JSerra Catholic School

JSerra Catholic School

In only its eighth year, JSerra High School, San Juan Capistrano’s top-tier Catholic learning institution, has exceeded all measurable expectations of growth and excellence. The school’s Professional Magnet Program, implemented just last year, has been overwhelmingly successful and has garnered national attention from Ivy League educators. The music and theater programs have been significantly expanded. The athletic department has developed championship teams and nationally-ranked individual athletes in a variety of sports. The school has 23 international students from seven different countries. Graduates of JSerra earn a remarkable $24,311 on average in scholarship and have been accepted at 70 of the 100 top-ranked universities. Frank Talarico, JSerra’s President and CEO, views these achievements as examples of “good customer service.”

Talarico describes his approach to managing the development of the school and its students as “customer focused.” That commitment to his customers, in this case the parents and students, has driven him to take the job of college prep to the next level and beyond. In fact, Talarico’s exhaustive discussions with both JSerra parents and parents of students in other area high schools led to the evolution of much of JSerra’s innovative curriculum.

The Professional Magnet Program is one such innovation. JSerra students may apply to either the medical or business track and get a jumpstart on a higher education and possibly a future vocation. Hands-on demonstrations in an actual hospital or business setting combined with the practical application of classroom concepts provide students a foundation from which to start a professional trajectory.

Talarico credits the school’s close relationship with its corporate partners for much of the magnet program’s success. Mission Hospital’s CEO, Peter Bastone, “has been an extraordinary partner” in the medical track, according to Talarico. The business track, which was just introduced this school year, is co-facilitated by UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business, headed by Dean Andy Policano and Denise Patrick. “Without their vision and confidence, this program never would have happened,” insists Talarico. The corporate partners work alongside the school to offer students a unique first-hand insight into their respective fields.

The magnet programs offer significant academic advantages in addition to professional exposure. Business students can earn UC credits through JSerra’s program, and students in both tracks receive a distinctive certificate with their diplomas upon graduation. In the highly competitive climate of college admissions, participation in the Professional Magnet Program may give students the competitive edge they need. Future magnet programs in the works include law, engineering, technology and performing and fine arts. Talarico intends that these tracks will follow the model of the existing programs: real world experience coupled with a strong corporate partner.

JSerra has an eye on globalization as well. The science department is currently adding a second college-caliber laboratory and classroom and the liberal arts program is looking to expand its foreign language offerings to include Chinese. Students routinely earn perfect scores on Advanced Placement exams, which speaks well to both the quality of the curriculum and faculty.

In addition to academic excellence, JSerra is committed to providing students with a well-rounded high school experience. The school’s South Campus is dedicated to 22 sports and its training facilities rival any in the country. The Aquatics Center has one of only two pools west of the Mississippi that can host an Olympic Qualifier—the other is at Stanford. JSerra’s soccer and cross-country teams are defending CIF State Champions and the baseball team has sent more players to Division 1 teams than any other in Orange County in the last three years. ESPN featured student Juan Gutierrez on its cover and named him the top soccer player in his position in the nation. If that’s not enough, JSerra even has a successful ice hockey team!

The JSerra Choir was recently selected to travel to Rome and perform for the Pope. The black box theatre has been expanded and upgraded to accomodate a wider variety of performance art. In conjunction with the school’s Community Relations Committee, many JSerra students are involved with local non-profit organizations, including The Mission in San Juan Capistrano. This commitment to nurturing well-rounded young women and men is as important to the administration as test scores in determining long-term success.

JSerra is just getting started. Talarico promises “very exciting and progressive academic announcements” in the next few months. He says he simply “wants kids to be curious about the world.” In doing so, he’s piqued the curiosity of the academic world about JSerra. Visit www.jserra.org for more information on the school.