Jesuit is one of over 2500 schools and educational projects globally.
"Jesuit Education calls for an “interculturality” in our schools that is more than “people simply living in harmony, but to have schools move towards universality… enriching exchange between cultures…. Interculturality isn’t the end in itself, it’s the means with which we can create the conditions to fully experience humanity, contributing to the humanization of individuals, cultures and peoples.”
-Father General Arturo Sosa, October 2017
Each February all freshman World History classes participate in the Jesuit Refugee Services "Walk a mile in my shoes" refugee awareness experience. Each freshman is given a refugee identity card with a name, age, country of origin, and circumstances that led to their refugee status for the simulation. Upperclassmen guide the freshmen through seven interactive stations: border crossing, shelter, water, food, education, medical, and advocacy.
During the same month Jesuit Student Government facilitates a fundraiser to support the work of JRS.
ISN was founded in 2004 and is a lay-led 501(c)(3) organization working in partnership with more than 150 Jesuit universities, high schools, and parishes, along with many other Catholic institutions and social justice partners.
Through in-person and virtual programs and campaigns, ISN provides social justice education grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, and mobilizes more than 20,000 network members to take action on timely issues related to migration, care for creation, racial justice, and criminal justice. The focus of ISN’s work is always with an eye toward forming individuals with a life-long commitment to the “service of faith and the promotion of justice.”
In addition to hosting leadership programs and advocacy efforts throughout the country, ISN organizes the yearly Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C., which draws more than 2,000 people each year to the nation’s largest annual Catholic social justice gathering and advocacy day.
Twice per year (December and April) Jesuit High School partners with St. Vincent de Paul to support their work with the most vulnerable in our community.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide Catholic organization of laypersons whose members strive to live their faith by serving the less fortunate with love and dignity, without judgement or discrimination. As a way to help people escape the cycle of poverty, volunteers lend assistance to those lacking the basic necessities of life.
Are you aware that millions of people around the world still don't have access to education? Poverty, lack of infrastructure, gender inequality, climate change and conflict are some of the contributing factors to the lack of education in many countries. How can you and your school help?
The Red Chair Project is promoted by the following organizations:
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jesuit High School is excited to partner with Instituto de Ciencias, a Jesuit High School in Guadalajara, to offer a 16 day language and cultural immersion in Guadalajara, Mexico. Students fly to Guadalajara and stay with a host family while participating in Spanish language and Mexican culture classes, travel excursions and service projects.
This is an exchange program between Jesuit and Schola International Language School in Valencia, Spain. Not only will your son/daughter enjoy the exchange experience in Spain, but your family will host a Spanish student when they visit Jesuit. This program is offered in partnership with Northwest International Student Exchange (NISE).
There are three service immersions planned for summer 2023: L'Arche Tahoma Hope Immersion, Kino Border Initiative Immersion, and Courts for Kids Dominican Republic Immersion.
L'Arche Tacoma Immersion
L’Arche Tahoma Hope is a member of the International Federation of L’Arche. The first L’Arche community was started in 1964 in Trosly-Breuil, a village north of Paris, France. It began in much the same way that L’Arche Tahoma Hope did – in response to the need for companionship of two people with intellectual disabilities. Out of this single response has grown a Federation that is made up of over 135 communities in 36 countries throughout the world.
The Tacoma community includes four homes, a workshop, a large working farm, and a welcome center. During this Monday through Saturday immersion, JHS students have an experience of living in an intentional community and building relationships by working side by side with members of the community -- with and without disabilities.
Kino Border Initiative Immersion
Kino Border Initiative (KBI) is a ministry of the US West Province of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) set up to work with one foot on each side of the U.S.- Mexico border in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. As a faith-based organization, KBI strives to respond to the most critical needs by respecting the God-given dignity of the human person and by fostering bi-national solidarity through humanitarian assistance, education, and research/advocacy.
The KBI Border Immersion is designed to provide an opportunity for students to learn about the issue of immigration and the culture of rural communities near Nogales. The emphasis is on building bridges of friendship and cross-cultural understanding with the places where we work. Students work with staff and community volunteers. Immersion groups stay on the U.S. side of the border but cross daily into Nogales, Mexico. As part of preparation for the immersion, students will be expected to serve at Jesuit’s Hurtado Center at least three evenings prior to departure.
We hope to offer a Border Immersion trip with KBI during the summer of 2023. More details to come this fall!
This immersion is open to rising juniors and seniors only and is approved for the junior/senior project.
Courts for Kids Immersion
Courts for Kids is a long-term partner of Jesuit High School whose mission is: "Transforming lives through building courts and cultural exchange." Courts for Kids immersion groups work closely with a community in a developing country to build a sport court together. Through building courts and cultural exchange, Courts for Kids aims to provide opportunities for meaningful relationships. Please visit the Courts for Kids website to learn more about their history, program, and mission.
Plans are underway to partner with Courts for Kids for a Jesuit-sponsored trip in summer 2023! JHS has been matched with a Jesuit primary school in the Dominican Republic. Dates and more details to come this fall!
A note about "Open" international immersion trips:
Some partner organizations such as Courts for Kids and Seeds of Learning offer “open” trips, which are open to participants of all ages (high school students, college students, adult individuals, couples, families, etc.). “Open” trips are not approved to fulfill the Jesuit Christian Service requirement. We believe it is in the best interest of students to have guidance and supervision from Jesuit High School faculty/staff on international trips. Jesuit-sponsored trips are intentionally framed within the five pillars of our immersion program: Service, Solidarity, Simplicity, Spirituality, and Social Justice. Students who choose to participate in "open" immersion trips will also need to complete a different approved project in order to fulfill the junior/senior Christian Service requirement.
