June 2025 Parent Pride Newsletter | | |
Dear Parent / Guardian,
I say it every year, but I can’t believe the school year has come to an end. We have had so many successes this year and much has been accomplished. We are A Tradition…of Family, Success, and Spirituality. It is because of families like you that we are able to celebrate all of the good things that make up Joliet Catholic Academy. We say congratulations to our Class of 2025 and good luck with all of their future endeavors. We also congratulate all of our students that have earned awards and achieved many accomplishments at all levels.
I feel that one of the great things about this past year was the amount of parent involvement at the school. The parent board did a superb job this year and through this organization, many parents had the opportunity to be involved in many events. An ongoing goal of mine is to make sure that parents understand that they are a big part of the community of Joliet Catholic Academy. We have to be able to work Together to ensure a successful experience for our students. I look forward to working with all of our parents in days to come.
I hope that everyone in the JCA community has a relaxing and fulfilling summer and we look to the 25/26 school year for many more JCA successes!
Sincerely,
| | Congratulations, Class of 2025! | | |
The Joliet Catholic Academy Class of 2025 graduated on Sunday, May 18 in the JCA Student Activity Center. Earlier in the week on Thursday, JCA graduates took part in a Baccalaureate Liturgy led by Bishop Ronald Hicks at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. The Class of 2025 received awards highlighting the numerous accolades they garnered during their high school careers. Sunday’s graduation culminated in JCA’s newest graduates walking the stage and receiving their diplomas.
Click below to view the full list of announced awards earned by JCA’s Class of 2025 and the 2025 Commencement Ceremony Program.
JCA Class of 2025 Honored with Senior Awards at Annual Baccalaureate Liturgy and Graduation | Joliet Catholic Academy
The Class of 2025 is the latest addition to the greatest tradition!
| | | Associate Principal's Office | | | | |
All Joliet Catholic Academy students are required to complete Christian Service hours. Please encourage your son/daughter to work on their service hours and find opportunities to give back to so many deserving people and institutions.
Christian Service | Joliet Catholic Academy
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**Online parking spot sales will begin on August 4th. Please note that your student will still need to wait in line starting August 7th even if a pass is purchased online.
Parking Passes
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Who: Seniors from 8am-10am
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Juniors and Sophomores from 10am-noon
- Any student may purchase a parking space throughout the school year if spaces are available.
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What: Student Parking Spot purchase and registration
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Where: Dean's Office
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When: Starting August 7th
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How: Wait in line, choose your spot, pay the fee, register your car and driver
- Cost $200 pay cash or check at registration, or pay online (bring your receipt for online payment).
- Know the make, model, and license plate number of the car you will be driving.
- Show your current, valid driver’s license, or a photocopy of the student's license.
- A student may register for one other student if they have a photocopy of that student’s valid license. A senior may not register for an underclassman
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Class of 2026 Senior Portraits Premier Session
If you would like VIP to take your senior’s pictures in a studio format, please see the information below. This is for a Premier Session at their studio. This is not required as school photos for the yearbook will be taken once school starts. Additional information for school pictures will be sent out in August.
Premier Sessions are offered at VIP Studio locations in Lemont, Vernon Hills, Lisle, and Palatine. By Appointment only- Walk ins NOT accepted
VIP has sent all Senior families (Class of 2026) an email with a direct link to schedule your senior’s appointment. If you misplaced this email or need another link, please email VIP at support@vipis.com.
Click here for more information
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Summer Recommendations for Rising Juniors and Seniors:
- Compare and Visit Colleges
- Prepare questions for each visit
- Compare College Costs
- Prepare a target list of Colleges/Universities you plan on applying to in the fall (5-10 schools)
- Work on College Essays
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Utilize Naviance to help with the college search
Summer Recommendations for all students:
- Complete Summer Assignments
- Plan to participate in enriching summer activities such as job shadowing, summer job, volunteering, internships, or pre-college summer programs. Consider the colleges on your list when planning these activities. ALSO READ, READ, READ!
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10th, 11th and 12th graders-update/complete your resume in Naviance
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Greetings from the JCA Admission’s Office!
Below is a checklist to prepare for your incoming freshman’s transition to JCA. Please contact the Admissions Office with any questions.
Freshman Summer Checklist
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A good number of JCA students also are a part of car pools or drive themselves to school each day. If you are interested in being connected with a JCA family for a car pool, please complete the Car Pool Interest Form below.
Current families are encouraged to complete this form if you have an extra seat in your car and can help! Once all responses are gathered, the information will be sent to you. It will be your responsibility to contact families with whom you would like to arrange a carpool. Please consider completing the form if you have an extra seat in your car! COMPLETE NO LATER THAN August 1, 2025.
Car Pool Interest Form
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The Spirit Shop will reopen in August for the Uniform & Lock Sale
August 4th – Monday - 9:00am – 7:00pm
August 5th – Tuesday – 12:00pm – 7:00pm
August 6th – Wednesday – 9:00am – 2:00pm
August 7th – Thursday – 9:00am – 2:00pm
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Each summer, Joliet Catholic Academy welcomes over 1,000 grade school students to the home of the Angels and Hilltoppers! JCA offers different camps to accommodate campers’ individual interests via Athletic, Activity, and Fine Art Camps. Our accomplished teachers and coaches enjoy working with campers so they can have fun, learn something new, and improve their skills. Camps are available to those of all ages, ranging from three-years-old all the way up to incoming freshmen.
Summer Camps | Joliet Catholic Academy (jca-online.org)
| | | Athletic Registration for 2025-2026 School Year | |
The following 3 steps must be completed BEFORE August 11, 2025, the first day of fall sport tryouts:
If this process is not completed the athlete will not be able to tryout, participate in practices or competition.
