The center, comprising Saint John the Baptist Elementary, Saint John the Baptist Middle School and Juan Diego Catholic High School (JDCHS), creates a seamless educational experience where students are supported through every transition stage. A strong, inclusive community—made up of teachers, mentors, parents and classmates—creates a foundation where each child is known for who they are, supports their growth and encourages them to explore their strengths.
“We push our students to reach their fullest potential and celebrate their academic achievements each day, ensuring that by the time they leave our school, they are prepared for college, professional careers and all that lies beyond,” says Dave Brunetti, assistant principal of mission and ministry.
Students are pushed to achieve excellence from a young age. Middle school students with strong GPAs can enter Saint John’s Academy to take high school level courses and advance their academic knowledge. Once they reach high school, they can choose from over 30 advanced placement courses across subjects to gain college credit, and benefit from a daily reading program that strengthens literacy, writing and testing performance.
Starting in ninth grade, students join a STEM program where they learn coding languages, work with 3D printers and explore virtual reality applications at the dedicated technology center. These experiences help solve problems, think critically about real-world applications and prepare for careers in evolving fields.
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We push our students to reach their fullest potential and celebrate their academic achievements each day, ensuring that by the time they leave our school, they are prepared for college, professional careers and all that lies beyond
Faith is deeply woven into daily life across the campus through theology classes, daily prayers and regular Masses. Students also attend retreats that offer space to step away from routine and reflect. For seniors, this culminates in Kairos, a four-day off-site retreat focused on relationships with God, others and themselves. Many describe it as one of the most meaningful parts of their school experience.
This commitment to faith continues through the senior service project, where students complete over forty hours volunteering at nonprofits in the Salt Lake Valley. They work with marginalized communities and gain a deeper understanding of dignity, responsibility and compassion. This approach is deeply rooted in the school’s motto, Spiritus Donorum—the spirit of giving.
The same grounding in moral responsibility carries into how students lead each other. Campus life, comprised of seven student-led programs, gives them space to practice public speaking, take on advocacy roles and accept responsibility among peers. Students are encouraged to lead where they are capable and grow beyond their comfort zones. For instance, an eighth-grader who joined with little knowledge about Catholic education soon found her footing and stepped into planning events, leading retreats and representing peers. She eventually became student body president, earned salutatorian honors and AP Capstone scholar distinction and will apply those sharpened skills at Georgetown University in the fall.
Some students, known as Lifers, spend their entire academic journey at The Schools of the Skaggs Catholic Center. Their long-standing presence helps shape the campus culture and strengthens the sense of community across all grades. Alumni often return as teachers, coaches or parents seeking the same foundation of faith and support for their children.
This lasting connection is the legacy of The Schools of the Skaggs Catholic Center, made possible by the generosity of Sam and Aline Skaggs. Parents who choose The Schools of the Skaggs Catholic Center know their children are shaped in an environment that builds character and instills purpose.
