St. John of the Cross Catholic School

It is a great school. And it is true that the school caters to Tijuana, Mexico families. This should be a plus, having the standard to be attractive to successful people willing to cross the border each day and pay the tuition (remember most earn mexican pesos). 99% of the border crossers are US citizens that do not take a dime from the US system, they pay their tuition from Mexican business, send their kids to school and by 4 pm be back at their home in Tijuana. What the school needs to do is increase the enrollment of English speaking students, preferably San Diego residents and capitalize on the potential of having this kids experience an intense exchange of culture, way of living, knowledge and promote social relations that in the future creates friends and business and cultural relations that can enrich the life and business perspective of the students, it could be a regional school, and give this San Diego and Tijuana residents a broader knowledge of their region and the opportunities ahead of them. Unfortunally the lack of vision to this date has the school in a behind the curtain battle of "we the poor and hardworking vs. You the rich and spoiled kids from mexico".
—Submitted by a parent

My son, Sergio , enjoys this school ! He went to another school in Chula Vista called High Tech Elementary, but recently got expelled for his behavior. It's ok though, he makes mistakes sometime & so does everybody else. Here, he learns from his mistakes & hardly even makes mistakes at this school at all (but he really misses his friends from High Tech) !
—Submitted by a parent

Not thrilled with the pre-school there. After one month they have determined my three-year old is "not up to par," which practically gave my wife a nervous breakdown (which of course does wonders for a marriage). How, on God's green earth, can you already label a kid after one month of observation is beyond me. Especially when the kid shows no signs of "below averageness" in my opinion. I guess, according to SJOC, they can determine a kid's future at the ripe old age of 3 years. Thanks SJOC! Nice to know you keep an open mind there and try to help develop kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I took my child out of SJOC this year. I kept her in 1 more year to see if any improvements would be made after what was supposed to be an "intense" parent/principal/teacher meeting in the beginning of the year. Nothing changed. Unfortunately attitudes of the majority of the students towards those who don't speak Spanish or who aren't from TJ affect the atmosphere of the entire school. English speaking students are the minority & are ostracized on a daily basis (meanly & blatently). Nothing is done to curb this behavior. In an age where adults are required to go to "sensitivity training" one would think more of an effort would be made. I believe close to 15 students have left this year in my child's grade alone (15 out of 60 students is a lot). SJOC has an uphill battle. I'm not willing to sacrifice my child's well being hoping SJOC will catch up. It's a shame that SJOC will be losing so many students due to a shortsighted school administration that refuses to address the same problems that have been hurting SJOC for years. While the "message" SJOC says they portray is a nice thought, how about putting it into everyday practice. Goodbye Crusaders, it's been a long 6 years.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school with high standards. We are not of hispanic decent however I see a few in here commenting on the subject and how they disapprove of the hispanic population at SJCH, I believe it's a plus. The world was meant to all not to the select few.. Having gone from Saint John's in Chula Vista to SJCH I have seen a huge improvement in my child in many areas. I give SJCH two thumbs up.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of a child that graduated from SJOC and a child that is still attending. I am sad to say that SJOC has changed for the worse over the past 3-4 years. I would have to agree that it does appear that the school does cater or reach out to families who are from TJ. It has had a negative impact not only in the school make-up (large percentage are from TJ) but also affects the parent involvment. For example, PTG meetings have been canceled repeatedly due to very poor attendance (distance for the TJ parents being their reason for not attending). I think this will be my daughter's last year. Many teachers have left, and I feel that the current academic standards have fallen to cater to the new school make-up. I'll miss the people, but frankly I can be this frustrated for free at public school.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a loving environment with high academic standards. They still hold values, morals and manners as a priority. It is a wonderful school with wonderful, knowledgeable, and caring teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

The management at this school needs to stop catering to the parent's bringing their children from Mexico. It is quite obivious when you attend a function at this school that this is the case. One only has to look at the yearly christmas function put on by the parent's of these children for the 'spanish speaking' staff at this school. This is a sure way to teach their children discrimination. Why don't they extend the same invitations to the staff that doesn't speak Spanish? If I wanted my son to continue to go to school with a high percent of non-english speaking population, I would send him to school in a spanish speaking country. Stjc better hope that these Mexican families keep networking and having children so they can keep STJC in business.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been involved in this school for over twelve years. In the early years, the school was not only educational, but it felt like a small community. The school now has a population of 600 students as compared to 220 when I first sent my children here. I have had two children gradute here and was pleased during their time here. I have only one child left, and if it wasn't for it being the last year to attend, I would be going elsewhere. The school is now 75 percent spanish speaking students who look down on those students who do not speak the language. Things will not change until they change the administration. The principal is a great nun, but lacks in administration capability. The school has expanded, but the staff has not. She needs an assistant and needs to be more open to ideas other than hers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with St. John, the Principal is very loving and caring and it shows in her involvement, but she has a certain limited power in some cases . My only cocern is that tuitions were up much much more that I agreed in the contract, and no notce was send to any parent, that is not ethical, and that made me question the school integrety, my children are very happy and done good, but readyng comprehention is not that good. It is a loving enviroment but some policies in adminitration has divided the school, The art program is wonderfull, thanks for the new art teacher, that in it self is making me think in not leaving.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall very happy with the academics and the religion. My only concern is the amount of Spanish that is spoken in the school and many parents don't speak English. In my opinion I don't see a strong support for the school from the families that live over the border I believe they need to be more involved in the school and the church . My son is a little overwhelmed since he only speaks English. Some kids have said to him they won't be around him since he doesn't speak Spanish. We did put him in this school not only for the academics but also so he can learn Spanish but I hope there will be more of a commitment to make sure English is the major language of the school. We will see if there is a change in the coming year if not will have to look elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is great! its efficient for my children and i recommend it, thanks st john's keep it up =]
—Submitted by a parent