EDUCATION | OAKBROOKMAGAZINE.COM
St. John’s campus, featuring Neo-Gothic style buildings, is just 30 minutes west of Milwaukee and two hours from Chicago.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies:
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An enriching educational experience
ith its rich history and commitment to instilling discipline and leadership in its students, St. John's Northwestern Academies (SJNA) in Delafield, Wisconsin, has been a beacon of academic and personal development for the young men and women who have passed through its gates since 1884. Praise from a local SJNA Alum Oak Brook native Frank Mungo remembers his time at St. John’s fondly. Mungo, at a crossroads during his youth, bravely took the leap to attend a school outside of the Chicagoland area in search of muchneeded change. He describes himself at the time as “unbridled” and resistant to his parents. Together, they made a decision that Mungo said changed his life for the better. 58
“St. John’s was a really good path for me. In fact, a very positive path for me to redeem myself,” Mungo, who graduated from the school in 1983, said. St. John’s Northwestern Academies offers more than just education and discipline; it is also about lifelong friendships and transformative spiritual and character growth. Mungo said his two years at SJNA stand out in his life more than any other time. Mungo’s passion for his alma mater is evident, so much so that his son, Frankie, decided to follow in his footsteps. “I didn't push him to go there. It has to be a choice... It has to be a personal decision,” Mungo said. Frankie attended the Raider School summer camp, which is one of three
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summer camp programs that provides a taste of life at St. John’s Northwestern. This cemented his decision to attend SJNA and pursue a father-son bond rooted in their shared experience at this prestigious institution. “At St. John’s, I have been able to mature and grow in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to before. I also have been introduced to many different cultures due to the plethora of cadets from all around the world,” said Frankie. Evolving with the Times Although it was once an all-boys military academy, Mungo said that St. John’s Northwestern has evolved with the times. He is thrilled that Frankie, now a junior cadet, will reap the benefits of the updated school, especially under the leadership of the school’s president, Robert Fine.