by Mr. Shea Ciarletta, Director of Institutional Advancement
Saint John Paul II Academy (SJPII) in Boca Raton Florida continues to shine as a leading Catholic college preparatory high school serving students in grades nine through twelve. Saint John Paul II remains steadfast in its mission to educate the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, while forming young men and women of faith, intellect, character, and service.
As the school closed the 2024–25 academic year with an enrollment of just under six hundred students, it prepares to welcome one hundred and fifty new freshmen. It also enters a new chapter of leadership. Mr. Edward Bernot transitions from Principal into the role of President, and Mrs. Carissa Karakaedos joins the community as the new Principal, bringing with her a deep commitment to faith-based education and student formation. While the community mourns the passing of beloved former President Br. Daniel Aubin, FSC—whose legacy of thirteen years of dedicated service helped shape SJPII’s identity—his spirit and vision remain deeply embedded in the school’s mission. With strong leadership and a clear sense of purpose, SJPII moves forward with renewed energy, ready to guide students to “Enter to Learn. Leave to Serve.”
At the heart of SJPII’s mission is a commitment to forming young people in the Lasallian tradition, grounded in faith, community, service, and academic excellence. The upcoming school year will open with the launch of a $4 million capital campaign aimed at transforming the back half of campus with the installation of a new turf field, a concession facility, and an athletic field house. These enhancements reflect not only the school’s dedication to physical growth but also its investment in the holistic development of students.
Academically, SJPII has much to celebrate. For the second consecutive year, the school earned GOLD status on the AP Honor Roll, a national recognition based on AP participation and performance. In addition, the school was recognized by the College Board with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award—one of only 847 schools in the nation to receive it. This honor highlights SJPII’s commitment to expanding access and equity in STEM education for young women.
The 2025–26 school year will also mark the debut of the De La Salle Scholars Program, welcoming twenty-four rising juniors into the inaugural cohort. This selective initiative provides high-achieving students with a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, honors and AP coursework, and culminates in a capstone senior thesis. Scholars will engage in collaborative experiences that foster critical thinking, leadership, and a deepened sense of justice.
Saint John Paul II Academy continues to soar—strengthened by tradition, inspired by faith, and boldly preparing students for lives of service and purpose.
