Joliet Catholic Academy 2021-2022 Admissions Viewbook

JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY Inspiring Growth in Knowledge and Faith Since 1869

Co-sponsored by the Carmelites and Joliet Franciscan Sisters

WELCOME TO JCA! The JCA family has been grounded in tradition and inspired by faith for 152 years at the center of Catholic education in Will County.

Students at Joliet Catholic Academy have many opportunities to succeed.

Angels and Hilltoppers are challenged in the classroom, expected to serve within the community, tested on the playing field, and embraced by the missions of the Carmelites and Franciscans.

JCA’s holistic approach to education, centered in the school’s faith-filled curriculum, creates an educational experience that encourages success.

The goal of the Joliet Catholic Academy family is to prepare young men and women for college and for life. Join the JCA family and become part of A TRADITION that is second to none!

ACADEMIC

excellence

Academic excellence is one of the hallmarks of Joliet Catholic Academy.

After moving through our educational program, students are well prepared to attend the college of their choice. JCA’s diverse curriculum offers students an individualized education based on their strengths, providing them with the opportunity to achieve their maximum intellectual potential. Students are placed in the academic program that best meets their needs based on their academic strengths.

23

64%

students in the Class of 2021 were named Illinois State Scholars

$16.5

Angels and Hilltoppers can earn Advanced Placement and college dual credits while attending JCA • Over the past five years, over 64% of students scored a “3” or higher on AP examinations earning college credit

The Class of 2021 earned over $16.5 million in college scholarships, averaging over $30,000 per year for each student in scholarships

21

Academic Distinction

students is the average class size

1:12

36

JCA valedictorian Isabelle Egizio achieved a perfect score on the ACT.

student-to-teacher ratio

2

JCA seniors were name National Merit Scholars

CURRICULUM PLACEMENT Accelerated/Honors Prep Directed at the highly academically gifted and talented students who enjoy the challenges of a demanding program of studies.

Upper College Prep Provides students with a fundamental understanding of the basic skills and discipline they need to achieve success in college.

College Prep Furnishes students with the understanding of basic skills and the ability to master these skills to better prepare them for further academic study.

Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Advanced Placement courses are offered to juniors and seniors in English III, English IV, Spanish, French, U.S. Government, Calculus, Biology, Physics, Microeconomics, European History, U.S. History, Chemistry, and Statistics. Dual Credit courses are offered in Calculus, Education 101, English 101 and 102, Precalculus, Psychology II, and Statistics.

ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER The Academic Resource Center Complements the Joliet Catholic Academy college preparatory curriculum by creating an environment of equal access for students with documented learning challenges.

Students entering this program will be receiving supplemental instruction one period per day in a small group setting with an emphasis on the academic content of their college preparatory classes.

Academic Department Overview

Fine Arts

JCA believes the arts are an important part of the high school experience. The arts make a real contribution to the intellectual, expressive, emotional, and creative growth of a person.

Angels and Hilltoppers are required to earn credits for graduation in both Art and Music. Students are also given the opportunity to become involved outside the classroom setting with extracurricular activities such as exhibits, field trips, and musical performances.

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/fine-arts-department

Counseling

Science

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/counseling-department

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/science-department

Theology

English

The Counseling Department provides a student focused program that is developmental, comprehensive, and preventative, providing an educational process that cultivates and challenges all students to be lifelong learners growing in faith, knowledge, understanding, and service. The Counseling Department is comprised of three guidance counselors and a college/career counselor.

JCA’s Theology Department is staffed with knowledgeable religious faculty members.

JCA students take Theology classes all four years of high school, and the department is the first high school in the Diocese of Joliet to track student cognition and affect development using the NCEA’s IFG standardized testing, developed with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/theology-department

JCA’s Science Department is staffed with accomplished faculty members who have experience at both the high school and collegiate level. Multiple subject labs provide hands on learning to help students understand phenomena in the world of science. The department utilizes technology in the classroom through virtual dissections and labs.

The department also offers Advanced Placement courses in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.

The mission of the English Department is to teach a philosophy that exceeds a high academic level, one that challenges students to examine and interpret the human condition and the inter-relatedness and responsibility of all people.

