St. Johns Country Day School

I am off to college in the fall and have enjoyed every bit of my six years at St. Johns. BEST teachers are here! Highy recommend and I hope to stay in touch will everyone! -A

I think a mixed review of St Johns is best. My children are definately getting a quality education. The class sizes, content and teacher quality is high. Communication within the upper school is great, within the lower and middle schools is terrible. The arts program, both music and visual arts, is fabulous. Athletics is a mixed bag, but the new AD's are working very hard to create a solid school program where everyone can play. School pride is a good thing to have, but not at the cost of trashing other schools, especially the public ones. SJCDS says it's preparing its students for success in college and beyond, and on the academic level I would agree. However, it creates a climate of superiority based on fear of the public schools and fear of racial and religious differences. Of course, the teachers don't teach racism, homophobia or anti semitism, but they do little to counter it. It is a disservice to young minds about to enter a diverse world outside the grounds of SJCDS. So, as I said, a mixed bag: academics and extracurriculars, a big thumbs up. Character building, individual acceptance, diversity of thought, thumbs down.
--Submitted by a parent

SJCDS is an excelllent school. The coursework is very demanding and requires students to manage time and their responsibilities. Expect 1-2 hours of homework in lower school and 2 or more hours for middle school/upper school. Most teachers are really good although there are a few slugs. The headmaster is retiring - no big loss though since he really didn't bring much to the table. Tutition is costly, but it really is a matter of priorities. I'm middle class and have passed on new cars, big fancy house and other toys so that I can afford the best education for my two kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Spreading misinformation about the competition (AICE) does nothing to make up for the deficiencies currently found at St. Johns. We are leaving St. Johns for AICE and we are GREATLY looking forward to the change. The AICE program is SO much more than accelerated academics and international experiences. St. Johns offers neither the academic nor the social experiences that build strong, intellegent, caring young adults. Between ignoring the cliques, consistently putting athletics in front of academics, and relying on a reputation earned decades ago, St. Johns is losing the battle to its public school alternative...amazing but true.
--Submitted by a parent

I see references to the AICE program in public schools. I looked at AICE. They teach elementary school kids the basics along with "word processing, computer graphics, databases, spreadsheets, email, internet, presentations, video/animation and web authoring". As a complete and utter techno-geek for the last 22 years, the last thing I would subject my child to would be that dehumanizing rubbish. The slavish fascination that public schools have with FCATs, AICE, and/or the IB programs may prepare a child for career success, but completely ignore the other, perhaps more important, life enriching aspects of their development. I want my child to become what he wants to be. Engineer, scientist, businessman, artist, theologian, diplomat, poet, or fisherman - constrained only by his abilities and inclinations. The public school system, however, will channel him into only the first three because of its cursory treatment of that which would allow him to pursue any of the remainder. There is much more to the equation that needs evaluating besides pure academics and career skills.
--Submitted by a parent

St Johns is like one big family. They not only are concerned about our childrens education, but also about having respect for our fellow friends and family. If you have any concerns about anything there is always someone there for you and your children.
--Submitted by a parent

The 8/13 poster is repeating what they said on 4/23. Why would you do that? If you don't like SJCDS, just leave. You already did that so should we feel sorry for you? Did you take the time to discuss your concerns with the admin? Your statements are false. I have no money, no internal connections to the school. My child works hard, harder than her peers at other schools....but that is why we sacrifice to send her to such a great school...Regarding the Principal, I have spoken to her on numerous occasions and she has always treated me with respect. However, I am not a baby and my feelings don't get hurt that easy. Best of luck at your new school. There are plenty of parents/students at SJCDS that will do just fine.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been a complete disappointment in too many numerous ways to list. Parents are treated like dirt. Favoritism is rampant. Getting rid of the headmaster is not going to cure this school of its many ills. Horrible administrators are running the school into the ground. Educationally, if your child is not what they determine a 'star' child for whatever reason, i.e., a teacher's child, lots of money, been a life-long student, etc., then your child will be basically invisible here. Family environment.....ha ha, what a joke. If you want your child to receive a mediocre education, then, by all means, send them to SJCDS where nepotism is rampant! My child's self-esteem was in the toilet, thanks to this school, and I've spent thousands of dollars for it. Run from this school.....don't walk. Submitted by
--Submitted by a parent

Our child attended 2 years. Our first year experince was great ; wonderful teacher, small class size, nice classroom. Second year was a disappointment. SJCDS has a nice facility with small class sizes. However, we felt that for what we were paying in tuition, we should have gotten more for our money. As an example, we had to hire a tutor for reading as did many others in our child's class. Regarding the Lower School Principal, we saw her often in the halls yet she never greeted nor spoke to us. This was common with alot of the staff there. SJCDS has a beautiful campus but is not very secure, especially with the construction; workers often took their smoke breaks around the children. We may revisit in a few years but for now we feel we can do better elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

I truly love St. Johns and everything that it has done for my child. My child is so sad that summer has arrived. Fall can't arrive soon enough for her!
--Submitted by a parent