Religion at St. John's

[Anonymous]

Hello, we are a non-chrisitan family who is considering applying to St. John's for academic reasons. Based on conversations with friends, I'm not confident I understand how much religion is involved in the day to day operations of school. Would anyone be able to comment on the specific religion classes the students have to take and how much of the Catholic faith is experienced each day? FWIW, I have another child at a Christian, though not Catholic, school and we are completely ok with the level of religious instruction there but they are also taking comparative religion classes and not classes specific to the faith. Any ideas on how kids who aren't Catholic/Christian feel about being at St. Johns?

[Anonymous]

Every Catholic high school has 4 years of religion class as a requirement of graduation. The classes are specific to the Catholic faith. Students also attend Mass regularly (between once a week to once a month, depending on the school). Students get a Catholic education.

[Anonymous]

We are Catholic and have two sons at SJC. You can read the course descriptions in the course catalog. https://www.stjohnschs.org/userfiles/sjchsmvc/documents/Admissions/Registration%20Materials/Final%202024%2025%20Course%20Catalog-Digital.pdf

It’s a Catholic school, they have daily mass that isn’t mandatory as well as mass on holy days that is mandatory. There are daily prayers and a requirement to take a religion class each year. My sons have friends of a number of different faiths, including Jewish friends. I don’t know the numbers, but the population is not 100% Catholic or Christian. There is a priest on campus who serves as the chaplain, but I believe there are no Brothers that serve as teachers at this point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every Catholic high school has 4 years of religion class as a requirement of graduation. The classes are specific to the Catholic faith. Students also attend Mass regularly (between once a week to once a month, depending on the school). Students get a Catholic education.

Now, whenever there is a discussion about the difference between Catholic schools and private schools, there is a great deal of thrashing against the idea that students get a "catholic education". Every school IS different, and I don't know about St. John's, but you should ask non-catholics/non-christians who attend. There are definitely other Catholic high schools in the area that have large populations of non-Catholic and Jewish students, and students who openly describe themselves as atheists.

Mass is going to happen, but once a month is common and your attendance is required, not your participation. As long as you sit quietly and don't act disruptive, most schools (and actual Catholic churches) don't care if you're there with other beliefs. And while they are all going to have some degree of Catholic instruction, 90 percent of Catholic instruction is regular Christian instruction, and at most places it's going to be instruction not evangelizing. You don't have to believe any of it, you just have to be able to answer the questions on the test and discuss it. And even as a non-Christian, I think it's worthwhile learning about what Christians think. And, if you are, say, Jewish, the Old Testament teaching is going to be of interest. Some schools also teach what would mostly be called a comparative religion curriculum, centered on Catholicism. Because they are people who are interested in religion and worship, but they're not trying to convert you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every Catholic high school has 4 years of religion class as a requirement of graduation. The classes are specific to the Catholic faith. Students also attend Mass regularly (between once a week to once a month, depending on the school). Students get a Catholic education.

Now, whenever there is a discussion about the difference between Catholic schools and private schools, there is a great deal of thrashing against the idea that students get a "catholic education". Every school IS different, and I don't know about St. John's, but you should ask non-catholics/non-christians who attend. There are definitely other Catholic high schools in the area that have large populations of non-Catholic and Jewish students, and students who openly describe themselves as atheists.

Mass is going to happen, but once a month is common and your attendance is required, not your participation. As long as you sit quietly and don't act disruptive, most schools (and actual Catholic churches) don't care if you're there with other beliefs. And while they are all going to have some degree of Catholic instruction, 90 percent of Catholic instruction is regular Christian instruction, and at most places it's going to be instruction not evangelizing. You don't have to believe any of it, you just have to be able to answer the questions on the test and discuss it. And even as a non-Christian, I think it's worthwhile learning about what Christians think. And, if you are, say, Jewish, the Old Testament teaching is going to be of interest. Some schools also teach what would mostly be called a comparative religion curriculum, centered on Catholicism. Because they are people who are interested in religion and worship, but they're not trying to convert you.

No one said you have to believe it. If you're not a Christian no one is going to try to "convert" you. But would your child be getting a Catholic education? Yes. Full stop. People of all faiths are welcome at Catholic schools, but if you're worried that it's going to be "too Catholic" then you are really asking the wrong question.

[Anonymous]

This question comes up again and again, but it is such a personal thing and I think it is very hard to judge based on someone else's interpretation. The best way to get a sense is really for your student to do a shadow day (and go to some school events if possible). Then they can see first hand what it is like day-to-day and judge for themselves. This certainly helped my two kids.

As others have indicated, there are plenty of non-Catholics at St. John's. Religion classes are based in Catholicism, but there definitely is a recognition that not every student is Catholic. Every class starts with some version of a prayer. There are regular masses, including at graduation in the Basilica. Some non-Catholic kids and families are uncomfortable with those things, some embrace it as an interesting part of the education, and others just don't consider it a big deal either way. (FWIW, we are not Catholic and our two kids have very different approaches to religion, but both chose St. John's and have been very comfortable there.)

[Anonymous]

There are so many other excellent schools - both private and public in the area. Privates are both religious and non religious affiliated. I am wondering why the OP feels a need to apply to SJC if the Catholic aspect is questionable. Location? Price tag?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so many other excellent schools - both private and public in the area. Privates are both religious and non religious affiliated. I am wondering why the OP feels a need to apply to SJC if the Catholic aspect is questionable. Location? Price tag?

OP said academic reasons. I’m guessing the Benilde Program.

[Anonymous]

Yes, few private schools in the area offer a such a structured, targeted program to support students with learning differences as an integral part of the school’s mission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, few private schools in the area offer a such a structured, targeted program to support students with learning differences as an integral part of the school’s mission.

I encourage OP to discuss Benilde with parents of kids in the program. The experience after the first year - would be a good conversation starter.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are slightly interested, I would tour and apply. Because of the slightly lower pricetag in comparison to othere area independent schools and the current state of many public high schools, this school is incredibly popular right now. Applications are through the roof and it can be quite competitive, especially if you are not Catholic and/ or not coming from a Catholic K-8

[Anonymous]

You can't apply to a Catholic school and not want religion. That is ridiculous. Go somewhere else if you don't want the "catholic part".

[Anonymous]

Maybe try a Jewish school and ask them not to be Jewish???

[Anonymous]

It is a Catholic school. It is based on Catholic values and traditions. We are not Catholic and respect it and thought it would be a good fit for other reasons (sports). No one is pushing your child to convert but there is a big focus and expectation and if you're not Catholic you'll feel it. I wouldn't do it for my younger one. It's been a point of stress for my kid since day one for a variety of reasons that I won't get into here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, few private schools in the area offer a such a structured, targeted program to support students with learning differences as an integral part of the school’s mission.

I wencourage OP to discuss Benilde with parents of kids in the program. The experience after the first year - would be a good conversation starter.

Not OP but interested in Benilde—I understand that after year 1 there really isn’t much support. They expect you to graduate out of it. Is that the case?