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

Subscribe to eNews
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
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
Donate Now

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.

Rehan

Class of 2029

How has your year been so far?

Good! My family just moved into a new house. My sister also goes to CJA, and she is in fourth grade. It’s nice to be here together. I see her every day during school! I have a cousin that goes here too.

What do you like about third grade?

Multiplication facts. I like Math, Reading and my favorite subject is Science. I love to learn about dinosaurs, even though all the dinosaurs have been extinct for a really long time. Back then, they didn’t even have chairs. My favorite dinosaur is the T-Rex.

What do you do outside of CJA?

Usually, when I go home, I do my homework. Then, I go to YouTube and search for scientists and watch videos about dinosaurs.

Can you tell me a little bit more about why you love Math?

I love Math because I love doing hard problems. The problems that are easy for me are not helping me learn. The harder the problem you get, the more you get to learn. Hard problems are actually fun!

In Humanities, I feel like I am writing so much that my hand is going to fall off, but I like writing my own books. My books make my friends, and well, everyone, laugh.

I have a lot of friends here. They’re nice and very kind.

What does it mean to be kind?

It means no one is being mean or hurting anybody. We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

What’s your favorite thing about CJA?

The lunch and the Math, the Reading and all the activities. I love the cafeteria. Every single time I go in there, I think it looks like a restaurant. I also really like the cooking staff in the kitchen.

What do you think fourth grade is going to be like?

I’m already doing fourth-grade work. We do division and multiplication. My Math teacher teaches us fourth-grade Math like the perimeter and the area. Ms. Kuhns teaches Math, and Ms. Amaro teaches Humanities. I like them. They are nice, funny and playful. They always give hugs and play catch with us.

What are you thankful for?

My family, my friends and my room. My room is decorated with LED lights and some Marvel characters.

(Pauses)

I really love my family.