ABOUT US
Who We Are

Who We Serve

Faculty and Staff

Work at CJA

Our Way of Proceeding

Gies Campus and History

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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

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Admissions Process

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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
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
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
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
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
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Ways to Give

Scholarship Pledge

Planned Giving

Goods & Services

Wish List

Volunteer

Hire an Alum
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.

Planning for High School

Finding the Next Best Step After 8th Grade

The College & Career Persistence (CP) Team empowers families to apply and enroll in best-fit high schools but works with families and students as they:

Research the high school landscape and the choices available to them
Navigate application and testing requirements, financial aid and scholarships, deadlines for completing testing and applications
Select and enroll in a high school that best fits their unique needs

High School Application and Selection Timeline

Month	Event
September	Family-CP Counselor high school planning meetings GoCPS application window opens Register for CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT)
September – October	Complete private and boarding school scholarship applications
September – November	Attend shadow days at High Schools HPST/HSAT exam prep during CP class
October	CPS notifies families of assigned HSAT date Register for Catholic school (HSPT) exam, if applicable
October – December	Complete applications for boarding schools and private schools
November	Take HSAT test on assigned day
December	Take Catholic School HSPT placement test, if applicable GoCPS application window closes (early December) Complete CPS school rankings via portal
January	Catholic School applications due
February	Catholic and Boarding School admission decisions announced
April	CPS admission decisions announced, Round 2 for CPS Opens
May – August	Waitlist seats offered from private and public schools

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