educational philosophy

Philosophy of education at work

The St. John's School's program of studies covers all major subjects including:

• Reading
• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Art
• Religion
• Foreign Language
• Computer Science
• Physical Education

The academic and social framework of St. John’s School’s program of studies was developed from a tenet that the children we educate today will become the leaders we rely upon tomorrow. The scope of our pedagogy is two-fold. While recognizing the need to edify our students’ academic horizons, by imparting both traditional and research-based curriculum, we also understand the importance of bestowing values of faith, citizenship, and stewardship.

Through extensive training and careful planning, the teachers at St. John’s School endow their students with a concrete academic foundation. Metacognition (knowing how to learn), good study habits, honed problem-solving skills, reading fluency and comprehension, second language acquisition, strong faith and values, an understanding of and appreciation for the arts, and a balanced physical education program are all just a part of St. John’s program of studies. We maintain small class sizes (15 to 20 students) with an emphasis on cooperative and discovery learning, which not only helps motivate students to become life-long learners, but also break down traditional barriers to learning, making the classroom and active place where children’s minds are free to grow.

St. John’s School recognizes its role as an integral building block and partner in the larger academic community. We have developed our program of studies to comply with the leading, current academic accountability agendas, including the California State Board of Education’s content standards and the content standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Alumni of St. John’s School are poised to become the 21st century’s best engineers, scientists, scholars, artists, politicians, and more. From innovative, independent thought to value-driven community and consensus building, graduates of St. John’s School are well prepared for the demands of the future.

We invite you – parents and students – to visit one of our classrooms and see first-hand the vibrant and vigorous academic and social climate that St. John’s School promotes.

 Thank you,

              Sharon Grissom, director of academics grades K-2

              Benjamin Wayne, dean of academics grades 3-8