The goal is to help students connect literature to the human experience by strengthening problem solving and critical thinking skills so that students have superb decision making abilities and a sense of self-worth. The department also offers courses in AP English Literature as well as a Writing Lab for students during advisory period for one-on-one consultation regarding essays and research papers.

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/english-department

Math

The Math Department boasts a team of excellent faculty members eager to share their knowledge and challenge students in their studies. The department’s “Formula for Success” includes an Eighth Grade Math Program for accelerated learning, a Math Lab designed to provide supplemental tutoring from JCA math teachers, Dual Credit courses offered for college credit, and Advanced Placement courses in Calculus and Statistics.

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/math-department

World Language

JCA students are challenged to think differently, broaden their learning spectrum, and become exposed to new cultures, expanding their worldview. French and Spanish courses are offered to students. Different approaches to learning such as opportunities to travel abroad and National French and Spanish contests will entice students to continue their foreign language studies throughout all four years of high school. Advanced Placement courses in Spanish and French are offered.

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/foreign-language-department

Social Studies

Students taking social studies classes have a unique opportunity to expand their worldview and learn from outstanding faculty who have more than 150 years of teaching experience combined.

Courses are offered in Business, Government and International Relations, U.S. History, AP European History, AP U.S. Government, AP U.S. History, and AP Microeconomics.

To learn more, visit: www.jca-online.org/social-studies-department

Academics in Technology

At Joliet Catholic Academy we understand the importance of education and technology working hand in hand to enhance the learning experience, preparing students for a successful future. JCA seeks to challenge all students with a rigorous curriculum, utilizing state-ofthe-art technology and the most current trends in curriculum integration.

INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER JCA opened the state-of-the-art facility this fall to begin the school year, where students will have access to cutting edge tools only seen in the finest universities. The IRC will encompass the entire second floor northeast section on campus. It includes Virtual Reality labs, interactive walls, movable furniture for introduction and instruction, a robotics lab, and the “powerhouse lab.” This lab will allow students to experience cutting edge programming in AP Computer Science, Engineering, and Graphic Design. Students will also have access to charging stations, 3D printers, robotics, drones, and more.

This is JCA, “where tradition meets tomorrow.”

JCA will continue the tradition of the JCA Tech Club, which will meet in the newly renovated Innovation Research Center one day each week to broaden the minds of those students interested in technology.

MICROSOFT FOR EDUCATION

REMOTE AND HYBRID LEARNING

JCA’s 1:1 environment is based on the Microsoft/Windows 10 Platform. All student computers have Office 365 and each student has a JCA email account through Microsoft Outlook. With the Office 365 accounts, students have access to the complete Office Suite of programs, including OneNote, One Drive, Teams, Skype, Yammer, Sway, Mix and all other free Microsoft applications.

The tradition of academic excellence continues as JCA embarks on hybrid and remote learning. Utilizing Microsoft 365, the industry standard for universities and Fortune 500 companies, JCA continues to keep students engaged and progressing academically despite unprecedented circumstances. Every student, whether at home or at school, receives LIVE instruction for every class every day. From virtual labs to LIVE streamed sculpture demonstrations, distance does not keep JCA from pursuing innovative and engaging ways to educate students. The tradition of academic excellence at JCA has always been remarkable; the technology at JCA is enabling us to thrive, succeed, and uphold that tradition in this new tomorrow.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology needed to ensure an education that prepares students to be ready for a future filled with endless possibilities. With Microsoft for Education, teachers and students have a wide variety of programs available to them to aid in doing everything from organization and collaboration to innovation and creativity.

College Matriculation in the Past Five Years Arizona State University-Tempe Auburn University Augustana College Aurora University Ave Maria University Ball State University Baylor University Belmont University Beloit College Bemidji State University Benedictine University Black Hawk College Bradley University Butler University Capitol Technology University Carroll University Carson-Newman University Carthage College Catholic University of America Central Michigan University Clarke University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Coe College College of DuPage College of Saint Benedict College of the Holy Cross Colorado Mesa University Colorado State University-Fort Collins Columbia College Chicago Concordia University-Montreal Concordia University-Wisconsin Cornell College Creighton University Dartmouth College Denison University DePaul University Dodge City Community College Dominican University Drake University Drexel University Duquesne University Eastern Michigan University Elmhurst College Eureka College Fashion Institute of Technology Florida Atlantic University Florida Keys Community College Florida Southwestern St. College

