Saint John's Catholic Prep

3989 Buckeystown Pike

Buckeystown, MD 21717

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 20, 2024

I had very high expectations for this school, but unfortunately, my experience has been the opposite compared to public schools. After a few years, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Positives include small class sizes, rigorous coursework, a physically safe environment, and a well-behaved, handpicked student body. However, the negatives are significant: discriminatory practices and interactions with certain students, blatant bias, racism, and favoritism by administrators based on familial connections, limited subject matter opportunities, and some very unqualified and unprofessional teachers. The pettiness and unprofessional attitudes of certain staff members are detrimental to the overall school experience. There seems to be no effort to change or address issues they create. I question their hiring practices and whether they genuinely believe these individuals are competent and following the best educational practices. Some interactions border on abusive and toxic, potentially leading to lawsuits, so I’m surprised complaints aren’t taken more seriously. Their mission statement and expectations for students often don’t align with staff behavior. Wealthy students seem to easily escape consequences for issues like bullying, alcohol, and drug use on school property.The small classroom setting could benefit students with attention disabilities, but it also fosters a toxic social environment. The school dismissed a Hispanic Spanish teacher due to student complaints, which I found unnecessary. Yet, they allow bullying and retaliation from other alumni teachers without consequence, despite serious complaints and accusations.The school is unresponsive to parent concerns, rarely available for conferences or calls. In contrast, our child in public school receives full support and immediate action for any concerns.The changes in the uniform policy were unnecessary and added unplanned expenses, coupled with inconsistent enforcement, again showing favoritism towards staff children.Unfortunately, the mission statement and religious beliefs do not align with the conduct of the staff and personnel.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2022

I am saddened to have to write this review, but feel compelled after a few years of experiences. Positives--small class sizes, rigorous general coursework, safe environment (physically), well-behaved student body.Negatives-Discriminatory practices/interactions with certain students, blatant bias and favoritism by administrators based on familial connections, lack of opportunities for a variety of subject matter, some (not all!) very unqualified/unprofessional teachers. The pettiness and unprofessional attitudes and interactions of certain individuals in the school are a poison, and greatly deter from the overall school experience. There seems to be no desire to change or evidence of attempting to fix situations they actually create. I'm not sure if they have extreme difficulty in hiring, or actually believe these individuals to be competent and employing best practices of education. Some of their interactions are borderline abusive and could lead to a lawsuit, so I would think they would take the complaints more seriously. Their mission statement and expectations of students often do not align with their own behaviors.
Submitted by teacher on December 28, 2017

An excellent learning environment and supportive atmosphere with a great student body make this a super school.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2016

Our children have had a wonderful experience at SJCP. It's a small family atmosphere where everyone knows everyone which makes us feel safe about our kids being at school. The kids are receiving a top notch education while keeping with high morals and christian beliefs taught at home. SJCP turns kids into young respectable adults well prepared for college and life after high school.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2015

Small safe love teachers who want to make a difference in the lives if our children. Although, I feel the tuition rate is keeping many in Frederick county from enrolling their children in the school. I'm a fan of lower the cost create more volume.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2015

SJCP is a small private school with engaging instructors who truly motivate the students. When our daughter first attended SJCP she was not happy about attending a small school. However, 6 months into the school year, she realized how much she had learned from her teachers and how well the staff took care of the students. She has now been accepted to 9 colleges ad is truly prepared for the next phase of her life. To quote her, " I think my freshman year will be very easy, SJCP has prepared me for challenging classes."
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2015

This school has been a perfect fit for our children. We have one graduating this spring who will be heading off to college this fall, one who will be a senior this fall and a freshman this fall. We love the small school "family" atmosphere. SJCP has offered so many things academically and socially for which they could be a part of. Looking forward to another GREAT four years.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

Best school ever! The teachers at SJCP genuinely care about the success of each student! After all, as parents don't we want the best for our kids? Worth every penny! One thing no one can ever take away from you is your education....and with that..my kids are getting the best!!
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

