St. John's Northwestern has been shaping the minds and developing the character of students since 1884.
Academy alumni have attended notable colleges and universities. As a college preparatory and leader development, boarding and day school for young men and women in grades 7 through 12, St. John's Northwestern is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind.
St. John's Northwestern continually enhances our AP honors classes, dual credit offerings, and specialty programs such as our Engineering, Robotics, and Aviation (E.R.A) program.
Surrounded by English gothic-style architecture, broad lawns, and towering trees, students living within the historic campus are immersed in a safe and secure environment in which they build self-esteem, self-discipline, academic ,focus and intellectual curiosity that allows them to "work hard, play hard, pray hard."
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 7-12, PG
- Enrollment: 235 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $56,300
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $24,800
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Average class size: 13 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events and News
- Open House - Wed., June 17, 2026 - get more information!
- Open House - Wed., July 15, 2026 - get more information!
- Open House - Wed., August 05, 2026 - get more information!
- St. John’s Northwestern Announces Alumnus Brandin Podziemski as 2026 Commencement Speaker - 05/05/2026St. John's Northwestern is proud to welcome back one of its own, Brandin Podziemski, as the keynote speaker for the Academy's 2026 Commencement Ceremony.Now a standout guard for the Golden ...moreState Warriors, Podziemski has quickly built a reputation for his work ethic, leadership, and team-first approach. His return to campus is a full-circle moment and a powerful reminder of the impact of an SJN education. hide
- St. John’s Northwestern Students Earn Top Honors at State Solo & Ensemble Festival - 04/29/2026Three students from St. John's Northwestern delivered standout performances at the Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo & Ensemble Festival this past Saturday, earning top placements at the highest level ...moreof competition.To qualify for the State Festival, students must first earn a starred first rating in Class A, the most advanced classification, requiring exceptional precision, discipline, and musicality.Representing St. John's Northwestern at State were:
Everett Mayers, trumpet - First Place
Youen Shi, tenor saxophone - Second Place
Dhruv Hardbarger, trombone - Second Place hide - St. John’s Northwestern Raiders Achieve Historic 3rd Place Finish at National Championship - 04/21/2026St. John's Northwestern's JROTC Raiders team has earned its highest finish in school history, placing 3rd overall in the Masters Division at the 2025 U.S. Army JROTC National Raider Challenge ...moreheld at Fort Knox.Competing against more than 270 teams from across the nation, the 17-member team rose to the top in one of the most physically and mentally demanding competitions in the country. The Raider Challenge is a premier national event designed to test cadets' physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership under pressure through multi-day, high-intensity events. hide
- SJN Seniors Earn Over $7 Million in Offered College Scholarships - 06/19/2025St. John's Northwestern (SJN) is proud to announce that the Class of 2025 has earned more than $7.1 million in offered scholarships, marking a historic year of achievement.
