Academics

A Jesuit Approach to Education

The Jesuit approach to education reaches back five centuries and is deeply rooted in the experience of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Jesuit companions. St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises are a "school of prayer" that has shaped the Jesuit experience over the centuries. Out of this approach to prayer and listening to God has arisen a unique approach to education. Strake Jesuit actively strives to develop its faculty, staff and students in this spiritual and academic tradition. The goal is to invite them into a formative experience that is rooted in deep experience and reflection so that the acquisition of knowledge is not merely accumulating information. Instead, a Jesuit education develops the reflective, critical, and spiritual potential of students as well as their commitment to action and sharing of their gifts. Chief characteristics of this tradition include:

Browse Curriculum

List of 4 items.

  • Cura Personalis

    St. Ignatius emphasized the need to know the person receiving the Spiritual Exercises, taking into account their unique abilities and personality. Strake Jesuit continues this tradition with an emphasis on knowing our students, providing individual care and development of their potential.
  • Finding God in All Things

    A Jesuit education invites students to experience the wonder of God’s creation through the disciplines they explore. Rather than a disparate set of disciplines studied to satisfy the demands of a mandated curriculum, a Jesuit education considers all learning as an experience of the many rays of truth that find their source and goal in our Creator.
  • Experience and Excellence

    St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises provide a context in which one may encounter God through rigorous "exercises" involving the intellect, imagination and will. Rigorous application of these human capacities is the avenue by which one comes to personal contact with the realities that are considered. Jesuit classes are based on challenging, experience-based knowledge that allows for deeper knowledge and critical reflection. Our students are pushed to become the very best they can be through a rigorous curriculum that seeks to develop their full potential.
  • Action

    The Spiritual Exercises are intended to provide a set of experiences that become the basis of fundamental decision or action. Jesuit students are challenged in a way that invites them to consider their gifts, including their education, as a call to responsibility and action. “What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ?” These questions posed by St. Ignatius are one expression of the responsibilities for service and mission that result from the education our students receive.

National Honor Society

The four ideals of the Society, scholarship, leadership, service, and character, serve as the basis for a student's selection as a member of the NHS; no one is inducted simply because of a high academic average. The Society recognizes the total student, one who excels in all areas.

Learning Resource Center

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) is dedicated to supporting students with diagnosed learning differences in becoming more self-aware of their strengths and challenges, taking ownership of their differences, and developing strategies for success.

No additional charges are required for LRC services to qualified students.
Learn More Here

Academic Resource Center

Grounded in the characteristics and values of a Jesuit education, ARC — the Academic Resource Center —provides specialized support to students seeking to avoid academic failure and maximize their academic potential. The key services of ARC include individualized coaching from two faculty ARC Mentors, daily accountability in a study hall setting, and a dedicated study space on the second floor of the Moody Memorial Library.
Learn More Here

Textbooks

Textbooks at Strake Jesuit are chosen by academic departments in order to compliment the curriculum. Hardback books as well as a variety of digital books are used in your son’s classes.

Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, Strake Jesuit will provide textbooks directly to families at no additional costs beyond the cost of tuition. Students will be asked to purchase additional curricular resources, such as paperback novels and laboratory goggles, on various occasions during the school year.

Excellence in STEM

Strake Jesuit was recently ranked 27th out of 5000 STEM schools by Newsweek!

Over a 3 year period, Newsweek has analyzed 30,000 schools and recently ranked the top 5000 for their STEM opportunities. Strake Jesuit was named 27th overall, 10th out of all private schools, and is 1 of only 2 Houston schools in the top 100. The study considered "schools in every region of the country that offer skilled teachers who keep up with developments in these fields and who create dynamic learning environments to engage their students." When faith and reason are used together, that's our idea of a recipe for success in the 21st century.

Meet the Academics Team

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of John Norkus

    Mr. Trip Norkus III 

    (713) 490-8139
    Role
  • Photo of Katherine Cassapo

    Mrs. Kate Cassapo 

    (713) 490-8131
    Role
  • Photo of Christopher Cole

    Mr. Chris Cole 

    (713) 272-4370
    Role
  • Photo of Sarah Rayder

    Dr. Sarah Rayder 

    713-490-8255
    Role
  • Photo of Jessica Schuffenecker

    Mrs. Jessica Schuffenecker 

    (713) 490-8147
    Role
  • Photo of Sharon Sheara

    Mrs. Sharon Sheara 

    (713) 490-8122
    Role
  • Photo of Jenifer Haecker

    Mrs. Jenifer Haecker 

    713-490-8249
    Role