St. Jerome Institute

[Anonymous]

We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

[Anonymous]

Taught in the Catholic tradition at a school like St. Jerome’s Institute means a lot of emphasis on Catholic faith and very traditional teaching of religion. Students attend Mass, celebrate Catholic feast days, go on religious retreats, etc. Catholicism is the entire foundation for the educational program. It will be very pervasive so you need to have a comfort with that.

[Anonymous]

“In the Catholic tradition” typically means a Catholic school that is not affiliated with the archdiocese. It is usually used in connection with schools with a classical curriculum and more conservative/traditional Catholic philosophy.

Here is a good article: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202108/is-classical-education-the-future-of-catholic-schools/

SJI is fairly new so there is not much college admissions data. The families we know from there are interested in the more conservative Catholic colleges and I’m sure they have a good success rate with admission to those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“In the Catholic tradition” typically means a Catholic school that is not affiliated with the archdiocese. It is usually used in connection with schools with a classical curriculum and more conservative/traditional Catholic philosophy.

Here is a good article: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202108/is-classical-education-the-future-of-catholic-schools/

SJI is fairly new so there is not much college admissions data. The families we know from there are interested in the more conservative Catholic colleges and I’m sure they have a good success rate with admission to those.

Interesting article - thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

Was SJI started by parents of St Jerome’s (MD) students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

Was SJI started by parents of St Jerome’s (MD) students?

Yes, but I don’t think the schools are affiliated in a formal way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

More conservative than other Catholic high schools. Think Brookewood, Oakcrest, The Heights not Gonzaga or SJC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

Sounds like excellent preparation for college & the workforce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

Sounds like excellent preparation for college & the workforce.

Because nobody uses devices in college or the workforce these days…

[Anonymous]

We left the school, it was an awful experience for our family. Other students leave quietly because families who leave are aggressively 'iced' out and quickly forgotten. No one follows up on why someone left. Don't be fooled by their waitlist, they simply don't have the faculty nor footprint to facilitate a larger student body. Most kids are struggling to do math/reading/writing that they will need for college entrance exams. Students are awarded based on school spirit or trying hard instead of actual results. Most of the students there will aspire to go to a school where liberal arts and the faith are central. Please look for and request their matriculation data and their average exam scores. Their SAT equivalents are national average and at D.C. SATs (1090) and at Maryland SATs (1008). Ask yourself if you want to pay 15k+ for 'friends' or 'religious formation' or 'safe environment'. The friends there are only friends if you 100% support their school and it is very difficult on you to disagree. The religious formation there is questionable because the push political agendas especially during the Humanities Seminar. The safe environment is still D.C., there are lock downs ocassionally in the school due to nearby shootings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We left the school, it was an awful experience for our family. Other students leave quietly because families who leave are aggressively 'iced' out and quickly forgotten. No one follows up on why someone left. Don't be fooled by their waitlist, they simply don't have the faculty nor footprint to facilitate a larger student body. Most kids are struggling to do math/reading/writing that they will need for college entrance exams. Students are awarded based on school spirit or trying hard instead of actual results. Most of the students there will aspire to go to a school where liberal arts and the faith are central. Please look for and request their matriculation data and their average exam scores. Their SAT equivalents are national average and at D.C. SATs (1090) and at Maryland SATs (1008). Ask yourself if you want to pay 15k+ for 'friends' or 'religious formation' or 'safe environment'. The friends there are only friends if you 100% support their school and it is very difficult on you to disagree. The religious formation there is questionable because the push political agendas especially during the Humanities Seminar. The safe environment is still D.C., there are lock downs ocassionally in the school due to nearby shootings.

Above post was also used verbatim in a 7/22 post about St Anselm's Abbey School. Likely someone with an agenda re. both schools. Take it with a grain of salt!

[Anonymous]

We considered it and quickly got the impression that religion is front and center. It seems like it’s a very conservative religious school, not a school that is focused on classics but happens to be run by a church.

[Anonymous]

It is full of very sheltered very Catholic kids. If that’s a plus, it seems like a great place!

[Anonymous]

To narrow minded.

We chose another Catholic high school. Unfortunately, that was pretty bad too. In religion class, they learned--I am not kidding--that reading your horoscope can open you to demonic possession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We like the emphasis on classics, on writing and classroom discussion, and the policy of no devices at school. Not sure what is meant when they say they teach in the Catholic tradition (we're not Catholic). Lots of time spent in religious instruction, possibly more than at other Catholic schools. How well does it prepare high school students for college, relative to an average public in the DMV? Can anyone share their experience with St. Jerome Institute (the high school in DC, not the elementary school in suburban MD). TIA

Sounds like excellent preparation for college & the workforce.

Because nobody uses devices in college or the workforce these days…

I feel like you missed the sarcasm...