For the past 60 years, St James Academy has exemplified the blending of outstanding academic education with caring Catholic values. As the challenges of contemporary life evolve, St James Academy continuously evaluates the best processes to enable our students to meet the current and future needs of our community. The vision for St James Academy is to enable students, educators, and our community to gain both the desire and the opportunity to practice Christ-centered action in everyday life.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 191 students
- Average class size: 20 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Student Body
Total Students
191 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
14%
State avg.: 51%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
20 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
20 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Unifom
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Admissions Director
Susan Hanna
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
School Notes
- The Catholic Faith Community of St. James Academy weaves Christ's message into the fabric of each school day so that the whole child can develop in body, mind and spirit. Working within an educational program that integrates spiritual, moral, academic, social, cultural and physical precepts, the faculty and staff assist parents in the education of each child. In modeling Christ's teaching, we strive to prepare children to live in the world as responsible citizens and as faithful stewards of creation in an ever changing environment. We provide a student-centered, Catholic-based curriculum which values cultural and intellectual diversity in our commitment to excellence.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports does St. James Academy offer?
St. James Academy offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Soccer, Surf Team, Track and Field and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for St. James Academy?
The application deadline for St. James Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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People that viewed St. James Academy also viewed these schools: Encinitas Country Day School, Del Mar Pines School, Notre Dame Academy, La Jolla Country Day School and The Childrens School.
The nearest high school and elementary school to St. James Academy is Fusion Academy Solana Beach (0.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Leport Montessori (0.7 miles away)
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Location
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Students
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Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 942-1111
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Grades: K-6 | 155 students 2.8 miles 3975 Torrington Street
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(858) 481-5615
San Diego, CA 92130
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Grades: PK-8 | 275 students 3.9 miles 4345 Del Mar Trails Rd.
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San Diego, CA 92130
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Grades: NS-12 | 1,180 students 8 miles 9490 Genesee Avenue
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La Jolla, CA 92037
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School Reviews
5 4/4/2020
As parents of twins it's always a challenge to decide what's best for our boys. We in live in the best school district in San Diego so we had many local options for our boys' education. St James Academy was the best fit for us. The faith and values along with the curriculum are above and beyond. Our school is a family, students feel welcome and loved. We consider ourselves blessed to be part of the community!
5 3/5/2020
Our kids have attended St. James Academy (SJA) for the past 2 years. SJA is not just a "school" it much more than that. It is a caring and nurturing student-focused educational facility with a strong sense of community. It is our extended family! Everyone has been welcoming and inviting, the teacher/student ratio is low, so every child gets personal attention to help them thrive with individual needs. The teachers and other SJA families care deeply about the kids. SJA has helped our kids grow both spiritually, academically, emotionally, physically and socially. They really educate the whole child. We have loved the families we have met through SJA. Not only are our children obtaining a great education, but they are learning to be good people with great morals and values in a safe and loving environment. It is beautiful to see the older grades connecting with the younger ones. During lunch time they play together, and the older kids sit with the younger ones during Friday mass. The students even have "school families" where kids throughout all different grade levels come together monthly to do activities. It creates a strong relationship and friendship between all the children on campus the older kids help teach the little ones. SJA has been the best investment in our children's future. We love it here and would highly recommend it to any family.
5 10/3/2019
St. James Academy is a fantastic school. We moved from Portland, OR four years ago and toured 8 schools in the area. We chose St. James Academy and have been happy every day since! Our children continue to thrive in the nurturing environment that SJA provides. The academics are outstanding. Faith and love fill the school. The Fine Art, Performing Arts, Athletics, Foreign Language, and Leadership Program have been awarded in the community and are amazing. We have won the CA Green Ribbon Award three years in a row and recently recognized and awarded nationally. There is an outdoor classroom nestled in an indigenous garden along with a Monarch Butterfly sanctuary. There is an all school mass weekly that each class leads where the Jr. High students sit with the Kindergarten-second grade students acting as mentors/role models. We have an amazing athletics program with two phenomenal coaches that instill teamwork, communication, health, and fun into every class. We offer sports teams K-8. Our preforming arts program is stellar with our students being invited and having the privilege of singing at Carnegie Hall early. Fine, I offer arts to every grade with an hour and a half elective for the Jr. High. They have won Best in Show at the San Diego Fair two years in a row. The spirit on campus is electric! The students exude confidence and kindness. St. James Academy is one of a kind.
5 8/10/2019
This school and community have been a family for us. Both my daughters had different needs and both thrived in the environment. I cannot say enough good things about the staff and families, the amount of love and support, and quality of education my kids have experienced. I am a huge supporter of st. James Academy.
5 1/19/2016
After an exhaustive search of the North County parochial schools we choose SJA for our son. We have been with the school for three years. SJA is a great fit for us.
Our son had 4 years of Montessori education before starting 1st grade at SJA. We found the methods used here align well with the solid academic foundation he had developed.
When touring the school we noticed the central location of the music/choir room. I think this program is what fosters the community spirit at SJA. All children participate and the singing creates a positive buzz around campus.
Being a costal family, we support and love the surf team program. Friday afternoons kids from all grades gather at San Elijo state beach for surf practice. Those kids that are to young (<6th grade) just enjoy time hanging out in the water.
We love SJA and recommend it for any family that wants a school with solid academics, Christian community spirit in an intimate setting and the ability to make life nurturing friendships
Endorse St. James Academy. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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