Grade 6,7,8 Exploration Study

No. The exploration study is a response to our strategic planning process. De Smet Jesuit High School's enrollment is trending positively. 

We spent the 2022-2023 academic year asking, “Where is God calling De Smet Jesuit?” Following a year of listening, reflecting, and learning, a strategic vision emerged that focuses on delivering a learning experience inclusive of these four priorities: Catholic and Jesuit, Academic Excellence, Care for The Whole Person, and Men for Others. 

As part of our strategic visioning process, we began exploring the need for a Jesuit, Catholic school serving grades 6, 7, 8. We know that ages 11-14 are pivotal years for faith development and religious belief and practice. We also know that there are specific ways in which boys learn at these ages.  The first step in exploring this concept is to study the need in our community for this type of program and objectively measure the level of interest among families to determine enrollment potential.  

De Smet Jesuit has commissioned Meitler, a nationally recognized Catholic planning firm, to conduct this study. Meitler has extensive experience working with Catholic schools and new school/expansion initiatives nationwide. As part of the study, comprehensive community demographic research is already underway, and a market research survey will launch on Friday, September 29, 2023, to our current and prospective De Smet Jesuit community and the week of October 2 to a wider audience that includes Catholic families with children enrolled in public schools. The survey will assess parents’ willingness to enroll their sons in the proposed new academic program for boys in grades 6, 7, and 8.

In July 2023, De Smet Jesuit's President, Fr. Ronny O'Dwyer, S.J., met with Archbishop Rozanski to discuss plans for the study. Archbishop Rozanski granted permission for De Smet Jesuit to conduct the feasibility study, which will be completed by early November 2023.

De Smet Jesuit will review the results of the feasibility study in mid-November and will make decisions based on the findings of the study.  

The feasibility study will inform the decision about which grades to offer, but it is our hope to begin with grades 6, 7, and 8.

No. De Smet Jesuit expects that classes in grades 6, 7, and 8 will be small. The target class size for 9th grade is 175. We will continue our traditional admissions process for 8th grade boys applying from Catholic parish schools, public schools, and other private schools. 

The program for grades 6, 7, 8 would be housed in the current high school building, but in a contained wing dedicated specifically for this new program.

Yes. We would offer developmentally appropriate interaction with high school students, including but not limited to participation in all-school Masses, peer tutoring, and advanced-level classes for high-achieving students.

The feasibility study will help us determine the appropriate tuition rates.

Yes, tuition assistance and scholarships will be available.