More than
A day at Cor Jesu rarely ends at the final bell. Our rich co-curricular program supplements classroom education with clubs and organizations centered around a variety of interests. Participation in co-curricular activities is a valuable way for students to build community, express themselves and lead others.
Any Cor Jesu student seeking to improve her skills, participate on a team, develop sportsmanship and represent her school can find a place in Charger athletics. With a variety of levels ranging from varsity, JV and freshman teams, to no-cut sports and club sports, all Charger athletes are welcome to compete. A position on a Charger team provides student athletes a high-energy, competitive environment, coupled with a special team spirit. of students participate in athletics.
of students participate in 2 or more sports.
CROSS COUNTRY FIELD HOCKEY
“I’ve learned so many life lessons while playing in a Cor Jesu uniform. I have learned that games aren’t always about the wins, losses and stats. What’s most important is hard work, determination and your ability to be a good teammate. The community I’ve built by being involved with Cor Jesu athletics is so special to me. I wouldn’t trade the friends and bonds I’ve made for the world!”
— LAUREN ORTWERTH ‘26, VARSITY VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYER
BASKETBALL
BOCCE CLUB
DANCE
LACROSSE
RACQUETBALL CLUB
SOCCER SWIM & DIVE
TRACK & FIELD ULTIMATE FRISBEE CLUB
SPRING SPORTS
"Fiddler on the Roof"
Chamber Choir
Chamber Choir is an audition-only choir in which students of all grade levels create music at a high level. Students also share music with the larger community by performing at different venues across St. Louis.
Fall Play and Spring Musical
Cor Jesu offers two all-school productions allowing students to shine through theater. Whether painting sets, sourcing costumes or performing on stage, the Fall Play and Spring Musical are wonderful opportunities for Cor Jesu Chargers to bring stories to life!
When I found out I would be appearing in my first Cor Jesu show, I was ecstatic! As my time in CJA’s theater program continued, I began to find my people – who, now – I can’t imagine my high school experience without. It is such a welcoming community and I think that is what I love most about it. To me, Cor Jesu Fine Arts means finding a family who will support you always.”
— KJ DRAZEN ‘24 (pictured on page 4 at far left)
"Beauty and the Beast"
Choir
Concert
CAREER EXPLORATION CLUBS
Chargers Who Code
Corette
Exploring Careers in Health Occupations (ECHO) Club
Engineering Club
Entrepreneur Club
Mock Trial
Model UN
Youth and Government
Youth in Forensics & Criminology
FAITH AND SERVICE CLUBS
Campus Ministry
(see page 14 for more)
Christian Action Reaching Everyone (CARE)
FINE ARTS CLUBS
Art Club
Chamber Choir
Corde Players/ITS
Debate Team
Improv Team
Liturgical Choir
Photography Club
Speech Team
LEADERSHIP CLUBS
Admissions Ambassadors
National Honor Society (NHS)
Shadow Guides
Social Media Team
Student Council (STUCO)
Youth Leadership St. Louis
SOCIAL JUSTICE CLUBS
Cultural Diversity Club
Social Justice Club
Women of Color Club
SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS
American Sign Language Club
Animal Awareness Club
Asian Culture
Appreciation Club
Classic Film Club
Creative Café
Fishing Club
Green Team
Grow Club
Health & Wellness Club
Litteratae
Pen Pals – Cards for Hospitalized Kids (CHK)
Strategy Board Games Club
“My favorite part about Cor Jesu clubs is seeing my peers get excited about their passions and find new hobbies. I have met so many girls from other grades and have found that we have so much in common because of the clubs we’ve joined. You have not truly lived your Cor Jesu experience if you haven’t seen Litteratae club members debate their favorite novels, helped harvest vegetables in Grow Club’s garden or done yoga with the Health & Wellness Club. It’s awesome to see girls light up when they talk about the clubs they truly care about. ”
Scan for club details!
Don’t see a club you’d like to join? Grab some friends, find a faculty
— MAGGIE HAMEL ‘24, NHS PRESIDENT & FISHING CLUB SECRETARY (LEFT)
(STUCO)
At Cor Jesu Academy, Student Council is the heartbeat of our enthusiastic student body. Comprised of homeroom representatives, class boards and an
Spirit Week + BBQ
Each semester, STUCO plans a themed spirit week that culminates with an outdoor BBQ. CJA’s very own Father’s Club cooks a feast, followed by a surprise dessert courtesy of STUCO. After lunch, students are invited to participate in activities, games and all-school cheers!
“My favorite part of being on the Executive Board of STUCO is our amazing team! I love collaborating with the other team members and brainstorming with the faculty moderators. We have the best time coming up with fun ideas for school events and activities – our meetings are filled with lots of laughs and smiles! ”
— EMILY LEIGHT ‘24, STUCO EXECUTIVE BOARD (FAR RIGHT)
Spirit Week Fun!
STUCO BBQ
Cor Jesu students look forward to participating in the many treasured traditions that occur throughout each school year.
FUNDERWEAR CHALLENGE
Funderwear is a friendly competition with St. Joseph’s Academy to see which school can collect more socks, underwear and sports bras for the clients of St. Patrick Center. The collection culminates halftime tug-of-war contest, and the announcement of the total amount collected between both schools. The school who collects more donations is crowned the winner of the Funderwear Challenge and receives the Funderwear Trophy, dubbed, “The Pants!”
