St. James School

6010 Vaughn Road

Montgomery, AL 36116

14 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 19, 2018

Saint James School truly sees each individual child's potential and finds a way to nurture their strengths and talents. I have found that students from Saint James emerge as confident young adults, articulate in their beliefs and values. Within Saint James walls, they have had the opportunity to develop their talents and leave a mark on their community through service.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2017

Great atmosphere for learning. And the teachers are extremely knowledgeable.
Submitted by parent on October 27, 2015

Not only am I an aluma of Saint James but I am also the parent of a current student. There aren't sufficient enough words to say how incredible this school is. The faculty and staff and top notch. The students are nurtured, as well as given the best education available in the state. They go beyond the educational lesson and also teach moral ones. They encourage the students and often times stay late or come in early to give extra help whenever it is needed. The student body is amazing. I have watched time and time again as they love rallied together to support one another in different endeavors. The students and their love for the school and each other is touching. I see it in my son's kindergarten class and I see it in the hallways of the middle and high schools. The beautiful facilities are on par with any university. Children at every grade level are working with the latest technology to prepare them for life outside of the classroom. The arts programs at St. James are some of the best in the state with award winning marching band, choir, theater, visual arts and speech and debate departments. The athletics programs are first class as well. With the varied activities made available to the students there is truly a place for everyone in the Saint James family. I can't say enough about this incredible school. I am who I am today because of Saint James and the wonderful teachers and friends I had there. My K-4 teacher still sends me notes in the mail when she sees me mentioned in the newspaper. I received more than an incredible education from my time at St. James. I received love and encouragement that helped shape me into the strong, confident adult I am today. I see it happening in my son and there is no greater gift a parent could ask for. Saint James is an absolute treasure.
Submitted by other on October 01, 2014

I went to Saint James from middle school until graduation. As a military brat, I transferred into Saint James from a local public school where I was bored and bullied. STJ made me excited about school again. Yes, it was very challenging (I was in honors and AP classes) and, yes, I got stressed out, but you know what? Every bit of it paid off. I would not have done so well at college or graduate school if I had not had a firm educational base from Saint James. I am grateful to have learned from teachers with a wide range of non-academic and academic experiences, and I am still in touch with many of them. As some reviews seem focused on cliques and the idea of social exclusion, I would like to point out that I was a nerd and was accepted as a nerd - I did not feel pressure to be anything else, and I had plenty of friends in the art and theater departments who did not fit the traditional mold either. My main issues were with the school's need to continuously fundraise on top of the significant tuition expenses, and the administration's fairly conservative orientation. However, if you want the best college preparation in Montgomery, STJ is the place to go.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2014

I think a few things that no one has addressed in this school review 1. The amount of drug and alcohol use. My child was offered drugs daily in his freshmen year was hazed because he didn't use drugs or alcohol. 2. Support for student athletes. The demand from sports and practice is a huge drain on time and effort and grades will suffer. Access to tutoring is available but practice is long and hard and if grades slump there is little flexibility and you can be kicked out of school for low grades. 3. The school has its cliques like most but these are very exclusive and hard for a new student or one who doesn't fit in the ideal cliques.
Submitted by other on April 16, 2014

As someone who was always at STJ, for ten years, it's great to send your kid for elementary school. Middle school & high school, not so much. 90% of the teachers & coaches are wonderful. I would never go back or send my child there until the adminstration and toxic atmosphere are changed.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2014

To be exact, I'm a former parent, but there was no box for that. My children both graduated from this school and received an incredible education. Now in their 20's they have well-paying professional jobs -- which is what we all want when we pay to send our children to the best private schools. Because money is no true measure of a person, I can happily add that my children -- and their friends who also went here -- are kind, caring individuals and good citizens -- in no small measure due to their education and the character shaping that took place at this school. My children were good students but not the most stellar in the class; still they received ample scholarships when it came time to go to college. In fact, their high school education was so good that freshman English was a breeze, and they tested well enough to receive college credit for other courses. The teachers were loving, professionals who looked after our children with care -- an especially important point when both parents work. I would recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2013

