St. John Academy in McLean

[Anonymous]

As a former student under the last two years of Headmaster Shultz, I can say that you should not attend this school. There are still many teachers and staff their that care for their students, however the overall feel of the school is awful. Class sizes usually very between 15-25 children, who mostly come from spoiled upbringings and have no idea how to act in a class room. Makes it very distracting. Fr. Scalia has a closeted view of the world and passes that view onto the students / congregation. St. James in Falls Church is a better school for a catholic education. More people from all backgrounds come from their and make a more loving place to learn.

[Anonymous]

SJA is an amazing school. It has wonderful teachers, staff, and aid. The class sizes can be smaller, but this helps students get more attention individually. St. John's also offers both CYO Basketball and Soccer. There are many activities such as: Math Club, Spelling Club, Band, Choir, Safety Patrols, Girl Scouts and more.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for a GREAT School in the Area St. John Academy is the one.

[Anonymous]

Just ran across all of this back-and-forth about Schultz & Scalia. To the poster(s) who were blaming Fr. Scalia and insinuating something nefarious - I can state unequivocally that you are completely misinformed. In fact, if not for Fr. Scalia's QUIET, behind-the-scenes efforts, we would have lost Peter Schultz two years earlier. Eventually, an accounting rule change was made by the Diocese, that essentially disallowed the way that some compensation was being booked - and thus, caused it to become economically impossible (on paper) to keep Peter without a significant paycut, that was not feasible. MANY parents and parishioners worked MANY hours - with Peter AND Fr. Scalia - to try to find a solution...to no end.

As for today, the community is one-of-a-kind and unmatched anywhere. I recently spoke to Peter Schultz, and - although he is enjoying his new post - he still misses SJA and it's incredible community of families.

Finally, with regard to ACADEMY vs. school - this was done in part to allow for a higher compensation for Peter. A school can pay a higher salary to a Headmaster than to a principal...and only an Academy can have a headmaster. At the same time, there were requirements to qualify as an Academy (ie. more robust language offering, etc.). This also coincided with the school's application submission as a Blue Ribbon School back in 2009, so altogether, it was decided that the move was worth making.

Pls. get facts before spewing carpool gossip. And if you're unhappy about something - get involved and volunteer, insert your influence and contribute - CONSTRUCTIVELY - to making things better. Going online purporting to know it all is easy to do...but it doesn't help improve the school - or your kid's environment.

[Anonymous]

Having sent my children there until recently, I would never send my grandchildren there. It is narrow minded and misogynist. If you have girls, do NOT send them there. They will be treated like second class citizens.

[Anonymous]

I strongly disagree with your comment about girls being treated unfairly. Both of our daughters are current students and we have found it to be a great environment for them. They are confident, not afraid to speak up in class, and both feel that they can and will be able to do whatever it is they want to be in life. My husband and I could not be happier with the school.

[Anonymous]

Any other thoughts on this school?

[Anonymous]

They just fired the headmaster who replaced Peter Schultz..this has got to be difficult. Schultz was a tough act to follow..

[Anonymous]

21:18, where did you get your information? I'm a fairly involved parent there and I never heard he was fired. Word is he chose to leave. Just curious.

To the 16:05 poster, I think your best bet to figure out what you think is take a tour. That's what sold us on the school. Watching the students and teachers tells you more than anonymous posters on a forum. The school is going through change, yes, but the families are a large part of what makes the school a great place to send your children. Haven't had a teacher we didn't like and my children love being there. Visit and see what you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always did wonder why it was called St. John ACADEMY and why the principal was called a HEADMASTER. . things like that. Is this an example of what Scalia did not like. It's funny b/c I grew up in McLean and it was only rather recently when they all of a sudden became St. John's ACADEMY instead of SCHOOL and the principal became a HEADMASTER instead of a principal. LOL. Were these changes implemented by Shultz, or someone else? I always did kind of wonder where the heck these changes came from. Tee hee.
PS Same thing with the parish name. It used to just be St. John's and then all of a sudden it became St. John THE BELOVED. LOL. But I think this one was a Diocesan-level decision to differentiate it from the new(er) St. John's parish which was being built, out in Warrenton or somewhere out there. Anyway, the "Academy" and "Headmaster" things always did sort of have me scratching my head, only b/c they seem to have come about just a few years ago!

