Our Program
The Washington Jesuit Academy provides a comprehensive and rigorous education for promising students in grades four through eight from underserved communities. Each student is provided a tuition-free experience defined by 11 hours of academic rigor a day, 11 months a year, and
three nutritious meals a day. This extended program allows teachers additional time to teach and influence students both inside and outside of the classroom and creates a “brotherhood” among our students.
A typical day for a WJA student begins with breakfast at the Academy where they are joined by teachers and friends. When breakfast ends, the entire school gathers for a community Morning Meeting to begin the school day before heading into their respective classes. Throughout the day, students break up their course work with three opportunities for recess as part of WJA’s commitment to its students’ health and wellness. In addition to our academic curriculum, all students participate in a daily Formation class where they can discuss and reflect on personal, school-wide, and national issues, and our fourth through sixth grades also do a weekly SEL class with our certified school counselors.
After our traditional school day has concluded, our extended-day schedule supports students well beyond dinnertime. Before leaving each night, students participate in sports or clubs of their choosing, gather for dinner, and finish any remaining homework in study hall. As a result of these extended hours, WJA students spend nearly twice as many hours focused on school compared with their peers.
At WJA we believe that all young people who want to attend college should have the means and support to do so. A growing community of WJA alumni who might not otherwise have been able to attend college are learning, graduating, or contributing to the workplace and our world because of the scholarships, mentoring, and support services offered to them by the Academy.
Please see our 2022-2023 Parent/Student Handbook for additional information.
99% of WJA alumni GraduatE from high school
Compared to the national average of 84%
The High School Placement Program is designed to assist students, parents and guardians with choosing a “right fit” high school as they prepare to depart WJA. To help families prepare for this important transition, our services begin for students in the seventh grade by increasing their awareness of high school options (including area private and Catholic schools, boarding schools, and public magnet and charter schools) and helping students and families determine realistic and appropriate high school choices.
In the eighth grade this program helps students develop the skills needed to prepare for the high school admissions process including essay writing, test prep, and interview skills. We take the time to work through the application process with students and families, aiding in areas from arranging high school visits, to completing applications and financial aid paperwork. The goal of this additional service is to provide high school transition assistance for students and families that addresses the expectations and skills needed to have success in high school and beyond.
90% WJA alumni ARE enrolled in college, enrolled in trade school, or in the workforce
$400k+ High school scholarship funds ARE earned by WJA graduates each year
Non-Discrimination Policy: The Washington Jesuit Academy admits students of any race, color, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
