SJA Quick Facts

SJA is an International Baccalaureate World School

International BaccalaureateSJA is the first all-girl high school in Wisconsin to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP).

  • Adopting the IB for all approach, we expose all SJA students to a rigorous and internationally-standardized curriculum and ensure our students will be prepared for college and world citizenship.
  • The IB program provides a rigorous education across six Common Core areas of study: English literature, Spanish language, individuals and society, experimental sciences, mathematics, and the arts.
  • The 2015-16 school year marks the first year of full implementation of IB at SJA, with students enrolled in both the DP and CP programs.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Focus

STEM classroomOur goal is to become the “go-to” school for young women in Southeastern Wisconsin who are interested in STEM related careers.

  • SJA has been partners with Project Lead the Way since 2006 and now offers five engineering courses.
  • All incoming freshwomen are required to take the Intro to Engineering course.
  • Launched in 2010, our Girls in Engineering program in partnership with the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is Milwaukee’s only four-year bridge-to-college engineering program for young women interested in this field. Upon graduating from SJA, our students can attend MSOE for the cost of SJA tuition (reflecting more than $25,000 in tuition discounts).

SJA Demographics and Statistics

SJA studentsFor more than 60 years, SJA has provided an intensive college preparatory education to economically disadvantaged young women from Milwaukee’s poorest neighborhoods.

  • In 2014-2015, more than 98% of our student body fell at or below the poverty line. We believe education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty in our city.
  • 58% of graduates live and work in Milwaukee.
  • SJA provides more than $7,500 in tuition discounts per year for every student to fill the gap between Choice/tuition dollars and the actual cost of educating a student.
  • SJA enrolls students from more than 70 feeder schools throughout the city of Milwaukee.

Student Ethnicities

Partners

  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
  • College Possible
  • CORE/El Centro
  • Eaton Corporation
  • Intermedix
  • Johnson Controls
  • Milwaukee Art Museum
  • Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
  • Milwaukee Repertory Theater
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering
  • PEARLS for Teen Girls
  • Professional Dimensions
  • Project Lead the Way
  • Rockwell Automation
  • University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee (UWM)
  • UWM ArtsECO