Hospital.doc

Legal, Political and Government

Government – Office of Congressman Sean Casten

Political – BallotReady

Politics Cover Letter – U.S. Senator Durbin Internship.docx

Non-Profit, Social Work and Psychology

Non Profit – Genesys Work

Non Profit – PIE

Non Profit – Youth Care Worker

Non-Profit – CIrcle of Service

Office and Administrative Support

Human Resources – Cara

Older Alumni (3+ years of professional experience)

Older Alumni – Manager, Non-Profit_Education.docx

Older Alumni Cover Letter – Director, Higher Education

Older Alumnus – Marketing Specialist.docx

Science and Research

Science & Research Cover Letter -UChicago Urban Labs

Unpaid Internship Grant

Unpaid Internship Grant

5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644

(773) 638-6103