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 6 through 12, St. John's Northwestern Academies 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.
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 Stats (2023)
- Grades: (Boarding) 6-12
- Enrollment: 165 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $46,800
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $21,400
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events
Top Rankings
St. John's Northwestern Academies ranks among the top 10 schools with < 200 students (out of 89 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
School Overview
Grades Offered (Boarding)
6-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1884
1906
Campus Size
80 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
165 students
315 students
% Students of Color
24%
25%
% International Students
23%
20%
% Students Boarding
86%
69%
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
5
17
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
48%
71%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$46,800
$62,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$21,400
$35,070
Tuition international students
$53,600
$55,000
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$38,000
$44,900
Summer Program Cost
$4,850
(sjnacademies.org)
(sjnacademies.org)
Acceptance Rate
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
5
17
Courses
Calculus, Chemistry, Literature and Composition, Physics, Statistics, U.S. History, Biology
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
20
16
School Notes
- As a college preparatory and leader development, boarding and day school for young men and women in grades 6 through 12, St. John's Northwestern Academies 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.
- St. John's Northwestern Academies accreditations: ISACS
- 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 Academies cost?
St. John's Northwestern Academies's tuition is approximately $46,800 for boarding students and $21,400 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. John's Northwestern Academies?
The acceptance rate of St. John's Northwestern Academies is 84%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from St. John's Northwestern Academies?
St. John's Northwestern Academies 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.
What sports does St. John's Northwestern Academies offer?
St. John's Northwestern Academies offers 20 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Drill Team, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Markmanship, Marksmanship, Riflery, Soccer, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field and Wrestling. St. John's Northwestern Academies is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does St. John's Northwestern Academies offer a summer program?
Yes, St. John's Northwestern Academies offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is St. John's Northwestern Academies's ranking?
St. John's Northwestern Academies ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for St. John's Northwestern Academies?
The application deadline for St. John's Northwestern Academies is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
The location of SJNMA I believe is unique to most boarding schools as it is located very close to downtown Delafield but while on campus you feel separated completely from the surrounding area. This allows. . .
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. . .
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. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
Recent Articles

Mastering the Boarding School Selection Process: A 5-Step Guide
Discover the ultimate 5-step guide to choosing the perfect boarding school for your child. Explore essential factors, such as academics, campus facilities, extracurricular activities, and more. Make an informed decision to provide your child with an enriching and transformative educational experience. Read now!

5 Founders and Their Boarding Schools
What prompts somebody to start a boarding school? The motives range from idealism to munificence right on through to capitalism. The common thread seems to be ample capital and a vision of what education can do.

April 24, 2023
Top 5 Reasons To Study Dance At A Boarding SchoolFrom meeting world-renowned guest artists to balancing busy rehearsal schedules, students share how boarding school is preparing them to dance professionally.