John XXIII: Comprehensive Support for Students

Photo of John XXIII staff and students working together.

Impact Partner Spotlight Photo of John XXIII staff and students working together.

John XXIII Educational Center 

John XXIII Educational Center offers academic, emotional and social support for fifth through twelfth graders. Its mission is to enable students to graduate from high school with the skills and support to continue their education and positively contribute to society. It also supports the parents and guardians of its students with partnering ESL (English as a Second Language) services and programming to assist families to be better able to support their students at home. During the 2019-2020 school year, which effectively ended on March 12, it served 321 students.

What makes John XXIII Educational Center stand out among other organizations? 

John XXIII Educational Center is the only entity in the Racine area that offers academic, social and emotional support to fifth through twelfth graders in both the afternoon and evening as well as social-emotional learning groups in middle schools during the school day. We ask for a family contribution of only $25 per semester per student or in-kind donations such as reams of paper, food for community celebrations or sanitary supplies.

Can you tell me a story about a time when you realized your organization’s impact?

One of our students, who attended as a middle school and high school student, was accepted into the high school summer program offered by St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMU). As a first-generation college graduate, she was in the first class of the First Generation Initiative at SMU, which provided her a full scholarship. After her university graduation from that program, she continued her education at SMU to obtain her master's degree and eventually became the associate director of the First Generation Initiative. This is just one of the lives the Center has changed.

What do you think most people would be surprised to learn about John XXIII Educational Center?

The outreach program the Center offers facilitates groups within local public, parochial and charter middle schools. Many people are only aware of the Center's afternoon and evening activities, but Outreach also makes a huge difference in supporting the diverse array of students in our local middle schools.

Is there anything else you think the community should know about your work?

In this midst of this pandemic, we offer safe and welcoming spaces both at the Center and within schools, as well as online services to help students navigate their academic, emotional and social lives. We are a resource for students to rely on with their growing mental health needs of our students.


John XXIII offers academic, emotional and social support for fifth through twelfth graders during the school year, Monday through Thursday from 4 to 5:30 and 6:30 to 8 p.m. As of September 1, it is open for the 2020-21 school year. 

The John XXIII Educational Center deeply appreciates the extensive support of individual benefactors as well as the SC Johnson Foundation, the Racine Community Foundation, the Erika P. John Family Fund, the Lasallian Educational Opportunities Fund and United Way of Racine County.

Br. Mike Kadow is the executive director of John XXIII Educational Center.