Curious, Innovative, Resourceful Learners
Our curriculum provides a solid college preparatory foundation while encouraging students to become lifelong learners. Students take ownership of their path, looking toward higher education as well as other post-secondary passions and pursuits.
Academics is the foundational pillar of SJNA; it is this institution’s principal purpose. Our graduates are life-long learners and academic excellence is a centerpiece of our institution. It is our goal to help enable students to reach their full potential in their classes so they may be more successful outside of the classroom.
Earn College Credits
At SJNA, we take pride in providing your student with the best academic experience possible - and not just for their high school years! We are proud partners with Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and are able to offer dual enrollment classes so your student can earn high school credit and college credit at the same time.
Unlike an AP course, dual credit college courses do not rely on one test for earning college credit - they are semester courses that allow students to earn both high school credit (0.5 cr./semester) and college credit at the same time. Students who successfully complete the course will receive college credit from our partner university. All college courses are taught by our own SJNA faculty, who are also university-certified instructors and hold a Master’s or PhD in their respective fields. All classes take place on our campus, within the comfort and support of their regular high school classrooms.
We offer 14 college courses in various core subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) and in Business. A complete list of the 2024-2025 College Course offerings are as follows:
SEMESTER ONE
College Communication
US History to 1865
Early Modern Civilizations (1500-1815)
Introduction to Business
General Economics
College Algebra
College Biology (full year)
SEMESTER TWO
College Composition
US History Since 1865
Modern Civilizations (1815 - Present)
Financial Literacy
Essentials of Financial Accounting
College Statistics
College Environmental Science (full year)
Do my students have to take the classes for college credit?
- No - students can either take our classes simply as honor’s high school classes or pursue them for college credit. This choice is given to the family upon enrollment into the class and parental consent is required to take the courses for college credit. Even if they choose not to take the course for college credit, it still exposes them to college-level content and helps prepare them for their freshman year courses at university.
What fees are associated with dual enrollment?
- If they choose to take the course for college credit, they must pay a fee for tuition to each university. This costs approximately $100 per credit hour ($300 for a 3-credit course, $400 for a 4-credit course). This allows for massive savings, as a traditional 3-credit course in a public university costs $1,067 for an in-state student or $6,250 at a private university.
Are classes on the SJNA campus or does my student need to go off campus for class?
- All of our college classes are taught by our own SJNA teachers in their own classrooms. There is no traveling off campus to attend classes.
Who teaches your courses, and how are they qualified to teach at the university level?
- All college courses are taught by our own SJNA faculty, who are also university-certified adjunct instructors for Marquette University and/or the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Each of our partner universities conducts a thorough review of our faculty’s educational credentials and real-world experience to determine if they are qualified to teach their college courses through dual credit. Each instructor must hold a Master’s or PhD in their respective fields.
Will these credits transfer to other universities?
- Yes, absolutely! The courses we offer are freshman-level classes and will transfer just as if your student were to transfer colleges at any time. They will receive an official university transcript from either Marquette University or UW Oshkosh, and those credits will transfer to where they will enroll full-time. If you have any questions or concerns regarding transferring these credits, our College Counselor would be happy to assist you in contacting your student’s prospective university.
Will my student need to retake these classes in college?
- No, as long as your student is taking these for college credit and passes the course successfully, it counts as if they were taking the class in their regular university setting. It is a wonderful way to get ahead in both high school and college graduation requirements.
What are the benefits of taking college courses now at SJNA?
- Smaller Classroom Sizes: Instead of taking a freshman-level general education requirement in a university classroom of 50, 100, or 200 students, our college classes average 15 students per class for individualized instruction.
- Cost Effective: A three-credit course at a public university in Wisconsin costs $1,067, and through a private university would cost $6,250. These are the actual tuition costs for full-time students at our partner universities, Marquette and UW Oshkosh. A three-credit course through SJNA’s dual enrollment partnership program only costs approximately $300.
- Familiar Teachers and Classrooms: Your student can take certified university courses approved and transcripted by Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh from the comfort of their high school classroom at SJNA with their regular faculty. These are teachers whom they see every day within the regular timing of our high school courses (45 minutes every day) in the classrooms that they already know. A familiar, comfortable environment can make all the difference in being successful during the first steps into collegiate learning.
