J Serra Catholic High School

I am currently a sophomore at JSerra Catholic High School, and it has been the greatest blessing of my life. It is the best school for a faithful Catholic who prefers a rigorous set of courses, a great athletic program and spiritual guidance. The priests here are the best of the best, and are amazing teachers (I'm upset that they won't be teaching next year, but very happy that they'll still offer spiritual guidance). The rest of the teaching staff is amazing as well, and they thoroughly comprehend their subjects and give great aid. This is a school that I want to get up in the morning to go to, because it's really an all-in-one package with great athletics, rigorous academics, spiritual guidance, and a friendly environment. It's not the school for everybody, but it's the perfect school for a person like me. I have only benefitted from going here, and the only disadvantage is the heavy price tag, but the school does offer plenty of financial aid. I love JSerra! I'd send my kids here.
--Submitted by a student

The grade inflation here is insane. I was a former student at JSerra, but I now attend Aliso Niguel in the Capistrano Unified District. JSerra's curriculum, rigor, and academics are much easier compared to my current classes at public school. My public school courses go much more in depth, and tests are weighed much more heavily, especially in mathematics. While I JSerra, I easily maintained a 4.0+, however, since transferring to Aliso, my GPA has dropped significantly. They keep the parents happy by inflating grades and handing out easy A's, and the teachers and students at the school are all aware of this. JSerra graduates, for the most part, attend expensive private colleges like the mother below stated.
--Submitted by a student

For students who choose to take the challenge of AP classes, the academics are rigorous but if you're not in the honors/AP classes it is difficult to fail at this school. On parent review accuses the school of giving easy grades which is untrue. We've had our children attending the local public high schools as well as this school and they are no different. Like most schools we've come across in the US, grades are given in the 'normal' classroom more on homework and attendance. You can fail your tests and still pass a class. It is not this school - it is the US education system. This school has many dedicated teachers and an excellent counseling /administrative staff who care about their students and go the extra mile to make sure students needs are being met. You only need to ask! The school also stresses the importance of community and helping others. They strive to help provide financial aid to those students interested in attending who may not have the means. We have been very pleased with this school compared to the local public high schools are others attended.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has very weak academics. Many teachers are not highly educated in their fields, and it shows in the watered down curriculum. But, they keep the parents happy by handing out easy A's. The sad thing is they are shortchanging students who will not be able to make it in an academically challenging university. Maybe that's why lots of J. Serra grads go on the overpriced, private schools with no serious academic reputations.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school with great teachers and great standards. A credit to our community and the teaching profession.

Bad, doesn't respect diversity and is fundamentalist with harsh discipline standards yet does nothing to protect those who are vulnerable for example special needs students wha are harrassed

Two words: grade inflation. How can half of the student body have over a 4.0 GPA? Utterly ridiculous. After transferring my son to a nearby public high school, he found it to be much more rigorous and challenging than the curriculum JSerra had to offer. Waste of money, not worth the big bucks!
--Submitted by a parent

JSerra is a fantastic school...I had teachers that left at 8pm and were at school the next morning at 5am. All so that we could come to her if we had any problems. The teachers are amazing and people care. I have two families, one being JSerra
--Submitted by a student

J Serra has a beautiful campus, amazing food, and outstanding accademics but the best part is the environment
--Submitted by a student

This school offers an abundance of extra-curricular activities and sports for its' students. Compared to other nearby high schools however, the cost is much higher than most mainly due to the school being so new and the superb facilities that have been built. As mentioned by another parent, it is located in a rich, well-to-do area of Orange County and although many of the students families many fall into this category, many others do not. The additional fees and constant fundraising wears on those who are unable to pull together more funds to support the school. Additionally although the school 'offers' a large number of AP classes, in reality they are not available. Despite the huge tuition fees, the school will not run any class with less than 10 students. AP classes get dropped as do many honors level classes. On a positive note, most of the teachers are wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent