Our Stories

Paving the Way

Elijah Parks entered the Washington Jesuit Academy in the seventh grade. His family moved from Chicago to Washington, D.C. and learned about WJA through a mutual connection. Elijah was enamored with the Academy and felt it would

Elijah describes his experience as growth as an individual.

His choices were evaluated and questioned, which taught Elijah mental toughness, fortitude, and the importance of character. While the challenges he faced in his personal growth more prepared.”

As so many others have detailed, Elijah eagerly shares that he formed at WJA. He reminisces on the special relationship between older and younger students and notes that this kind of brotherhood and the bond over a

Elijah graduated as the salutatorian of the WJA Class of 2015. He continued his studies at The Maret School and is now a senior at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. He majors in American Studies with a dual concentration in Africana Studies and Justice & Law and plays on the Williams College football team.

Elijah’s Message:

During August of 2022, Elijah received a text message from Ms. Rosie MacInnes to Williams College to move him into his new college dorm...

Percival Tonha

He labels he learned how to be a better person. He grew notably in his

Percy was deeply impacted by his relationship with his teacher, Mr. Scheibel. Mr. Scheibel pushed Percy, saw his potential, and taught him how to appreciate himself and his gifts.

After graduating from WJA, Percy attended St. Anselm’s Abbey School. Percy considered multiple options for higher education. Ultimately, his Headmaster recommended Williams College. He visited the Williams campus and was immediately impressed with the connections he forged and the resources available to students. Percy

In the summer of 2022, Director of Alumni Relations, Ms. MacInnes, drove Percy and his mom to Williams College to help Percy shares that Elijah met Williams. Though their time at WJA did not overlap and Percy and Elijah were never previously introduced, Since transitioning to Williams College with the heartfelt assistance of his fellow WJA alum, Percy has embraced his experience and plans to study Studio Art when he is eligible to declare his major. When not studying, Percy serves as an assistant teacher for 7th and 8th grade Studio Art at a local middle school and practices road cycling with his team.

Driven

joined the WJA family in 2013. Cayden, his mother, and siblings moved from Florida to Washington, D.C. to live with Cayden’s aunt, who had heard about WJA through a mutual connection. He entered WJA as a seventh grader and looks back at his time at WJA with great fondness. Cayden was previously educated at public schools in Texas as He quickly

In addition to this adjustment, Cayden also

Cayden admits that while he was baptized in the Catholic church, he had limited understanding of the faith or what it meant to be religious but learned to value the practice of

He applied to several high schools, but ultimately chose to attend Georgetown Preparatory School, where he could remain close to his mom. Cayden shares that

While at Prep, Cayden maintained a 3.98 GPA, was the President of a club, and participated in fencing. Despite attending on nearly a full-ride, his gratitude for adults at Georgetown Prep who knew of supported him. entered WJA in the sixth grade. Mentorship, competition, and responsibility were transformative elements of his time as a student. Tysheik his growth both as a student and an individual. Namely, he highlights the critical role of teachers and mentors and states, my teacher to get what I needed to be situated.” Tysheik which helped him tremendously.

Cayden now attends UT Austin and studies Chemistry and Philosophy. While serving as tutor and eventually a Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry, he realized that his passion is teaching. Cayden intends to apply for a PhD program in Chemistry so that he can return to the classroom and teach on a collegiate level.

Mr. Scheibel was an incredibly impactful teacher and worked closely with Tysheik to ensure that he received every tool needed to excel. Tysheik admired him, considered him a mentor, and accepted his guidance. To this day, they are still in communication.

Tysheik graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in 2017. After two semesters at Marymount University, Tysheik left to join the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. He is now a proud father of two, with one on the way.

Tysheik’s Message:

Tahir Ali

With 6 years of age between Tahir and Tysheik, their time did not overlap. Despite this, Tahir still felt the presence of his brother and was concerned that he would be compared to him in every category. As Tysheik did, Tahir connected with Mr. Scheibel

Tahir’s Message:

Tahir recalls the elements of brotherhood and the safety and ability to be oneself. WJA was a place where both of these were cultivated. He notes that WJA presented challenging academics, but resources were available for students to succeed. Teachers were committed to students’ mastery of the curriculum and willingly invested the time and dedication required to help them achieve this mastery.

appreciates what I am, but he can’t wait to see what I am when I’m giving 110%.”

He continued his studies at Archbishop Carroll High School and is passionate about lacrosse, photography, and art.

and congratulate him.

was introduced to the Washington Jesuit Academy through mutual friends. When she learned about WJA’s extended school day hours, she was hesitant to send her sons. She decided to give it a chance, and notes that all doubt about WJA was alleviated almost instantly. It was clear that the extended additional academic support and were otherwise cared for. In evaluating the transformation of her sons while at WJA, Ms. Ali shares that and

Carmen’s Message:

Like both of her sons, Ms. Ali distinguishes WJA by noting the bonds within the community and teachers’ dedication to their students.