As a Freshman that has attended this school since K4, I should know how this system works. Some say Saint James is the best school in Montgomery, that's only half the truth. Saint James is an excellent school for academics. If you want your child to excel with education, I suggest this school. The education is terrific, outstanding really. They push you hard enough to actually learn something other than just sitting there and daydreaming (for most teachers). However, I strongly believe that education is not everything for school. Feeling like you fit in and having a place to feel accepted is VERY important. This school knows exactly how to make you feel like an outcast. I can look back on every year I've been here, and never once remember NOT getting bullied. When I say I've gotten bullied, I don't mean physically. They know how to do it verbally, even silently, and make you feel worthless. You'd be surprised what this school hides under the "we're the perfect school" facade. Even the kids that are black act white because they don't feel accepted unless they're snobby, white kids. If you plan on putting your child in this school, make sure they are EXACTLY the right "normal".
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2013

We are new to Saint James this year with an incoming Freshman and 7th grader. I was worried about coming to a new area and new school but can't be happier with the warm welcome my kids have received. There were so many events at the school before the first day, that my boys were completely comfortable on the first day and already had friends. Thank you to the entire Saint James staff for making this an easy transition.
Submitted by other on May 18, 2013

Saint James School is an amazing school! The academic curriculum is the strongest in the city and is recognized as the strongest by many university faculty members. Saint James offers a wide variety of opportunities to the students through the award winning Arts Program(both visual and performing), outstanding Speech and Debate program, accomplished Athletic Program, unique College Elective Courses for the high school students, Leadership Opportunities, Community Involvement, and much, much more. What sets Saint James apart from the other area schools is the Innovation. Saint James School is constantly embracing the need to grow and change and the students benefit from this! We were the first area school to have a complete 1:1 Middle School iPad program and a complete 1:1 High School MacBook program. My entire family are proud Saint James School graduates!!
Submitted by other on October 29, 2012

I am a student at Saint James and it is an awesome program and if you were in ours seats you would NEVER leave!!!!!
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2012

Both of my daughters attended St. James from Kindergarten through middle school. For high school, they attended public magnet schools, LAMP and BTW. Switching to public magnets was the best decision we ever made for them! I am glad that they started out at St. James just because it was a nurturing environment for little ones. But, if I had know how terrific the public magnets were in Montgomery, I'd have transferred my daughters after elementary school.
Submitted by other on August 21, 2011

As a member of the class of 2012, I must say that I feel prepared for my future coming out of this school. Truly, a Saint James education, while expensive, is worth the investment. I don't dread going to school; learning here is invigorating. A student's courseload can be tailored to be anywhere from average to Ivy League caliber. Few schools can rival the preparation Saint James gives its students. Attending this school for all of middle and high school has been a remarkable experience, and, while I've had my ups and downs, Saint James has always been there to help me along the way. Send your child here. Challenge them to be their best... and enjoy the results.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2010

We are a military family and the overwhelming feeling is that the school is ultimately concerned with money and fundraising. Alternative school options in the area are poor and this school is undoutedly the best, however, you pay over the odds for it. I find it ugly that the school is constantly asking for extra donations from parents on top of the high school fees - a large proportion of which is spent on glossy brochures, printed banners and unecessary leaflets sent home through the mail!! Children are under pressure to achieve high grades and the school is very academically driven. Focus on individuals is good, but I get the impression this is for statistics purposes. It can be difficult for some children mixing with spoilt rich kids who have everything they want.
Submitted by student on April 02, 2010

I know what you think, this school is just full of snobby rich kids but its not. My dad is in the military and we move so I dont get to stay in one place for long and im always excited about moving but this time I dont want to go. This schools althletic program is very welcoming and so is extra help and tutoring.