Hear From Our Students

There are so many ways to get involved at CJ—the opportunities really are endless! I am part of several different clubs, sports, ambassadors and NHS. Each club I am in is different from the others. There is truly something for everyone, and if none of the existing clubs catch your interest, you can even start your own! Some clubs require more commitment than others, so you can choose what works best for you.

- Elizabeth F. '25

Cor Jesu offers a wide range of sports, and everyone has the chance to try out if they are interested! While some sports do make cuts, there is also a non-cut option for each season, like cross country, swim & dive and track & field. Freshman teams are available for volleyball, field hockey, basketball and soccer, which are great for meeting classmates in a less competitive environment. If you are looking for something different, there are also club sports like bocce, ultimate frisbee, curling and racquetball. Overall, there are plenty of ways to get involved in sports at Cor Jesu, and the coaches are there to help you improve your skills, make new friends and have fun!

- Kayla W. '26

You can definitely be a part of choir if you have never sung before. Coming into freshmen year, choir was immediately made accessible and approachable to everyone. Our choir teacher makes sure that everyone starts on a very basic level, so everyone from all different musical backgrounds can participate. Choir is about the community and getting involved; do not be afraid to join if you have not sung before!

- Gianna C. '25

The block schedule is a rotating schedule with eight classes per semester including a study hall. Each day is made up of four 80-minute classes, a lunch and a 25- minute activity period, which is great for doing homework or club meetings. Days alternate so that you have two nights to complete your homework or study for tests.

- Eleanor M. '26

I like the block schedule because you do not have the same classes or same order of classes every day. Some days you will have certain classes in the mornings, and other days you will have them in the afternoon. It is awesome to mix it up instead of having the same classes every day at the same times. I also like it because it allows me to have each class every other day and therefore a day in between to get help from teachers and do homework or study.

- Elayna T. '25

Using your study hall to get your work done is important for time management, especially if you are involved. I try to get all of my work done during that time. I also try to do homework that requires more focus and silence during my study halls. When you do your work after school, there is more noise in the building, and it is harder to focus. I also recommend doing your work on the day it is assigned. It may seem nice that you do not have to do your work immediately due to the block schedule but doing it on the day it is assigned makes it easier to stay caught up. Most clubs do not require too much if you are a member and not on the board, so they are not hard to work into your schedule. Planning when you are going to get things done and giving yourself plenty of time to do them is the best advice I can give for good time management!

- Sabrina D. '26

Cor Jesu has many resources in place to help students. You learn different techniques to plan your assignments, tests and quizzes to help you feel more prepared. Exams can be a challenging time, especially if you have never taken them before, but you will learn how to study and prepare for them!

- Kate L. '26

Cor Jesu is very challenging, but in the best way! There is so much support for every single student! People say it is such a hard school, but I think if you work hard, use your time wisely and accept all of the help from the resources around you, you will have the best experience ever! The hard work feels so rewarding knowing I am getting the best education possible!

- Maddie C. '25

Cor Jesu is as hard as you want it to be. You could take no honors classes or as many as you want, join one club or join many, play one sport or play three. There are so many resources to make your experience easier, such as our Student Learning Center and counselors. The most important skills are time management and asking for help. If you develop the right system and stay organized, you could be taking a heavy load of classes, playing a sport and be president of a club and be thriving.

- Liz H. '25

It depends on the class and day but it is really up to you how much homework you have each night. Cor Jesu has resources to help minimize the amount of homework that you will go home with each night such as the Student Learning Center and the Study Skills class. Every freshman also gets an 80-minute study hall every other day. If you spend that study hall working on homework you could go home with little or no homework.

- Eleanor M. '26

Yes! It is required that everyone gets at least one study hall during the school year. Some girls have a study hall for both semesters, but that will depend on the classes you would like to take and your course load.

- Amanda M. '26

The food here is so amazing that it is hard to find the right words to describe just how awesome it is. Flynn’s Foods really goes above and beyond, especially when it comes to labeling allergens or dietary concerns—so everyone is covered. They offer a variety of options every day, so if you like to mix things up, there is always a new daily special. If you are more of a creature of habit, do not worry—there are plenty of staples that are always available. Plus, they have healthier choices like chicken, salad, and fruit. And do not even get me started on the cookies—they are seriously the most magical thing I have ever tasted! The food is something you will look forward to every day, no matter what your preferences are. Flynn’s Foods really has something for everyone!

