Jesuit Education

Grounded in the presence of God

What is Jesuit Education?

Jesuit Education is based on a 450 year-old tradition ... that aims to form high school and college students intellectually, morally and spiritually toward lives of solidarity, service and professional success.

Emphasis is placed on learning through community service, interdisciplinary courses and the engagement of faith, theology, philosophy and ethics studies.

What is a Jesuit School?

Simply put, Jesuit schools are Catholic high schools and colleges that are run by the Jesuits (members of an apostolic Roman Catholic community known as the Society of Jesus).

Across Africa, there are 20 primary and 30 Jesuit high schools. African Jesuit colleges and universities are part of a network of about 133 Jesuit institutions of higher education in 31 countries around the world.

What are the Jesuit values of education?

The values of Jesuit education are rooted in the vision of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit Order (learn more about his life in the ‘history’ section).

These values prepare students to be wiser and more compassionate as they take the next step in their life journey as men and women for others.

  1. 01

    Cura Personalis

    Jesuit education emphasizes the view that each person is a unique creation of God. Cura Personalis (meaning ‘care for the whole self’ in Latin) is demonstrated by personal attention in the classroom, a deep respect for diversity and difference, and an emphasis on holistic care for the mind, body, and spirit.

  2. 02

    Discernment

    Discernment encourages students to be open to God’s spirit as they make decisions and take actions that contribute to the greater good. Discernment is practiced through prayer, reflection, consultation with others, and considering the full impact of actions from diverse angles.

  3. 03

    Finding God in all things

    A Jesuit education is one grounded in the presence of God and encompasses imagination, emotion, and intellect. The Jesuit vision encourages students to seek the divine in all things—in all peoples and cultures, in all areas of study and learning, and in every human experience.

  4. 04

    Magis

    A commitment to the concept of Magis (Latin for ‘more’) is a hallmark of Jesuit education. It challenges students to go beyond what is expected, interacting with the world with generosity, excellence, and empathy. Magis is modeled by personal accountability and high expectations of achievement.

  5. 05

    Reflection

    A foundational value of Jesuit education is the practice of reflection. Students are invited to pause to consider the world around them and their place within it before making decisions. This includes challenging the status quo, acknowledging biases, and accepting responsibility for actions.

  6. 06

    Service rooted in justice and love

    Jesuit education cultivates critical awareness of social and personal evil but points out that God’s love is more powerful. This value is illustrated through community service programs, service learning semesters, immersion experiences, and various volunteer opportunities for students.

  7. 07

    Solidarity and kinship

    Students work together for the greater good. They develop relationships with their surrounding communities and share their talents and skills to help and serve others. This value is practiced through community-engaged learning, where students work with community members to come up with innovative solutions.

NETWORKS JASBEAM

Promoting quality Jesuit education in Africa and Madagascar

A strong regional network is an important development for our schools in this part of the world but also for our Jesuit Global Network of Schools. Through the Jesuit Association of Secondary and Basic Education in Africa and Madagascar, we are learning that we are stronger and better when we network at all levels (local, national, regional, and global). It allows us to reach new levels of urgency that benefit the service of our mission of justice and reconciliation with God, with humanity, and with creation.

IAJU

International Association of Jesuit Universities

IAJU is an association of Jesuit Catholic universities and institutes of higher education.

Founded in 2018 and approved by Fr. General, Arturo Sosa, of the Society of Jesus, the IAJU is recognized as the international advisory and coordinating body to the Secretariat of Jesuit Higher Education and, through him, to Father General and his Assistants in matters related to higher education and the intellectual apostolate.