Enrichment Programs

At Xavier Jesuit Academy, we prepare young men to be leaders and "Men for Others" through disciplined academic preparation and enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Our after-school programs provide students with diverse pathways to develop their talents, discover new interests, and grow in community.

Athletic Programs

Our Soccer Program develops athletic skills, teamwork, and discipline while building character through competitive play and sportsmanship. Students learn the fundamentals of the game while growing in confidence and physical fitness.

The Basketball Program provides opportunities for students to develop basketball skills, learn teamwork, and experience healthy competition. Through practices and games, young men build perseverance, leadership, and school spirit. Through practices and games, young men build perseverance, leadership, and school spirit. In our first year, our fifth-grade basketball team won the Greater Cincinnati Catholic Youth Sports (GCCYS) Championship.

Rugby
Starting in school year 2025-6, we are excited to introduce our rugby program, led by John Spencer in collaboration with volunteers from St. Xavier High School. This partnership brings experienced mentorship to our students while teaching the core rugby values of respect, integrity, solidarity, discipline, and passion. The program connects our young men with positive role models from St. Xavier High School and introduces them to a sport that emphasizes both physical strength and team unity.

Football Program
We collaborate with Cougar Football to host our students who are interested in football.

Tennis
In partnership with the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation, our tennis program provides professional instruction and access to quality facilities. This collaboration ensures students receive expert coaching while developing skills in a sport they can enjoy throughout their lives. The program emphasizes individual improvement, mental focus, and good sportsmanship.

Cincinnati Youth Vibrant Project
This partnership brings fun, active fitness programming to XJA through a variety of engaging activities that promote physical health and joyful movement.

Academic & STEM Enrichment

Our STEM Club, in partnership with Hope Ignites Network (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope), engages students in hands-on experiences with coding, CAD, LEGO robotics, artificial intelligence, and financial literacy, building critical 21st-century skills.

The Chess in Schools Program, supported by the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, develops strategic thinking, concentration, and problem-solving abilities that transfer to academic success. Now in its second year at XJA, this program sharpens young minds through the timeless game of chess.

Financial Literacy with Thomas MacDonald
Mr. MacDonald works with sixth-grade students to introduce them to essential financial concepts. Through fun, engaging activities, students learn the value of money, how to manage finances, and how to invest wisely. This first-year program helps our young men build a foundation for financial responsibility and success.

Students receive personalized academic support through tutoring partnerships with St. Xavier High School and St. Ursula Academy high school students, offering one-on-one assistance in reading, math, and other subjects.

Character Development & Leadership

Our Scout Program, in partnership with the Dan Beard Council, provides opportunities for outdoor adventures, leadership development, and character building through the time-tested Scouting program that emphasizes service, citizenship, and moral development.

The Board Game Club fosters essential social skills, including sportsmanship, cooperation, and communication in a fun and engaging environment.

Life Skills & Practical Learning

Cooking Club with Phil Schneider: Now in its second year, Phil Schneider founded the Cooking Club as an opportunity for students who are not interested in sports to explore ingredients, enhance cooking skills, develop a love of food and understanding of nutrition, and have fun together. Working with fifth and sixth graders, Phil helps students create delicious dishes including rice crispy treats, banana puddings, pickles, sushi, salsa, and hummus. While limited kitchen facilities restrict full cooking experiences, students gain valuable skills in food preparation and kitchen safety.

Our New Leaf Kitchen Program extends culinary learning with specialized experiences emphasizing nutrition and healthy meal preparation.

Environmental Stewardship

Students work at the Bond Hill Community Learning Garden alongside multiple community partners who share our commitment to environmental stewardship and hands-on learning. This collaborative garden project connects our young men with nature while teaching them valuable lessons about sustainability, responsibility, and caring for God's creation.

St. Xavier High School Environmental Club
Our partnership with the St. Xavier High School Environmental Club provides mentorship opportunities where older students guide our young men in environmental projects and service. This collaboration creates meaningful connections between our students and high school role models while deepening their understanding of ecological responsibility and community service.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Through our partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo, students gain access to expert knowledge about conservation, biodiversity, and environmental science. Zoo educators and staff bring professional expertise to our garden work, helping students understand the broader connections between local gardening efforts and global environmental challenges.

Community Vibrant Youth Project
The Community Vibrant Youth Project brings energy and engagement to our garden work through active, youth-centered programming. This partnership ensures students experience environmental stewardship as joyful, dynamic work that builds both physical fitness and ecological awareness.

St. Xavier Church Youth Program
Volunteers from St. Xavier Church Youth Program join our students in garden work, creating intergenerational connections and demonstrating how faith communities care for creation together. This partnership strengthens the spiritual dimension of environmental stewardship, helping students see their work as part of living out our Catholic values.