Good Shepherd Catholic School

121 Maple Street

Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on June 05, 2023

COVID partial day school schedules and zooming were definitely not going to work for our young man, so we turned to Good Shepherd, where safety measures and small student number for his grade enabled full regular school days. During that year there was never a shut down for his class. Academically, he came to the school with some missing skills. The teachers, and very involved principal, poured their hearts into getting him to where he should be. The math teacher held after school math camp to be able to give help and support along with fun and snacks. Every child attends voluntarily. At a time when prejudice, bullying, violence, and lack of empathy prevail in not only school environments but within the adult society, this little school is an oasis where respect, empathy, support, and safety are taught, demonstrated, and encouraged. Though it is a catholic school, we are not catholic and that is not an issue at all. A child from any background would feel comfortable there, and the principles taught are universal to being a good human being. The day starts with quiet reflection and a prayer. Every world religion contains those elements no matter who or what you send your quiet thoughts out to. In conclusion, if you want a school with high academic standards, where your child will be supported and loved, where high spirits and laughter bounce off the walls, where you can be as involved as you want to be, then this IS THE SCHOOL !!!
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2023

I don’t know any other school where the principle opens the door every morning, with a smile on her face, to greet and welcome each student- she knows their names, their family and even their birthday! GSCS is a community of wonderful students, involved parents, and compassionate teachers. They start the day off with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayers. They not only exceed in academics, they also have excellent seasonal concerts and plays. I love how the older students help the younger students. Just the other week they wrote cards to nursing home residents and recently made sandwiches for the local food shelf. GSCS doesn’t just teach the basics, they teach gratitude and selflessness, by example, and by incorporating God’s teachings. We are so grateful for this school and pray for more families to join!
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2023

Visit Good Sheperd and watch the students as they pass in the halls and in the lunchroom and classes, you see smiles hear laughter and hands in the air eager to answer questions, this was the very best place for my student, he will move on to st. Johnsbury Academy well prepared for future academic challanges, this school is a very special place !
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2023

Good Shepherd Catholic School is a community asset. GSCS teachers combine high academic standards with the ability to meet the child where they are at that moment. Students are well prepared for SJA or LI, not just academically, but also socially. They are good citizens.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2023

I love the sense of community at Good Shepherd! My child is thriving and has developed great friendships. Anytime I have questions or need help, the principal and teachers are right there ready to offer support.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2023

As a father of three GSCS graduates, I have seen the transformative effect that a caring faith-based community can have on young people. The genuine love and respect shown by all at the school, the clear ways in which people live out their faith, and the personalized care of each student helped our children thrive. Though each one had unique interests, strengths, and needs, each one received an excellent education that allowed them to succeed not only at a top-notch high school, but also in their undergraduate and graduate studies. As our grandson recently has become a student at the school, we can see once again how welcoming, supportive, and kind the school community is. This school is everything it claims to be and more!
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2023

This school grows great students! It's teachers go above and beyond for their students and it is an overall caring community. Student's go on to be very successful adults who are kind, compassionate and hard working.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2023

As a parent of 3 GSCS students, I proudly recommend this school. GSCS is like a family. It’s where you become part of a truly caring community, immediately upon enrollment. We moved from a local public school to GSCS, and we were astounded and moved by the warm welcome we received. The students at GSCS are challenged both academically and civically, by their skilled and compassionate teachers. They are encouraged to think like leaders and lead like thinkers. Regular community service projects are planned and promote good citizenship and community. The older students mentor the younger students, and healthy modeling behaviors are developed. As transfers from a public school setting, to GSCS, we were quick to notice the GSCS classmates were stronger students, with better study habits, than those of our public school classmates. Entering as a 7th grader, my daughter was slightly behind grade level inmath. GSCS not only caught her up to grade level, but prepared her for high school better than we could have ever expected. She is now an above average all around student, with confidence. We know that her years at GSCS brought that out of her. Fostering a life long love of learning, compassion towards others, and respect for all, make GSCS the very best choice for education in the Northeast Kingdom.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2023

Good Shepherd has been a life changing school environment for our son. He has thrived in a place where uniqueness is celebrated and kids are encouraged to support each other - through lessons of faith - kindness is expected. This is a tight knit community where your family will feel welcomed, supported and encouraged to be involved.We love the winter sports days where kids have a chance to ski, skate, dance, bowl or try the latest offering. We love the service projects that have, even the littlest ones, helping seniors and less fortunate folks in our community. We love the start of the day with quiet reflection and a centering prayer. Our little guy has become confident in school and he loves going! As a parent, that is the best feeling.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2017

We moved here from Connecticut this past winter. We wanted to transition our daughter into a school as we had been homeschooling. This has been perfect! The class sizes are tiny. Her class has 6 kids. The teachers are so caring and my daughter loves it. Finding this school has probably been the best thing about our move out here.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2011

The staff at the Father Lively Center are fantastic, the Kindergarten teacher has always been there full-time, all the teachers at the school are warm people who put their whole heart into the student's education. The school has it's own ideas of how to create good people out of it's students. For those that are not catholic may not understand. The two schools (Father Lively and the Main building) are really run on their own, so communication between the two is not an issue. In fact the director at the Father Lively Center has more ability to run the school than the librarian. This was obviously a poor choice making the librarian the principal. There was also a huge change over this last year and so far, not for the better. Who is interviewing these parents to allow these kids in? Does the school only care about filling seats? This is not what went on when the last prinical was there. The right thing to do is not always the easy thing. A great deal of good people are going to leave if this continues and then where is the school going to be? The quality is going down without the direction and support of a good principal. Save the school while you can.