High School Added
Dear Parents,
On the Wednesday before we broke for Christmas the school’s board met to consider a report from an ad hoc committee that had been formed in the fall to consider whether St. John’s should add high school grades. The work of this committee had been accelerated upon the news that the Barbara Chilton Middle School would be available to us for the next two years. Essentially the availability of that campus provided us with a unique opportunity to add the ninth and tenth grades over the next two years without having to look for a new campus. Also, our own new school will have available classrooms that could be occupied by the high school while our enrollment fills in the lower grades – a process that we predict will take three years after we move.
For a number of reasons the Board chose to accept the recommendation of the committee that this was the time to proceed. First, as I have stated, the opportunity is there without having to find new space. Second, the experience of independent schools all over the nation is that the pre-school through twelfth grade model is one that makes sense for families who do not have to face the prospect of children needing to be carpooled to different campuses. Third, it is a model that makes sense academically because sequential planning of curriculum can take place in a single institution. Fourth, there is clearly a need in South Placer County for a first rate, independent, college preparatory high school. We hear constantly from families that the prospect of commuting into Sacramento for the established Catholic high schools is a daunting thought. Fifth, adding the high school grades will enable us to add programs and services at the lower grades that are beyond the reach of a school that is limited to serving grades PS-8.
In deciding to add the high school, the Board also accepted recommendations from the committee regarding the mission of the school. First, it will definitely have a strong academic focus and will exist to prepare students for admission to four year degree programs. The academic requirements for graduation will be the course requirements for admission to the U.C. system. Second, the school will deliberately enroll students who have a range of abilities so long as they are able to handle college preparatory work. Third, the school will exist to develop the whole child and therefore will develop strong athletic and fine arts programs to complement the academic focus. Fourth, the school will have a spiritual foundation that is reflective of the inclusive character of the Episcopal Church. It will also reflect the prevailing academic culture of Episcopal schools which insists on freedom of enquiry, the development of critical thinking and commitment to “sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom”. Above all the school’s mission will be to be a place which has “heart” and which nurtures close relationships and sensitivity to others.
Specifically, the plan is to add a ninth grade in the fall of 2008 and then grades 10, 11 and 12 in the subsequent years, with the first graduating class being that of 2012.
This is an exciting prospect. It will take a lot of work and commitment but my belief is that it signals a real turning point in the direction of St. John’s maturing into a first rate institution. Please keep the Board and all who plan for our future in your prayers.
I wish you all a very happy New Year.
The Revd. Paul B. Hancock
Headmaster
On the Wednesday before we broke for Christmas the school’s board met to consider a report from an ad hoc committee that had been formed in the fall to consider whether St. John’s should add high school grades. The work of this committee had been accelerated upon the news that the Barbara Chilton Middle School would be available to us for the next two years. Essentially the availability of that campus provided us with a unique opportunity to add the ninth and tenth grades over the next two years without having to look for a new campus. Also, our own new school will have available classrooms that could be occupied by the high school while our enrollment fills in the lower grades – a process that we predict will take three years after we move.
For a number of reasons the Board chose to accept the recommendation of the committee that this was the time to proceed. First, as I have stated, the opportunity is there without having to find new space. Second, the experience of independent schools all over the nation is that the pre-school through twelfth grade model is one that makes sense for families who do not have to face the prospect of children needing to be carpooled to different campuses. Third, it is a model that makes sense academically because sequential planning of curriculum can take place in a single institution. Fourth, there is clearly a need in South Placer County for a first rate, independent, college preparatory high school. We hear constantly from families that the prospect of commuting into Sacramento for the established Catholic high schools is a daunting thought. Fifth, adding the high school grades will enable us to add programs and services at the lower grades that are beyond the reach of a school that is limited to serving grades PS-8.
In deciding to add the high school, the Board also accepted recommendations from the committee regarding the mission of the school. First, it will definitely have a strong academic focus and will exist to prepare students for admission to four year degree programs. The academic requirements for graduation will be the course requirements for admission to the U.C. system. Second, the school will deliberately enroll students who have a range of abilities so long as they are able to handle college preparatory work. Third, the school will exist to develop the whole child and therefore will develop strong athletic and fine arts programs to complement the academic focus. Fourth, the school will have a spiritual foundation that is reflective of the inclusive character of the Episcopal Church. It will also reflect the prevailing academic culture of Episcopal schools which insists on freedom of enquiry, the development of critical thinking and commitment to “sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom”. Above all the school’s mission will be to be a place which has “heart” and which nurtures close relationships and sensitivity to others.
Specifically, the plan is to add a ninth grade in the fall of 2008 and then grades 10, 11 and 12 in the subsequent years, with the first graduating class being that of 2012.
This is an exciting prospect. It will take a lot of work and commitment but my belief is that it signals a real turning point in the direction of St. John’s maturing into a first rate institution. Please keep the Board and all who plan for our future in your prayers.
I wish you all a very happy New Year.
The Revd. Paul B. Hancock
Headmaster
posted by St. John's School at
1:08 PM
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