St. John's Episcopal School

We have been at St John's for 6 years, and have nothing to say but good things. I know my child is safe when I drop her off. She is known and loved by the faculty and staff, and getting a top notch education. I know this as I have two older children who graduated from Landon and Bullis. Both are fantastic schools. St John's is given my daughter an equivalent education at a fraction of the price. The second year Headmaster is doing a terrific job, and has over 20 years experience as a headmaster at another school. With an outstanding faculty and great administration, St John's is in great hands!
—Submitted by a parent

We started at St. John's several years ago, and we are very happy. My daughter is becoming a wonderful and well-rounded young adult. St. John's academics are exceptional, and the teachers are very supportive. If your child needs help, it is available. If they excel in a subject, they will be pushed. We like the fact that St. John's not only offers academics but also teaches good morals. If I had three words to describe what I believe St John's provides they are; excellence, integrity and community. If you are interested in a quality education for your child you cannot go wrong with St John's.
—Submitted by a parent

St. John's used to be a very good school, but I'm concerned about its future. After several upheavals in its staff and administration from 2010-2012 (3 new principals, teachers leaving in droves), it's unclear whether St. John's can regain its footing and continue to maintain academic excellence and retain motivated, engaged teaching staff. Enrollment is plummeting sadly, because some parents are fed up with the instability. There are only 9 children in 2nd grade this year, and 7 in 1st grade. St. John's is a good school, but the hefty the price tag (and continuous tuition hikes) and administrative turmoil are causing many parents to look elsewhere. And I'm one of them.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at St. John's for eight years. It is the whole package: accelerated academics with caring, amazing teachers, faith and character development, with focus on success traits and wonderful leadership-building for a diverse body of students! While the school has undergone some changes over the past three years, the foundation is still strong and the school is heading in a better direction, keeping up with changing times and continuing to focus on what is important: our children! We have been so happy with our child's education at St. John's and know that he will have a successful high school experience thanks to the amazing elementary and middle school years that have more than prepared him for an excellent future.
—Submitted by a parent

St. John's is a terrific school. Both of our children have attended since K and our oldest is now in 7th grade. You are not just investing in their education but their future when you send a child to St. John's. We know our kids are being given a great education and taught the values and character traits they need to become outstanding adults. Priceless!
—Submitted by a parent

This is our sixth year at St. John's and we are very happy. My children are blossoming into confident and caring people. St. John's academics are rigorous, and the teachers are very supportive. We like the fact that St. John's not only offers core academics but also teaches good morals and the importance of a strong character. My children are receiving a well-balanced education and will be prepared for high school and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

There is a reason for the dwindling enrollment: a lot of transition occurring with the administration and teachers. As with most schools, teacher turnover cannot be controlled but the amount of turnover from the 2010-2011 school year to the school year 2011-2012 is large and the school is starting with it 3rd headmaster in as many years and a new administration staff. St. John s seems to have lost it focus and it is not following its stated education mission.
—Submitted by a parent

I saw below someone wrote about the lack of diversity at St. John's, however we are a diverse first year family and have found a wonderful abundance of great, diverse families in the amazing preschool program and the lower school. I don't know the exact number, but a lot of the new families this year are diverse. We could not be happier at St. John's with the small classes, caring, well-educated teachers who dedicate their entire day to my children. It's the best decision we ever made.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of Montgomery County's "Best Kept Secrets"! This school is terrific. My children have gone here for 8 years, and the school continues to improve every year. The teachers are caring, hardworking, and creative, and the educational experience has been fantastic for my children. The environment enourages hard work, great positive relationships between faculty and students, and our children become leaders. The environment is very caring and friendly. The leadership at this school is warm, gets to know all the families, and cares about quality education. Our students who graduate from St. John's go on to fabulous high schools and very impressive colleges and careers after college. I would encourage parents to check it St. John's out.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend or have graduated from St. John's, a fabulous school that equipped my son to succeed in HS (4.19 last quarter, 5 honors courses). Mrs. B. taught him how to study adjusting for his learning styles, helped us determine routines and strategies that helped him where he was weak and took advantage of his strengths. Studetns very much enjoy strong relationships with their teachers, enduring into high school and well beyond. Our headmaster and is a very good man. Teachers, students and parents trust and respect him. Our Pastor counsels the children in crisis. I believe St. John's, as wonderful as it has been in the past, is on an upward trajectory. The teachers go above and beyond, they see the potential of each child and intend to help the child fulfill that potential. Academics, Character & Faith are modeled and taught at St. John's.
—Submitted by a parent

I have worked at St. John's for ten years. This school is the best kept secret in the Olney area. If you want your child to be challenged academically, to have nurturing teachers, and to enjoy top-notch programs, St. John's is the place to be.
—Submitted by a teacher

The current Head of School, Mr. Armstrong, is awesome! A phenomenal person and leader.
—Submitted by a parent

St. John's is not diverse at all. It could be possible that many of the schools parents want it that way. Some parents in the past have wanted to change that, while others prefer the elite private school culture and want to keep it that way. Academics are great, but there are so many other schools in Olney that offer diversity. These student compete for private highschools and colleges just the same as St Johns students. Learning styles are not accepted as well, which is what may keep the school so small and force them to place banners in Olney. St. Johns is ok in my book
—Submitted by a parent

The education program at St Johns is good if you have a child who fits the school profile. The student population is not close to being diverse as included in the parent emails below with more than 88% being white caucasian. This is included inthe school profile. Most private schools in Montgomery County have a significantly diverse student body and educates all learning styles. I agree that the education is good and the staff does well however, the school needs to address these issues to be considered a great private school.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't think I've been to a school that's so on top of what education a well-balanced education is. The programs they have developed are really going to give my children the skills they will need to be great, well balance leaders for the future. Keep it up, St. John's!!

This school is the heart and soul of my children school experience, they LOVE their school. This school will get your kids to where they need to be and beyond for the start of high schl. Although the school has limited resources for disabilities, they have supported us 100% in bringing in our own tutor and weaving it in during the school week with no problems what-so-ever. The school provides a very diverse approach in its curriculum and has also built up a very diverse student body. The character traits are a foundation that are instilled in these kids year after year. We are very grateful to it's nondenominal , but Christ centered religious approach and is kind and loving. Small class sizes are a plus in any schl. It's no nonsense approach to bullying, respect for one another is very reassuring in a pub sect that did little in this.
—Submitted by a parent

Promoting the school is not shameful. In these tough times it's essential. Shameful is writing a rueful and bitter message with nothing to back it up. St. John's is an exceptional school that provides small classrooms and individual attention to students. The teachers are skilled, dedicated, and fully supported by the parents. Any child will thrive at St. John's as long as he/she puts in the effort necessary to stay on top of the work load. And St. John's does value diversity. You need only walk the halls or attend an assembly. Parents expecting perfection shouldn't bother applying at St. John's. Parents looking for a great school that places its students in the top area private high schools and prepares them for a happy and successful life, should look no further.
—Submitted by a parent

St John's has a long way in bringing itself into 2009. Diversity is not one of its strengths and it does not enroll children with different learning styles. This school should alos relook at how it promotes itself. Placing banners along highways throughout Montgomery County is shameful.

St. John's is an awesome school and a caring community. Stop by and check out for yourself.
—Submitted by a teacher

Initimate setting, balanced classrooms, advanced and challenging curicula in a safe and welcoming environment. Very impressive.
—Submitted by a parent