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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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Donate Now

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Hire an Alum

Make a Difference in the Lives of our Talented Alumni

Whether it be an hourly position, internship, trade role or first career opportunity after graduating from college, experience in a supportive work environment can have a meaningful impact on the lives of our alumni and their work trajectories.

CJA has over 300 alumni in various places along the journey from high school to career who are currently or may eventually be searching for employment. Some need part-time hourly roles while attending high school or college, others desire internships, some are focused on trade roles as they work toward or complete a trade certificate and others seek full-time employment post college. Many are looking for employment in the Chicago area but some are open to opportunities in other cities as well.

Our talented alums have a broad range of capabilities and career interests. If you or your organization can offer an employment opportunity to a CJA alum, we would love to hear from you.

Megan Mortensen

Vice President of College & Career Persistence

[email protected] / (773) 638-6123

v3

5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644-4324

(phone): (773) 638-6103

(fax): (773) 638-6107

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