St. John Academy in McLean

[Anonymous]

We are considering sending our children to this school next year. Is anyone familiar with this school? Pros/Cons? Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

what grade? My family is considering for K--I really like the head of the school..really seems like a stand up guy. I can't say any cons actually from what I have seen so far. Maybe that the facilities aren't amazing but it's a parish school and you can't expect the same facilities as places like Sidwell. Are you between going to St. John and a private or another parish school?

[Anonymous]

We don't have tons and tons of experience, but we have been there this year for preK and will be staying for K. We have been very happy with the experience. It is a very nice, small community with nice families... we have enjoyed starting to get to know people. A very down-to-earth place. We agree with PP's impression of the headmaster, he is wonderful. Love the music program, the Christmas show was adorable last year.

[Anonymous]

I just saw that the headmaster is leaving. I saw an ad in the Arlington Catholic Herald that they are interviewing for a new one to start next Fall. What happened to the current one? We were at an info meeting in the Fall and nothing was ever said about him leaving. Was this sudden? Does anyone know?

[Anonymous]

Worst thing the school ever did. He is wonderful! Bottom line this was an issue with the paster (Scalia..son of the supreme court justice) thinking the school was becoming more high profile than other catholic schools in the area. I think Peter Schultz is someone who could run a school like Gonzaga. I am disgusted and am considering leaving the parish over this.

[Anonymous]

Another current school family here... we are also more than upset at Fr Scalia pushing Mr. Schultz out. He was a great asset to the school and really the big reason why we chose the school. Mr. Schultz was there before Scalia. Can't wait to see who Scalia (and his HUGE ego) chooses...

[Anonymous]

Oh goodness. Ok, thanks for filling me in. We are a prospective family (for a DD who would be entering kindergarten not next year, but the following year) but it just caught my eye and so I was wondering about it. I am sorry to hear it, though. Best of luck to you all, and the school community, as well as the parish community at large.

[Anonymous]

I hope he lands on his feet. He is just terrific. In this day and age..it is rare to have a head of school so caring and committed and who is able to place kids so well esp. helping kids coming from a parish school to bigtime private hs. Scalia should rethink why he became a priest. Keep in mind that the pay is awful for parish principals so makes it even harder to replace.

[Anonymous]

I also know that 5 of their 7 kids go to the school, right? So I hope the next place he lands is another parochial school which will let the kids go there, too.

[Anonymous]

I have no knowledge of this situation, but based on what is here it seems concerning enough that someone or someones should ask questions. Has anyone raised this with Fr. Scalia? This should be a concern for parents with children at the school and for parishoners. If the Headmaster is that good and the number of students is up under his leadership, if he goes doesn't that mean the number of students may decrease making school funding a bigger burden on the parish when it need not be? I had a somewhat similar experience in the past. A down economy is not the time to ask parishoners to pay more to fund Catholic education when the situation is avoidable.

[Anonymous]

Good points..problem is..he really believes this stuff. He is like the Obama of Catholics..not fair that St Johns be better than another school and pushes out a great headmaster to prove the point. A lot of families are leaving..sad because the school was really becoming a prep school. Great exmissions and great education.

[Anonymous]

No dog in this fight, but something doesn't add up. Why would a parish priest worry that his school is "too good"? That just means it can support itself and won't require parish funds. The school's reputation can only enhance the reputation and membership and bottom line of the parish. If the pastor has a "huge ego," as is alleged, it makes no sense that he would not want as good a school as poisslbe. There must be some other explanation. Was there some philosophical difference of opinion?

[Anonymous]

No..scary but true. He (Scalia) feels parish schools should be all the same and one should not have a leg up on another..ex he was furious that the parents raised quite a bit of money to update teachers lounge and really hindered the process. I don't think he is thinking you need a great education to get into a great hs and then great college. He is only interested in following catholic dogma..and the irony is Mr Shultz is deeply religious and really walks the talk. Shultz found a way to really get teachers and parents and kids excited..he is a treasure. Again..this man deserves a great next assignment. Scalia..should be shown the door not Shultz

[Anonymous]

It is very weird indeed. From an outsider (a fellow Catholic but a member of another parish), it seems as if Scalia and Shultz are the same "kind" of Catholics: conservative, from large family, walk the walk, etc. I hate to see any Cath. school up in arms about something like this. Sad.

[Anonymous]

They need to reverse this attitude right away. Don't have a DC there, but this school was starting to have a really good reputation even though relatively unkown. We learned of it through DC playing them in sports scrimmages -- a really nice bunch of kids and the coaches were nice too.