Graduate Support
Programs
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Overview
The Washington Jesuit Academy provides programs and services for our students, alumni, parents, and guardians. Beginning in 8th grade, the Graduate Support Program (GSP) provides a unique mentoring, coaching as well as academic and social support program specifically designed to encourage WJA alumni to achieve success in high school and beyond. The GSP staff works closely with parents, students, and high school administration to prepare Academy alumni for a successful transition into and through high school. This includes frequent "check-up" visits, individual guidance for each student/family throughout their high school years, continued tutoring/homework and mentor support, ongoing meetings with counselors, teachers, and school administrators, and information, guidance as well as preparation with the college application process.
Summer Bridge: Rising 8th Graders
Designed for students who are entering 8th Grade, this summer program is a six-week, full-day, academic program held at the WJA. Students spend their time gaining the skills necessary for success in a rigorous college-prep high school program. Each day is divided into a morning of academics including math, language arts, and a critical thinking class; and an afternoon of electives including art, dance, drama, field trips, and sports. Rising eighth graders take a special course called Think! designed to advance our student's critical thinking skills through daily exercises to problem-solve different scenarios in small groups settings. In addition, the Think! curriculum includes a financial literacy partnership with Junior Achievement, “the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.”
Summer Bridge: Rising 9th Graders
Designed for WJA’s most recent graduates who are entering 9th grade in the fall, this program helps the students prepare for high school by staying academically busy during the critical summer months. There are summer bridge programs for just about every type of student, whether the student would like to work on academic subjects, cultivate a talent or interest in the arts, humanities or sciences, or fine-tune a skill such as playing an instrument or sport. We even offer cultural, camping, and community outreach programs before the 9
Road to College
Throughout high school, the GSP staff works alongside each graduate and his family in preparation for post-secondary opportunities. The program facilitates access to college fairs and tours, scholarship opportunities as well as free and discounted SAT/ACT preparation courses. The GSP staff also coordinates ongoing guest speakers as well as monthly coaching workshops for alumni and parents on issues related to workforce readiness , financial aid and scholarships, financial literacy, maximizing personal leadership qualities, navigating the college application process, strengthening interviewing skills, encouraging transferable business/social skills, and developing winning college essays. The staff also works individually with students to identify post-graduation options and follow through on an action plan to reduce college attrition and increase retention and college graduation rates.
For more information or partnership opportunities contact our Graduate Support Director:
Mr. Valentine Davies
202-832-7679 ext. 205