News Post

St. Joseph’s Academy hosted its annual Open House for prospective students and their families on October 17. Girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grades and their parents toured SJA’s beautiful and historic campus and enjoyed the Academy experience firsthand. SJA welcomed nearly 1,100 guests during the afternoon and evening of a picture-perfect fall day. Students from 36 different schools attended. 

Visitors were greeted by members of the SJA Student Council, then saw campus with Student Ambassadors serving as tour guides. Guests enjoyed student performances and demonstrations showcasing the arts, academics, sports medicine and the Andrea Clesi McMakin ’74 STEM Lab. The SJA/CHS Band, Bruinettes and Cheerleaders performed throughout the evening. Visitors saw the volleyball and basketball teams practicing and learned about the 12 additional varsity sports. They watched student technicians at work in the student-run Help Desk and saw SJA’s eSports competition areas and the new broadcast journalism studio. They watched the choir and Praise & Worship Band perform and saw members of the Black Box Company rehearsing their upcoming fall production of The Miracle Worker. They learned about the various resources available to students in the Technology and Learning Center. SJA Cheerleaders and the Red Steppers competition dance team performed.

Tours ended in the Fife Student Commons, where visitors enjoyed refreshments from SAGE Dining Services and were able to speak with administrators, teachers, counselors, the school nurse, athletic director and current parents. 

The SJA Admissions Team of Meredith Smith and Victoria Hudson ’09 planned and oversaw the event. “Open House was a great success,” Smith said. “Families explored classrooms and facilities while engaging with our faculty, staff and student body. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the various academic, extracurricular and faith-filled opportunities that SJA has to offer that make our campus such a special place for young women. I am so proud of our campus as the night was filled with lots of excitement and such a sense of community.”

The Mothers’ Club was in charge of decorations for the event and also helped greet and direct families. The SJA Dads’ Club provided food for student workers, faculty and staff prior to the start of the event. 

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director