Step 1: Get your annual physical exam. Athletes must use the IHSA Physical form that can be found on the JCA website, under the Athletic tab in the drop down, “Sports Physicals.” Physicals are good for 395 days (13 months) per the IHSA. Physical forms must have the athlete and parent signature, physician signature and date. If your current sports physical is dated within the 395 days (13 months), we can use that physical until it expires.
Step 2: Turn in your current sport physical to the main office, or by emailing ddispenza@jca-online.org. If emailing a copy, pictures, screen shots, jpeg, jpg, or any other picture format, ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Only PDF forms will be accepted. You can also fax a copy of the physical to 815-741-3830.
Step 3: Complete online athletic sport registration at https://www.gobound.com/il/schools/jolietcatholic. You can also choose to upload your current sports physical on Bound as well.
**THESE 3 STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF TRYOUTS OR THE ATHLETE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRYOUT** (FIRST DAY OF FALL TRYOUTS: AUGUST 11, 2025)
| | | Institutional Advancement | | |
Make a gift between now and Tuesday, June 10, 2025
4th Annual #JCADay of Online Giving
Joliet Catholic Academy has been "Inspiring Growth in Knowledge and Faith since 1869." Whether you represent JCA’s past or present, you are a vital part of our extraordinary tradition. Thank you for your support of Joliet Catholic Academy. This year's JCA Online Day of Giving will focus on funding student scholarships.
JCA grew Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarships from four students receiving $51,892 in scholarships six years ago, to 54 students receiving $653,112.50 in scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year. This program provided relief to our endowed scholarship funds and has helped JCA assist even more students with tuition assistance.
Unfortunately, the program was not renewed by the Illinois General Assembly for the 2024-2025 school year. Illinois dubiously became the first state to kill a school choice program. 32 states now have some form of school choice across the country, and 15 have universal programs, meaning all children regardless of race or income can access a tax credit scholarship, voucher or education savings account. While JCA donors stepped up to the plate and provided much needed assistance to students, we currently are only able to fund 75% of the documented financial need of current JCA students:
· Scholarships Awarded in 2024-2025: $2.1 million
· FACTS Tuition Management Verified Family Financial Need: $2.8 million
· Percentage of Current Student Financial Need Met: 75%
JCA students need YOU now more than ever. Make a gift to Joliet Catholic Academy and receive a gift. Get your JCA Victory Light Garden Flag (garden flag stand not included).
Three ways to receive a JCA Victory Light flag:
· Make an online gift of $100 or more to the JCA Online Day of Giving.
· Create a recurring monthly gift to JCA of $10 or more.
· Increase your existing monthly recurring gift to Joliet Catholic Academy.
On behalf of all of our students who benefit from your generosity, we thank you!
Interested in starting a "Match", "Donor Challenge", or setting up an endowed scholarship? Contact JCA Director of Institutional Advancement Mr. Ryan Quigley '03 at rquigley@jca-online.org or (815) 741-0563.
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Quest Food Management Services Inc. provides food services for your student at Joliet Catholic Academy. Quest believes the variety of food, cuisine, and dining experience students have available to them shouldn’t stop at the doors of their school. That’s why Quest offers a program based on cooking fresh food from scratch, assembled-to-order menu options, healthy choices that are flavorful and appealing, and offering an inviting dining experience for all.
Mealtime – Online Payment System
- Make deposits directly into student meal accounts
- Deposits can be made through ACH payment or credit card (can also setup auto replenish)
- This cashless system keeps the lunch lines moving
Read More
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Important Summer/New school year Information
All Students
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Health Office information is on the school web site under the Parents tab, click on Health Office
- Medication Administration Authorization (MAA) forms are required at the start of every new school year. Forms are also available on the web site. Over the counter (OTC) meds will NOT be given to any student unless this form is completed. It MUST have a signed parent AND physician signature to be compliant.
July 1st is the due date for sports physicals.
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Emergency Action Plans (EAP’s) are requested for those students with asthma, diabetes, epilepsy (seizures) and severe allergies. EAP’s are available on the web site. Medication Authorization forms to self-carry emergency medications and supplies must be submitted at the start of every new school year. Forms are available on the web site.
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Those that travel internationally to areas of high TB risk (most countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia) for greater than 2 weeks are required to have IGRA prior to returning to school. Additional information is on the web site.
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Per the State of Illinois and JCA policy, students whose medical records are not in compliance will be excluded from school and all school activities, including athletics, starting October 15 and will remain excluded until all health records are compliant.
Incoming Seniors
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Senior students are to submit documentation for their MENINGOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE (MCV4). Documentation for the MCV4 vaccine administration must have the providers dated signature.
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The immunization requirement consists of: The first dose received on or after the 11th birthday; second dose on or after the 16th birthday. An interval of least eight weeks after the first dose. Only one dose is required if the first dose was received at 16 years of age or older. No proof of immunity allowed.
Just a friendly reminder from the health office. It is advised to please keep a personal copy of all health records in case a record gets misplaced during the school year.
Health Office hours while students are in attendance.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00am-2:30pm Thursday 8:00am -1:40pm
During school breaks voicemails and emails are checked weekly.
815-741-0500 Ext 275, 815-741-3015 fax, nurse@jca-online.org
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Please follow the link below to access our school calendars including the 2025-2026 At-A-Glance Calendar.
Real time updates are found in our online events calendar.
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1200 N. Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
P - (815) 741-0500
F - (815) 741-8825
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