Discover Chesterton.

Our Model of Education

Inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II, we take as our motto Cultura Vitae, the culture of life. We make it our mission to prepare our students to triumph over the materialism and despair that pervade our culture and to accept our Lord's offer to have life and have it abundantly. Our classical curriculum combines a broad liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the cultivation of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty.

The Three Pillars

  • We teach the classics of Western thought from physics to philosophy, and the interrelationship of the great ideas; teaching students not merely what to think but how to think.

  • We help students grow in the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice, which we believe are the foundation of leadership.

  • Our students come to understand and embrace the truth of why they exist: to know God, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next.

 Our Patrons

G.K. Chesterton

The Chesterton Schools Network is named for the great English writer and Catholic convert, G.K. Chesterton (1874- 1936). Chesterton is our school’s patron because he exemplified the Catholic faith through a life filled with joy, wonder, and gratitude.

Chesterton was considered one of the world’s most outstanding men of letters in the early 20th century. An accomplished essayist, novelist, and poet, he wrote a hundred books on all different subjects. In 1922, he shocked the literary establishment by converting to Catholicism. He was later eulogized by Pope Pius XI as “a gifted defender of the faith,” and there is presently a popular movement to have him canonized. He not only represents the fullness of faith and reason, but also Catholic joy and common sense.

Saint John the Evangelist

We desire our school to be the embodiment of Jesus’ beloved disciple, St. John the Evangelist. In John 15:9, Jesus says, “[a]s the Father loves me, so I also love you. Abide in my love.” John understood these words and was the only one of Jesus’ disciples who remained with Him to the end.  What was his secret? He KNEW he was Jesus' beloved disciple. This gave him the confidence and faith to place his head on Jesus’ bosom at the Last Supper as he received his first Holy Communion.

What more could we want for our students here at Chesterton? Like John, who was most likely a teenager himself when he left everything to follow Jesus, we want our students to proclaim as apostles and evangelists what they learn as beloved disciples.  They will have this opportunity while receiving Communion daily at His bosom, knowing how to remain joyful with Jesus, even when sharing His Cross, and living in Mary’s company as her sons and daughters.

The Chesterton Schools Network

We are part of the Chesterton Schools Network based in Minneapolis. An apostolate of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, the Chesterton Schools Network aims to inspire and encourage parent-led Catholic schools across the nation. The Network offers consulting services, templates for evaluating interest and operating a school, and the Chesterton Academy curriculum framework.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • CASJE will apply to become an independent Catholic school recognized by the Richmond Diocese. We do not have an official relationship with Charlottesville Catholic School, which offers junior Kindergarten through 8th grade, but we are a logical option for families seeking to continue education in the Catholic tradition beyond 8th grade. The Gilbert Keith Chesterton Society, which oversees the Chesterton Schools Network, is recognized by Archbishop Bernard Hebda as a Canonical Private Association of the Christian Faithful dedicated to evangelization and Catholic education.

  • To ensure the effectiveness of the Socratic seminar method of teaching, Chesterton Academies limit classroom size to 20 students or fewer.

  • The Chesterton Academy model calls for each school day to begin with Mass. The average length of daily Mass is about 30 minutes, so it can be thought of as “homeroom” with Christ – a beautiful, spiritual start to the academic day. There are also regular opportunities for adoration, retreats, confession, and spiritual formation. Faith is woven through every subject in the curriculum, and there are regular visits from priests and religious.

  • Yes. All students are required to participate in the life of the school, including daily Mass and theology classes.

  • Each faculty and staff member takes the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium at the beginning of the academic year, which is a commitment to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition, an integral part of the hiring process will be finding candidates who are joyfully living out their Catholic faith and are inspiring examples to the students.

  • 256 E. High St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 across from Holy Comforter Catholic Church

  • As of Fall 2024, there are 63 Network schools operating worldwide. CASJE was the first Chesterton Academy to open in Virginia. Locations in Weyers Cave and Warrenton, Virginia are slated for Fall 2025.

  • The Chesterton model provides guidance on how to acquire high-quality teachers aligned with the teachings of the Catholic Church. We are blessed to live in an area that has a large pool of teaching talent. Many educators seek out this classical model, and we have already been approached by numerous educators who are interested in teaching at CASJE.

  • Chesterton Academy students come from a range of educational backgrounds, including parochial K-8 schools, public schools, charter schools, homeschooling, and online schools. The best thing you can do to help prepare your children is to encourage them to read great books.

  • With “Cultura Vitae” as the Chesterton motto, we understand that each student is uniquely and wonderfully made by our Creator. Through the admissions interview process, we will get to know your child and your family, and any learning accommodations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

  • Our school will open with a provisional accreditation from the Chesterton Schools Network, which will perform regular audits on our school. As long as the school follows the policies, procedures, and curriculum provided (as we intend to do), it will become fully accredited two years from the opening date.

  • Yes. The tradition of school uniforms goes back to Medieval times when caps and gowns were required at universities. Thus, all students, regardless of background, would dress alike, and all would show an outward sign of their dedication to the task of learning together within the community. From the very beginning, uniforms have been in support of three goals: modesty, professionalism, and community or school spirit. Our uniform policy aims at the same three goals.

  • Yes. All contributions from the date of formation forward are tax deductible. Please see our certificate here. Also, for more creative ways to save using stocks or retirement accounts please read our helpful tips.