What’s it like at St. John’s in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This can be said generally of all Catholic schools. I don't get why people assume otherwise, unless they just don't understand Catholicism beyond headlines and stereotypes. There are so many misconceptions out there.

[Anonymous]

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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”?

Who is they? This thread suggests you posted that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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”?

Can you please stop with the middle school back and forth? Enough already. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG. You're asking about financial aid?

I think you're asking because you're not used to paying tuition. One of my friends did the same thing. They have multiple houses and take trips to Europe...and want financial aid.

We make way less than you do and pay about $22k. You have to prioritize and budget differently. SMH

Again, OP, I know three families that make >$300k and get some merit based aid.

The scholarships they offer are merit based so income is irrelevant. They never ask for HHI before awarding them.

That said, the academic ones are pretty hard to get. OP's kid would need straight As at Deal (easy) but also a 99% HSPT (fairly difficult) and some luck (harder still).
My kid and several friends had several of these (straight Deal As and the 99% HSPT) but did not get offered merit aid.

It’s the “ a commitment to extracurricular involvement” verbiage that signifies it’s not just scholastic related. Again, kids get merit scholarships (mainly athletic), it’s not just a HSPT thing.

There's no such thing as a merit scholarship for athletics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster above who said I thought the open house was terrific! But one question for SJC parents -- I know the Scholars program is supposedly great -- and there was alot of talk about it at the open house -- but that is only for 50 kids per grade. I have a DS who is very bright, gets great grades, but he loves sports and definitely does not want to take all honors classes. His pre-HSPT score is within the Scholars requirements, but he does not want to apply.

So long way to ask -- how is SJC for bright, motivated boys who want to have a more balanced high school experience? Can SJC be a great education for those outside of the Scholars program? Maybe he would take 3 honors classes?

PP, there is no cap on the number of Scholars students. It varies by year.
If he chose not to do Scholars, he could still place into Honors Math, English, etc. Double check that. I’m not convinced that Scholars does not provide a balanced experience. My DC is only a freshman in Scholars but has plenty of free time so far.

The Scholars program has a separate Scripture class freshman year. Senior year they have a separate scholars capstone class that focuses on issues in public policy. They do have their own college counselor, but I'm not sure that the services are any different. Prior to covid, scholars got to take a college visit trip together. Maybe junior scholars will get to do that in the spring. Otherwise, they take the same AP or Honors courses that anybody who meets eligibility requirements can take. You have to meet certain grade prerequisites to get into some of the AP classes such as Math and Literature. If your kid gets into scholars, go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG. You're asking about financial aid?

I think you're asking because you're not used to paying tuition. One of my friends did the same thing. They have multiple houses and take trips to Europe...and want financial aid.

We make way less than you do and pay about $22k. You have to prioritize and budget differently. SMH

Again, OP, I know three families that make >$300k and get some merit based aid.

The scholarships they offer are merit based so income is irrelevant. They never ask for HHI before awarding them.

That said, the academic ones are pretty hard to get. OP's kid would need straight As at Deal (easy) but also a 99% HSPT (fairly difficult) and some luck (harder still).
My kid and several friends had several of these (straight Deal As and the 99% HSPT) but did not get offered merit aid.

It’s the “ a commitment to extracurricular involvement” verbiage that signifies it’s not just scholastic related. Again, kids get merit scholarships (mainly athletic), it’s not just a HSPT thing.

There's no such thing as a merit scholarship for athletics.

Lmao..you really believe that don’t you? Bless your heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG. You're asking about financial aid?

I think you're asking because you're not used to paying tuition. One of my friends did the same thing. They have multiple houses and take trips to Europe...and want financial aid.

We make way less than you do and pay about $22k. You have to prioritize and budget differently. SMH

Again, OP, I know three families that make >$300k and get some merit based aid.

The scholarships they offer are merit based so income is irrelevant. They never ask for HHI before awarding them.

That said, the academic ones are pretty hard to get. OP's kid would need straight As at Deal (easy) but also a 99% HSPT (fairly difficult) and some luck (harder still).
My kid and several friends had several of these (straight Deal As and the 99% HSPT) but did not get offered merit aid.

