History
Founded in 1954 in the spirit of St. Joan Antida Thouret and the tradition of the Catholic faith, St. Joan Antida High School has served the educational needs and life aspirations of young women for over a half-century in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The heritage of SJA is richly threaded with a continuous celebration of cultural diversity, academic achievement and Catholic values. Educational programs and co-curricular activities have continued to evolve and develop throughout the years to provide young women with an education that prepares them for success.
Our Foundress
Jeanne Antide Thouret (St. Joan Antida)
The Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida (SCSJA) are an international community founded on April 11, 1799 by Jeanne Antide Thouret.
The Foundress of the SCSJA Community was born Jeanne Antide Thouret on November 27, 1765 in the little village of Sancey, in eastern France near the Swiss border. In Italy she is called Giovanna Antida, in the USA, Joan Antida, and in South America, Juana Antida. The name is pronounced many ways, but the woman was one – one in her great faith, deep prayer life and unswerving love of the poor.
Jeanne lived through the terror and chaos of the French Revolution as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris until all religious congregations were dissolved for many years. Jeanne returned to her native area and, after some years, on April 11, 1799 opened a free school for girls, then a pharmacy and a soup kitchen. Her simple response to the needs of her people for education, food, medical care, faith instruction and worship was the birth of the SCSJA Religious Community. In addition to the three vows all religious take, SCSJA also take a fourth vow of Service to the Poor. There are approximately 2,500 Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida in 27 countries including Egypt, Brazil, India and Italy to name a few. There are currently 28 Sisters serving in the United States.
It was Jeanne Antide’s desire “to cross the ocean and go to the ends of the earth if God wanted it."
St. Joan Antida High School is the only school mission of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida in North America.
Find out more about the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joan Antida.