St John The Evangelist School

8912 Old Branch Avenue

Clinton, MD 20735

26 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 28, 2023

Run. While some of the staff are wonderful, there are two that belittle students in front of their whole class and complain about students wasting their time when they are the ones going on and on and berating them for one little thing. They'll search their backpacks for things like makeup and phones so they can make a big deal about it, they have found pads and held them up and told everyone that those need to stay with the nurse (in front of like everyone), and they really seem to care more about "distractions" than the students' safety. A few years ago, a student was talking rudely about the size of a girl's chest and I don't think he even got suspended. They also lack a qualified music teacher and a qualified Spanish teacher. For at least the past five or so years, the Spanish teacher has simply been a person who speaks Spanish and prints out words searches for the names of fruit, and there have been a lot of Music teachers, too, but they're usually qualified, unlike this year. If you have a gifted child, don't bother with the Learning Enrichment and advancement Program (Leap); It's just extra homework. I'm removing my child as soon as the year is over.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2017

From the moment we contacted St. John's, we felt so welcome! When we stopped by to do a walk-through, they were so kind and accommodating by providing us with some uniforms for our little one in Pre-K. She loves it there and comes home happy! I could not be any happier.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2015

I have had a very positive experience at St Johns. The entire faculty and staff is welcoming and always available to discuss my questions or concerns. It has been a great choice for my family.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2014

Small class sizes (10 - 15 students) for junior high math and science is one of the things we really like about St. John's. It allows struggling students to get more individual attention and better reinforcement and allows more advanced students to move ahead and stay engaged by continuing to progress. The Principal (who is new to the position this year, but has been a great teacher at the school for many years) is very accessible and responsive to students and parents. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm is transmitted through the faculty, staff, and students, creating a wonderfully and cooperative learning environment. No school is a perfect fit for every family, but I am confident that my current student is getting a good education in a caring environment, just as my alumni did. We chose this school for our children almost 15 years ago and have not regretted it.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2014

The ratio of special needs and english as a second language students have multiplied and they still have not brought onboard additional staff. My two older kids have started behaving like some of the children with behavioral issues. They have outbursts more frequently. They are more sensitive to discipline because in class if they do one thing wrong they are screamed at! Yet, because they don't understand that "Billy" has a learning disorder and they witness him being rewarded or coddled for the same behavior they just were chastised for it is confusing. How do I get the teacher's attention...I'll just act like "Billy". Because the teacher is exhaused from having to manage the special needs of children with ADD/ADHD & Autism. The teacher becomes stressed because because of the work, time and patience involved with restoring routine and order to a classroom with this ratio of special needs students without and assistant. Kids copy this behavior because its the only way to get attention from their teacher. Now our pre-schooler is picking up this behavior from the older two . No worries we will be leaving, reaking havoc in our home. My husband is fed up!
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2014

My child attends St john's and is very happy and learns very well. there are a few things that should be changed like the tardy payment system. no need to go into detail regard this for it explains itself. just a means of getting more money. that would be a thumbs down. However, i must look at my child well being and happiness. They are very happy going and returning from school. never hear- I dont want to go to school. some children should be placed into the different classes on their learning abilities so they dont get bored and there should be more teachers hired for the lowers grades of PK-4 for the amount of students they have in the classes. my child is very intelligent and tends to get bored at times but to have them leave in the morning and come home with a smile in the evening means something is going right. No school if you pay for it or not is going to be 100% of what every person wants but i say if it fits you, then no need to bash it
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

St. Johns has been a very good choice for our family. We had two kids there, the oldest of whom graduated last year. He seems to have been pretty well prepared for high school as he's doing well so far. Like any school there are some challenges, but we feel strongly that our kid's education is a partnership between the students, parents and faculty/adminstration. St. Johns has been very receptive to that level of interaction and we're very pleased with our choice.
Submitted by other on August 28, 2014

I was a former student at this school. I didn't like it from the first time I shadowed. Some of the staff just unreasonably yells at students even though no one is doing anything. Some students like me and 2 other people would get a special treatment because we were quiet and just sat there. The winter uniforms are very uncomfortable and they mostly ask us for money. Some teachers would not teach anything but instead just hand out packets of stuff we already learned the last year. They tried to improve it by adding student council but they didn't do anything but just have meetings with no point. It is a bad enviroment as me and another person was being bullied alot in 7th and 8th grade but the principal only did something about my problems rather than the other person who has special needs . One person in 7th grade had a disorder but people mistreated him and if anyone would make friends with him they would call that person offensive names. As you can see I have lots of complaints about this school and I have even more that could fill up the character limit. If a parent is reading this and considering to go to St. John's, don't. JUST STAY AWAY!!!
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2014

As a Military Officer, in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, I looked for an institution to provide discipline for my children. We are excited we found St. John s the Evangelist School. An institution to provide structure, religion, and morals when we cannot be there; if I have to be absent from my family because I m serving our Country oversees, the least of our concerns are the children s education, I trust St. John s the Evangelist School to meet our needs for our families, education, social, financial and religion.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

We LOVE St. John the Evangelist School. This is our 2nd year and our child adores his teachers and the administration. The entire staff make you feel as though we're all family. There are lots of ways for parents to become involved and the staff are always exploring opportunities for parents to take part in their childs learning. Some folks talk about cliques but we have never experienced that behavior. The administration is very responsive and they are excellent in communicating upcoming events and school news. Each Friday the teachers send via email a "Friday Letter" which keeps you informed regarding what your child learned for the week and what's coming up for the upcoming week. We would HIGHLY recommend St. John's the Evangelist!
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2014

