Yerik's Testimony

        Yerik is 11 years old and has been attending San Juan Diego Academy since Kindergarten. “I want to be a dentist,” he said. When asked if he was sure, the 6th grader replied with a shrug “I don’t know, maybe.” One thing he's certain of is continuing his education at a Catholic high school, and then moving on to college. This is a big shift in thinking since he started his K-8 education seven years ago with us. “I didn’t know why I had to go to school at first, I struggled.” Coming from an immigrant family as the eldest of three siblings, Yerik had a hard time acclimating at San Juan Diego Academy. 

The schedule and curriculum of a school that emphasizes the importance of grasping the material, and giving students the means to improve every year, can be a bit overwhelming for a young child.  “I didn’t like doing the math or doing the reading…I didn’t like raising my hands at first, but I do now. I like that we say morning prayer and the pledge of allegiance, too,” he said. A lack of community and support is a significant factor in limiting children's ability to learn and progress in their schooling. 

Although anecdotal - Yerik’s story paints a picture of what is working at San Juan Diego Academy. When they start here, students often struggle to meet benchmarks for Language Arts, Math, Science, and Reading. However, the longer a student stays at San Juan Diego Academy, the better they do. The data shows that long-term students will be performing, on average, far better than their peers at equivalent public and charter schools. An average student at San Juan Diego Academy will do far better by 8th grade than when they arrive.  

Unlike other private schools, the financial burden of sending a child to San Juan Diego Academy does not fall on the shoulders of parents who cannot afford it. The majority of our students come from low-income families. Because of donors like you, they pay an average of $1000 for a year’s tuition. 

Giving young girls and boys like Yerik access to a high-quality Catholic education is an investment in positive outcomes for your community. Please consider giving to San Juan Diego Academy this Christmas season!