St. John School

St. John is truly an excellent school. The community is extremely inclusive and welcoming. The teaching staff is proactive and caring and encourage the kids to achieve things I would have thought impossible. My child is confidently doing work in kindergarten our neighbor's kids are doing until 1st grade. Approximately 30% of St. John families aren't Catholic, which provides a breadth of experience and diversity not always associated with Catholic education. While kids are taught the tenants of Catholicism, I feel the emphasis is more on providing the children with a good moral compass. The parents are very involved, so much so that there are no required volunteer hours (they just aren't needed). It truly is an excellent school, but it's also an excellent community.
--Submitted by a parent

We entered St. John this year with a second grader. So far I feel like we have not made many connections. People are nice but not overly inclusive. the school is extremely rule oriented and traditional. We are hoping things lightedn up this year and we can become more a part of the community. It seems hard since you drop off and pick up the kids outside and rarely see the teacher.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent academic program in a supportive atmosphere. My daughter attended preschool and on-site extended daycare at St. John's. She will be entering kintergarten there in the fall. There are 5 day and 3 day programs. The faculty and staff are caring and friendly. My daughter has made big sister friends in the third grade class that give her hugs and spend time with her when they see her even when we run into them outside of school at the local library. We attribute my daughter's conscientious and loving attitude to the school being a big family. Academically, my daughter holds her pencil correctly, knows writing and reciting her alphabet, letter sounds, numbers to 30, colors, shapes, and is beginning to read, all of which is attributed to the school program. We are very happy with all the drawings and work booklets we receive from her studies. We highly recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Very popular school. National award-wining principal. Not too expensive for a great education. The Pre-K program is OK, but worth it to have a better chance at getting into the excellent Kindergarten program (admittance to Pre-K does not guarantee admittance to Kindergarten.) I love that there are two classes per-grade for better classroom diversity thru the years. Older children mentor younger children, which makes for a nice community. Lots of play time outside on the big playground, which is great to see. Lots of required parent involvement (volunteer hours, auction items, etc.) Sports such as x-country and soccer & extracurricular activities such as Scouts and Chess Club are offered. Nice, welcoming families, accepting of non-parishioners. Out of 20 kids in a class, about 4 are out of parish. Non-parishioners pay full-tuition, while parishioners 'prayerfully discern' how much they want to pay, so in other words they pay what they want.
--Submitted by a parent

St John is a wonderful school. One of the few Catholic schools in the neighborhood with 2 classes per grade. Parish members can participate in Fair Share which allows parish families to pay whatever amount they can afford for their childs tuition. Non Parish members may qualify for tuition scholarships, which is UNHEARD of in most Catholic schools. Music, CYO sports, art program, Junior High Musical are all part of the extracurricular activities. Principal, Agnes Jacobsen, awarded National Distiguished Principal by US Dept of Education. Parent involvement VERY high as well as Parish members and school alumni. Diverse racial, economic and religious school population. My daughter entered St John as a first grader and is now in 6th grade, we have had just an outstanding experience at St John's.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal was a 'National Principal of the Year' and went to the White House for her recognition award. She is truly outstanding and annually sets high standards for staff, parents and students. All teachers are excellent and the school has friendly and professional support staff as well.
--Submitted by Tony Ogilvie, a parent