JSerra Catholic High School

By Shelley Hudson

As San Juan Capistrano’s JSerra Catholic High School celebrates ten years of pioneering in education, its new leadership looks with pride to the foundation upon which it was built and with a sharp focus on an ambitious blueprint for the future.

Newly minted President Richard Meyer and first-year Principal Dr. John Freeh were drawn to JSerra not only because of the school’s high scholastic ranking and college admission rates, but also by its independent operating model and entrepreneurial spirit. President Meyer admits that he’s still “in learning mode,” but says he’s happy to let JSerra’s existing culture shape his vision for future progress. “The solid infrastructure allows for easy adaptation in changing times,” Meyer says, “Our independence allows us to experience growth with no molds or boundaries.”

One example of JSerra’s untethered potential for growth is its online learning program. Students who have unique learning styles, medical conditions or travel for athletics or work can take advantage of the extensive menu of virtual classes and other resources. The online offerings can also supplement a campus-based schedule, allowing for maximum flexibility and curriculum customization. Last year, 40% of the student body took advantage of online classes.

JSerra’s internationally-recognized Magnet program is one of the few opportunities of its kind where students receive in-depth, hands-on experience in a specific profession. Law, business, and medical programs all offer college-accredited classes and field work. Medical Magnet students, for example, attend college-level anatomy and physiology classes and work in a hospital alongside clinicians and patients. JSerra’s Engineering Magnet launches in Fall 2013 and the coursework will also be integrated with real-world applications.

JSerra’s Artist in Residence program approaches visual and performance art much like the Magnet curriculum. Classes in painting, sculpture, photography, writing, and broadcast journalism are all taught by industry professionals and students are encouraged to submit their work for consideration in galleries and community art shows.

President Meyer insists that, although academic excellence is one of the pillars of a JSerra education, the institution places equal emphasis on spiritual and character development. “We are committed to imparting to all of our students the truths and beauty of the Catholic faith. We also encourage our non-Catholic students to embrace their own faith – whatever it may be – and practice it well.” Meyer continues, “Principal Freeh and I saw an opportunity at JSerra to shape our students from the inside out—to imbue each student with a vision for the future to become the best version of himself or herself.” To that end, JSerra’s extracurricular programming is as rich and rigorous as its academic side. The choir performs locally and nationally (including a recent gig at Carnegie Hall!), and a tour of Spain is in the works for next year. The girls cross-country team won the State Championship three years in a row—the first three-peat in CIF history. Varsity girls soccer is in the middle of an unprecedented winning streak, and the JV football team just celebrated the first undefeated season in school history.

“Remember Your Story” is JSerra’s theme for the 2012 – 2013 school year, inspiring students and faculty to commemorate the school’s impressive journey and legacy. “This vision was created by parents and built from the ground up – we started with 150 students and a handful of devoted staff members,” Meyer says. “Now we have over 1,000 students, 70 faculty, and a tremendous support system of additional staff, parents, and community members.” As part of its 10-year celebration, the school releases a weekly video featuring an alumni or teacher who describes his or her experience at JSerra and how it has translated into success. The inspirational videos can be found on JSerra’s YouTube channel and as part of the broadcast journalism group’s weekly production.

President Meyer looks forward to JSerra’s next decade with hope and a clear vision. “While it’s important to continually stay abreast of innovations in the field of education, our focus is not to “keep up with the Joneses” here at JSerra. Our mission, truth be told, is singular and timeless – to fully integrate faith and character formation with a rich academic experience in order to assist parents in raising their children to become men and women of integrity and virtue.”

JSerra Catholic High School
26351 Junipero Serra Road • San Juan Capistrano • 949.493.9307 • JSerra.org