John Carroll Catholic High School

I have had 1 child complete all four years at JCCHS and 4 more to come. We "do not have a lot of money" but do not mind the sacrifice it takes to send our children there. My children are blessed to have made many friends outside of JC and THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. All teenagers have the same pressures and attitudes, don't get me wrong. But the kids at Carroll tend to be more compassionate with one another as the love of Christ is exemplified in there everyday teachings, not only at home but at school as well! Of course there are teachers that may not be perfect, but that will be ANYWHERE you choose to attend. It is a lesson our children must learn because when they hit the real world, there will definitely be personalities that they will have to know how to deal with. As for academics, they are SO prepared for college and the preparation process through counseling is very thorough. I would recommend JC to ALL. Teaching our children that paying a little extra for morals, values and the graces they receive through Mass, Service, Adoration and prayer is so much more rewarding than spending that money on a bigger home or finer car...Christ led a simple life.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to JCCHS for 4 years, and I loved every minute. It is an EXCELLENT school!

I attended JC in the late 80's. I transferred in from a smaller school where, ironically, I was allowed to slip between the cracks. The staff and administration at JC made all the difference in the world. I was a mildly troubled kid who simply needed a positive environment where encouragement was the norm, and elitism was rare.
--Submitted by a former student

One of the finest high schools in the south... John Carroll has a rich, storied, tradition unparalleled by most high schools...coupled with teachers who actually care about the education, well-being, and development of their students, John Carroll is among the elite of high schools in the south, if not the entire country.
--Submitted by a student

I went to John Carroll for 4 long years. It was the worst time of my life. JC is a great school to send your kids to if you have money. If you have money you will get a great education, if you don't have money go somewhere else. You'll be a lot happier.
--Submitted by a former student

Sending our child to John Carroll Catholic High School, which was her choice endorsed my us, was the best thing we did for our child's academic and leadership preparation for college. A senior this year, John Carroll has provided a competitive academic and leadership environment that caused her to grow, glow as she excelled in academics, responsibility, volunteerism, sports teambuilding , diversity building, oration skills and exercise of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Students smile a lot at John Carroll. Take a visit and just look at the students as they interact with each other in 'The Commons'. That's what I did when I took my child on an initial tour. The students possess some type of euphoria that's catching and makes you smile as you watch them. My child 'caught the Spirit', had a good attitude, stayed focused on her personal goals and excelled. Thank God for John Carroll.
--Submitted by Ida Tyree-Hyche, a parent

John Carroll is average at best. The $5,500 per year for tuition is entirely too much money for the education received. We have three children high school age or older, one who graduated from there, one who we removed after his sophomore year, and a third who just did not want to go there. Basically, the school is main stream only. If you have a child who has any type of learning disability, this is not the place for them. They do not have the funds for special education teachers or the facilities to assist children with ADD, etc. Granted all school have there good and bad points but the bad points that I have found prevalent at JC is that they cater to the parents/children of those that have plenty of money and give to their trust/scholarship funds on a regular basis. Should you live in the inner city and can not afford to go there but your child is an athlete, contact JC and you will probably get a free ride . The education for those children is probably far better than what they would have received in the inner City schools. These comments are more than opinion; they are what I have experienced with my own children.
--Submitted by a parent

Where else in Alabama do you have a school that has produced a Heisman Trophy and Nobel Prize Winner? John Carroll Catholic has done both! As a parent, I can attest that John Carroll Catholic offers its students an excellent education, both academically and morally. As a public school teacher myself, there is a great difference in the education my children have received at John Carroll and there is not a moment that I am not thankful they are there.
--Submitted by a parent

I enjoyed my time at JC because the learning atmosphere was friendly. I felt no peer pressure and the only competing that a person did was to see who got the highest test score. It is a conducive atmosphere to learning and I will always remember fondly the years I spent at John Carroll catholic high school.
--Submitted by a former student