St. John's is a wonderful school. We came from another catholic school in the area and we couldn't be happier to have made the move. The staff and teachers are so willing to help at all times. A parent can volunteer as much time as they have. My children love it here and have plenty of fun! The new science and math programs are awesome and divided into smaller groups for more personalized attention. There is a great sense of community and belonging. We love the annual walk-a-thon and Gala. These are great ways to have fun and raise funds too. We would HIGHLY recommend St. John's the Evangelist!
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2013

This school has problems with the administration and the manner in which it is run. The principal is unresponsive to parent concerns and does not return emails or phone calls. Massive turnover in teachers from last school year to this one which leaves a parent to question the working environment. No air conditioning, no lockers, and staff screams at students. Asking for money all the time and the individual in charge of collecting the money is hateful and thinks she runs the school. Poor curriculum. Parents are not allowed in the school without an appointment and are not allowed to even eat lunch with their child. They mandate HSA (their version of a PTA) attendance or you have to pay a fee. Terrible from the ground up. They are nice at first but once they have your money, they are back-stabbing and malicious. Lots of money for a school with so little to offer. Look elsewhere for a quality education for your child. We will be.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2013

COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY. The only positive comment I can make is that some of the teachers care and are quite good. Overall, however this is an absolutely horrible school. The principal is completely unresponsive and unprofessional. Additionally, it does not appear the principal or school leadership is held accountable by the archdiocese. The school is constantly trying to collect additional funds above and beyond the tuition. My recommendation is to stay far away from this school until significant changes are made in leadership, administrative practices and curriculum. Read the other posts on this page... you will see a consistent theme of incredibly bad leadership. After some unbelievably poor decisions by both the Pastor and the Principal, they still remain in place and continue their consistent incompetence. RUN, DON'T WALK, AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL!!!
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2013

My daughter transferred from a Christian School in the area. We are very happy with the education my child is receiving as a first grader. They learn so many great things. The staff and other students are so loving and helpful to the smaller kids. I love seeing my child excited about school. Great environment. Though we are not Catholic we balance it with Sunday School of our Baptish faith.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2012

We didn't last 3 months at St. John, my son was in kindergarten and I pulled him from the school. I have a bright child that likes to be challenged academically. His teacher taught these kids like they were 2 years old. He bought home alphabets that were colored...really! I spend $6,000 for you to color. The classroom had 29 kids, the teacher couldn't handle the class and b/c my son was bored and started to talk in class I would get phone calls daily from his teacher. I was asked to pick him up multiple times b/c he was inattentive. I would be too if you had me cutting out construction paper and gluing them in a tree shape. These days most 5-6 yr olds are ready to learn and have already been through the basics they need and want more. This school didn't do it for me and the principal is a joke. I pulled my son out the school after 3 months and moved him into a Christian school under the abeka program. Academically this school is mediocre, the wrapper on the outside is shiny and pretty but the inside core is rotten.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2012

Money, Money, Money, that's all they care about at St. John's in Clinton. The Principal is vindictive and the most unchristian "christian" I know. The Arch Diocese of Washington D.C. should wonder why this one woman is running a school which is suppose to be a nurturing environment into the ground. My child is in the 4th grade, but will not be returning in the 5th. I have in good faith paid tuition to this school in a timely efficient manner, only to learn that my child is below grade in most subjects. I would never have learned this from St. John's the report cards sent home suggest that my child is above average, not so. Shame, shame shame.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2012

My child is being bullied at this school and the principal is unwilling to speak with me regarding the issue. My child suffered physical injury and racial slurs from another child. I will not have my child return to this school. They are totally about the money and nothing else. BEWARE and PLEASE look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2010

We have been at St.John's School for 3 years now and absolutely love it! The pricipal is wonderful, well informed and up with current ideas and curriculum as well as religous formation for her staff and students. They have a new math program which is wonderful. This school has been around for 50+ years and has stood the test of time when many Catholic schools have been struggling financially. It's a safe, warm environment where you can really feel involved as a parent. The teachers treat your children as thought they are their own and you won't see anything like that in a public school anywhere, the classes are small enough for individual attention. I highly recommend this school, they have 100% high school placement into some of the most prestigious Catholic High Schools in MD, VA and DC. Their test scores are good and improving each year. Love the school!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2010

Yes, this school is warm and welcoming. It makes you feel like home. Unfortunately they are just as kind to the bullies as they are to the well behaved students. They tolerate all, unless the administration is questioned. This school is fine for parents who don't want to engage themselves in their child's' education, or don't want their child to be challenged academically. It's even better for those who are willing to just accept that the school "must be" providing their children the same academic curriculum(if not better than the county public school system, which it isn't) and don't want to question the grading system that is used. Why bother with phonics, reading books, science fairs, or anything that sparks the child's interest in learning and encourages self-esteem gained by academic and personal achievements? This school is for those who embrace mediocrity.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2010

It is unfortuanate when parents settle for less as in the previous comment made. If I am going to pay for my child's education than I do want the bells and whistles. St. John's gives the perception that it is a nuturing environment, however, I have experienced differently with my child and so have a few other parents that I have spoken with. There is no accountability for what the children learn or the lack of learning that goes on in the school. If a parent is unaware of where their children should be academically at any stage of their education, then St. John is going to appear to be the perfect place for their child. This has been the wosrt school exprience so far for me as a parent. It make you wonder if all independent private schools are run like this.