Admissions Events
Joliet Catholic Academy is the high school for you and your family! At JCA, every student is offered many opportunities to succeed. Angels and Hilltoppers are challenged in the classroom, presented with time for community service, tested on the playing field, and embraced by the missions of the Carmelites and Franciscans. JCA's holistic approach to education, centered in their faith-filled curriculum, provides a scholastic environment that encourages success.
An educational journey at Joliet Catholic Academy is filled with experienced, dedicated faculty and staff who inspire every student to reach their greatest academic potential. JCA students are encouraged to make their voice be heard through numerous extra-curricular activities presenting them with opportunities to be creative, to be unique, to build confidence, and to be their best self.
High school is more than just the classroom experience. Joliet Catholic Academy offers many opportunities for students to broaden their social experience, make new friends, and have fun with fellow Angels and Hilltoppers. JCA's goal is to prepare young men and women for college and for life.
The Joliet Catholic Academy family warmly extends an invitation to you; experience JCA firsthand by attending Open House for prospective students and families on Sunday, November 2 with 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. tours or Thursday, November 6 with 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. tours. Pre-registration is required.
You will be immersed in our Carmelite and Franciscan values, you will meet our distinguished faculty and award-winning coaches, and you will see how JCA inspires students to be the best in their faith life, academic challenges, and social growth.
Tours of the school will be available. Faculty, staff, and students will be on hand to answer questions. Information on academics, athletics, clubs, and organizations will be available as well as tuition assistance information, Heritage Award scholarship application information, and much more.
Joliet Catholic Academy looks forward to welcoming you and your family!
Admissions Events
- Fridays, September through April: 7th and 8th Grade Shadow Days SHADOW DAYS REGISTRATION
- Friday, August 29, 2025: Grade School Night - Athletics
- September 1-December 6, 2025: Heritage Award Applications (Essay and Interview for Merit-Based Scholarships) available for prospective 8th graders.
- Friday, October 3, 2025: Super Shadow Day
- Friday, October 3, 2025: Homecoming Parade & Football Game
- Sunday, November 2 & Thursday, November 6, 2025: Open House
- Tuesday, December 2, 2025: Grade School Night - Girls Basketball
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Pre-Entrance Exam Workshop & Parent Admissions Information Meeting; 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 6, 2025: Entrance Exam for all incoming freshmen; 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Pre-registration is required along with a $30 testing fee.)
- Monday, December 8, 2025: French Club Christmas Party for 7th & 8th Graders - 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 13, 2025: Make-Up Entrance Exam for all incoming freshmen; 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Pre-registration is required along with a $30 testing fee.)
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025: Incoming Freshman FACTS JCA Leveraged Financial Aid Application* Financial Aid deadlines will differ for JCA and the Catholic Education Foundation.
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Grade School Night - Boys Basketball
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Grade School Night - Wrestling Grade School Night Registration
- Sunday, February 1, 2026: Kazma Family Foundation Scholarship deadline.
- Sunday, March 1, 2026: Online Freshman Registration Deadline
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026: Catholic Education Foundation Financial Aid FACTS application deadline; returning student financial aid deadline.
- Friday, April 17, 2026: 7th Grade Step Up Day
- Date TBD: Class of 2029 Celebration Night
- January-August: Rolling Admissions Process (Placement Exam by appointment only). Contact Admissions at 815.741.0500, ext. 214 to schedule a testing date.
- June and July: Summer events and activity camps for incoming freshmen.
- August: Freshman Orientation
Questions?
Contact the JCA Admissions Staff!
- Admissions Office Staff
- Jared Voss – Director of Admissions; 815.741.0500, ext. 214
- Mary Ragusa – Assistant Director of Admissions; 815.741.0500, ext. 274
Step Up Day for 7th Graders
Experience a typical high school day at JCA. Meet JCA students and teachers to get a taste of the high school life.
Date TBD
9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
WHO should attend?
All 7th Grade Students from area private and public schools.
WHY should you attend?
Seventh grade students will be assigned to a JCA homeroom and move through the day by attending mini-classes that will offer fun demonstrations, games or performances in such areas as Fine Arts and Science. The students will have an opportunity to experience several electives not commonly seen in junior high and receive a free lunch served by Quest Food Management in the JCA cafeteria.
The day’s agenda will also allow 7th grade students to meet up with almost 40 clubs, organizations, honor societies and sports teams to ask questions of the moderators, coaches and JCA students. Their day will end with an official High School Pep Assembly!
HOW do I sign up?
Individuals can sign up online below. Students coming with their schools will fill out the permission form given to them through their school. Contact JCA Admissions at 815.741.0500 if you are unsure whether or not your school is attending. Registration will close on Date TBD. Please contact Joliet Catholic Academy Admissions with any questions.
Shadow Visits
Shadow Visits for 7th and 8th grade students for the 2025-2026 school year.
7th and 8th Grade Shadow Days
Fridays, September through April – 7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
Seventh and eighth grade students may schedule a shadow visit to JCA for most Fridays during the school year from September through April.
Guests must dress appropriately and are expected to act in accordance with JCA’s rules and standards. Guests who do not follow disciplinary rules will be asked to leave JCA immediately. It will be the responsibility of parents/guardians to pick up the student if such problems occur.
It is the responsibility of the student guest to inform his/her Junior High School of their visit to JCA. Guests are encouraged to make sure that their absence from school is excused and should arrange to make up missed schoolwork.
Upon arriving at JCA, student guests should report to the Main Office at 7:40 a.m. and pick up a visitor and a lunch pass. Presentations and a tour will be given during first period. Guests will then meet their JCA student and experience a regular scheduled school day. JCA’s school day runs from 7:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Pickup is at 2:40 p.m. outside of the main entrance.
Thank you for visiting JCA!
Please call JCA Admissions Director Mr. Jared Voss ’92 at 815.741.0500, ext. 214 with any further questions.
Photos will be taken during Shadow Days and may be used for publication. If you do not want your child’s picture posted please contact the main office.
Entrance Exams
- Pre-Entrance Exam Workshop: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 6:00 p.m.
- JCA Entrance Exam: Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
- Make-Up Entrance Exam: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
