St. Joan of Arc

This is an excellent school if you want your child to receive an excellent academic education. This year, the school was the receipient of the National Blue Ribbon for Academic Excellence in Education award. It was 1 of only 305 schools in the country to receive this honor and the ONLY private school in DuPage County. My children have been at this school for 5 years now and they LOVE it. There are Smart Boards in every grade, they teach Spanish starting in first grade and they break out the children into small groups for learning. This is why it won the Blue Ribbon award. Plus, the SJA community is caring, compasionate and always there when you need them. Every school has flaws but this schools positives FAR outway any negatives.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school where your child will excel and get the attention they deserve! A family-oriented environment that has made our experience outstanding. We feel that our children are given all the necessary academic tools and skills that are necessary in this fast-paced world. The administration, teacher and parents are always working to improve all aspects of the school and continuously provide challenging academic opportunities. As far as "cliques", I truly believe that people who complain of this have major confidence problems and do not take initiative to be involved with the very people they are referring to. I think they would be surprised at how friendly and warm people are around here! Personally, I feel happy when I see parents making friends and helping/supporting each other. I have witnessed all types of people working together and supporting each other. I believe the main focus (kids) keeps everybody focused, despite personal feelings/relationships. We're extremely proud to be a part of a diverse Catholic Community that has truly helped shape our children and we work very hard to pay the tuition because our children are happy, challenged and deserve it!
--Submitted by a parent

Don't waste your money! The public schools in the area are far superior. This is a country club with weak leadership and declining education. The parents are great fun, but full of DRAMA. Religion may be taught but not practiced. At a conference we noticed black mold in a classroom. Our daughter got great grades doing cross word puzzles all year. Nothing like the education or expectations I had as a student there 40+ years ago. Sad to see my neighbors kids who go to the public school are far more advanced, even though my kids get great grades and have plenty friends. Great time with the parents, but I've seen a lot of cruel things said and done that really hurt those not in the right circles. Basically if you can't pay, you don't pay and this school is really more about playing than anything else. Maybe with stronger leadership and a much needed replacement of the weak teachers, along with some remodeling SJA could compete like they use to.
--Submitted by a parent

Believe the reviewers who said it. Very cliquey. The parents are the ones who are the worst. If the children are also like this, are you shocked??? More of a social club for the parents than a school for the children. Overcrowded classrooms. Little or no recess/phys. ed./playtime. 'Benet-prep' mentality. What is so good about Benet anyway??? Much of the hype about the quality of the education might be 'smoke and mirrors', but who knows for sure? Many of the parents are way too involved. At any one time, there seem to be more parents ('volunteers') walking the halls than actual staff. Bad news. These people and their families do get preferential treatment. On the plus side, it is a Catholic education. That's what we're paying for. It's too bad so much baggage has to go along with it...
--Submitted by a parent

SJA has incredible diversity in education. The school leadership puts core subjects first and excels in those, but also teaches through so many other areas such as sports, reading activities, science, music, drama, and so much more. The school does a great job of harnessing the energy, talents and experiences of the parents to enrich there educational programs. We truly feel blessed to have SJA as the school for our children.
--Submitted by a parent

Saint Joan of Arc pulls together a large student body that spans many cultures and economic diversties to create a safe, equal, cutting edge academic environment that the children themselves demand more of.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and parents are the best!
--Submitted by a parent

St. Joan of Arc does a wonderful job balancing great academics with traditional Catholic teachings,the children learn the tools to succeed in life and be a shining light to others.
--Submitted by a parent

The children get a great education as well as spiritual enrichment. The staff is fabulous!
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are caring, giving people for the amount of pay they receive. The kids are respectful and learn responsibility and hard work and are prepared for high school. Very caring community of parents.
--Submitted by a parent