I have two nieces there. They love it. I went to their graduation last year and there were a good number of different ethnicities represented. The place has Uber school spirit. I’d say yes, Latino friendly and I agree that the presence of trumpsters, so what by the way as they are everywhere, is actually evidence of the diversity of the place not the opposite.

To some it is approached like a history class, for others it is not. No issue with non-Catholics in our school, but for practicing Catholics it is history plus Faith. And that should be respected.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would an atheist family feel at home there? Would an atheist kid be socially ok?

I have worked at a Catholic university and it was fine, but not sure about this school and I know schools can be different. We're considering it for HS in a few years.

Just make sure you are honest with the admissions people.

And I’d suggest you keep your atheism under wraps if accepted. The majority are sending their kids there BECAUSE it’s a Catholic school, not in spite of it being a Catholic school (as you appear to want to do.)

I disagree about keeping your beliefs under wraps. Catholic higher education is all about learning to debate and discuss in a civil manner and absolutely requires that many different sides of an issue be explored. An Atheist has much to add to a high school and college theology class discussions, but of course classroom decorum and respectful discussion skills must be maintained.

College, yes.

The purpose of Catholic elementary and high schools is to reinforce the faith, not debate it.

But, when non-Catholics want to take advantage of the Catholic schools they’ll use just about any justification.

My son goes to a Catholic HS and while they teach the faith in religion, it's more like a history class. They debate certain topics like abortion in class.

OP, are you asking about St. Johns Catholic Prep in Frederick county? (Previously know as St. John's at Prospect Hall)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would an atheist family feel at home there? Would an atheist kid be socially ok?

I have worked at a Catholic university and it was fine, but not sure about this school and I know schools can be different. We're considering it for HS in a few years.

Just make sure you are honest with the admissions people.

And I’d suggest you keep your atheism under wraps if accepted. The majority are sending their kids there BECAUSE it’s a Catholic school, not in spite of it being a Catholic school (as you appear to want to do.)

I disagree about keeping your beliefs under wraps. Catholic higher education is all about learning to debate and discuss in a civil manner and absolutely requires that many different sides of an issue be explored. An Atheist has much to add to a high school and college theology class discussions, but of course classroom decorum and respectful discussion skills must be maintained.

College, yes.

The purpose of Catholic elementary and high schools is to reinforce the faith, not debate it.

But, when non-Catholics want to take advantage of the Catholic schools they’ll use just about any justification.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most Irish Catholics I know (virtually all of them) are 1960s JFK progressive dems/independents. This breed of ultra conservative right wing Catholicism is non-existent among the Irish Catholics I know and the ones I’m related to.

Joe Biden Catholicism is if this vein too, bred from the Irish working class.

Agreed but sadly, there are lots of Irish Americans anow in the MAGA/Trump crowd now. Think of the last names of many of Trump's WH staff.

And on the Supreme Court now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would an atheist family feel at home there? Would an atheist kid be socially ok?

I have worked at a Catholic university and it was fine, but not sure about this school and I know schools can be different. We're considering it for HS in a few years.

Just make sure you are honest with the admissions people.

And I’d suggest you keep your atheism under wraps if accepted. The majority are sending their kids there BECAUSE it’s a Catholic school, not in spite of it being a Catholic school (as you appear to want to do.)

I disagree about keeping your beliefs under wraps. Catholic higher education is all about learning to debate and discuss in a civil manner and absolutely requires that many different sides of an issue be explored. An Atheist has much to add to a high school and college theology class discussions, but of course classroom decorum and respectful discussion skills must be maintained.

Anonymous wrote:Would an atheist family feel at home there? Would an atheist kid be socially ok?

I have worked at a Catholic university and it was fine, but not sure about this school and I know schools can be different. We're considering it for HS in a few years.

Just make sure you are honest with the admissions people.

And I’d suggest you keep your atheism under wraps if accepted. The majority are sending their kids there BECAUSE it’s a Catholic school, not in spite of it being a Catholic school (as you appear to want to do.)

Hi, thank you for this thread. My son wants to apply to the school because he's interested in the entrepreneurial center. I read the information on the SJC website, but would love to hear more first-hand from someone whose kid is in that program.

I know that sports, especially football and basketball, are quite competitive at SJC. Are there any sports at the school that a recreational athlete has a chance of walking on to play?

Not Catholic, not Republican (and if I was would be a never Trumper). I feel totally fine and welcomed and so does my kid. That said I am black and not used to only being comfortable if people are just like me. I am surprised by this thread. I can't speak for how a Latino would feel because I am not one but in no way does this school feel conservative or liberal. Feels like a mix with most being Catholic but no one treating you any sort of way based on whether your are also Catholic. The many Catholic families I have met and become friendly with I don't know if they support Trump. I suspect some do and some do not. I have no idea how an atheist would feel either (I am Baptist) but I suppose if you are ok with your kid studying religion from a Catholic perspective each of the 4 years and doing the required volunteer service (at least one is tied to serving your faith community--which doesn't have to be a Catholic community) then I suppose it would be fine. It's a great school and in my opinion diverse on the whole. Some of everything with great kids and nice parents.

Latinos are increasingly conservative, FWIW. Trump made significant inroads with Latinos in 2020.