San Juan Diego Catholic High School

It has its ups and downs theres a lot of drama among students teachers can be rude and know everything about you they look at you weird theres only some teachers i can trust not all the work study program is awsome no complains there classes are advanced good school cept all there rules no hoodies no gum no silver or white or colored shoes nly button up collar shirts you get in trouble for any little thing you do.
—Submitted by a student

Great school with teachers who really care about the kids on a personal level.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a freshmen at this school. I hated it at first but trust me by the end of the school year you dont want to leave! I dont want to leave San Juan Diego. It has changed me big time! Everything about me is changed into a better new me! -Amber R. 2008-2009
—Submitted by a student

It gives kids great opportunities and AMAZING job experiences! It's a very different kind of school, and they've come a long way.
—Submitted by a student

This school was the best thing that happened to us as a family. My daughter totally changed her attitude about adults and other students her age. She was homeschooled and this was a great transition for her. There were mostly hispanic students but that didn't matter. She made a few friends and that's all she needed. She graduated salutatorian and got a 4 year scholarship to a private women's college. Its a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher at San Juan Diego Catholic High School, what I think is most important about the school's mission is that, by way of our innovative corporate work study program, we're able to offset tuition in such a way that a quality, Catholic, college-preparatory education is made available to a much wider range of students. Students who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. Additionally, I can only imagine the benefits had I graduated with the work experience that our students accumulate through their time here at San Juan Diego.
—Submitted by a teacher

San Juan Diego is a school that will prepare any student willing to make the most of their future. I am an alumni and graduated in 2007. Being the second generation coming out of such a new school is definately in itself a risk. However, the fact that I was exposed to the corporate work program and had the opportunity to work with the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Dell, among many others, I was able to develop my professional skills as well as my speaking skills. I am currently at St. Edward's University and have kept an outstanding GPA, have been in internships, and continue my involvement within the campus communitity as well as the Austin community. I am in contact with my graduating class despite the fact that some of us are in other states or cities attending other universities. The impossible becomes possible at SJD.
—Submitted by a student

This school is on the rise! Students graduate with an Advanced Diploma of 30 credits (compared to the 21- and 24-credit diplomas of the Austin public schools), with 4 years of experience in the corproate world, and with over 100 hours of service learning. There are many positives working in favor of this school. Even the Saints soccer team went to state play-offs last year! Go, Saints!

Having been involved with the school's innovative Corporate Work Study Program, I have nothing but positive things to say about the school. Their students, despite being as young as 14, are in the working world and are bright, articulate, mature, and better-prepared than I could have imagined.

I strongly disagree with all of these reviews. I have recently graduated form San Juan Diego Catholic High School and I am currently in Texas State University. This school has prepared me so well that I am making A s and B s on my college classes. It has prepared me so well that my character has changed completely from a shy and unconfident person to a person that is outgoing and ready to confront any challenge that I may face. This same change I have seen on many of my classmates and upcoming San Juan Diego graduates. This school doesn t only prepare you academically but also in the work field. The students there are really friendly and welcoming to all new students because we as a school want them to feel welcomed and that there part of the community. The teachers are great, there always willing to help and stay until late so that we understand the material that is being covered in class. I am extremely grateful to all my teachers and San Juan Diego staff because this school has made me grow and my classmates to be academically competent with other schools and ready for the challenge of going to college. I also personally recommend this school to any one that whishes there child to be prepared for college and for life.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from SJD in 2007. I firmly believe that this school is good for most people & if you don't put your effort into the school, you won't get much out of it. My parents & I took a risk with the school, it was only a year old when I started there. We put some hard effort into it: I participated in & helped to start several clubs, I studied my hardest & helped other students, & my parents participated in PTA & volunteered whenever they could. Sure, it seemed very disorganized at first, but after the first two years, it ended up being a very good school for me. One of my favorite things about the school is Work Study because I have no problems getting a job. I can honestly say that SJD is an excellent school & that I am one of its success stories.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is a freshman at San Juan Diego and is having a fabulous experience. The teachers go above and beyond what is required to help the students, the corporate work experience has really expanded my daughter's perspective, there is a low teacher to student ratio, and she has had many opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities. Like all schools you will encounter issues here and there. However, every issue I have seen arise has been addressed promptly and appropriately.
—Submitted by a parent

The only thing great about this school is it's CWSP program. Not suggested if you want your kid to get scholarships and not to mention get noticed by universities. Also not recommended because of the lack of extra-curricular activities, sports and ridiculously strict rules.
—Submitted by a student

They need more school spirit. they need to be more organized. they need to stop trying to add more students with out adding more teachers. they've had many teachers quit. there are classes with three different class in them for example SPANISH one teacher teaching 3 different levels in one class. she seperates them into different groups.

San Juan Diego is known for the school that works. its an excellent school to attend to and helps a lot for college.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter was a former student here, after transferring to a public school. I think that the school has very good potential, but I think there should be more of a diversety of kids here. She felt like she diddnt fit in there, none of the kids there were very nice. She was sent to a training program like a week before school. She was supposed to 'Break the Ice' but it seemed as if no one wanted to meet new people. They would stick with thier buddies from other schools, and talk about how much it would be horrible. She was only was greeted by a few people. None of the Softmores,Juniors, and Seniors seemed nice at all. I was walking to the bathroom, during a break type of thing. She waved to someone who went to her school before they grad. and they just glared at her.
—Submitted by a parent

I storngly disagree with the reviews that have been posted about san juan diego. I am a student here and I think it is a great high school.All of the teachers are good and because the clases are very small the teacher can give you more one on one atention than in most public schools. I have been in this school since august of 2007 and I have always been helped and supported by the faculty and staff. I also think that father Jamie is a very good leader for the school. I just don't understand why someone would think otherwise.
—Submitted by a student

I agree about this school having a lot of problems. Very disorganized and the staff is not responsive and turns the other way when they should be facing the problems.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very disorganized and the leadership is non existent. Many of the students that graduate are not ready for college and the faculty retention is very low. This school has so much potential but lacks the right faculty and staff to make it successful!
—Submitted by a parent