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    • Who We Are
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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.

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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!
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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.

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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.

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    • A Unique Approach
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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.

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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.

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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.

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High School Bridge

Notre Dame Partnership

HSB Partner Schools

Community Partnerships

Community Partnerships

Community Connections and Partnerships

CJA is fortunate to be located in the strong and resilient Austin neighborhood. We learn from and partner with our neighbors and other organizations to best serve our school community and other West Side communities.

We currently partner with the following organizations:

Village Leaders Joint Block Club

In the summer of 2022, a group of neighbors on the 5000 blocks of Jackson Boulevard and Quincy Street (the two streets adjacent to CJA) re-started a long-dormant, joint block club. Following the mission below, the block club hosts their meetings on CJA’s campus and partners with CJA and Christ the King to serve our immediate neighborhood.


It is the mission of the Village Leaders Joint Block Club to establish revitalization through community engagement, in a hope to promote public safety and to improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in our neighborhoods.

If you would like to connect with the Village Leaders Joint Block Club, please contact Arewa Winters or Dawn Anderson at [email protected].

West Side Basketball League

In the winter of 2019, Chicago Jesuit Academy began serving as a site for the West Side Basketball League, a league started by City of Refuge Chicago. City of Refuge believes in a collaborative impact model – partnering with organizations and individuals from three segments of society: civic (local law enforcement and government agencies), sacred (local faith-based organizations), and secular (nonprofits and businesses).

CJA has continued to partner with City of Refuge and proudly serves as a host site for West Side Basketball. If you would like to connect with the West Side Basketball League, please contact Stephanie Marquardt at [email protected].

Other Community Connections

CJA strives to continually expand our involvement within our students’ communities and to connect with other neighborhood organizations doing wonderful work.

Believing that we all become stronger together, CJA currently participates in the following organizations:

  • 15th district Faith Based group
  • Westside Chamber of Commerce​

Meeting and Event Reservations

CJA welcomes local community organizations to request use of our space by submitting a reservation request form. Depending on the nature of the request and type of organization, CJA may charge a reasonable hourly or flat rate to help cover the costs of personnel needed to help manage the event. Meeting spaces can be available after school hours or on the weekends. As a nonprofit organization, CJA does not host political or quasi-political events. No drugs or alcohol may be consumed on the premises.

Please complete the request form at the bottom of this page to begin the process of reserving a space for your event.

Tom Van Grinsven

Vice President of Operations

[email protected]

Available Spaces:

Gymnasium

The gymnasium has six basketball hoops including one court with High School dimensions. There are bleachers on one side, but free standing chairs are also available as needed. No food or drinks are allowed in this space except for water.

Seating capacity: 350

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is filled with 8-foot banquet tables and circular folding tables.  It also has a podium and TV with a full AV system and wireless microphone.  

Seating Capacity: 220

Multipurpose Room

This room is perfect for musical, theatrical or dance performances.  There are 200 stackable chairs stored on rolling carts that are available for use in this space.  Stage not included. 

Seating Capacity: 200

Chapel

The chapel is a quiet, reflective space with six rows of chairs, an altar and a podium.  This space is perfect for a Mass or religious service.

Seating Capacity: 50

Reservation Request Form

Event/Meeting Space Inquiry
Name *
Name
First
Last
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5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644-4324

(phone): (773) 638-6103

(fax): (773) 638-6107

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