St. Joseph Catholic Academy leader shares goals for new $10.3M campaign

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- St. Joseph Catholic Academy has launched a $10.3 million capital campaign to address facility needs and prepare its five campuses for future generations.

The campaign, “United in Faith, Forward in Excellence,” focuses on facility upgrades, campus improvements, accessibility and a new academy auditorium.

The academy serves over 700 students from early childhood through 12th grade at St. Gianna Early Childhood Center, Cathedral Catholic School, St. Francis Zavier Catholic School, St. James Catholic School and Bishop LeBlond High School.

One of the campaign's top priorities is adding air conditioning to Bishop LeBlond High School, where much of the building currently does not have air conditioning.

“We don't have air conditioning in most of our building. On days like this, where we've had a lot of 90-degree days, we have to do half days, and it really impacts the learning of our students," said Natalie Newville, president of St. Joseph Catholic Academy.

SJCA is hoping the campaign will reach beyond families already connected to its schools.

“I think sometimes people think that it's only for Catholic people,” school leaders said. “But really, we're such a thriving part of our community. And when our schools are doing well, everybody does well," Newville said.

School leaders said each of SJCA's five campuses will benefit from projects included in the campaign.

“We've really kind of done a large range of projects so everybody can find something they're passionate about,” Newville said.

Other projects included in the campaign detail a new auditorium for Bishop LeBlond, new bleachers for Grace Gym, Cafeteria updates, reconstructed parking lots at Bishop LeBlond, Playgorund enhancements at Cathedral, St. Francis and St. James, a STEM Lab for all Academy scholars at Bishop LeBlond and more.

Newville said updates and campaign information can be found at SJCA's website.