Academic Departments

Academic Department Overview

Counseling
The Counseling Department provides a student focused program that is developmental, comprehensive, and preventative, providing an educational process that cultivates and challenges all students to be lifelong learners growing in faith, knowledge, understanding, and service. The Counseling Department is comprised of two College and Career Counselors, two generalist School Counselors, a Student Services Counselor, and a Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

English
The mission of the English Department is to teach a philosophy that exceeds a high academic level, one that challenges students to examine and interpret the human condition and the inter-relatedness and responsibility of all people. The goal is to help students connect literature to the human experience by strengthening problem solving and critical thinking skills so that students have superb decision making abilities and a sense of self-worth. The department also offers courses in AP English Literature as well as a Writing Lab for students during advisory period for one-on-one consultation regarding essays and research papers.

Fine Arts
JCA believes the arts are an important part of the high school experience. The arts make a real contribution to the intellectual, expressive, emotional, and creative growth of a person. Angels and Hilltoppers are required to earn credits for graduation in both Art and Music. Students are also given the opportunity to become involved outside the classroom setting with extracurricular activities such as exhibits, field trips, and musical performances.

Math
The Math Department boasts a team of excellent faculty members eager to share their knowledge and challenge students in their studies. The department’s “Formula for Success” includes an Eighth Grade Math Program for accelerated learning, a Math Lab designed to provide supplemental tutoring from JCA math teachers, Dual Credit courses offered for college credit, and Advanced Placement courses in Calculus and Statistics.

Physical Education and Health
The Joliet Catholic Academy Physical Education and Health Department helps students to apply and maintain knowledge, understanding, and behaviors of lifelong physical fitness, health, recreation, and sport. These courses educate students on the importance of nutrition, exercise, health risks and handling of emotions.

Science
JCA’s Science Department is staffed with accomplished faculty members who have experience at both the high school and collegiate level. Multiple subject labs provide hands on learning to help students understand phenomena in the world of science. The department utilizes technology in the classroom through virtual dissections and labs. The department also offers Advanced Placement courses in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.

Social Studies
Students taking social studies classes have a unique opportunity to expand their worldview and learn from outstanding faculty who have more than 150 years of teaching experience combined. Courses are offered in Business, Government and International Relations, U.S. History, AP European History, AP U.S. Government, AP U.S. History, and AP Microeconomics.

Theology
The JCA Theology Department roundly supports the Christological framework as created by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops. Our faculty emphasizes individual growth and development with students, fostering understanding of faith and personal vocation. Theology classes are steeped in JCA’s Franciscan and Carmelite traditions, which provide opportunities of growth in faith and knowledge.

World Language
JCA students are challenged to think differently, broaden their learning spectrum, and become exposed to new cultures, expanding their worldview. French and Spanish courses are offered to students. Different approaches to learning such as opportunities to travel abroad and National French and Spanish contests will entice students to continue their foreign language studies throughout all four years of high school. Advanced Placement courses in Spanish and French are offered.

Department Chairs

Find us online