It’s the “ a commitment to extracurricular involvement” verbiage that signifies it’s not just scholastic related. Again, kids get merit scholarships (mainly athletic), it’s not just a HSPT thing.

There's no such thing as a merit scholarship for athletics.

Lmao..you really believe that don’t you? Bless your heart.

You can't apply for an athletic scholarship.
https://www.stjohnschs.org/admissions/tuition-assistance

[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!

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?

Non Catholics will be just fine at SJC. Its a Catholic school so you’ll have to be respectful of the Catholic traditions like mass, religion classes, brothers and possible sisters as some teachers, but otherwise it will feel like a normal private school. Openminded kids and families may also fine some of the traditions and religion classes interesting and worthwhile. For instance Junior year Morality class can be appreciated by all persons, so can a service learning project, or understanding World Religions. No one at the school is going to try to force a student to convert to Catholic or criticize them for being another religion or agnostic. In fact, it likely won’t even come up.

Females have been able to wear pants for decades. They can choose to be part of the Cadet Corps program or Leadership program and can even switch from Cadet to Leadership(don’t know a lot that switch the other way).

If you like what SJC has to offer, don’t let being a non Catholic be a cause for concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster above who said I thought the open house was terrific! But one question for SJC parents -- I know the Scholars program is supposedly great -- and there was alot of talk about it at the open house -- but that is only for 50 kids per grade. I have a DS who is very bright, gets great grades, but he loves sports and definitely does not want to take all honors classes. His pre-HSPT score is within the Scholars requirements, but he does not want to apply.

So long way to ask -- how is SJC for bright, motivated boys who want to have a more balanced high school experience? Can SJC be a great education for those outside of the Scholars program? Maybe he would take 3 honors classes?

PP, there is no cap on the number of Scholars students. It varies by year.
If he chose not to do Scholars, he could still place into Honors Math, English, etc. Double check that. I’m not convinced that Scholars does not provide a balanced experience. My DC is only a freshman in Scholars but has plenty of free time so far.

The Scholars program has a separate Scripture class freshman year. Senior year they have a separate scholars capstone class that focuses on issues in public policy. They do have their own college counselor, but I'm not sure that the services are any different. Prior to covid, scholars got to take a college visit trip together. Maybe junior scholars will get to do that in the spring. Otherwise, they take the same AP or Honors courses that anybody who meets eligibility requirements can take. You have to meet certain grade prerequisites to get into some of the AP classes such as Math and Literature. If your kid gets into scholars, go for it.

I've had two kids go through the scholars program, and I personally think that one benefit of the scholars program is that your kid is automatically placed into the honors track freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wow. I think this is amazingly wonderful. People do need to know most of the school is pretty conservative. A lot of kids go to the March for Life, for example, and the school publicizes it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SJC tuition is only $22k. There is ZERO chance you'll get aid on a $230K HHI.

SJC likes Deal kids. I don't know of anyone who applied last year who did not get in (out of about 20 kids in my kid's friend group).

Who are Deal kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SJC tuition is only $22k. There is ZERO chance you'll get aid on a $230K HHI.

SJC likes Deal kids. I don't know of anyone who applied last year who did not get in (out of about 20 kids in my kid's friend group).

Who are Deal kids?

Students who attended the nearby DC public middle school, Alice Deal.

[Anonymous]

I was under the impression that everyone got in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wow. I think this is amazingly wonderful. People do need to know most of the school is pretty conservative. A lot of kids go to the March for Life, for example, and the school publicizes it.

Just hit me. Wow, SJC is a diverse place in all regards, and there is respect and civility for all - whether you are a trans kid or whether you are marching in the Right to Life March. Pacifists or JROTC / Cadet Corps members. Gives me more hope for our future!

[Anonymous]

For the love of God- it is a Catholic school- of course some people go to the March for Life!! That can be said of any Catholic school. On every post on every Catholic school someone comments makes the comment about the school sending students to the March for Life. Yes, some do and some don’t. This should not be a surprise.