Anonymous wrote:OP here. So, first off: none of those follow-up questions or argumentative responses were from me.

Not that I truly need to justify myself here, but my extended family is full of academic priests, monks, brothers, deacons, etc. That is also why I’m curious about the experience at St John’s, despite not being a practicing Catholic. I’m ok with my kid being exposed to the Catholic faith; we all ultimately need to make our own choices with regard to religion.

Anyone know about their music program? And sports, in particular track & field?

Most Catholic school posts like this end up in the same space.

That said -- OP it is worth your kid doing a shadow day and seeing if it would be a place that they would like. That is the most important part. Bottom line, there are non-Catholic kids at every Catholic high school. Yes there are mandatory religion classes (not about Catechism these are high schoolers) and mandatory mass. If you look at the Lasallian tradition and why St. John Baptist de Le Salle founded the order and school is was to educate ALL children. The tradition is still alive and well today. SJC is very diverse and a very welcoming community for all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1 for the music program- the arts programs in general are all very good.

Agree. OP, is your student interested in instrumental or vocal music?

Instrumental. Jazz in particular (at the moment anyway). Also blues, but that’s likely a genre to explore more outside of school.

Anonymous wrote:+1 for the music program- the arts programs in general are all very good.

Agree. OP, is your student interested in instrumental or vocal music?

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is fine with taking 4 years of religion classes, attending Mass, and being respectful of Catholic teaching, then it's fine. If your child would bristle at that, then no.

+1 Being non Catholic is fine. If you or your child is anti-Catholic, then Catholic schools aren’t a good choice.

+1 for the music program- the arts programs in general are all very good.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So, first off: none of those follow-up questions or argumentative responses were from me.

Not that I truly need to justify myself here, but my extended family is full of academic priests, monks, brothers, deacons, etc. That is also why I’m curious about the experience at St John’s, despite not being a practicing Catholic. I’m ok with my kid being exposed to the Catholic faith; we all ultimately need to make our own choices with regard to religion.

Anyone know about their music program? And sports, in particular track & field?

As for track and field, Coach Desmond is fantastic! He is a wonderful coach and a very positive role model for the kids. Check out the track and field info on the SJC website.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A catechism ( /ˈkætəˌkɪzəm/; from Ancient Greek: κατηχέω, "to teach orally") is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts.[1] Catechisms are doctrinal manuals – often in the form of questions followed by answers to be memorised – a format that has been used in non-religious or secular contexts as well

No idea. Call the school.

Sarcasm

noun
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
"his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment"

It’s not sarcastic. It’s the definition which is what the PP asked for.

Your response shows how difficult it is to ask and answer straightforward questions about Catholic schools on DCUM. There are so many anti-Catholic and anti-Catholic school posters and Catholic school parents accustomed to having to push back against those posters. It’s best to try to find parents irl to ask about schools.

Anonymous wrote:Music program is fantastic. Really inspiring director. I was so moved by the Seniors presentation to the director thanking them.

Track is a no-cut sport.

+1 The music program is fantastic.

Anonymous wrote:Music program is fantastic. Really inspiring director. I was so moved by the Seniors presentation to the director thanking them.

Track is a no-cut sport.

This is helpful. Thank you!

Music program is fantastic. Really inspiring director. I was so moved by the Seniors presentation to the director thanking them.

Track is a no-cut sport.

OP here. So, first off: none of those follow-up questions or argumentative responses were from me.

Not that I truly need to justify myself here, but my extended family is full of academic priests, monks, brothers, deacons, etc. That is also why I’m curious about the experience at St John’s, despite not being a practicing Catholic. I’m ok with my kid being exposed to the Catholic faith; we all ultimately need to make our own choices with regard to religion.

Anyone know about their music program? And sports, in particular track & field?

Anonymous wrote:Please leave Catholic schools to Catholics. Less so in the boys schools but the Catholic girls schools in Maryland might be 50% non Catholic at this point.

Catholics being exclusionary?! Imagine that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which Catholic schools are most "Catholic lite"?

Please go away. Most of us with kids at Catholic schools are there for the foundation of the catechism. We do not want it dumbed down for you.

+1. I’d love to have my kid in public where they could get into any AP they wanted and ride the grade inflation wave into most colleges. But like many others we’re playing the long game and prioritizing culture and hard work. Please don’t try to water this down for the rest of us because you don’t want to pay for secular private.

Anonymous wrote:A catechism ( /ˈkætəˌkɪzəm/; from Ancient Greek: κατηχέω, "to teach orally") is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts.[1] Catechisms are doctrinal manuals – often in the form of questions followed by answers to be memorised – a format that has been used in non-religious or secular contexts as well

No idea. Call the school.

Sarcasm

noun
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
"his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment"

A catechism ( /ˈkætəˌkɪzəm/; from Ancient Greek: κατηχέω, "to teach orally") is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts.[1] Catechisms are doctrinal manuals – often in the form of questions followed by answers to be memorised – a format that has been used in non-religious or secular contexts as well

No idea. Call the school.