St. Johnsbury Academy

I find it funny what the person behind me said. The academy started only one day before that review was made. Though the school does have a strict policy it is very easy to fallow and second chances will be given. I had gotten in trouble and where even though I could have been expelled I wasn't and was given a second chance. I am part of VTLSP which is a leadership club that helps out other students and the state and I do Cross Country and Basketball and may be doing Ultimate in the Spring I have to say that the athletic programs are fantastic. Schooling is great too. When I went to elementary and middle school I felt like I wasn't being challenged enough but once I got here I felt like I had found my place. The teachers are amazing and do their best to help the students understand what is going on. Yes, dress code can be tough at first but very quickly you get used to it and in all honestly I like it better. I'd rather see a girl in dress cloths then one with her stomach hanging out and wearing booty shorts or a guy wearing his jeans down low and a hat on. With the dress code it makes the students look very professional. I am happy to come here and would recommend it to anyone.
--Submitted by a student

i hate it at the academy. the dress code is too strict and they dont punish all students fairly. im in a situation with another student who is just as wrong as i am and im on the verge of being kicked out and that student gets to stay. not that i complain about leaving... like i said, they're too uptight, and there is too many people. i do like that they give a chance for teens of other places a chance to come here but there is just too many people. they need to treat all students equally and punish them equally.
--Submitted by a student

As someone that just graduated as part of the class of 2011, I do have to say that I did enjoy attending the school, mostly because of the student body, the breadth of extracurricular activities, and the challenging aspect of a lot of the classes; this was up until my junior year though. Since my junior year (2009-2010) the administration has turned the tide against the common interest of the student body due to unfair initiatives that have taken place. Before my junior year it seemed as though the administration treated everyone equally, but since then they've shown a major bias towards the interests of athletes and other student leaders, and have also gotten a tighter grasp on everyone's personal lives in and out of the school community. There have been more unfair punishments put down upon certain students than before, and other students haven't received anything for their actions because the administration is aware of their positive stature within the school community. As a student leader myself, I believe this is absolutely shameful and every student should be treated equally regardless of their standing. As one parent said below about not speaking up, those reasons are true.
--Submitted by a student

My 2 daughters graduated from SJA and my son is a junior there. I've always had the highest regard for the student body, the teachers and advisors and the athletics department, which my son is heavily involved with. As with anything else, you get out of it what you put in. It has made the high school experience positive and extraordinary for them.
--Submitted by a parent

Under the current leadership, this school has gone down hill. The Dean of Students attempts to exert a Gestapo like control over the students, in all aspects of their personal life both in and out of school. The headmaster is an extremely weak leader, and exhibits little regard for the concerns of parents and students unless they are boarders. The standards of discipline are unfair and dorm students are not held to the same accountability. The guidance department is not particularly helpful, and the special education is poorly run. Many parents, students, and faculty are unhappy with the status quo, but due to administration's gestapo like tactics won't speak out for fear of retaliation.
--Submitted by a parent

The Academy is, in essence, a great community. The teachers are excellent for the most part, and the student body is very welcoming. However, these great qualities are all overshadowed by the less than mediocre leadership, particularly in the area of discipline. The administration, with its almost gestapo-like policy, has done everything it can to foster resentment in both students and faculty alike. With their clearly deep Catholic roots, the administration, particularly the dean of students, has taken it upon themselves to assume a role no highschool should, that of the parent. With an intrusiveness almost Orwellian in nature, the administration have come to invade all facets of student life, in and outside school. Due to this problem, multiple teachers actually left out of sheer disgust. If this is to change it is imperative that both students and parents alike take a more proactive role in keeping the administration in check.
--Submitted by a student

As a studen at this school I would first like to start off by saying that the student body is amazing, almost every teacher is willing to go to the end of the earth to help, the clubs and activities are endless, and the international trips available to you every year are some of the best experiences possible. However that being said as a student about to enter my senior year I feel as though though the school is on a downward slope because of a lack of good leadership from the upper levels of facualty. Despite having some of the best and brightest teachers possible the disciplinary and leadership posititions are not run well and can become a major turn off for students and parents alike. Along with that there is a personal bias in several different area's including athletics, punishment, dress code, and the day versus dorm student.
--Submitted by a student

Our sons chose to attend the Academy because of the athletics and academics. The choice of courses is almost overwhelming, from vocational to AP. The school is open to local as well as boarding students, because most of the surrounding towns have school choice. Our sons have classmates from all over the world and from all socio-economic levels. If a student has a problem, the staff and faculty are willing to help.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school. The standards are high and the teachers are committed to help the student succeed in their availability for conference periods. Love this school!!!
--Submitted by a parent

We moved to St. Johnsbury so that our children could attend this excellent high school. Now in 9th & 11th grades, they are enjoying the great academics and wonderful variety of extra-curricular activities offered. It has been a great move for us!
--Submitted by a parent