What’s it like at St. John’s in DC?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:How Catholic is it for a non-Catholic student? (do those get in? I feel like I know some families whose kids are there who aren't Catholic but not sure how much of an anomaly they are). Also wondering how welcome kids of same sex parents feel. thx!

Trying to escape the DC publics but refusing to move to the suburbs at any cost, eh?

Didn't realize I should expect shaming for considering independent schools on the.....independent schools board. Thanks for the super helpful feedback on the school!

What is offensive is these people asking “how Catholic” is a Catholic school. Change that religion to Jewish and how does that sound?

I apologize for offending anyone. Not my intent at all, but I acknowledge that I may have had that impact which is more important. I asked it in that way because in the past when I've considered a different Catholic education institution, the leadership there used it as a way to define how much of a daily impact the Church has on student life. Does it impact the books that are read and discussed? Is there sex ed, and how is it handled? Is there daily prayer/chapel? Does a non-Catholic feel very separate from the school culture and social life? Does someone whose family structure is often not welcomed by the Church feel that way at school every day?

The Jesuit schools are LBGTQ friendly and tend to be more socially liberal. That said, they still have Mass. They still require a Religion course all 4-years. The values of helping others, service, etc. are very big. It's a very traditional liberal arts education. Courses are not taught through the eyes of religion, science is science. History is history. They aren't molding kids to a certain train of thought. In fact, the Jesuit principle is always questioning. St Johns isn't a Jesuit institution so I can't speak to it.

The Jesuit order is more liberal and LGBTQ friendly but that is not so about Jesuit HS's in the ADW.

STJ has a LGBT alliance, dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary. Most kids are LGBT friendly, the few that are not are outliers.

It’s sjc no one says stj

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Overcrowded. Overly focused on sports. Mean lower middle class kids....

Don't you mean brutish, uncivilized and unwashed lower middle class kids?

Clearly you have no children at SJC or who have attended the school. There are a lot of Uber wealthy families there, extremely wealthy. Just drive through the student parking lot. However, there are also lower middle class, upper middle class, etc. Unlike you, your horrible snob, the kids at SJC don’t care.

You get these comments from students/parents that have never been around black peoples before… mostly Bethesda/cc/Potomac archdiocese schools.

Not sure what race has to do with anything but SJC is very diverse. It’s a fantastic community and very down to earth.

Yes. That can be shocking to some kids at open house/shadow days.

What are you talking about? Seeing people of differing colors is shocking at open houses? You’re joking. No one in the DMV thinks this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did a bunch of test prep in 8th grade for the SSAT, PSAT and HSPT. You can buy test prep books to help. Is St. John’s a Catholic school? Check which test they require and then get a book with practice tests.

At open houses, everyone is trained to be nice, neutral, kind. My kid has been an ambassador at her middle and high schools. They are highly trained for this and say all the right things. Apply to more than one place. Remember you are the customer, so you can choose them just as much as they can choose you.

You might get snark for your comment about 230k not being a lot. That comment sounds entitled and deserves some snark.

I'm under the impression OP wasn't sounding entitled. $230k on the low end of what a lot of the other parents make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How Catholic is it for a non-Catholic student? (do those get in? I feel like I know some families whose kids are there who aren't Catholic but not sure how much of an anomaly they are). Also wondering how welcome kids of same sex parents feel. thx!

Trying to escape the DC publics but refusing to move to the suburbs at any cost, eh?

Didn't realize I should expect shaming for considering independent schools on the.....independent schools board. Thanks for the super helpful feedback on the school!

What is offensive is these people asking “how Catholic” is a Catholic school. Change that religion to Jewish and how does that sound?

I apologize for offending anyone. Not my intent at all, but I acknowledge that I may have had that impact which is more important. I asked it in that way because in the past when I've considered a different Catholic education institution, the leadership there used it as a way to define how much of a daily impact the Church has on student life. Does it impact the books that are read and discussed? Is there sex ed, and how is it handled? Is there daily prayer/chapel? Does a non-Catholic feel very separate from the school culture and social life? Does someone whose family structure is often not welcomed by the Church feel that way at school every day?

The Jesuit schools are LBGTQ friendly and tend to be more socially liberal. That said, they still have Mass. They still require a Religion course all 4-years. The values of helping others, service, etc. are very big. It's a very traditional liberal arts education. Courses are not taught through the eyes of religion, science is science. History is history. They aren't molding kids to a certain train of thought. In fact, the Jesuit principle is always questioning. St Johns isn't a Jesuit institution so I can't speak to it.