Florida State University Fordham University Franciscan University of Steubenville Georgia Southern University Grand Canyon University Grand Valley State University Grand View University Heartland Community College Hocking College Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois State University Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana State University Indiana Tech Indiana University-Bloomington Indiana U-Purdue U-Indianapolis Indiana University-South Bend Iowa State University Iowa Western Comm. College Johnson County Comm. College Joliet Junior College Judson University Kalamazoo College Kansas State University Knox College La Salle University Lake Land College Lamar University Lewis University Lindenwood University Loras College Loyola University Chicago Manchester University Marian University Marquette University Metropolitan State University of Denver Miami University-Oxford Michigan State University Millikin University Milwaukee School of Engineering Missouri State U-Springfield Missouri University of Science and Technology Montana State University Mount Mercy University Murray State University New Mexico Military Institute North Central College Northeastern University

Northern Illinois University Northern State University Northwestern University Oakland University Oberlin College Ohio State University Oklahoma State University Olivet Nazarene University Pittsburg State University Purdue University Quincy University Reed College Rockhurst University Roosevelt University Rose-Hulman Institute of Tech Rutgers University-New Brunswick Saint Ambrose University Saint Edward’s University Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College Saint Xavier University South Dakota State University South Suburban College Southeast Comm. Coll. - Milford Southeastern Oklahoma St. U SIU-Carbondale SIU-Edwardsville Southern Methodist University Spoon River College St Catherine University St. Louis College of Pharmacy Stony Brook University SUNY at Fredonia SUNY Cortland Texas A & M University Texas Christian University Texas Tech University The College of Wooster The Illinois Inst. of Art-Chicago The University of Alabama The University of Arizona The University of Tampa The University of Tennessee Trine University Trinity University Truman State University United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy University of Arkansas University of Chicago University of Colorado Boulder University of Dayton University of Denver University of Dubuque University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at Springfield University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Iowa University of Kansas University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Minnesota-Twin Cities University of Mississippi University of Missouri-Columbia University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Nevada-Las Vegas University of North Dakota University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus University of San Diego University of Southern California University of St Francis University of St. Thomas University of the Incarnate Word University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Parkside University of Wisconsin-Platteville University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point University of Wisconsin-Stout University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Valparaiso University Villanova University Washington University in St. Louis Weber State University Webster University Western Illinois University Western Kentucky University Western Michigan University Wichita State University Wright State University-Main Campus Xavier University Yale University

FAITH and family The spiritual atmosphere at Joliet Catholic Academy is what sets it apart from other area high schools.

In support of JCA’s mission, four years of religious studies are required and a comprehensive spiritual life program is provided by a vibrant Campus Ministry department.

Campus Ministry implements programs that contribute to the spiritual welfare of the entire JCA community in developing a Roman Catholic environment that fosters a deep, personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ through the charisms of the Carmelites and Franciscans.

JCA offers students a variety of ministries and formative programs to enrich their faith and character development.

LITURGICAL EXPERIENCES • The Mary, Our Sister Chapel was dedicated during the fall of 2018 thanks to the generous donation from Laverne and Dorothy Brown. It contains seating for 450 and is the center of JCA’s spiritual community. The additional renovation of the Adoration Chapel allows The Mary, Our Sister Chapel to host multiple functions including guest speakers, extra-curriculars, meetings, and more.

• Weekly Mass is offered after school in the chapel. All are welcome.

• Individual class masses are held throughout the year for freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes to celebrate together.

• The Mary, Our Sister Chapel and the Adoration Chapel are open throughout the day for private prayer and reflection.

• All-school Masses are once per month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation.

• The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered throughout the year and on retreats.

Mass

All-school Masses are once per month and/or on Holy Days of Obligation

60

Minimum number of Christian Service hours completed by each student in their four-year career at JCA

15,000+ service hours completed by the Class of 2021 in their time at JCA

CHRISTIAN SERVICE JCA students complete a minimum of 60 hours of Christian Service throughout their four-year careers, working both within the school and the Joliet community to directly impact the lives of others.

