What I Love About CJ

As a teacher and coach at CJ, I understand the impact that first-rate high school facilities have on helping to provide an excellent educational experience for students. They compliment our academic programs and give us tools to help develop our students in every aspect of their lives—morally, intellectually, and physically. Our new Student Conditioning Center and Eagle Tennis Center help us fulfill that mission.

For starters, the Student Conditioning Center encourages all students to get in better condition. As a football coach, I see how student athletes and other coaches use the weightlifting stations and practice areas to become better at what they do, forming even stronger teams. Teams like football, soccer and lacrosse can use the Center’s indoor turf when weather conditions would normally cancel a practice. The Center also allows coaches to keep more students on campus, increasing practice time and eliminating the need to commute to other practice fields.

The Center is also large enough for gatherings like school retreats and alumni reunions while teachers use it as an additional place to take their classes. After school, the Center is not only busy with CJ athletes, but also with young students playing on Eagle Youth program teams. We foresee the Eagle Tennis Center also accommodating various uses once it opens its gates this fall.

There is new excitement generated because our campus is evolving. There’s a buzz. CJ’s commitment to campus improvements is just one example that shows that the school is willing to expand and invest in what is important for all of our students—and our kids can’t help but feel proud to be a part of CJ.

As a member of CJ’s student advisory committee and Board of Trustees, I have a unique perspective on what takes place behind the scenes at Chaminade Julienne. I see first-hand that the school’s leadership and faculty incorporate a specific blend of programs and practices that support the development of the whole student. The school’s academic standard is geared toward college enrollment while its partnership with Boston College — in developing City Connects — promotes a deeper understanding of each student’s unique strengths and needs which are then addressed.

This past year, CJ was evaluated by several outside organizations. In addition to CJ’s work with Boston College, a Marianist evaluation team gave the school high marks based on check points for academics, mission and community, while the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association renewed the school’s full certification. After a thorough evaluation by a team from Project Lead the Way, CJ STEMM’s biomedical sciences and pre-engineering programs both became nationally certified—the only Catholic high school in the nation to have this certification! Students continue to demonstrate increased academic success comparable with the best high schools in the region measurable through the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) and the ACT college readiness test. In an effort to continue to improve the curriculum, the faculty is involved with curriculum mapping as well as an End of Course Exam project with Battelle for Kids. This program is another tool used to improve curriculum and instruction, which, in turn, is delivered by a highly motivated and trained faculty.

Strong academics set within a framework of faith-based tradition and service to others remains a hallmark of CJ tradition as evidenced by the school’s service program that generated over 10,400 in donated hours this past year. At CJ, students are not only prepared for academic success and leadership, they learn how success can be magnified throughout a lifetime through a strong foundation in the practice of our Catholic faith. For me, there is no question that CJ is the place to be.

The best way to see what is happening at CJ is to visit the school during a typical afternoon. My wife, Liz ’63, and I had the opportunity to do just that. While the hallways matched images firmly etched in our minds, the observance of classes quickly showed us that today’s students are moving forward faster and further than previous generations. We had great conversations
with students, who were highly motivated by their teachers and coaches.

While some things have changed, the emphasis of the school has not. If you can’t travel to CJ, tour the school’s Web site — cjeagles.org. There, you can see that CJ remains strong in science and general education, while the arts program is being enthusiastically renewed. It is impressive that student service hours are required. The school’s core values suggest that students are building a strong foundation for making smart choices.

My special interest is improving the teaching of economics in high schools. CJ is doing a fine job through its government class and provides extra opportunities via outside summer workshops available to teachers and students. In working with high schools in seven states, I have found that only Chaminade Julienne had the focused energy from dedicated teachers like Jim Sparrow to provide consistent participation each summer.

Having met students and teachers, Liz and I are more excited than ever to help support them. My hope is that by relaying our own experience, you can begin perceiving some of the very good things that are taking place at CJ and be motivated to connect back to the school in the way most meaningful to you.

So much of what makes an education at Chaminade Julienne complete are the school’s offerings of enrichment programs such as art and music. My husband, Bob ’61, and I were pleased to participate in CJ’s community choir this past year, which performed during one of the 160/125 anniversary celebrations and at graduation. Through these experiences we gained an appreciation for the high quality of CJ’s music program.

Debi Schutt, music director and performing arts chair, and her assistant, Joe Whatley ‘04, are both vibrant individuals who show deep commitment and enthusiasm for their work—and, it’s obvious they share this attitude with students. Debi and Joe are professional and capable teachers and enjoy a very good relationship with students, as evidenced by the positive attitude the students reflect both on and off the stage.

As a music minister over the past 30 years and current director of music at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lebanon, I understand the value of music in people’s lives. Music enables people to express themselves in ways that are not possible through other means. That is why I believe it is important to grow the artistic talents of our youth who are our future leaders. It is evident that Debi and Joe each bring dynamic gifts to CJ and want to give students as many opportunities as they can. They have the ability to reach the core of each student, enabling them to express their feelings and emotions through the wonderful gift of music.