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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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Third & Fourth Grades

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Student Support Services

Nurse

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Co-Curriculars

Co-Curriculars

Why We Value Co-Curriculars

Co-curriculars are a time for students to explore their non-academic interests and have fun! We build co-curriculars into the school day so that they are accessible to all students. Students can choose a sports team, a club or a music group and the options change every quarter. We want students to feel confident joining a sports team or club in high school and we hope that being part of co-curriculars at CJA helps make this possible.

A student’s spot on the soccer team, Robotics Club or Drum Line is another chance to develop Graduate-at-Graduation values like being “open to growth”. It is also an opportunity to learn teamwork and leadership outside the classroom. For some students, the co-curricular they choose at CJA becomes a lifelong passion.

Co-Curricular Choices

Below are a few past and current co-curriculars our students have enjoyed. We make sure that student interest is driving the options offered and we are always open to suggestions.

Bike Club

Robotics Club

Girls on the Run

Track

Culinary Arts

Basketball

Flag Football

Intramural Sports

Band

Soccer

Boxing

Lacrosse

v3

5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644-4324

(phone): (773) 638-6103

(fax): (773) 638-6107

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