STUDENT LIFE

St. John XXIII Catholic School (SJ23) provides a foundation of Catholic values and academic excellence for its students in preschool through 8th grade. Our faculty and staff is dedicated to building a strong academic, social, emotional, and spiritual foundation for our students. SJ23’s teachers actively engage and inspire diverse learning styles so every student reaches his or her potential while at SJ23 and beyond. We are growing as saints together through service, excellence, discipleship, and community.

SJ23 offers many co-curricular and student life enrichment programs in addition to its outstanding core curriculum, including:

  • Academic Challenge Competitions
  • ATHLETICS
  • Basketball (5th – 8th Girls’ & Boys’)
  • Beginner Band (4th Grade)
  • Boy Scouts
  • Chess
  • Choir
  • Community Service
  • Concert Band (7th-8th Grade)
  • Construction Club
  • Guitar
  • Jazz Band (Middle School)
  • Lego Club
  • Midwest Talent Search
  • On-Site Childcare
  • Origami Club
  • Spanish Club
  • Student Council
  • The Discovery Project
  • Volleyball (5th – 8th Girls’ & Boys’)
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Yearbook

2021 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellow

Congratulations to Mrs. Erika Mogilevsky! She was selected as a 2021 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellow! She was chosen among many fine candidates because of her skill as a leader and agent for positive change, and superior ability to inspire love of learning.
Herb Kohl Fellowship Award: Fellowship recipients are educators who have been chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and their leadership and service within and outside the classroom.

2021 Port Washington School Supply Drive

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SJ23 STUDENTS & FAMILIES on winning the 2021 School Supply Drive! All local schools (elementary, middle and high school) participated in the drive and collected over 1,300 items! The average K-12 parent will spend roughly $680 for school supplies. This will help a lot of families in a spot of financial need next school year. Each food pantry will receive around 650 items, including: folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, and more! We are so proud of our students and families!

What the American Flag Means to Me 2020 Essay Contest

CONGRATULATIONS to EVA DURAN on receiving FIRST PLACE IN THE ENTIRE NATION for the 6th/7th/8th Grade Division.
We are the first school EVER to have winners two years in a row! We are so incredibly proud of Eva and all of our students for entering the contest. To learn more about the contest, judging criteria, and requirements for the essay, visit: nationalflagday.com/essay-contest

2020 Soles for Catholic Education Walk T-Shirt Design Contest

WE ARE SO PROUD to announce that out of 146 contest entries (from 13 different schools) St. John XXIII Catholic School won 1st, 2nd AND 3rd place for the 2020 Soles for Catholic Education Walk T-Shirt Design Contest! CONGRATULATIONS Tess, Cate, Ava, and Sierra!

Amplify Science Program

We are so honored to have received a $10,000 grant from the Catholic Community Foundation! Amplify Science blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers for students in grades three through eight. The program models competencies for workplace know-how in the 21st Century and leverages the resources, programming, and community-based projects of a successful science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

SJ23 students are creative and enjoy many opportunities to show their fine arts skills. Art, music, and choir are offered to all students as part of the regular curriculum.

At the middle school level, students have additional choices of Beginning Band (4th Grade), Intermediate Band (5th-6th Grade), Concert Band (7th-8th Grade), Jazz Band (Middle School), Honors Band (by teacher nomination only). They also have elective fine arts selections that include exploring new instruments (ukulele, guitar, bell choir), Rock and Roll History, Choir/Vocal Skills, and Music Technology. When a Musical Elective is being offered, the students also can participate in Drama/Theater in preparation for concerts.

Participation in Scouts is available to all SJ23 students.
Clubs evolve and change based on student interests and parent enthusiasm. We are so excited to announce that for the 2021-2022 school year, Extracurricular Clubs will be offered after school every Wednesday. Clubs include: Spanish Club, Construction Club, Cribbage Club, Yearbook, Chess, Origami Club, Fitness, ’Kids for Christ’ Club, and more!

A significant part of SJ23 student and family life is living our faith. We focus on the gifts of each student and challenge him or her to become a compassionate individual committed to justice, compassion, and service. At SJ23, we believe in inspiring one another to lead and serve through our actions every day in the classroom and our community.

At SJ23, our students contribute to the Mass as liturgical ministers and participate in peace prayer services and retreats. SJ23 faculty provides recognition of our students through the “Caught Being Christian” program and public servant recognition. We involve our students in our ministry of serving the community. We have recently served the following community organizations:

  • American Heart Association: Jump Rope for Heart
  • Cards and Poinsettia Delivery for Parish Homebound
  • Catholic Relief Services: Rice Bowl
  • Columban Fathers: Missionary Society of St. Columban
  • Feed My Starving Children
  • Harbor Club Visits
  • MACC Fund
  • Port Washington Senior Center
  • Salvatorian Mission Warehouse
  • Soles for Catholic Education
  • St. Ben’s Meal Program
  • St. Peter’s Food Pantry Food and Clothing Drives
  • Wisconsin Humane Society

Our mission at SJ23 is not only to foster the academic success of our students, but also to nurture lifelong Catholic values that build strong character and meaningful relationship with God. In partnership with our families and the Catholic Church, we strive to guide each child as he or she grows and matures in knowledge and faith.

Students develop a deep appreciation of the liturgy through active weekly Mass participation and through daily religious instruction, reflection, and prayer. SJ23 students further their spiritual journey by preparing for and receiving the sacrament of first holy Communion and reconciliation. Outside the classroom, students focus on individual and communal spiritual growth through retreats and service.

Student council members genuinely want a leadership role in our school and are committed to serving our school, parish, and local communities. These students are dynamic, responsible, enthusiastic, and committed to making a difference through service leadership.