St. John's Northwestern Academy Photo #2 - The Beacon, a landmark on campus.

St. John's Northwestern Academy

At SJN, our history and foundation center on providing each student a safe, structured environment as a foundation for life.
Being away from home, preparing to make the most of each day, being personally responsible for making your bed, cleaning your room, folding your clothes, looking sharp and in uniform, and maintaining a rigorous schedule are the life skills that prepare our students to be high achievers for whatever they aspire to in the future.
The dormitories are secure with adult supervision, and our students develop fundamental academic habits through our required evening supervised study halls with peer and tutor resources available, and an advantageous 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio that instills high academic achievement.  Experience the difference that is St. John's Northwestern.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Upcoming Events and News

Top Rankings

St. John's Northwestern Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Year Founded
1884
Colors
White, Black, Red, Purple, Red/Black/White
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Last Day of School
Fri. May 15, 2026

Student Body

Total Students
221 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
25%
State avg.: 35%
Students by Grade
St. John's Northwestern Academy Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
35 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
35%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
10 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Calculus ABAP Chemistry
AP ChineseAP Computer Science
AP Human GeographyAP Language & Composition
AP PhysicsAP Psychology
AP SeminarAP World History
Average SAT score
1110
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
7-Day Boarding: $52,600 5-Day Boarding: $43,900 Day School: $20,500 International: $51,500
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Associate
Juan Garcia
Application URL

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
11 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Boy ScoutsChess Club
Debate ClubDECA Club
Model UNRobotics Team
Ski Club


Arts and Music Programs:
BagpipesBand
Trumpet


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Raiders

School Notes

  • School Mascot: Lancer
St. John's Northwestern (SJN) is Wisconsin's premier co-educational college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 7-12 and post-graduate. Established in 1884, the academy boasts a breathtaking campus with historical buildings throughout, featuring modern renovations.

Conveniently located in charming Delafield, Wis., SJN is dedicated to preparing each student for success as tomorrow's global leaders. SJN empowers young men and women to achieve their fullest potential by blending rigorous academics, innovative programs, and character-building leadership opportunities.

Our signature programs-Engineering, Robotics, Aviation, JROTC Leadership, DME Basketball, and the AP Capstone Program-ignite curiosity and foster skills that prepare our students for success in an ever-evolving world.

Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing individualized attention to every student in a safe, structured environment that provides a foundation for life. The academic and leadership curricula are complemented by a strong athletic program, character development, and a range of extracurricular opportunities.
  • Average class size: 12
  • Average enrollment: 240
  • AP Capstone Diploma Program with 10 AP classes offered
  • Earn 50+ college credits with dual enrollment courses
  • 100% college acceptance rate
  • Average $115,000 in scholarship awards and offers
  • Nearly 40 competitive, academic, and special interest clubs like DECA, Model UN, and competitive robotics teams.
  • 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
    • William J. Janklow 1954 - Governor of South Dakota for four terms, longer than anyone in state history
    • 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 $45,000 for private students.
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, William J. Janklow 1954, Ty Warner 1962, Jay Graf 1966 and Martin Torrijos Espino 1981.
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 sports does St. John's Northwestern Academy offer?
St. John's Northwestern Academy offers 11 interscholastic sports: Archery, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Drill Team, E-sports, Football, Riflery, Soccer, Tennis and Track and Field. St. John's Northwestern Academy is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for most sports offered.
What is St. John's Northwestern Academy's ranking?
St. John's Northwestern Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for: Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
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).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Waukesha County, WI is $9,045 for elementary schools and $18,064 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Waukesha County, WI is 93% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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