St. John’s Northwestern Academies graduate Skyler Chauff’s journey from (SJNA) to the United States Military Academy at West Point is a story of grit, growth and leadership. A 2020 graduate of SJNA, Chauff recently completed his time at West Point, earning the prestigious titles of valedictorian and Number One Cadet for the class of 2024.
“West Point was the hardest thing I ever did, but I felt exceptionally prepared thanks to my experiences at St. John’s Northwestern Academies,” Chauff reflects. “The rigorous education and leader development system, from leading a cadet company to the challenges of my AP courses, mirrored the challenges at West Point.”
SJNA builds leadership from the ground up
One of the defining aspects of Chauff’s time at SJNA was the focus on developing leadership in real-world situations. Unlike traditional high schools, SJNA puts cadets in high-level leadership positions where they must make decisions, guide teams and take ownership of their actions, Chauff says.
“What’s so cool about St. John’s is that it’s led by the cadets. You have so much autonomy to make decisions, whether you’re leading a small team or the entire school.”
During his time at SJNA, Chauff took on multiple leadership roles. “When I started at SJNA, I was in charge of four to six people and by sophomore year, I led a 20-person color guard team,” he says. “By junior year, I was leading a company of cadets and that experience helped me refine how I led others. I learned how to lead effectively by motivating people to want to do the tasks that needed to be done,” he adds.
Busting myths about military school with a book
In addition to his outstanding achievements as a student and in the military, Chauff is also an author. His book, The Path Up the Mountain: What Military School Did for Me…This is My Story, is a memoir that aims to debunk common myths about military schools.
“I was inspired to write this book when a friend of mine brought me home and mentioned that I went to military school. After I left, his mom asked him ‘What did Skyler do to end up in military school?’ She thought I must be a bad influence. I found that other people had the same negative stereotypes.”
The memoir encourages readers to persevere through their own challenges. “I’m hoping that my experiences will motivate readers to keep climbing towards the top of their mountains.”
Learning from mistakes and adapting leadership styles
No leadership journey is complete without challenges, and Chauff faced his share of them at SJNA. One experience that mirrored his later time at West Point was learning how to adapt his leadership style to suit the needs of those he led.
“At St. John’s, I was responsible for leading 30-40 eighth graders, and I was too hard on them at first. I had to adjust my leadership style to motivate them, not just push them. That experience was a real turning point for me,” Skyler explains.
This lesson in adaptability proved invaluable at West Point, where cadets are placed in high-stress situations and expected to lead with both discipline and understanding. “The creative freedom we were given allowed us to develop our own leadership styles and work with the strengths of our team,” he says.
Mentorship and camaraderie
One of the things Chauff is most grateful for is the mentorship he received from both SJNA graduates and West Point cadets. Mentorship, he believes, was a major factor in helping him navigate the challenges of West Point and his military career.
Students all face the same academic, athletic and leadership challenges as an SJNA student, which only brings them closer together, Chauff says. Plus, students hold themselves – and each other – accountable for their actions, which boosts personal growth. “When one of us messes up, one of your friends is going to call you out on it,” Chauff recalls. “We all lift each other up.”
“My closest friends are still the ones I made during my time at SJNA. Some of my friends from China, Egypt and other countries have even visited me in Korea,” Chauff adds. “The relationships you build at SJNA are for life.”
Time management and resilience prepare SJNA students for success
If there’s one thing that West Point demands, it’s the ability to handle multiple responsibilities under intense pressure. Chauff attributes his ability to manage the workload at West Point to the time management skills he learned at SJNA.
“West Point gives you eight hours of work and only three hours to do it. SJNA prepared me for that by teaching me time management through balancing academics, sports and leadership responsibilities,” Skyler explains.
The demanding environment at SJNA, combined with its focus on pushing cadets out of their comfort zones, helped Skyler develop resilience that served him well at West Point. “SJNA challenges you in so many different ways and that’s what prepared me for the rigors of West Point,” he says.
What can SJNA do for you?
Chauff has some advice for current students. “The leadership situations you’re put in at SJNA — whether it’s being a squad leader or working with international peers — really prepare you for life. You learn how to be respectful, handle challenges and develop interpersonal tact,” he advises.
Chauff also credits SJNA with his journey of personal growth. “The creative freedom you have at SJNA allows you to develop your own leadership style. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes — it’s all part of the learning process.”
The lifelong value of a SJNA education
As Chaufff begins his new role as an Army medical service officer in Korea, he reflects on how far he’s come since his days at SJNA.
“The preparation for life and the camaraderie at St. John’s are the two biggest things I took away from my time there,” he says. “Whenever I go somewhere, I check to see if there are SJNA graduates there because I know we’ll always have each other’s backs.”
For more information about how St. John’s Northwestern Academies can benefit your student, visit sjnacademies.org/.