- Basketball Standout Tiefing Diawara Commits to Syracuse University - 05/28/2025St. John's Northwestern's Tiefing Diawara, a standout in the school's specialized DME Basketball Program, committed to play Division I basketball at Syracuse University, a storied program in the Atlantic Coast ...moreConference (ACC). hide
- SJN Senior Aidan Richards Receives Prestigious “Service Above Self” Award and Scholarship - 05/20/2025St. John's Northwestern (SJN) senior Aidan Richards has been awarded the Lake Country Rotary Club's "Service Above Self" Award and Scholarship, a distinction recognizing students who exemplify exceptional leadership, strong ...morecharacter, and a lifelong commitment to service hide
- ...read more
Top Rankings
St. John's Northwestern Academy ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 97 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Overview
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Secondary Immersion Language
Spanish
n/a
Year Founded
1884
1907
Campus Size
80 acres
130 acres
First Day of School
Tue. Aug 25, 2026
Last Day of School
Fri. May 21, 2027
School Motto
Lead Boldly. Work United. Stand Strong
Student Body
Enrollment
235 students
320 students
% Students of Color
24%
27%
% International Students
38%
20%
% Students Boarding
90%
66%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
15
18
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
73%
Summer Program Details
Accreditations
The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
15
18
Courses
Calculus Chemistry
Literature and Composition Physics
Statistics U.S. History
Biology
Tuition & Financial Aid
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$56,300
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$24,800
$38,700
Tuition international students
$62,700
$58,300
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$46,100
$49,624
Summer Program Cost
$1,200
(stjohnsnorthwestern.org)
(stjohnsnorthwestern.org)
% Students on Financial Aid
80%
40%
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
84%
64%
Director of Admissions
Juan Garcia
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
20
17
Colors
Red, Gold, Navy
School Mascot
Lancer
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
18
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Basketball Tournaments (DME)Raiders
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
School Notes
- As a college preparatory and leader development, boarding and day school for young men and women in grades 7 through 12, St. John's Northwestern Academy educates and develops young men and women to be responsible citizens, as well as moral and ethical leaders who are inspired to take advantage of today and tomorrow's opportunities. They achieve this through their foundational pillars of academic excellence, enriching spiritual and character development, outstanding athletic programs, and premier leader development training in a secure, nurturing and inclusive environment.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Daniel Gerber 1916 - Founder and president of Gerber Baby Foods
- Howard Woodin 1918 - Member of Marquette University Hall of Fame and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame for football
- Spencer Tracy 1919 - Distinguished actor; Academy Award winner; appeared in over 70 films
- Arthur Wermuth 1932 - Major, U.S. Army; World War II hero
- Edward Noble 1946 - Entrepreneur; developer; and manufacturer; served as a member of President Ronald Regan's staff
- C. Roosevelt Boettiger 1948 - Grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; U.S. delegate to the United Nations
- Brandin Podziemski - Podziemski’s path to the NBA (Golden State Warriors) speaks to persistence and growth. He began his collegiate career with the Illinois Fighting Illini before transferring to the Santa Clara Broncos, where he emerged as one of the top players in the country
- Ty Warner 1962 - Founder and C.E.O. of Beanie Babies, Inc., a leader in the toy industry
- Jay Graf 1966 - Founder and C.E.O. of Guidant Corp., a leader in the heart monitoring field
- Martin Torrijos Espino 1981 - Former President of Panama from 2004 to 2009
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does St. John's Northwestern Academy cost?
St. John's Northwestern Academy's tuition is approximately $56,300 for boarding students and $24,800 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. John's Northwestern Academy?
The acceptance rate of St. John's Northwestern Academy is 84%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from St. John's Northwestern Academy?
St. John's Northwestern Academy famous alumni include: Daniel Gerber 1916, Howard Woodin 1918, Spencer Tracy 1919, Arthur Wermuth 1932, Edward Noble 1946, C. Roosevelt Boettiger 1948, Brandin Podziemski, Ty Warner 1962, Jay Graf 1966 and Martin Torrijos Espino 1981.
What sports does St. John's Northwestern Academy offer?
St. John's Northwestern Academy offers 20 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Drill Team, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Markmanship, Marksmanship, Riflery, Soccer, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field and Wrestling.
Does St. John's Northwestern Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, St. John's Northwestern Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is St. John's Northwestern Academy's ranking?
St. John's Northwestern Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small average class sizes.
When is the application deadline for St. John's Northwestern Academy?
The application deadline for St. John's Northwestern Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
SJNMA offers a unique and safe environment. The faculty care about the cadets more than anything else. It's safe location physically located in the suburbs along with on campus security provide a great place. . .
I liked that we had structure. It taught me how to be on time and responsible. I also really liked that it was all guys. It made it easier to learn. Our teachers bent over. . .
The military traditions sets the school apart from other more traditional boarding school experiences. Very structured but always surrounded by other cadets in your company that doesn't make it feel like "all work and no. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
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