Faith
Rooted in Faith. Lived with Purpose.
Faith and service are woven into daily life at The Academy, shaping how students learn, treat one another, and engage with the world around them. Guided by Catholic teachings, students grow in character, compassion, and responsibility and developing the values that lead to kind, purposeful lives for all.
Faith in Daily Life
Students gather weekly for Mass and participate in seasonal prayer services that mark meaningful moments throughout the year. Each school day also begins with prayer, helping students set their intentions and approach learning with reflection and purpose. Together, these shared experiences invite gratitude, connection, and an understanding of faith as something lived, not just learned.
Religion classes are grounded in Catholic tradition and rich in history, particularly in the middle school years, where learning often intersects with social studies. Students explore faith in context, examining its influence on culture, history, and moral decision-making, while developing values that guide their everyday choices: respect, empathy, integrity, and care for others.
“I’m not Catholic, but I’ve never felt treated differently or pressured about religion. Being at ASJA has made me more thoughtful and hopefully a kinder person.”
— ASJA 8th Grade Student
Sacramental Preparation
As part of an ASJA education, students are offered sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. These milestones are supported thoughtfully and reverently, honoring each child’s faith journey within the life of the school community. Students 4th grade and older, are invited to become altar servers.
Daily Faith
Prayer woven into each school day. We help students set intentions
and reflect with purpose.
Sacramental Life
Preparation for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation as part of an ASJA education.
Prayer & Worship
Weekly Mass and seasonal prayer services mark meaningful moments throughout the year.
Service in Action
A central pillar of student life at The Academy is our responsibility to serve others. Through Service Week in the spring, students take part in hands-on experiences that help them understand real needs within the community and beyond.
Service opportunities include:
- Learning about and collecting items for local food banks
- Sorting donated books at Bernie’s Book Bank
- Packing meals at Feed My Starving Children
- Cleaning local beaches
- Collecting essential items for unhoused and homeless shelters
These experiences are intentionally paired with learning to help students understand why service matters and how their actions make a difference.
Learning That Sticks
By taking service beyond the classroom, students see faith in action. They learn that compassion requires effort, that community needs participation, and that even small acts can have meaningful impact. These lessons stay with students long after the activity ends.