RETREATS • Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and the JCA faculty and staff all participate together in an annual day of renewal.

• Kairos will be offered to students during their senior year.

ATHLETIC

success

JCA has a tradition of winning state titles, national championships and sportsmanship awards.

Although the 2020 spring athletic season was cancelled due to the pandemic, the past few years have continued that tradition for the athletic department with numerous team and individual accomplishments. Athletics plays an important role in developing the discipline and competitive spirit required for academic success while cultivating future leaders. There is no greater feeling than running on the field, taking the court, walking on the course or cheering in the HillZone as an Angel or Hilltopper.

Athletic Achievements

2021

Dean Hamiti Jr. ‘21 was the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Winner

32

State/National Championships

63

25%

Former/Current Professional Athletes

of the Class of 2021 is continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level

33

JCA students are continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level in 11 different sports

6-0

JCA Hilltopper football was undefeated (6-0) in the spring covid season

ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS JCA Girls Softball: 2021 IHSA Class 2A State Runner-Up JCA Girls Soccer: 2021 IHSA Class 2A State Runner-Up JCA Dance: 2021 IHSA Class 1A 3rd Place JCA Wrestling: IWCOA Class 2A 3rd Place • IWCOA Class 2A Individual State Champions: Shay Korhorn, Gylon Sims, Dillan Johnson • IWCOA Class 2A 3rd Place: Owen O’Connor JCA Hilltopper Football: Undefeated (6-0) Spring Covid Season All winter and fall sports IHSA playoffs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

COMMUNITY AND

service

The JCA family consists of over 600 current students, their parents and families, faculty and staff, and over 23,000 alumni, led by the Franciscan Sisters and Carmelite Priests.

Our most recent capital campaign, “Honoring our Past, Building our Future,” raised over $1.5 million, furnishing the school with new windows, updated Wi-Fi infrastructure, the creation of the beautiful new Heritage Quad, and the Mary, Our Sister Chapel. Heritage Quad brought the iconic “Victory Light” back to campus, and coupled with the new chapel provides areas for all within the JCA community to gather and celebrate our rich traditions.

Our upcoming capital campaign “Onward Together” began with the groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art Innovation Research Center, thanks to the school’s largest single campaign gift ever from the Warning family. The 2018-2023 Strategic Plan includes updates such as an on campus multi-purpose turf field/stadium, improvements to the outdoor athletic complex, and a fine arts center.

93%

of students participate in extra-curricular activities

CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES Accepting Cultural Diversity Club Art & Literary Magazine Bass Fishing Club Color Guard Drama Club Fall Play French Club French National Honor Society German Club Habitat for Humanity Hillzone History Club Improv Troupe International Thespian Troupe 1046 Intramural Sports Jazz Ensemble Key Club Latin Club Leo Club Math National Honor Society Math Team Medical Science Club Movie Club Musical Theatre Troupe National Art Honor Society National Honor Society Percussion Ensemble Photography Club Ping Pong Club Psychology Club Respect Life Club Scholastic Bowl Science Club Sign Language Club Spanish Club Spanish National Honor Society Spring Musical Student Ambassadors Student Council Student Newspaper Tech Club Tri-M Music Honor Society Varsity Club Vocal Ensemble Weather Club Weight Room

Leveraged Financial Aid

THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD A QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCATION? THINK AGAIN! With Leveraged Financial Aid at Joliet Catholic Academy, an excellent Catholic education has never been more accessible. Increases in financial aid opportunities have led to increases in enrollment and freshman applications in two of the past three school years.

MERIT BASED AID

AVERAGE FINANCIAL AID AWARDS

Scholarship

Total Tuition

Monthly Payment (10 months)

$0

$12,990

$1,299.00

$1,500

$11,490

$1,149.00

$3,248

$9,742

$974.20

$6,495

$6,495

$561.66

$9,742

$3,248

$324.80

TUITION PAYMENT OPTIONS Payments can be made via credit card or automatic bank transfers. Other options are available and arranged through the Business Office. JCA offers a variety of payment options:

JCA Endowed Scholarships and scholarships from the Joliet Diocese’s Catholic Education Foundation range from $500 to $9,705 based on financial need.

