St. Jerome Institute

“An Education for Love”

At a Glance

St. Jerome Institute is a Catholic parochial high school located at 1800 Perry Street NE in Ward 5, serving students in grades 9-12. Founded in 2010, the school operates in the classical liberal arts tradition, emphasizing a rigorous academic program rooted in Catholic teaching and the study of primary texts from the Western tradition.

As a four-year high school, SJI serves families seeking a faith-based education with a distinctive classical approach. The school's small size and low student-teacher ratio of 7:1 enable close mentorship and individualized attention throughout the high school years.

What Parents Should Know

St. Jerome Institute operates as a parochial school, meaning it follows an independent admissions process rather than the My School DC lottery system used by DCPS and public charter schools. Families interested in SJI will need to apply directly through the school and should expect an application process that may include student interviews, academic records review, and family meetings to ensure alignment with the school's mission and approach.

The school's classical liberal arts model differs significantly from typical comprehensive high schools. Students engage with primary source texts rather than textbooks, study Latin as part of the core curriculum, and participate in seminar-style discussions that emphasize Socratic dialogue. This approach requires students to be comfortable with discussion-based learning and sustained engagement with challenging historical texts.

As a Catholic institution, faith formation is integrated throughout the school day. Students begin each morning with Lauds, the traditional Catholic morning prayer service, and theology is taught as a core academic subject alongside philosophy, literature, mathematics, and science. Families should understand that religious participation is part of the school culture, not an optional add-on.

The Ward 5 location places the school in Northeast DC, which may require consideration of commute times for families coming from other parts of the city. Parents should factor in transportation logistics when considering whether SJI is the right fit for their student.

The 9-12 grade configuration means students arrive as freshmen and remain through graduation, without the transition points that exist at schools with different grade spans. This four-year commitment allows for relationship-building and curricular coherence, but families with younger students should plan for their child's middle school education elsewhere.

Programs and Approach

St. Jerome Institute's educational model centers on the belief that theology, philosophy, literature, mathematics, and science should be taught as an integrated whole rather than isolated subjects. This interdisciplinary approach aims to help students see connections across disciplines and understand how different fields of knowledge relate to fundamental questions about truth, beauty, and human purpose.

The seminar sits at the heart of the SJI experience. Rather than traditional lecture-based classes, much of the learning happens through small-group Socratic discussions where students grapple directly with texts and ideas. This format cultivates not just knowledge but also the intellectual skills of analysis, articulation, and reasoned debate. The school's 7:1 student-teacher ratio makes this intensive discussion model possible.

The curriculum draws from the great works of the Western tradition, including classical authors like Homer and Cicero, medieval texts like Beowulf, and modern Catholic writers. Latin study serves as a foundation for developing rigorous analytical thinking and accessing texts in their original languages.

As a Catholic school in the classical tradition, SJI emphasizes the formation of the whole person—intellectual, moral, and spiritual. The integration of prayer, particularly through daily Lauds, reflects the school's belief that education should cultivate not just competence but character and a sense of transcendent purpose.

Private parochial schools like St. Jerome Institute operate independently of the DC public school system, setting their own tuition rates, admission standards, and academic programs. Families should contact the school directly to learn about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and specific admission requirements.

Visiting and Contact

St. Jerome Institute is located at 1800 Perry Street NE in Ward 5. Families interested in learning more about the school's classical liberal arts approach, visiting campus, or beginning the admissions process should visit https://www.stjeromeinstitute.org or call (202) 390-1289 for current information about tours and applications.

“The truly liberating answer to the problem of children's immersion in technology is to give them something better to love. Students check in smartphones at the start of each day. We prioritize handwritten notes, physical books, and paper annotation over screens.”