Who Is St. Ignatius?
St. Ignatius
St. Ignatius Loyola was born in 1491, one of 13 children of a family of minor nobility in northern Spain. Ignatius was far from saintly during much of his young adult life. He was vain, with dreams of personal honor and fame. He gambled and was not above sword fighting. In 1521, Ignatius was an officer in the Spanish army and was badly wounded in a battle with the French. While convalescing, he began reading books about the life of Christ and the saints and became fascinated. He began to notice something strange happening to him. God, he realized, was working within him, prompting, guiding, inviting him.
As he traveled, he realized that God was similarly at work in the lives of all people, in the everyday events of the world. Over the years, Ignatius became expert in the art of spiritual direction, collecting his insights, prayers, and suggestions in his book the Spiritual Exercises, one of the most influential books on the spiritual life ever written. With a small group of friends, Ignatius Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. Ignatius conceived the Jesuits as “contemplatives in action.”
““to give, and not to count the cost
to fight, and not to heed the wounds
to toil, and not to seek for rest
to labor, and not to ask for any reward
save that of know that we do thy will””
Jesuit Schools
From the first Jesuit school opened in Messina, Sicily in 1548 to the 3,750 schools worldwide caring for 2.5 million students, Jesuit education has focused on caring for the whole person - mind, body and spirit. The hallmark of Jesuit education is an equal concern for developing the intellect along with spiritual growth and a commitment to social justice. Through Ignatian traditions like daily using the Examen, a guided reflection on the day, our students learn to be aware of God's presence in their lives.
Click here for a global map of Jesuit schools
The Pillars of a Jesuit Education
Cura Personalis
Cura Personalis, Latin for “care of the whole person,” sets the framework from a Jesuit education. The Academy’s faculty and staff get to know each student as his own person, from his own personal journey before the Academy, to his individual needs in the classroom or on the field. This special relationship builds a community that is strong, trustworthy, loving and safe for each student to grow and thrive.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Attributed to St. Ignatius, the phrase or its abbreviation, A.M.D.G., is prominently displayed in Jesuit high schools and universities around the world, Literally translated as “for the greater glory of God,” this concept is at the center of Jesuit education. At the Academy, this motto is engraved in the lobby stairs and is intended to remind our students, as they cross over these words, to dedicate all that they do each day to this aspiration.
Magis
Latin meaning the “more,” Magis is the value of developing what God call us to do next for making ourselves, others, and our world better. The academic program at the Academy is challenging, demanding a serious approach to school. With a goal of preparing our students for admission to and success in a wide array of top independent and competitive admission public schools. Students are constantly striving to learn and become their best self.
Men and Women for and with Others
Academy students and graduates embody a spirit of giving and providing service to those in need, and they are encouraged to pursue justice on behalf of all persons. All students participate in service and opportunities are built-in to the curriculum and culture of the Academy. Several school-wide service days are set aside for projects like making casseroles for a homeless shelter, baking cookies and writing notes for residents at a local retirement home, or cleaning up the Federal Hill neighborhood. Additionally, each grade works with a particular organization during the school year. Currently, our 7th grade class travels to the Loyola Early Learning Center to read to the two-year olds, and our 8th graders meet monthly with the Kindergartners at a local elementary school.
finding God in All Things
This may be the one phrase that sums up Ignatian Spirituality, inviting a person to search for and find God in every circumstance of life.
Grad at Grad Traits
“Grad at Grad” traits stand for the qualities we expect each graduate to idealize by the time they graduate from the Academy. These traits include being intellectually competent, open to growth, loving, religious, and committed to doing justice. Grad at Grad traits are discussed frequently and students work on them in every facet of their time at the Academy.
Preparing Students for High School and Beyond
Curriculum
In small classes of no more than 15, our students study:
English
Reading
Math (through Algebra I)
Religion (nondenominational)
Social Studies
Science
Spanish
Art and Music
Enrichment ACTIVITIES
We broaden the educational program with classes that help students develop their talents in art and music; and teach essential competencies like strong note-taking and study skills as well as public speaking and problem solving. Additionally, students are offered off-site programs including Junior Bach at the Peabody School at the Johns Hopkins University, Maker Foundations from the Digital Harbor Foundation, Outward Bound, First Tee, additional summer learning programs, clubs and more.
Technology Ready
By the time they graduate, Academy students have developed a competency using individual technology in the classroom. All students are assigned a one-to-one Chromebook which they sign out daily and use in every class. Additionally, students can access iPads for classroom use. Students become familiar with using web-based classroom sites to check for homework assignments, grades, communicate with teachers, and turn in assignments.