Departments

The Academy of Arts & Communication is a small learning community where students receive a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for success in the pathways of Media Communications, Performing Arts and Visual Arts.

The Academy of Arts and Communication provides students with a comprehensive educational experience. The following opportunities are unique to the Academy of Arts and Communications. Opportunities may be campus-specific or subject to availability
based upon enrollment and other factors.

• Band, Choir, Orchestra, Speech, Art and Journalism competitions sponsored by the IHSA, Southwest Suburban
• Conference and/or the Illinois Music Educators Association
• Fall Play, Spring Musical, Opera Scenes and Variety Show concerts and performances
• Art Honor Society, Drama Club and Art Club
• Academy-specific electives such as Journalism, Yearbook, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Art and Drama
• Dual Credit and AP course offerings such as Interior Design, Fashion Construction 2, and Apparel Merchandising/Design
• Job Shadowing experiences related to Career Academy pathways
• Lewis University Academy Day and college/career exploration

For more information and a list of related classes, view the Course Offering Guide

West Athletics Website

The Academy of Business Management & Information Services is a small learning community where students receive a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for success in the pathways of Business Management & Administration, Finance and Marketing; Information Technology; and Culinary Arts & Hospitality.

The Academy of Business Management and Information Systems (BMIS) provides students with a comprehensive educational
experience. The following opportunities are unique to the BMIS
Academy opportunities may be campus-specific or subject to
availability based upon enrollment and other factors.

• Pro Start Certification and National Achievement Certification for Culinary Arts available to students through the National Restaurant Association
• Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway marketing projects
• Abri Credit Union and Salon Professionals Cosmetology School partnerships
• Academy-specific electives such as Marketing, Accounting, Culinary Arts, and Web Design
• Dual Credit and AP course offerings such as Computer Applications, DesktopPublishing, and Statistics
• Job Shadowing experiences related to Career Academy pathways

Joliet Township High School Academies increase student achievement by offering a small learning environment within a large school setting.

The academy structure begins the freshman year within the Freshman Academy.  All Freshman Academy students are housed in a common wing of the school and share a team of teachers who get to know the students on an individual basis.   These students have an eight period day and arrive 55 minutes before all other students.  The extra period allows students to gain an extra dose of literacy and math support or gives them the opportunity to take an extra elective.

During the freshman year, students begin the process of academy selection through interest inventories and an advisory period.  Students can choose to be in one of five academies that focus on specific programs of study with an emphasis on career preparation. 

Within each of the academies, teams of teachers work together to prepare lessons that relate to the academy’s focus.  At JTHS you will find an Algebra teacher working with a history teacher to prepare a lesson that focuses on a topic that is relevant to the student’s academy.    

The Academy of Health & Medicine is a small learning community where students receive a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for success in the pathways of Allied Health and Medicine.

The Academy of Health and Medicine provides students with a comprehensive educational experience. The following opportunities are unique to the Health and Medicine Academy. Opportunities may be campus-specific or subject to availability based upon enrollment and other factors.

• Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant Licensure (CNA) Certification opportunity available through the NA 101 Dual Credit course
• Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) Club promotes leadership and career opportunities
• Academy-specific electives such as Medical Terminology, Health Careers, World Language and Psychology
• Dual Credit and AP course offerings such as First Aid, Biology, Athletic Training, Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program, and Medical Terminology
• Job Shadowing experiences related to Career Academy pathways

The Academy of Human Services is a small learning community where students receive a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for success in the pathways of Education & Training; Government, Law & Public Safety; and Social Services.

The Academy of Human Services provides students with a
comprehensive educational experience. The following opportunities are unique to the Academy of Human Services. Opportunities may be campus-specific or subject to availability based upon enrollment and other factors.

• Gateways ECE Credential Level 1 Certification available through the Occupational Childcare 1 Articulated course
• Joliet Police Explorers program provides relevant experience in law enforcement
• Future Educators Club, Human Relations Club and Key Club to provide teaching and community service opportunities
• Mock Trial Team competitions and debate development
• Hands-on childcare experience available through Tiger Tots and Steel Tots community daycare programs
• JROTC classes and military-based extracurricular programs such as Raider Team, Rifle Team, Drill Team and Color Guard
• Internship opportunities with local government officials
• Academy-specific electives such as JROTC, Occupational Child Care, World Language, European History and Psychology
• Dual Credit and AP course offerings such as American National Government, Occupational Childcare, and Child Development
• Job Shadowing experiences related to Career Academy pathways

The Academy of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics is a small learning community where students receive a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for success in the pathways of Architecture, Construction & Manufacturing; Engineering & Science; and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.

The Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) provides students with a comprehensive educational experience. The following opportunities are unique to the STEM Academy. Opportunities may be campus-specific or subject to availability based on enrollment and other factors.

Architecture classes provide real-world experience with design through partnerships with local architects

• Drafting, Welding and Math competitions
• Joliet Cyborgs Robotics Team and FIRST Robotics competition
• Science Club, Chemistry Club, Auto Club, Welding Club
• Mathemagic Spectacular and Pi Week Math Teacher
• Recognition school events and activities
• Academy-specific electives such as Woods Technology, 3D Computer Animation, Architectural Drafting, Metals Technology, and Introduction to Engineering
• Dual Credit and AP course offerings such as Biology, Pre-Calculus, Architectural Drafting, Welding Technology, Vocational Auto Mechanics, and Trigonometry
• Job Shadowing experiences related to Career Academy pathways

The Special Services Department at Joliet West provides services to students identified with a disability that currently have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  The IEP's are updated yearly to meet the student's educational needs.  Every special education student is assigned a case manager that maintains regular communication with the teachers, student, and parent or guardian.  The case manager also attends all special education meetings held for the students. 
 
The Special Services Department has programs designed to meet the educational needs of the students with a wide range of disabilities.  The programs include:  resource level classes, co-taught classes, and instructional level classes.  Our related service personnel also have a role in implementing the IEP's for our students.  The related service personnel include:  IEP managers, Social Workers, Psychologists, a Speech Pathologist and a School Nurse.  Joliet West also utilizes the Positive Intervention Room (PIR) to assist students that are struggling with demonstrating school-appropriate behavior.  Joliet West Special Services is proud of the programs that have been developed to assist our students as they transition to post-secondary opportunities.
 
Students experiencing difficulties in school who have not been previously identified eligible for special services can be referred to the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Team by faculty, support staff, or parents or guardians through either the student’s counselor or the PPS office.