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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.

  • IMPACT
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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

Ways to Give

Scholarship Pledge

Planned Giving

Goods and Services

Wish List

Volunteer

Hire an Alum

Wish List

Make A Wish On Us!

The wishes on this list are chosen with intention and care by our faculty and staff. Wishes may vary in size or amount, but all are greatly appreciated. We update this list often.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the school - 5058 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60644. If mailing, please include Attn: Caroline Bourjaily in the address and, if possible, send Caroline an email at [email protected] to let her know your gift is on the way.

Items with an underline indicate an embedded website link. Quantities specified next to an item are what we hope to receive. We are grateful for any lesser quantities.

Co-Curriculars Wish List

Projector 

Projector Battery

Projector Carrying Case

Tripod

General Wish List

Chart Paper (6)

2 Pocket Folders (8)

60″ + TV Screen (new or used)

Language Arts Wish List

Library Book Wish List

Gift Cards to the Open Books Bookstore

The Open Books Bookstore is a non-profit store that supports literacy programs in Chicago. Your gift card donations enable CJA students to purchase books as part of a school field trip.  Please complete the e-gift card purchase in your name and then forward the electronic gift card to Danielle Pernini at [email protected].  

College & Career Persistence Wish List

Target, Amazon or Visa Gift Cards

Gift cards are given to alumni to help them get set up in dorm rooms, as achievement incentives and to assist with housing or food insecurity. We appreciate cards in $25 increments.

Used or New Vehicle for College Visits

Our CP team would be incredibly grateful to have a vehicle to visit alumni at their colleges and high schools and to take alumni on college visits.    

Caroline Bourjaily

Development Operations Officer

[email protected]

v3

5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644-4324

(phone): (773) 638-6103

(fax): (773) 638-6107

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