Saint John's has been everything we had hoped for when we decided to send our children there. They have a rigorous and complete academic program with a full compliment of AP classes but more important is it's focus as a true college prepatory school. My oldest is excelling in college and I have another that has been accepted to every school applied to and received significant scholarship offers from each school. Saint John's educates the mind, body and spirit and has a dedicated and talented staff that is energized and excited about the future at our new campus. I highly recommend you learn more about how they can help your child.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

I have two children who have gone through SJCP and I will never regret my decision to send them there. Both children (a girl and a boy) were able to enjoy smaller class sizes, a tight knit community of students and parents, and ample opportunities for extracurricular activities. They both played sports and were involved in several other clubs and organizations. Bothy children enjoyed the friendships the developed and the lifelong memories. As a parent, I was able to be involved in fundraising activities and I attended all of the sporting activities for my own children, as well as their classmates. SJCP is a loving and supportive environment.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

Saint John's has an age old history (over 180 years of educating youth in Maryland) and the school is now on a new campus just outside of Frederick. Small classes, great teachers, and a real sense of community makes this a great place to send your kids! Two of mine graduated from here
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

I am very happy with the education that my children have received at SJCP. I have one in college now that was very well prepared and doing much better than a lot of his friends in his college classes. My other child is a student at the school and thriving academically, socially and spiritually. I have read the other comments and yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just don't share them. We have an excellent Board that works so hard, for free. SJCP doesn't have as many advanced level classes as they have at FCPS but the alumni seem to be doing fine at schools like Notre Dame, University of Maryland, Georgetown, Catholic University, Towson, Penn State and University of Chicago, just to name a few. Parents get caught up thinking that their kids won't make it in college and in life if they don't take 10 or 12 AP classes in high school and I just don't believe that to be the case. SJCP does have something that makes a huge difference and is of enormous value. SJCP works to educate the mind, body and SPIRIT of the students. It is an excellent choice if you are looking to educate your child in a community-based environment where they will learn, have fun and thrive.
Submitted by other on March 14, 2015

A welcome member of the community. This school produces the highest level of students tha can only enhance the local community and the colleges they will attend
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

Having one child who graduated three years ago and is currenlty flourishing in college, I have personally experienced the impact that this qualilty institution has on our children. Having one more enrolled who has yet to graduate, I can say that SJCP is a rising star in Frederick County. There is not better education I could have offered my children.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2014

I am also "a parent" and would like to respond to the other "parent" who posted in Feb. The school board has two parents as members. Of course there are no teachers on the board; find another private school in the country that has such a set-up! The administration has definitely become more strict this year so I'm not sure "fickle" is really the case, evidenced by the five recent suspensions and one expulsion. Complaints below are probably coming from the parent of one of these students.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2014

This school is on its way out. It has not much direction. Teachers are text book only and no latest greatest things. Always asking for money or donations of things when this is suppose to be a new school with new things has a hefty price tag to attend. No real PTA, Board members have been the same forever no terms no teachers on board no budget has been seen? I feel to send a child here now you are taking a big risk of not being able to finish due to unstable budget and management
Submitted by other on February 12, 2014

This school is still at square one Not a lot to offer my son went here and now My grandchild no stimulating of the mind If to do it again I would send my son and grandson To public school and save my money I feel its better to go to public they offer more
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2014

This is a small school with limited resources. The administration is completely fickle when it comes to the expectations of student behavior and the consequences of inappropriate actions by changing the rules as needed. Favoritism and discrimination is very prevalent among the leaders of the school. They are more concerned about bringing in money than the well being of their students, which is why tuition increases every year. The core cirriculum classes are taught well, however, if you are looking to expand your children's interests in non-core related material, this school is not for you. They do not have the resources to offer a class for all students. My advice, enroll your child in the Frederick County Public school system, which has been ranked #5 in Maryland!
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2011

This school has great teachers and is much better than any public school in the area.