St. John's and Good Counsel
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| I'm interested in what the differences and similarities are. Is one more competitive? Political differences? Teaching philosophies? How similar are the vibes? |
Anonymous
| Very similar. They both suck. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
|
SJC is going through a lot of transition.
Moving to block scheduling (that was not well thought out) New leadership etc I would not enroll now as they need time to stabilize and try and rebuild |
Anonymous
| Why not well thought out? It’s been less than a week. |
Anonymous
What don't you like about them? Does your family have direct experience with them? |
Anonymous
Typical block scheduling does not equal what SJC is implementing. SJC - There are 5 blocks a day all of equal length (60 minutes) 1 block is lunch for 9th and 10th graders 1 block is lunch for 11th and 12th graders The school is not set up to support this lunch structure and it was willful ignorance to think it could work as there is no place for the students to go when they are "flexing" when the other grade is eating - so you have 1 grade wondering around trying find a place to hang for 30 minutes. Many students buy lunch - and 30 minutes is not enough time for everyone to get through the line and eat their food It is a mess - the school knew it was going to be a mess - and they did not care |
Anonymous
My DC was skeptical that the whole grade eating at once could work, but so far they have enjoyed having lunch with all their friends and it seems to work well enough. |
Anonymous
| Wow some of the hatred on this forum is strange. My son is at St. John's. The changes have been very positive and he is happy. It's a very loving environment where the teachers and administrators really seem to love the kids. The changes are hiring enthusiastic administrators (the new principal is lovely and approachable), adding parking spaces for kids, hiring new staff in key roles that seem great. The president is new (been there one year) and I really like the changes he is making. The change to a one hour class time has allowed the kids in the science classes to do more hands on experiments that take more time. They will also have more time for clubs during the day with the new community time built in. Hope this is helpful. I can't really speak to good counsel. There are some of this forum with kids at both so maybe they will answer. But my advice is let your kid shadow and see what they like. We got in to both and my son liked both, but ended up choosing SJC because he thought it was a better fit for him. |
Anonymous
Wow some of the hatred on this forum is strange. My son is at St. John's. The changes have been very positive and he is happy. It's a very loving environment where the teachers and administrators really seem to love the kids. The changes are hiring enthusiastic administrators (the new principal is lovely and approachable), adding parking spaces for kids, hiring new staff in key roles that seem great. The president is new (been there one year) and I really like the changes he is making. The change to a one hour class time has allowed the kids in the science classes to do more hands on experiments that take more time. They will also have more time for clubs during the day with the new community time built in. Hope this is helpful. I can't really speak to good counsel. There are some of this forum with kids at both so maybe they will answer. But my advice is let your kid shadow and see what they like. We got in to both and my son liked both, but ended up choosing SJC because he thought it was a better fit for him. |
Anonymous
DP. Some people here are going to insult the schools simply because they are Catholic. |
Anonymous
|
DC is a senior at SJC and loves the changes to the schedule. She has no difficulty finding a place to go for 30’ - there are several great options.
Agree with PP re: new leadership. They are very positive and have started to make some good changes at the school. Unfortunately, I can’t help with any feedback on GC but I am very positive re: SJC. My guess is that they would be more similar than different. |
Anonymous
|
My DC is also at SJC and loves the block schedule! Like other parents said, longer classes mean more time for instruction on a deeper level. Open periods during the school day allow more kids to participate in clubs (which will be starting soon!), practice their instruments, work on art projects, practice Cadet drills, check in with teachers or academic help centers, do homework, study, or even lift weights or run to get exercise. Once clubs kick off and the heavier homework kicks in, no student should claim that they have nothing to do during free period unless that is what they choose.
We find the new Principal to be very personable and open about why the school decided to implement certain changes. He is receptive to feedback but also encourages families to give the new block schedule a chance before totally dismissing it. There will be an adjustment period for some students, but hopefully everything will fall into place once the back-to-school transition period fades away. |
Anonymous
|
Unless you happen to live equidistant between the schools, pick the school with the better commute.
They aren’t different enough to warrant a crazy commute for one or the other. |
Anonymous
| Am I wrong for having the impression that SJC is considered more prestigious? |