J-Term Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact dates of J-Term?
Monday, January 5th to Friday, January 9th, 2026
What is the daily schedule?
Students on campus are expected to be in class from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(AP classes are meeting 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. daily on a rotating basis.)
Is attendance mandatory?
Yes, J-Term is a requirement for graduation. Any absences will count against the child’s allotted absences.
Are there any expectations for students with an INC or an F during S1?
- To participate in a J Term class, you must be on track to graduate and not taking a credit recovery class.
- If you have an Incomplete, you must reconcile it before joining a J Term class. (you will be enrolled in Student Success for J Term)
- For J Term trips (Puerto Rico, European History Trip etc.), having a grade of F at the time the trip roster is finalized may prevent you from travel. Incomplete grades must have a plan in place for completion prior to traveling.
How does the bus system work during J-Term?
In the morning, Cathedral buses will operate on the same schedule as normal and drop students off at Cathedral. In the afternoon, buses will leave Cathedral at 2:30pm.
My child is a Freshman, what are they doing for J-Term?
All freshmen will have a designated Freshman Experience J-Term that will offer a broad spectrum of experiences. No registration is required for freshmen, it is free, it is on campus and will go from 9:00am to 2:00pm daily.
What is my child’s Course Fee?
To see your Course Description and Course Fee, please check the Cathedral J-TERM page
How do I pay my child’s course fee?
All fees will be posted to your FACTS account by Friday, January 9th.
Will my child be leaving campus for their J-Term?
Teachers will send an email to parents with an explanation of their J-Term week and any travel plans. There will be a form that must be completed and signed by both student and parent/guardian before you leave campus.
What is the dress code for J-Term?
School uniform is expected, unless noted otherwise by the teacher. Many J-Term courses may need to allow for more casual clothing due to the activity. The teacher decides appropriate attire for the course.
Does my child need to report to Cathedral if they have an internship?
If a student has an internship, they must work with the supervisor of the company to determine how to complete their 25 hours. Students working an internship do not need to report to Cathedral, but they will be tracking their experience with Career Plus website.
What does my child do if they are sick during J-Term?
If your student is not feeling well or has an appointment during the school day, please call the attendance line 1-855-539-0866.
What do I do if my child arrives at school late or has an early dismissal during J-Term?
We ask that parents and students do not schedule appointments during J-Term unless absolutely necessary. If this is unavoidable, report the absence as you normally would. If your child is off-campus and needs to leave early, the parent must pick their child up from the J-Term location communicated by the teacher. An early dismissal pass will be sent to the student. The student must show this pass to the teacher prior to leaving their J-Term location.
If your child arrives at school late and misses transportation to the J-Term location, they will remain on campus for the remainder of the school day.
What if my child becomes ill and they are off campus?
All teachers will have a Medical Emergency Form for all their students which includes emergency contacts. Teachers will contact the parent to come and pick their child up if the student is ill.
What if my child needs medication during the school day?
Teachers will have an Emergency Medical Form for their students who require medication. Teachers will work with the school nurse to ensure the student gets what they need at the time they need it.
What is the procedure if there is inclement weather during the school day?
We will communicate school closings or delays via text, email, social media, and local news stations. If your child is doing an internship, it will be the parent’s discretion whether to send their child or not.
What do I need to know about lunch?
If your child is on campus, their lunch can be purchased or brought from home as usual. If your child is off campus, students will most likely need to bring a packed lunch. However, teachers will communicate directly with students regarding lunch.
AP Courses - Opportunities during J-term
Some teachers will be offering AP courses from 8:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. A comprehensive list of AP courses that teachers will offer will be communicated prior to the start of J- Term.
- Students should reach out to their AP teachers to determine their expectations for their classes. AP teachers may require their students to meet up to five times if they are in town during J-Term.
What if my child is out of the country for their J-Term and in AP Courses?
Please communicate with your teacher to ensure you stay on pace with the AP Course.
More questions?
Please email Megan Schmidt or Leanne Applegate