- Grace R. '26

Going into a new school can be scary, but there are so many people around that are ready to help if anything goes wrong. I got lost on the first day of my freshman year, but within a few minutes I had other students helping me find my way to class. The building can seem a little intimidating at first, but after a while, you will know your way around very well.

- Alli H. '26

Penny Queen Week is super fun! The whole school votes on charities which will receive the money we raise during the week. Anyone can nominate a charity to be part of the voting process! Each class also votes on three “Penny Queens” to represent their grade. They are in charge of running the Penny Queen booth for their class, coming up with fun ways to raise money, like profit-sharing at area businesses, and other important tasks. Being a Penny Queen is a great way to build leadership skills! During the week, each class has a booth where they sell all sorts of goodies like candy, cookies, drinks, bracelets and raffle tickets for fun prizes! All of the money we raise goes to the charities we voted on. Finally, we have the Penny Queen dance, and the Penny Queens announce how much money we raised! Penny Queen Week is a way to build community, have fun and do something good for others!

- Sabrina D. '26

Funderwear is the best event! It is a fundraiser with St. Joseph’s Academy to see who can raise the most money/bring in the most underwear, socks, bras, etc. All of the clothes and money collected are donated to St. Patrick’s Center, which works to end homelessness in the St. Louis area. At the end of the week, we play St. Joe in a basketball game and tug of war. The environment is always booming and sometimes you cannot even hear yourself cheering because it gets so loud. At half time, we announce the total amount raised between both schools. The school which collected the most donations is the winner of “The Pants” Funderwear trophy. I love the energy and competitiveness of the week. It shows the true spirit and community of Cor Jesu.

- Vita L. '25

Our sisterhood is what makes CJA truly special. We are all about showing up for each other and cheering on our incredible peers. When you join CJA, you are surrounded by girls who genuinely want to see you succeed. That support can be just the motivation you need to finish that assignment on time or put in the extra effort to ace a test.

- Naida R. '25

SHIRTS

• Oxford blouse with “Cor Jesu” (must be tucked in) OR
• Red/Navy polos with “Cor Jesu” (long- or short-sleeved)

SWEATERS / JACKETS

• Red or navy sweater with CJ logo (crewneck or cardigan) OR
• Navy fleece with logo OR
• Navy jacket with “Cor Jesu” OR
• CJA embroidered crewneck (from Just Me Apparel)

UNIFORM KILT (no more than 3 inches above knee, front and back)

TIGHTS / LEGGINGS

• Navy tights OR
• Navy leggings with the CJ logo (must be purchased at Just Me Apparel)
• Black leggings

SOCKS

• Navy knee socks OR
• No-show white socks (no logos/no colors)

SHOES

• Solid white or gray tennis shoes (no mid- or high-tops)

Yes! We wear dress uniforms for Masses, special assemblies, etc. Days on which students have to wear the dress uniform will usually be marked on the planner; for days that are not yet scheduled, announcements will be made.

• Oxford blouse with logo (must be tucked in)
• Navy blazer with CJ logo
• Uniform kilt
• Navy tights OR navy knee socks OR no-show white socks (no logos/no colors)
• Solid white or gray tennis shoes

Cor Jesu is not just an academic institution, it is a community. There would be no Cor Jesu without the hundreds of people who make it what it is. Teachers will challenge you academically, but they will also teach you how to manage homework, study for tests and quizzes and ultimately manage the stress that comes with being a high school student. I am a 17-year-old girl, yet I wake up each morning genuinely excited to step foot inside Cor Jesu Academy. From Penny Queen week to Funderwear, from pep rallies to Spirit Week, a day at Cor Jesu is never boring, and I hope you get the chance to experience what life is like as a Charger!

- Ruth G. '25

While I’d love to give you a simple yes or no answer, the truth is that every student’s journey is different. With students coming from over 70 different grade schools, Cor Jesu recognizes that teachers, curricula and school dynamics are not the same across the St. Louis area. Therefore, we review each student on an individual basis. Most importantly, my admissions committee and I want to ensure that each applicant has the ability to thrive at Cor Jesu. The single most important indicator of success at Cor Jesu is a strong desire to learn.

We do look at grades and test scores, and, yes, the majority of our students scored in the upper quartile or received As and Bs on their middle school report cards. However, we recognize that test scores and grades do not always paint a complete picture. If you have any concerns about academics, please reach out. I’d be happy to set up a one-on-one meeting to discuss in more detail.

- Olivia Hanford '17

Director of Admissions