PENNY QUEEN WEEK
Penny Queen is Cor Jesu’s mission week. Representatives from each class are elected as “Penny Queens” and organize a variety of on-and off-campus events to raise money for the benefiting charities, which are selected by the student body each year. Events include restaurant profit shares, merchandise and clothing sales (many are student designed), as well as class booths filled with treats and raffles! The week ends with an all-school dance to celebrate and announce the total raised for the charities.
Penny Queen Week
JUKEBOX
Cor Jesu’s famous Jukebox is housed in the senior section of the cafeteria, boasting over 50 playlists from previous classes. Senior students have the privilege of choosing the music during lunch.
FIRST FRIDAY LITURGY & CHEERS
On the First Friday of each month, the Cor Jesu Academy community gathers together to celebrate liturgy. Students participate as servers, lectors, vocalists and Eucharistic ministers. At lunch that day, all Cor Jesu students eat together and end their time with school-wide cheers. These loud and boisterous cheers are led by seven seniors called “The Capers,” who wear red capes that spell out “SPIRIT!”
JUNIOR RING CEREMONY
Since 1956, all Cor Jesu Academy students have received the same token – a mother of pearl ring with their graduation year and an emblem of the Sacred Heart.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
On day one, the senior class kicks
First Day of School
First Friday Liturgy
“The incredible Cor Jesu spirit is what makes this school feel like a family. I love how my peers are so dedicated to celebrating the gifts, talents and passions of others. Not one person at CJA is only focused on their own activities, rather, everyone comes together to cheer on other students as they hit milestones in sports, music, art, club accomplishments, service, academics and so much more! The spirit here is electric and I love being one of the spirit leaders!” — ADDISON MCGAHAN ‘24 (FAR RIGHT/EXCLAMATION POINT)
Junior Ring
Cor Jesu Academy is committed to graduating students who will serve as responsible members of the global community. To achieve this, CJA provides a robust global education program through which students can expand their worldviews and build on the material learned in the classroom by traveling internationally and domestically, in addition to participating in service-learning trips.
DOMESTIC
• Appalachia (Tennessee and Kentucky)*
• El Paso, TX (Catholic Mass at the Border)
• Jefferson City, MO
• Kansas City, MO
• Pittsburgh, PA*
• Washington, D.C.
• Educational Spring Break Trip, destination varies each year
*Indicates Service-Learning Trip
INTERNATIONAL
CJA sponsors various trips to Europe, Asia and more!
Previous trips have included: Austria, the British Isles, France, Germany, Hungary, London, Paris, Switzerland, Taiwan and more!
2024 International Trips:
• Greece
• Italy
• Spain
Language Immersion Exchange Program with
The Highlands Catholic School in Madrid, Spain.
“I’m so glad I had the opportunity to travel to Spain to visit my foreign exchange student, Berta, and her family. The trip allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and experience an entirely new culture. I loved visiting the many unique sites Spain has to offer including Parc Guell and the Mediterranean Sea. I encourage all CJA Chargers to travel if they have the chance! Even if you don’t speak the native language, you can open your eyes to new things. There is so much to learn in this big world –I guarantee your trip will be unforgettable!”
— KATE COOPER '24 (ABOVE, LEFT)
SERVICE-LEARNING
Appalachia Service Trip
A week-long service immersion trip through the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) organization. ASP’s mission is to help make homes warmer, safer and drier for community members. Trip participants live within the community and are split into four work crews, each assigned a different home and family. Throughout the week, groups complete construction projects at the homes, while also getting to know the families and forming community.
Clelian Heights (Pittsburgh, PA)
Rising seniors have the opportunity to complete their LASTing Service Projects at Clelian Heights, a school for developmentally challenged children and young adults that is owned and staffed by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Students spend one week during the summer working as camp counselors at the school.
Everything we do at Cor Jesu Academy is rooted in our Charism, which is to Share the Love of the Heart of Christ. Our Campus Ministry program is embedded in the student experience, providing both formal and informal opportunities for all students, regardless of their faith background, to discover, grow, share and live their faith.
“Campus Ministry has given me so many opportunities to grow deeper in my faith and connect with other students who also want to grow deeper in their faith. It’s great to join in prayer with the whole school at events like First Friday Liturgies and prayer services, and then to also take a more personal look at my faith through faith-sharing groups, service opportunities and with personal time in the chapel. I’m grateful Cor Jesu has these opportunities to help guide us on our faith journeys, no matter where we are in our relationships with God.”
DISCOVER
All students take part in regularly scheduled faith formation activities throughout the school year, including:
• Adoration and Meditations
• Class Retreats
• Daily Examen
• First Friday Liturgies
• Liturgical Prayer Services and Reflections
• Reconciliation
LIVE
Students are invited to live their faith through a variety of service opportunities:
• Freshman Day of Service
• LASTing Service Project
— MARGARET HOGAN ‘25
Enthronement Liturgy
• Service Saturdays
• Service Trips (see page 13 for more)
GROW & SHARE
Students have the opportunity to grow and share their faith by participating in various Campus Ministry events and taking on leadership roles:
• Divine Mercy Chaplets
• Faith-Sharing Groups + Small Groups
• Faith Sharing and Formation Collaborations with Other Schools
• Lectio Divina and Visio Divina
• Liturgy Planning and Preparation
• Praise and Worship Nights
• Rosary Prayer Services
