WASHINGTON JESUIT ACADEMY
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Mission Statement
The Washington Jesuit Academy provides a high-quality, comprehensive, and tuition-free education that empowers young men to grow intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
About This Cause
Founded in 2002, the Washington Jesuit Academy (WJA) is a tuition-free, independent, Catholic middle school for young men from under-resourced communities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. WJA’s overarching goal is to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of high school, helping them build an early path to college and career success so they can overcome educational and socioeconomic disparities. TARGET POPULATION The Washington Jesuit Academy serves over 135 young men in grades four through eight as well as over 400 alumni from 19 cohorts. WJA’s students primarily live in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the District of Columbia and in neighboring Prince George’s County, Maryland. Among WJA students and alumni, 86% identify as African American or Black and 14% identify as Hispanic or Latino. Approximately 80% are not Catholic, reflecting WJA's commitment to welcoming students of all faiths. As part of WJA’s admissions process, families must demonstrate that they have limited financial resources, meeting approximately the same income thresholds as the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program while factoring in the DC area’s high cost of living. The average household income for a family of four at WJA is $43,000 per year. In comparison, a recent community study found that a family of four in the DC area needs over $88,000 per year to “survive” (i.e., cover the basic costs of housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes) and over $140,000 per year to be “stable” (i.e., save at least 10% for emergencies, additional education, or purchasing a home) (United Way of the National Capital Area, 2023). Given these challenges, WJA is committed to ensuring that a student’s socioeconomic circumstances do not prevent him from receiving a high-quality education and maximizing his potential. Every student attends WJA on a full scholarship, which includes the costs of books, supplies, uniforms, clubs, athletics, field trips, retreats, and three nutritious meals each school day. WJA's required five-week summer enrichment program for students and WJA's alumni support services (such as ACT and SAT prep, a 16-stage financial literacy course, and trips to visit college campuses) are also provided at no cost, giving students and alumni the same access to important programming and resources as their more affluent peers. This tuition-free model is made possible by philanthropic support from the community, including a student sponsorship program whereby benefactors sponsor a student’s cost of attendance throughout his time at WJA. MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM WJA’s comprehensive middle school program includes the following core components: • Rigorous academic curriculum and small class sizes (8:1 student to teacher ratio). • Extended school day (7:30 am to 6:15 pm Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm Friday), including academic enrichment, extracurricular clubs, athletics, study halls with tutoring opportunities, and a writing center. • Extended school year, including a required five-week Summer Enrichment program with academic instruction, community service, athletics, and field trips. • Three nutritious, freshly prepared meals provided each school day at no cost to students’ families. • Mental health and community wellness support provided by three counselors/social workers. • Academic support for students with learning differences provided by two learning specialists. • Family engagement activities through an active Home-School Association. Furthermore, WJA emphasizes character formation and spiritual growth in an inclusive environment. Through a WJA education, young men learn to lead a purpose-driven life as members of their communities, becoming reflective, action-oriented citizens who focus on helping those in need. By the time they graduate, Washington Jesuit Academy students will be academically focused, open to growth, spiritual, loving, and committed to justice. STUDENT AND ALUMNI SUCCESS PROGRAM WJA’s Office of Student and Alumni Success (OSAS) ensures each young man has the resources and support he needs to thrive in high school, college, and career. With a team of four full-time staff—including one WJA alumnus—the OSAS provides a variety of programming designed to give students and alumni the tools to problem-solve efficiently, self-advocate successfully, plan thoroughly, and communicate effectively. The OSAS team’s guiding philosophy is to “educate, empower, encourage, and engage - without enabling” so each young man gains a strong sense of self-determination. This process includes high school preparation and placement activities, including working closely with students and their families to create a high school admissions action plan. The goal is to help each young man secure admission to—and scholarship funding and/or financial assistance for—the best school for his unique set of strengths and interests, as well as his family's financial situation. WJA’s commitment to students does not end at eighth grade graduation, as the OSAS team contacts each high school-age alumnus at least three times each month, including visiting his campus and having at least one conversation with both the alumnus and his family. The OSAS team also provides intensive resources as alumni determine their next step after high school, including providing free ACT and SAT test prep, a 16-stage financial literacy course, and assistance with navigating college admissions requirements and financial aid options. The OSAS team encourages all WJA alumni to consider pursuing a college degree but understands that some will choose other paths such as enrolling in vocational training or serving in the military. The OSAS team supports all alumni regardless of which path they choose, providing the same level of guidance and attention to each young man. Currently, over 90% of alumni remain meaningfully engaged with WJA through the OSAS. IMPACT WJA has a proven record of success in preparing young men to excel in the classroom and beyond. On average, 95% of WJA students improve their standardized test scores each year, and graduating classes collectively earn over $400,000 in scholarship funds to top-tier secondary schools in the Mid-Atlantic region. With a strong academic foundation and ongoing support from WJA, 99% of WJA alumni graduate from high school. Furthermore, 77% of WJA alumni enroll in college compared to 49% of students from high-poverty, high-minority schools nationally, while 64% of WJA alumni graduate from college compared to 28% of students from high-poverty, high-minority schools nationally (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center). Currently, 90% of all WJA alumni are enrolled in college or trade school or actively contributing to the workforce, including careers in public service. The success of both students and alumni confirms that the Washington Jesuit Academy’s distinctive approach empowers young men to maximize their potential and become the next generation of leaders in their communities.