SCHOOL HISTORY

St. Joan Antida High School opened its doors to 47 Freshwomen on September 15, 1954.  This class (SJA '58) was welcomed by five Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida and one lay teacher.  The Class of '58 established many of the traditions handed down to subsequent classes as time continues on- the school newspaper, yearbook, family fun events, prom and a variety of additional activities. 

Additions to the first building were made in 1956 (4th floor) and a whole new wing, which included a gym/auditorium and eight additional classrooms, was blessed in 1967.  Five more classrooms were "added" in 1997 when the high school took over space formerly used for the day care center.  This newest piece of SJA is known as Sancey Hall.

Striving for academic excellence, the high school was accredited by the North Central Association for the first time in 1962 and has achieved continuous accreditation to the present.  Many significant curriculum changes occurred through the years.  SJA has embraced the Theory of Multiple Intelligences since 1993.  This theory continues to strongly influence teaching and learning methods at the school.

A Business Cooperative Education Program, established in the early 1970's, made SJA one of the first (and currently only) Catholic high schools in Milwaukee to give students an opportunity to experience firsthand "on-the-job" learning, in which students receive a salary and school credit.  This program was augmented in 2003 with a Health-Care Career component placing students as interns at Columbia-St. Mary's Hospitals.

Because St. Joan Antida High School is located in the cultural and business center of Milwaukee, our students have always had easy access to the activities found in the heart of the city.  The current school schedule allows groups of students to go beyond the walls of the school frequently as part of their learning program.

Leadership of the young women at St. Joan Antida High School has always been under the guidance of strong, wonderful women.  SJA has had eight principals since opening in 1954, five were from the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida with Sr. Monica Fumo serving from 1981-2000.  Lynn Anne Reesman became the high school's first lay principal in 2000.  In 2002, Susan (Czarnecki) Henzig (SJA '64) became our principal, and served in this role until 2007.  Mary Kurhajetz became our current principal in July of 2007.

Our former principal, Sr. Monica Fumo became President of SJA in 2000 and served in that capacity until 2004.  She has also served as Chancellor of SJA. Cynthia Marino became SJA's first lay president in August 2004 and continues to serve in that capacity.

The heritage of St. Joan Antida High School is richly threaded with a continuous celebration of cultural diversity, academic achievement and Gospel values.  Educational programs and co-curricular activities have continued to evolve and develop throughout the years to provide young women with an integrated and balanced complement of learning for life and achievement in college, professional and family-centered careers. 

Dedication of SJAHS 1954

SJA Then...

...SJA Now