The Jesuit order is more liberal and LGBTQ friendly but that is not so about Jesuit HS's in the ADW.

STJ has a LGBT alliance, dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary. Most kids are LGBT friendly, the few that are not are outliers.

thanks for this info!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the class comments are uncalled for and ridiculous.

Unsurprising. So many people like the PP are so focused on class. Happy to be at a school that welcomes good students from families at every income level. The class-conscious can choose to go elsewhere.

Exactly! My DC chose SJC specifically because of its diversity. Yes, there are plenty of luxury cars and spawn of CEOs, but there are also kids whose parents are taking on extra jobs to pay for SJC. And there are a number of alumni children now, which for some reason I especially like to see when the kids are Black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How Catholic is it for a non-Catholic student? (do those get in? I feel like I know some families whose kids are there who aren't Catholic but not sure how much of an anomaly they are). Also wondering how welcome kids of same sex parents feel. thx!

Non Catholics get in and it is accepting of same sec parents but it is a Catholic school and doesn’t apologize for it and I hope it never waters itself down. [/


SJC parent here. We are not Catholic. I’ve sent my sons through SJC after middle school at a local Independent school and early elementary in MCPS (RHPS, NCC, and BE). Both of them were attracted to the community at SJC. The staff take seriously the mission to know every kid by name, and this year in particular they have been focused on social and emotional health since day 1, given the pandemic.

One of our boys is agnostic. We had discussions with him about not needing to agree with everything, but showing respect. He is enjoying the theology class. We feel strongly that learning religious history from the perspective of multiple religions is a very valuable part of one’s education. We know there are students from Protestant, Episcopal, Jewish, Muslim, and non-religious families at SJCHS, and my oldest son told me his friends of different faiths were all comfortable there. The majority of his friends are Catholics of varying degrees of devoutness.

We’ve been in the SJCHS community since 2016 and my DH and I have both noticed how they are constantly innovating - constantly making fine improvements to the school. For example, they used to assign counselors by grade, but now it is done so that each student has the same counselor for three years, before moving on to the highly specialized college counselor. I could go on…Bottom line is, the first time we heard the welcome spiel in ‘16, we were impressed, but a tiny bit skeptical, having just gone through Independent school recruiting season. This fall, when we heard a similar speech again, it really struck us by how true Mr. Mancabelli’s words were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How Catholic is it for a non-Catholic student? (do those get in? I feel like I know some families whose kids are there who aren't Catholic but not sure how much of an anomaly they are). Also wondering how welcome kids of same sex parents feel. thx!

Came here to ask the same question! We also attended the open house and while DH and I were impressed, DD was not. The fine arts offerings were disappointing, even though the art studios were beautiful. She was excited about the wide range of clubs and extracurriculars though, so we may still apply. But coming from a much smaller, non-religious independent school (and we’re not catholic) so wondering how a non-catholic would fit in?

Go to a school that has a religious founding but has abandoned all belief discipline like a Friends school or an Episcopalian school and leave the Catholics be.

As a church going Episcopalian, I find your comment very offensive. Fortunately I have never encountered anyone at SJC espousing such thoughts. As we are taught, St. Jean the Baptist de la Salle educated all children - not just those from wealthy Catholic families. SJCHS is true to his mission.

[Anonymous]

STJ has a LGBT alliance, dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary. Most kids are LGBT friendly, the few that are not are outliers.

FYI -- I checked the Open House materials that I received on Sunday -- there is no mention of an LGBT alliance. I also have not read anything under the uniform guidelines that says the dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary.

You would think if this was true that it would be posted somewhere, so I am not sure that PP is providing accurate information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overcrowded. Overly focused on sports. Mean lower middle class kids....

Don't you mean brutish, uncivilized and unwashed lower middle class kids?

Clearly you have no children at SJC or who have attended the school. There are a lot of Uber wealthy families there, extremely wealthy. Just drive through the student parking lot. However, there are also lower middle class, upper middle class, etc. Unlike you, your horrible snob, the kids at SJC don’t care.

You get these comments from students/parents that have never been around black peoples before… mostly Bethesda/cc/Potomac archdiocese schools.

Not sure what race has to do with anything but SJC is very diverse. It’s a fantastic community and very down to earth.

Yes. That can be shocking to some kids at open house/shadow days.