Full payment Quarterly payments *Additional fees apply including fundraising, athletic participation, books, and laptop.

A complete list of fees can be found online at www.jca-online.org.

TOP ENTRANCE EXAM SCORES

Incoming freshmen must take the entrance exam at JCA on December 4, 2021 and score above the 90th percentile to earn scholarships up to $2,000 off freshman year tuition.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Bi-annual payments Monthly installments

Granting access to a high-quality, Catholic education to more families

Tax Credit Scholarships through the Invest in Kids Act range from $7,035 to $14,070 based on household size and annual income.

HERITAGE AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS

Leadership scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 off tuition, renewable for all four years of high school. Requires submission of a 500-word essay and interview process. Students must register to attend JCA before the spring Online Freshman Registration Deadline.

BUS ROUTE/INFORMATION

JCA Students Come From Many Places

Joliet Catholic Academy is located on the west side of Joliet, near the communities of Shorewood, Plainfield and Minooka/Channahon. Because of the easy accessibility to Will, DuPage, Grundy and Kendall counties, JCA pulls students from a wide variety of neighboring towns.

As a result, JCA provides transportation options for students according to interest. The most common methods of commuting to JCA are buses and car pools. Many students ride one of three bus routes with round-trip service through Naperville, Plainfield, Shorewood, Bolingbrook, Romeoville and Joliet. Bus routes are determined annually based on ridership. For a School Bus Transportation Agreement, contact JCA’s Business Office.

Hillside Downers Grove 294

88

Naperville

Montgomery

Clarendon Hills

Woodridge

Aurora

Darien 55

Burr Ridge

Burbank

A good number of JCA students also are a part of car pools or drive themselves to school each day. The JCA Admissions Office works with families to connect car pools and the JCA Administration contracts with First Student Bus Company to run three routes (based on interest and family usage):

Bolingbrook Oswego

Lemont Romeoville

Yorkville

Plainfield

Orland Park

Crest Hill Homer Glen

Lockport 355

Country Club Hills

80

Newark

Shorewood

Mokena New Lenox Frankfort

Rockdale 80

Minooka Elwood

Channahon

Monee

Manhattan

Morris

Peotone

Wilmington Coal City

57

55

Manteno

• Naperville/Plainfield route: Round-trip service for students with stops as far north as 75th Street traveling east and west of Route 59 to various subdivisions, south down Route 59 through Plainfield into Joliet.

• Bolingbrook/Romeoville route: Round-trip service for students with stops as far west as Naperville/ Plainfield Road and as far north as Boughton Road before traveling south on Weber Road into Joliet.

• Shorewood/Joliet route: Round-trip service for students as far west as County Line Road and as far south as Interstate 80 through various subdivisions in Shorewood and Joliet.

• Frankfort/New Lenox route: Round-trip service for students from as far south as Cedar Road and Illinois Highway to route 30 in New Lenox through various subdivisions or drop-off points.

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION COST

$1,100 one time or two installments of $550 (September and December)

2021-2022 ADMISSIONS CALENDAR OF EVENTS September through April Shadow Visit – 7th and 8th graders are invited to spend the day shadowing a JCA student.

Visit www.jca-online.org/comevisitjca for current information.

Monday, October 11, 2021 Practice High School Placement Test (for prospective 8th graders only) Open House Sunday, November 7, 2021 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, November 11, 2021 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 4, 2021 Entrance Exam for all incoming freshmen 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, December 11, 2021 Makeup Entrance Exam for all incoming freshmen 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 Online Freshman Registration Deadline ($275 to hold spot in Freshman class and receive priority scheduling; $300 for all registrations submitted post-March 1) Contact the Admissions Office to schedule a private family tour or discuss tuition and financial aid options.

Visit www.jca-online.org/admissions for more information.

Ryan Quigley JCA Director of Admissions rquigley@jca-online.org 815.741.0500 ext. 214 Mary Ragusa JCA Assistant Admissions Director mragusa@jca-online.org 815.741.0500, ext. 274 Scan the QR code for a list of the most current events.

1200 N. Larkin Avenue | Joliet, IL 60435 | 815.741.0500 | www.jca-online.org