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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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    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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Parent-School Partnership

Summer Programming

Planning for High School

Uniforms

Summer Programming

Summer is Full of Opportunities

All CJA students are required to participate in summer programming. This added time in the school year enables students to continue to grow academically AND experience the joys of a sleep-away camp.

Academic and Camp Programming

The on-campus academic summer program is held in June or July and is required for all new students.  Some returning students complete their summer program on-campus and others receive take-home materials.  For more specific details about our 11-month programming that includes this June session, please see our summary school calendar. 

 

Aside from summer academics, it is also our goal for every CJA student to have a summer camp experience at some point during his/her time at CJA. Camp takes children outside of their comfort zone but still provides safe opportunities for learning and growing as an individual within a community. Many camps have scholarships for our students, and CJA works with families to make sure the camp is accessible and affordable.

 

It is also tradition for rising 5th- and 6th-grade students to attend camp for 4 days in June and for rising 7th- and 8th-grade students to attend for 4 days in late August. Both camps are unique and separate from any CP arranged camp.

Summer Camp Timeline

Summer camp applications are coordinated by the College & Career Persistence team (CP). The process to match students to camps begins in September of each school year.

September
Camp Introduction Night

Families learn about camp options and hear directly from camp alumni and the camps themselves. The CP team hosts this event.

October/November
Camp Invitations

Families complete interest forms sent by CP.

CP sends invitations based on family interest and academic eligibility.

Late February
Camp Registration Closes
April
Virtual Information Nights

Camps hold information sessions for registered campers on varying dates.

Summer
Campers Head Off to Camp

Camp start/end dates and duration vary by camp.

v3

5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644-4324

(phone): (773) 638-6103

(fax): (773) 638-6107

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