St. Joseph’s Academy

St. Joseph’s Academy

3015 Broussard St.

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

(225) 383‑7207

sjabr.org  

Private, All-Female 

College-Preparatory High School

Mascot:  Red Stickers

Colors: Red and White

9th-12th  Grades

Around 1,130 students

Principal Stacia Bordelon Andricain 

andricains@sjabr.org

A Legacy of Faith and Excellence. The Story of St. Joseph’s Academy. Founded in 1868 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, St. Joseph’s Academy (SJA) is the oldest continuously operating high school in Baton Rouge. What began as a humble mission to educate and care for children in need has grown into one of the most respected all-girls Catholic college-preparatory schools in the country.

The Academy originally operated out of a small building on 7th Street in downtown Baton Rouge, later relocating to 4th and Florida streets to accommodate its growing student body. In 1941, the school made a significant move to its current home on Broussard Street, where it now sits on a serene 15-acre campus nestled in the heart of the city.

Throughout its long history, SJA has remained rooted in the charism of its founding sisters — a commitment to serve “the dear neighbor without distinction.” This guiding principle continues to shape the school’s culture, emphasizing a person’s spiritual growth, academic achievement, and compassionate service.

Recognized five times as a National Blue Ribbon School and honored in 

2002 by the U.S. Dept. of Education as a School of Technology Excellence, SJA blends tradition with innovation. In 2018-2019, the Academy proudly celebrated its 150th anniversary — a powerful reminder of its enduring impact and the generations of young women it has empowered through faith, learning, and leadership.

Tuition. Overview (2025–2026):

Base tuition: $13,511. Seniors’ additional fee $440 (covers senior retreat and graduation), for a total of $13,951. Options: Pay in full by May 5, 2025 or two installments on May 5 and Oct. 5 or 11 monthly payments via Blackbaud Tuition Management. Traditional payment (cash, money order, or certified check). Financial support amounting to over $750,000 in aid to 150 families each year. Merit-based scholarships available. Payment flexibility via Blackbaud. Contact Amy Jackson (jacksona@sjabr.org, (225) 388‑2234) for split accounts or custom arrangements.

Athletics. St. Joseph’s Academy is a proud member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (Class 5A), competing in District 4‑5A alongside other Baton Rouge schools. The athletic mission focuses on developing leadership, teamwork, and lifelong skills, with a strong commitment to excellence and sportsmanship .

SJA offers 12 varsity sports and additional non-LHSAA options. Varsity sports: basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Non‑LHSAA Sports: eSports, Red Steppers, and SJA Cheerleader.  The Red Steppers have won two national championships.

Achievements. SJA has collected 66 state titles and 62 runner-up honors, underscoring its dominance in Louisiana high school sports. State titles: cross country 14, swimming 17, gymnastics 8, tennis 12 (including recent wins through 2025). Track and Field: Multiple indoor/outdoor state championships. Soccer 1 (2023), Golf 3.

SJA has also enjoyed national recognition in cheer, capturing three Super Varsity and two Large Varsity cheerleading championships in recent years.

Recognition. Ranked No. 5 in USA Today’s “Top 25 High Schools in Louisiana for Athletes”. Finished 7th in the 2023–24 MaxPreps Cup standings. Numerous athletes were named to the 2025 All‑Academic All‑State teams.

Tryouts require a completed LHSAA physical form, submitted via Healthy Roster. Intramural offerings include volleyball, dodgeball, archery, pickleball, rock climbing, and more, plus co-ed events with Catholic High.

Athletic  Director  Erin Hart harte@sjabr.org, 225‑388‑2260. Asst. Director: Donna Pixley pixleyd@sjabr.org, 225‑388‑2222.

Extracurricular. SJA boasts 40+ clubs, spanning academic, arts, faith, service, and tech interests.

Academic Groups. Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Quiz Bowl. 

STEM and Tech. Robotics Team, Girls Who Code, Criminal Justice Club, and Science Club.

Arts and Media. Film Club, Creative Writers, Black Box Theatre, Media Arts, Broadcast Journalism, and Art Club.

Language/Culture Clubs. French Club, Spanish Club, and Latin Club.

Faith and Service. Liturgy Committee, Praise and Worship Band, Sisters in Service, and Student Ministry.

Leadership and Communication: Student Council, Student Ambassadors, and Youth and Government Club.

Special Interest. ASL Club, Culinary and Crafts Club, Games Club, Self‑Defense, Video Games Club, Yoga Club, Women’s Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship.

Other Programs. Beyond traditional clubs, SJA offers a lively lineup of activities that foster community and health. Intramural Sports: Volleyball, ping-pong, lacrosse, badminton, archery, prison ball, pickleball, dodgeball, flag football, rock climbing, Ultimate Frisbee.

Affiliations with Catholic High School. CHS Bruinettes, CHS Cheerleaders, Marching Band — open to students through partnership with nearby all-boys Catholic High.

Spiritual Formation. Faith is woven into extracurricular life. Students lead daily and weekly prayer and participate actively in the Liturgy Committee. Campus Ministry coordinates retreats for each grade, service opportunities, and faith-building events.

Leadership and Community. The Student Council, with grade-level representation, drives school culture — sponsoring Fun Days, Challenge Day, and other events.

Over 32,000 community service hours were completed in the 2023–24 year. Clubs like Entrepreneurship, Women’s Empowerment, Youth and Government, and robust arts offerings empower students to grow as leaders and creative thinkers.

Enrollment Process

1. Initial Interest and Visit. Families begin by visiting SJA—either at the annual Open House (held the third Thursday in October), or by arranging visits such as Spend-the-Day for 8th-graders or Coffee on Kleinert for 6th–8th parents.

  2. Online Application and Fee. Applications open October 1, and include a $65 non-refundable fee, plus a current photo Completed applications are due in late November.

3. Placement Testing and Interviews. In early December, applicants take placement exams (math, science, English) on campus (around 8–11 a.m.), followed by parent-student interviews with SJA staff. Additional proficiency tests (math, foreign language, science, English) may be administered in February.

4. Notification & Registration. Acceptance letters, along with financial aid determinations if applicable, are mailed in February. Families register via the MySJA portal, completing documentation and arranging tuition payments. 

5. Financial Aid. Tuition assistance applications are submitted separately via the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management portal. Required submissions include a $35 processing fee and a copy of the prior year’s federal tax return. 

6. Final Steps Before Fall. Incoming freshmen attend Welcome Week typically held in late July. Official academic orientation and first-day preparations occur in early August.

Key Contacts

Meredith Smith, Director of Admissions, smithm@sjabr.org | (225) 388‑2243 Victoria Hudson, Asst. Admissions Director, hudsonv@sjabr.org | (225) 388‑2209 Cristina Benigno Latiolais, Registrar 

latiolaisc@sjabr.org | (225) 388‑2226, Amy Jackson, Tuition Specialist, 

jacksona@sjabr.org | (225) 388‑2234