As the school year ends, CJ Middle School is finishing the year strong. From academic achievements to new friendships and a deeper connection to the CJ community, students have embraced what it means to be Eagles.
Jacki Loffer ’87, assistant principal, explained that CJ Middle School students are called scholars, an acronym for the middle school expectations: Studious, Caring, Honest, Open, Lifelong learners, Accountable, Respectful, and Servant Leaders.
For Loffer, the biggest difference between last year and this year is the sense that all those involved in the CJ Middle School feel more part of the larger community.
“We are Eagles now,” explained Loffer. “There is intentionality to include the middle school in activities, experiences, and new ways.”
Middle School scholars have adjusted well to their home at CJ. They enjoyed being part of the larger CJ community and knowing they were making history as the first students at CJ Middle School. Recently, they lined up along the sidewalk and cheered as all the CJ students wished the girls basketball team good luck before loading up the bus for the state championship game.
According to Loffer, the middle school has a great teaching staff. Several teachers teach at both the high school and the middle school.
“Our teachers have grown as a team and often work, plan, and teach together,” said Loffer. “The seventh and eighth-grade scholars can see the progress that they have made academically and behaviorally. Scholars have learned teambuilding and better communication skills as they spend time in their scholar groups and participate in Scholar Games once or twice a quarter.”
These teachers have challenged the scholars both academically and spiritually. This motivation has resulted in several accomplishments to celebrate.
Participating in the Vocational Essay Contest sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 14995, scholars focused their essays on the newest saint, St. Carlo Acutis. CJ Middle School had six contest winners from both grades: Taliyah Turner ‘31 (first), Isaiah Dominquez ‘31 (second), Brianna Vazquez ‘31 (third), Neema Apendeki ‘30 (first), Charlee Espensen ‘30 (second) and Partyl King ‘30 (third).
Part of the middle school’s faith formation is attending Mass with the CJ community at Emmanuel Church and as a group in the chapel within the high school, presided over by Father Kyle. It was a proud moment when eighth-graders Daniel Garcia Reyes ’30, Charlie Hernandez ’30, Mike Huerta-Bermeo ’30, Kimberly Marquez-Pantaleon ’30, Matias Navarrete Maiquez ’30, and Yuritzi Ramos-Garduno ’30 received their confirmation on Sunday, March 22, at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in North Dayton.
Middle school scholars have the opportunity to participate in the CJ’s performing arts program. They performed at the Winter Concert in December and used the band room and choir room for their music instruction. Like the high school students, they take art classes at the K12 Gallery and Tejas.
For Andres Mejia ’31, attending CJ Middle School was joining a family tradition because his siblings, Alejandro ll Mejia ’27 and Fernanda Mejia ’29, already attend the high school.
“Going to CJ Middle allowed me to be a part of something that will impact my future. I’m glad to be a part of this new experience,” said Mejia. “I have a lot of great memories from this year. It changed my life.”
“I feel good being a part of CJ Middle School,” said Valeria Alanis Marin ’31. “I feel I’ve grown a lot. Being one of the first middle schoolers at CJ is a blessing.”
Valeria’s mom, Elvira Marin, was familiar with Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. Although she was happy to hear that her daughter would have the opportunity to be affiliated with it two years earlier than most students. This school year, Elvira had two students at CJ with Valeria and her sister, Joselyn Alanis ’29.
“It has been nice to have two students on the CJ campus,” said Elvira. “They will have a lot the same teachers in both middle and high school. It is fun hearing them both talk about their experiences at CJ. Plus, it is convenient to drop them off and pick them up at the same time.”
Valeria said, “If I were to describe it to someone not at CJ, I would say it’s a very relaxing place with only two classrooms, which makes switching between classes easier. It’s a small school building with big doors when you walk in, which, in my opinion, makes it feel safe.”
With the fourth quarter underway, the middle school community is turning its attention to the 2026-2027 school year.
Mejia said, “My advice for incoming seventh graders would be to take responsibility for your actions. Do all of your homework. Take notes even when they don’t ask you to.”
As the eighth-grade class anticipates its graduation on Thursday, May 14, most students will return to CJ in the fall as ninth-graders. All but one will be attending a Catholic high school next year. These scholars applied for and received high school scholarships: Winny John and Nardos Tareke (language arts), and Patryk King and Brucke Tefera (performing arts).
Loffer and her staff are happy to have provided a safe space for spiritual, academic, and emotional growth for these soon-to-be high school students.
Looking forward to next year, Loffer said, “We will usher in a new class of seventh graders from Our Lady of the Rosary and keep doing what we are doing now. No major changes will happen as we focus on the scholars that we have in front of us. The teachers, staff, and administration will continue to focus on preparing these scholars to be transition-ready for ninth grade. With the support of the entire CJ community, we have some positive momentum to carry us into next year and whatever the future holds for the CJ Middle School.”