More than
A day at Cor Jesu rarely ends at the final bell. Our vibrant co-curricular program extends learning beyond the classroom through clubs and organizations that reflect a wide range of student interests. These activities offer meaningful opportunities to build community, develop leadership skills and express individuality.
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 two 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 WATER POLO
SPRING SPORTS
ULTIMATE FRISBEE CLUB
"Wizard of Oz"
Chamber Choir
Chamber Choir is an auditioned ensemble open to all grade levels, where students perform advanced music and share their talents through concerts at 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!
“There’s a place for everyone in CJ Fine Arts — whether you’re singing, acting, designing props & costumes, or keeping things running behind the scenes through crew or stage management. Everyone contributes and gets to experience the fun of creating something together. Through theater and choir, I’ve met friends in every grade and been part of a team, while making CJA feel even more like home.”
— MARY SCHOENOKASE '28 (pictured on page 4 on right)
Choir Concert
"Steel Magnolias"
CAREER EXPLORATION CLUBS
Chargers Who Code
Corette
Exploring Careers in Health Occupations (ECHO) Club
Engineering Club
Mock Trial
Model UN
Youth and Government
Youth in Forensics & Criminology
FAITH AND SERVICE CLUBS
Campus Ministry
(see page 14 for more)
CJA Serves
FINE ARTS CLUBS
Art Club
Chamber Choir
Corde Players/ITS
Debate Team
Improv Team
Liturgical Choir
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
SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS
American Sign Language Club
Animal Awareness Club
Baking Club
CJ Pit Crew
Classic Film Club
Creative Café
Fishing Club
Green Team
Grow Project
Health & Wellness Club
Litteratae
Pen Pals – Cards for Hospitalized Kids (CHK)
Strategy Board Games Club
“Cor Jesu clubs have given me the chance to connect with girls across all grade levels, while diving into the things that I love! Along the way, I've formed friendships that are just as meaingful as those within my own class, and those relationships have made my time at CJA even more special. This year, serving as NHS President has been eespecially impactful, as it's helped me to grow in confidence and develop as a leader. ”
Scan for club details!
Don’t see a club you’d like to join? Grab some friends, find a faculty mentor and start your own!
— ELLA ALEXANDER ‘26, NHS PRESIDENT, PENNY QUEEN, PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB, YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT (ABOVE, LEFT)
STUDENT COUNCIL
(STUCO)
At Cor Jesu Academy, Student Council is the heartbeat of our enthusiastic student body. Comprised of homeroom representatives, class boards and an executive board, students can get involved in many ways. These elected representatives
Spirit Week + BBQ
Each semester, STUCO hosts a themed Spirit Week that ends with an outdoor BBQ cooked by the Father’s Club and a surprise dessert. After lunch, students are invited to participate in activities, games and all-school cheers!
“As Student Council president, I’m honored to serve a school that feels like home. From my very first day, I felt welcomed and supported, and that feeling has never gone away. The community here is one of the best things about Cor Jesu. Everyone brings something unique, and together we create a place where you can truly be yourself. I love this school, and I’m grateful every day to be part of a community so full of joy, love, and spirit. ”
—
MADDIE MISPAGEL ‘26, 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 with a varsity basketball game, 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
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 off the school year with lots of spirit. Decked out in red and white, seniors cheer on new and returning Chargers as they enter school.
JUKEBOX
Cor Jesu’s famous Jukebox is housed in the senior section of
First Day of School
“The Cor Jesu spirit is so unique because no one is afraid to go all out. From First Friday Cheers to Spirit Week to Funderwear, our traditions bring everyone together, and you can always feel the energy that makes CJA special. Since the first time I shadowed, I felt the spirit, and that’s what has always made Cor Jesu feel like home. Every day when I walk in, I’m welcomed by teachers, friends and classmates who truly care about me not just as a student, but as a whole person.”
— DEVIN BERGAN ‘26 (SECOND FROM LEFT/ "T")
First Friday Liturgy
Junior Ring
GLOBAL EDUCATION
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, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Switzerland and Taiwan!
2026 International Trips:
• Great Britain
• France
• The Netherlands
• Belgium
2027 International Trips:
• Germany
• Demark
• Sweden
“Traveling with Cor Jesu brought classroom learning to life by letting us experience Iceland’s culture, history and environment firsthand. It also strengthened the sisterhood among us, as we grew closer through shared adventures and time spent together. Through this experience, I learned that I'm more independent than I thought; I stepped outside of my comfort zone and grew more confident.”
— JULIA NIEMANN '27 (LEFT, RIGHT)
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.
At Cor Jesu, everything we do is inspired by our Charism: to Share the Love of the Heart of Christ. Through Campus Ministry, students of all faith backgrounds are invited to discover, grow and live their faith through meaningful experiences woven into daily life.
“Campus Ministry has given me a newfound understanding of what it means to Share the Love of the Heart of Christ. I woudn't have had the courage to pursue God's plan for my life if it wasn't for the support I found here. Having a community of young women to support and walk with me in my faith journey was something I had never experienced before, and I thank God frequently for the gift of this community. Whether Catholic or not, close to God or distant, you have a place here.”
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
• 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 May Crowning Court
Shine Bright
