CHOOSING A SCHOOL
A GUIDE TO CHOOSING A HIGH SCHOOL
Questions to consider when choosing a school for your kid
ACADEMICS
What does your school believe about academics?
- All students can learn with proper guidance, spiritual support, and the right community.
- High expectations help us strive for greatness, not comfort.
- We prepare students for healthy, lifelong relationships.
- Our faith-based mission helps kids discover meaning and purpose in their lives.
- We are rooted in the liberal arts, creating range and versatility in our graduates as creative thinkers, curious about the world God has created for them, learning to learn and learning to love learning.
FAQ'S
- 25.1 is the Average ACT Score for the Class of 2021
- 15:1 is the Student/Teacher ratio
How many AP tests did you administer last year?
- We offer 28 sections of AP classes in 14 different content areas. We also offer JCCC dual credit classes.
- 460 AP Exams were given to 224 students for the 20-21 school year. 60% of students scored 3 or higher.
- In 2021 we had 224 students take 450 AP exams. Many schools will enroll kids in AP classes, but never administer the actual exam. At St. James Academy, every kid who has “AP” on his or her transcript will take the AP exam.
- 60% of students score 3 or higher.
- Our College Exploration class provides students with a Princeton Review ACT prep curriculum taught by a certified ACT prep teacher.
- All students take multiple practice ACTs at school.
- ACT prep is integrated into core classes.
Achievements
Last year…
- 36 of our students scored 30 or higher on the ACT.
- 66 Kansas Designated State Scholars
- 5 National Merit Commended Finalists
- 2 National Merit Hispanic Recognition
and…
- Multiple award-winning faculty, including the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Distinguished Teacher, and the 2017 Kansas Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.
- 100% college acceptance rate.
- Class of 2022: $11,504,611 in college scholarships offered, with $4,338,187 accepted. Average of $56,673 offered per student, and $21,370 accepted.
Academic Support
- ThunderBlock: a free period built into our schedule ensuring availability for meeting with teachers.
- National Honors Society structured tutoring, where upperclassmen offer their expertise to their peers.
- School-wide weekly grade checks and a tiered intervention system across all classes to provide support when it is needed.
- Our College Exploration class provides students with a Princeton Review ACT prep curriculum taught by a certified ACT prep teacher.
- All students take multiple practice ACTs at school.
- ACT prep is integrated in core classes.
How does your school serve all of God’s children?
- We have a place for your child, from high academic achievers to those who struggle to everyone in between.
- One of the area’s strongest Advanced Placement (AP), offering more AP classes and administering more AP exams than most high schools.
- Our Student Services department has three full time certified Special Education teachers, supporting students on IEPs and other learning plans.
- Career Exploration Classes so students can discern their future in six areas: Engineering, Healthcare, Law, Journalism, Social Services, and Education.
- A huge Innovation Initiative slated for 2022.
FAITH FORMATION
FAITH FORMATION & CURRICULUM
- We are rooted in relationship, faithful to the church’s teachings. The Trinity is the headwater and everything we do flows from the source. We have a Director of Faith Formation with two full-time Campus Ministry teachers.
- We have the lens of a Catholic Worldview. We are a faculty of believers; our teachers attend a weekly faith formation class and integrate faith into their lessons and classes.
OPPORTUNITIES, SACRAMENTS & WORSHIP
Students have many opportunities to get involved and deepen their faith at St. James Academy.
- Spiritual mentorship with teachers and house mentors
- Uplifting prayer experiences
- Faith-sharing groups like GRACE, Fiat, Sons of Thunder, and Thunder for Life.
- Christian Stewardship Project, Serve Day, Class Retreats, Draw Near, our monthly adoration and worship night
- Mission Trips, Biannual Rome Pilgrimage
- State and National March for Life
- Attend daily mass, participate in weekly confession offered by our chaplain, attend monthly all school mass as well as be a part of liturgical ministries.
NON-CATHOLIC OR STRUGGLES WITH FAITH
First, let us say that we can’t wait to meet him or her! Building relationships is the foundation of building a faith life. Your kid will still take religion classes, go to mass, and attend retreats as part of a community of faith, just as all kids do.
- Your kid will be loved and cared for, as we have a desire to share Christ with him or her.
- Our non-catholic brothers and sisters, students and staff, have an incredible experience; just ask any of them.
- We meet kids where they are. Our approach has always been to listen first, to get to know each student individually, and support them by walking with them and answering their questions.
- We are dedicated to providing authentic witnesses and tools to help students understand God’s plan for their lives.
· Our Community System also helps build bonds so kids are more comfortable talking about their faith life.
Religious Vocations
- 11 graduates are currently seminarians. 4 graduates have entered the religious life.
- We have priests and sisters on staff to lead discernment groups and help kids understand God’s plan for their lives.
- View our alumni in Religious Vocations
COMMUNITY SYSTEM
Do you have a Community System? What is it and how does it work? How will it help my kid feel wanted?
- Yes! Think of the “houses” in Harry Potter, only deeper, richer, and built in a faith-based community. We give each student a belonging.
- We have 8 Communities each named after a saint. Kids are called to a Community when they first arrive.
- Within the Community, kids are placed in Houses with mixed grade levels and a Mentor Teacher.
- “House” meets daily.
- Nearly all activities run though our Community System as Communities compete for the annual Thunder Cup.
- Students remain in the same House for 4 years, maturing in relationships and leadership, building authentic bonds with their peers and their Mentor Teacher.
Why is it important to have a Community System?
- Being in authentic relationships is the most important part of developing kids’ spiritual lives. We do this intentionally everyday in House. Kids must walk with peers and mentors who are in relationship with Jesus in order to feel comfortable getting to know Him.
- Our Community System teaches “other-centered” instead of “self-centered” by sharing in daily “play,” charity, and Community competitions.
- Also, when students feel known and loved, they are more free to excel in all areas of their life, especially academics.
How does the Community system support leadership opportunities for my kid?
- A traditional high school student council only gives opportunities to a limited number of students. Our Community System provides over 200 leadership positions for all grade levels, giving them opportunities to plan events, provide mentorship, and lead.
- Our seniors go through a three-day extensive leadership training summit, and continuous training throughout the year.
Blog
READ OUR BLOG
Our goal is to help families like yours find the information that leads you to consider being part of the St. James community! Read compelling topics that are common to our junior high constituents’ decision-making process.
A Place for All Learning Types
. . . it was the Holy Spirit guiding us to make that first phone call last May, and we knew we had to trust that SJA was the right place, regardless of our past experiences at private school. If your child needs extra support in the classroom and you are concerned...
Innovation at St. James Academy
Everything at SJA starts and ends with the mission, and so we’re not just here to get kids ready for a career; we’re here to pass on the faith and educate the whole child, focusing more on who they become rather than simply what they’re able to do By Shane Rapp, Ed.D,...
Distance Learning – A Parent’s Perspective
I know that each day my kids are being watched over by teachers and an administration who have a true calling in what they do. In most of my conversations with teachers, I walk away amazed at how faith-filled they are and how much they are genuinely committed to...