What are you talking about? Seeing people of differing colors is shocking at open houses? You’re joking. No one in the DMV thinks this way.

Yes they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

STJ has a LGBT alliance, dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary. Most kids are LGBT friendly, the few that are not are outliers.

FYI -- I checked the Open House materials that I received on Sunday -- there is no mention of an LGBT alliance. I also have not read anything under the uniform guidelines that says the dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary.

You would think if this was true that it would be posted somewhere, so I am not sure that PP is providing accurate information.

The alliance would like them to update the handbook but they have not yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

STJ has a LGBT alliance, dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary. Most kids are LGBT friendly, the few that are not are outliers.

FYI -- I checked the Open House materials that I received on Sunday -- there is no mention of an LGBT alliance. I also have not read anything under the uniform guidelines that says the dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary.

You would think if this was true that it would be posted somewhere, so I am not sure that PP is providing accurate information.

Anybody can wear pants for their uniform, so the uniform is already gender neutral. I don't know about hair. For sure there are a few trans kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overcrowded. Overly focused on sports. Mean lower middle class kids....

Don't you mean brutish, uncivilized and unwashed lower middle class kids?

Clearly you have no children at SJC or who have attended the school. There are a lot of Uber wealthy families there, extremely wealthy. Just drive through the student parking lot. However, there are also lower middle class, upper middle class, etc. Unlike you, your horrible snob, the kids at SJC don’t care.

You get these comments from students/parents that have never been around black peoples before… mostly Bethesda/cc/Potomac archdiocese schools.

Not sure what race has to do with anything but SJC is very diverse. It’s a fantastic community and very down to earth.

Yes. That can be shocking to some kids at open house/shadow days.

What are you talking about? Seeing people of differing colors is shocking at open houses? You’re joking. No one in the DMV thinks this way.

Yes they do.

No, they don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

STJ has a LGBT alliance, dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary. Most kids are LGBT friendly, the few that are not are outliers.

FYI -- I checked the Open House materials that I received on Sunday -- there is no mention of an LGBT alliance. I also have not read anything under the uniform guidelines that says the dress code/hair can be opted out if you are non-binary.

You would think if this was true that it would be posted somewhere, so I am not sure that PP is providing accurate information.

PP is posting accurate information. Not every club is listed on the website or in printed materials. In addition the girls are now allowed to wear pants (happened a year or two ago) which has made it easier for non-binary students to decide what they would like to wear. There continues to be non-binary and trans children at SJC who are welcomed and part of the school community.

As another PP said the mission of St. John Baptist de LaSalle was to make education accessible to all children. That is the Lasallian mission still today and something that SJC prides itself on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overcrowded. Overly focused on sports. Mean lower middle class kids....

Don't you mean brutish, uncivilized and unwashed lower middle class kids?

Clearly you have no children at SJC or who have attended the school. There are a lot of Uber wealthy families there, extremely wealthy. Just drive through the student parking lot. However, there are also lower middle class, upper middle class, etc. Unlike you, your horrible snob, the kids at SJC don’t care.

You get these comments from students/parents that have never been around black peoples before… mostly Bethesda/cc/Potomac archdiocese schools.

Not sure what race has to do with anything but SJC is very diverse. It’s a fantastic community and very down to earth.

Yes. That can be shocking to some kids at open house/shadow days.

What are you talking about? Seeing people of differing colors is shocking at open houses? You’re joking. No one in the DMV thinks this way.

Yes they do.

No, they don't.

But they post “ brutish, uncivilized and unwashed lower middle class kids”?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I'd recommend getting a book on HSPT and reviewing before taking the test. Not because it's a difficult test-it's not-but because some of the Catholic schools do some reviewing with their students after school, so you'd want to do the same. Academically, SJC is just fine. They have plenty of AP and honors courses. They do not have any IB courses. For those concerned about math offerings, there are some seniors taking Multivariable Calculus but I believe it is through an agreement with Montgomery College. SJC is a very sports oriented school. One of my kids plays a sport but the others do not. The gender split is 60/40 male to female, so it's a little bit lopsided toward males. I think (hope) the school is looking to strengthen its performing arts. I wish the choir was more inclusive, but numbers are limited. Most of the teachers are excellent. The staff who handle facilities and security are probably ex-military, and they are super professional, helpful and courteous. Other professional staff are very helpful but some are very young, so not always knowledgable. I've had to be gently persistent on a few occasions when trying to get information. Just my .02.