Dedicated to Strong Academics
Academic excellence is a centerpiece at St. John’s Northwestern. High school diploma options include College Prep, STEM Honors, and Humanities Honors. Academic support starts with supervised evening study and includes structured daily tutorial services as well as peer tutoring. Each course at SJNA is presented in a small-group setting, with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and an average class size of 10. Dedicated faculty direct productive classroom interaction and provide individual attention to guide students to subject mastery.
Each semester, students are recognized for their contributions and efforts in the classroom and have the opportunity to earn esteemed academic awards, including Dean’s List and Dean’s List with Honors. Along with Dean’s List distinctions, high-achieving students can also earn academic stars and ribbons, and induction into the National English Honor Society (NEHS, grades 10-12) or National Junior Honor Society (NJHS, grades 6-9). Students may also qualify for the Spanish, German or Chinese honor societies as well as the Mu Alpha Theta Math honor society.
At SJNA, we believe that every student has the potential to succeed academically. As educators, we understand that some students may require additional support and guidance as they mature scholastically, and that is why we provide our students with several voluntary and mandatory Academic Support Programs to help them succeed in areas of homework completion, study skills, and subject mastery. We know that all students want to perform well academically, but some do not possess the necessary skills to achieve these goals on their own. We also create opportunities for exceptional students to shine and have the ability to take initiative, show leadership, and mentor their classmates through Peer Tutoring.
The Armer Family Learning Commons offers students an open-concept, flexible study and collaboration space. The learning commons is home to the library, the Totzke Learning Center, and the IT Help Desk. Academic Support is offered through the Armer Family Learning Commons. It is an umbrella term for several separate programs we offer at SJNA that work in synchronization with each other to provide additional support and time to improve study skills and performance. These programs include Monitoring Missing Work, Academic Support Study Hall, Academic Warning Status, and Peer Tutoring.
We believe in the power of hands-on, experiential learning. Students broaden their knowledge and horizons outside the classroom through field trips, local excursions, service trips and study abroad. We know how important it is for your child to learn both inside and outside of the classroom, which is why we plan quarterly field trips and class excursions throughout Delafield, Madison, and the Greater Milwaukee Area. Students also have the learning opportunities that expand into neighboring states for guided college tours, and as far as England, Italy, Belgium, France, and other areas of Europe for our study abroad trips. Whether it is journaling outside on our campus for English class, collecting specimen in the nearby river for science class, attending a play at a local theater, or traveling outside of the country, we facilitate our students with real-world learning so that they can think broadly, make learning experiences more memorable, and give them the resources needed to drive their intellectual curiosity.
SJNA is one of approximately 3,500 schools worldwide to offer AP® Seminar, which is part of the AP Capstone Diploma™ program. The program focuses on developing essential skills for college and career success, such as critical thinking, research, collaboration, and communication. AP Research is scheduled to be offered in the Fall of 2026. Students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as on four additional AP Exams of their choosing, earn the AP Capstone Diploma. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research (and not on 4 additional AP Exams) earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.
St. John’s Northwestern has introduced the first component of the AP Capstone program, AP Seminar, this fall.
Your Future Awaits
See how we provide students with everything they'll need to succeed both during their time at SJN and beyond!
The Cutting
EDGE
Welcome to a New E.R.A.
St. John's Northwestern leads the charge when it comes to offering a state-of-the-art learning experience. The Engineering Robotics & Aviation (E.R.A.) program stands alone, and our 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio ensures an intimate learning experience. SJNA gives students the opportunity to earn their private pilot's license, and engage in our strong robotics and cyber-security programs, and a first-of-its-kind drone program.
See how SJNA is staying ahead of the ever-changing technological landscape and preparing the future leaders in the workforce of tomorrow.
Testimonial
“We wanted an excellent education, classes on “how to be an adult”, such as leadership, personal financial planning, and college preparedness in a structured environment. We are grateful to SJNA for helping our son find direction and happiness. He is proud of who he is and is excited about his future!”
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