Questions You're Too Afraid to Ask

High school is a great time to try new things! With 35+ clubs and 12+ sports, there are so many opportunities to get involved at Cor Jesu. Incoming freshmen attend an activities fair where clubs set up tables with information and sign-up sheets so you can learn more and hear from current club members. Also, during the first month of school, many clubs send out emails and host introductory meetings. These first meetings give information about the club and you can decide from there whether or not you want to join. It can be scary to try new things outside of your comfort zone, but Cor Jesu provides a welcoming environment where you are encouraged to get involved in new and exciting ways.

- Meghan McLaughlin '24

It depends on the team and the year, but everyone has the opportunity to be part of a Cor Jesu team! Sports such as field hockey, volleyball, basketball and soccer have freshman teams, which provide great opportunities for freshmen to get involved. Plus, cross country, swim & dive, and track & field are no-cut sports, so anyone can join and compete. Lastly, there are a variety of club sports teams that are open to all students. CJA’s club sports include: bocce, ultimate frisbee, curling and racquetball. Club sports are a good way to stay active and meet other Cor Jesu students. No matter the sport, CJA coaches help you develop your skills so you can excel!

- Gracie Ruyle '23

Of course! I signed up for Freshman Choir with very little singing experience. I had heard that it was fun and I could get a fine arts credit, so I signed up. Little did I know that I would be launched into a pool of opportunities. I never would have thought that I would audition for a solo or compete at the state level, but I did! And while I came into freshman year very hesitant about signing up for choir, the family of choir girls, our amazing teacher and the overall loving and welcoming environment of choir helped me find the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and discover a love for music I didn’t know I had.

- Meghan McLaughlin '24

The block schedule means we have eight classes per semester, which breaks down to four classes one day and four different classes the next, including a study hall. This alternating schedule gives you two nights to complete your homework, providing plenty of time for co-curricular activities and time with friends.

- Anna Manzella '24

I love the block schedule! More class time means more time to discuss topics, participate in lab work and dive deeper into course material. This schedule allows for two nights to complete your homework and study for tests and quizzes, so you will be fully prepared for the next class. It also gives you more time to meet with teachers if you have a question on an assignment or specific concept. This schedule is great because it is preparing us for college classes, which are longer and meet less frequently.

- Maggie Marnatti '24

Honestly, I am more productive when I am involved in co-curricular activities. Being involved helps me manage my time better because I know that when I have another obligation, I can’t complete homework during that time. As a result, I procrastinate less when I am free. I also think it’s good to have co-curriculars in your schedule because they give you study breaks to help you stay balanced. There are also plenty of time periods during the school day you can use to complete homework. Overall, as long as you put some time management into practice (which you will learn in the Freshman Study Skills class), your homework shouldn’t be overwhelming.

- Brianna Esswein '24

The transition from grade school to high school can be intimidating, but Cor Jesu prepares you well! All freshmen are required to take a Study Skills class during their first semester. Study Skills teaches valuable skills such as note-taking techniques, study tactics, time management and test preparation. Another great support is the Student Learning Center (SLC), which is available to all students. The SLC is a resource staffed with academic support specialists who can help you with any homework or study questions. The wellness counselors also assist with the high school transition, and our amazing faculty is always there to help you out.

- Kate Putnam '23

High school is different from grade school, but in so many amazing ways. I came to Cor Jesu freshman year worried the classes would be too hard or I wouldn’t be “smart enough,” but I couldn’t have been more wrong. High school comes with more responsibility and challenges, but Cor Jesu's teachers are there to help you succeed and will do everything in their power to help you. It is not as hard as people make it out to be. I’ve found that my classes are engaging and I actually end up leaving class having enjoyed the time I spent there. I leave the classroom each day confident in my skills as a student because of the amazing teachers and resources we have!

- Audrey Hilton '23

You decide how much homework you have each night. Some days you have none, some days you get some in every class. It’s so important to use your time wisely in school, and Cor Jesu provides you with the resources to help. The Study Skills class, Student Learning Center and study periods are great for helping you get work done. If you spend your 80-minute study period, every other day, working on assigned homework, you will go home with way less or no homework that night. Eighty minutes of focused work can greatly benefit you.

- Lila Dothage '24

Yes! All freshmen are given one study period per semester (so a study hall every other day). For the first semester of freshman year, your Study Skills class will take place during one study hall per week. Study Skills is super helpful with learning what study strategies and learning styles work best for you.

- Lila Dothage '24

AMAZING! The cookies and french fries are my personal favorites and the staff is super friendly. There is always a variety of food options for even the pickiest of eaters. We have breakfast and coffee in the morning, followed by an awesome lunch selection, which includes a main entrée and side of the day. There are also à la carte items such as salads, hummus, wraps, veggies, fruit and more! In addition, there are vegetarian and vegan options, as well as accommodations for food allergies.

- Anna Manzella '24

Cor Jesu seemed big to me at first, especially coming from my tiny grade school, but I promise, you will pick up the layout really quickly. Charger Days (our freshman orientation days) give freshmen an opportunity to learn the lay of the land before school starts. You will walk your entire schedule and meet your teachers so you feel confident on the first day of school. Also, upperclassmen are always willing to help you find your way!

- Kate Putnam '23

Penny Queen is our annual mission week and is definitely my favorite week of the entire year. During the week, three girls from each class organize a variety of fundraisers to raise money for student-selected charities. Each class hosts a booth full of baked goods, snacks, raffle baskets, merchandise and so much more. There are also organized events and challenges such as dodgeball tournaments, profit shares, bowling and rollerblading after school. We conclude the week with an all-school dance where we reveal the total amount of money raised. It's awesome!

- Lila Dothage '24

Funderwear is one of my favorite events! It is a friendly competition with St. Joseph’s Academy where each school raises money and collects socks and underwear for St. Patrick Center. The competition culminates with a basketball game or soccer game where, at halftime, we announce the total amount raised between both schools, as well as which school won the Funderwear trophy, aka, “The Pants!” Most of our student body attends the game and the crowd is electric, especially the Cor Jesu fans! We do fun cheers the whole game to hype up the team. Cor Jesu has won “The Pants” 10 out of the last 11 years. Last year, we won both “The Pants” and the basketball game, so we rushed the court. That was one of my favorite Cor Jesu memories because I fully felt like a part of the spirit and community.

- Izzie Hibey '23

To me, Cor Jesu has an incomparable sisterhood. When I shadowed as an eighth grader, all my nerves melted away when I was around the students. I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself. As cheesy as it may sound, Cor Jesu felt like home to me. I have made so many friends here, but the sisterhood of Cor Jesu goes beyond that. I am confident that past, present and future Cor Jesu students will rally behind me and support me in my life endeavors. I know that no matter what class I walk into, every girl in that room is there for me and willing to help me.

- Audrey Hilton '23

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

Yes! There is always something going on at Cor Jesu and some of my best memories are here. A few of my favorite memories are Penny Queen Week, Spirit Weeks, Battle of the Classes, study halls with friends, Freshman Welcome Week, First Fridays, Funderwear, cheers, lunch in the cafeteria with the jukebox, t-shirt Thursdays, spirit buddies, Junior Ring, school dances, Fall, Winter and Spring Kickoffs, Student Council events, barbeques, co-curricular activities, retreats, spirit games, field trips, plays and musicals, and never-ending smiles and laughter with friends. At Cor Jesu, we work hard in the classrooms, but we play hard, too! There is never a dull moment here at CJA, and I have been so fortunate to share so many amazing, fun memories at Cor Jesu with my best friends!

- Audrey Hilton '23

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