As a former St J school parent and current parisioner, I know that the change to the use of the term "academy" was strictly window-dressing and personal preference on the part of Peter Schultz when he came to the school. Ditto for the term 'headmaster'. It was simply a matter of his putting his mark on the school, so to speak, when he arrived. As for the switch to 'the Beloved', the church was always named for St John the Beloved, but when Fr. McAffee took over as pastor, he wanted to add the further descriptive words to ensure that all knew which saint the church was named for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any other thoughts on this school?

My son attended the Leadership Training Program for boys which met at this school, thus most of the students in attendance were also students at St. Johns. My son does not attend this school (he attends another Catholic school). My son said he would NEVER want to go to St. Johns because the kids (boys) are rude and mean. A lot of LTP involves games, such as basketball, following the teaching portion of the program. My son said many of the boys cheat, shove and say ugly things.

Parents...please be parents. Teach your children how to behave. Talk about following the Golden Rule. Too many children are not being taught basic manners...and kindness. At a Catholic school, the kids should be better behaved. We're all busy, and good parenting takes time and work. You reap what you sow. There is no reason my child or any child should feel that other kids at a Catholic school are so awful that the child would not want to attend the school.

[Anonymous]

1. LTP hasn't met at this school for 2 years. I don't know what boys you're talking about, but our son's LTP and SJA experience were both excellent, he is now college age.. He was always attuned to bullying, and certainly saw/experienced more of it at our former diocesan school than he ever experienced He is almost in coll. At SJA, and he never experienced it at all during LTP - which is run by caring, focused, amazing priests and brothers.

2. The misogynist claims are just bizarre, must come from a parent who has other issues, and barely require a response. Our daughter has been given every opportunity to excel at SJA, as have all the other girls and boys whom we've known through the years.

3. Our graduates are always accepted into their top cchoices of high schools - during the past 7 years that we've been at SJA. y of them say that they are much MORE prepared for the rigors of our area's high schools than their contemporaries, especially in writing & research skills, and in science. The 8th grade Algebra students use the same text that high schools use for Honors Algebra. As of this year, there is also an accelerated 7th grade math class.

4. While in the past we've had 2 or 3 weaker links among the teachers (and what school doesn't?), we now have the best middle school staff in the diocese, by any measure: experience, dedication, having been tasked with curriculum development for diocesan schools, etc.

5. In the elementary level we have a couple seasoned teachers whose records are remarkable. Our 3rd grade teacher just won a diocesan award. We aso have a number of young new teachers in the elementary grades. Children because of several teachers having moved out of the area. Too soon to tell much about their teaching, but so far they seem enthusiastic, loving, and very bright.

6. Our kids have experienced remarkable extra-curriculars: the regionally acknowledged treble choirs which have performed with the Reston Chorale and the National Cathedral choruses, begining &, advanced bands, superlative ratings in band competitions in PA and further south in VA, the diocesan district honor band, piano guitar and violin lessons offered at school, repeated Battle of the Books diocesan champions, a middle school musical (Fiddler on the Roof this year), participation in the annual McLean Artists in the Park weekend, school based sports teams (soccer and basketball) as well as CYO sports.

7. Our new Headmaster is making parents and teachers just delighted as the year begins. He has a remarkable background, he and his wife have both been educators for approx 25 years, they have 6 children ranging from 3rd grade to college aged, and the entire family seems motivated by Christ-centered missionary dedication. They heard a calling to uproot from their life-long lives in Hawaii, and come to our community. While we loved Peter Schultz and his family, we are thrilled by having Michael Busekrus and his family join us.

Hope this helps. Please find out more for yourself by visiting, if you are considering a move!

[Anonymous]

Sorry the first para above is jumbled a bit - and some words dropped out here & tthere. My smart phone may not be smart enough for this website!

[Anonymous]

I know a lot of the kids from this school as we are in the neighborhood--scratching my head at the mean description. I think all the kids from this school are sooo polite. Not buying the negative stuff.

[Anonymous]

Agreed! They are a very polite group of students. Even more importantly, the teachers and administration insist upon kindness and courtesy being demonstrated among students. Also, I don't understand the comment about girls being second class citizens. That couldn't be more incorrect and ridiculous! I guess that's why the top award winners in the 6th through 8th grades every year are predominantly GIRLS? Someone must have forgotten to tell them about their second class status.