A BRIEF HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN SCHOOL
Welcome to St. John School—a private Catholic TK, Elementary, and Middle School (TK-8) offering affordable education in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco.
We strive to educate each TK, elementary, and middle school student through service, compassion, and high academic standards, inspiring them to become critical thinkers and courageous leaders. An affordable private school choice for San Francisco and Bay Area families, we offer year-round transitional kindergarten, elementary, and middle school enrollment. The best way to get to know our school is to visit us! We invite you to schedule a tour. We’ve created a unique, diverse environment that encourages families to be involved in their child’s education—because at St. John School, community matters
The St. John Parish School opened on January 8, 1917. The school began with the first six grades and a total of one hundred and eighteen children. Through the untiring efforts of the Lyons and the Ursuline Sisters, the first graduation was held in 1919. In 1967, a grammar school building was completed and opened in the Glen Park district. Our grammar school is one mile away from the rest of the parish plant. Despite this separation, the school is a vital part of the parish. The school was staffed by the Ursuline Sisters until 1990. For the second half of 1990-1991, the grammar school was under the direction of the Franciscan Sisters. Since the 1991-1992 school year, St. John School has been under the ministry of lay collaborators, educators and administrators.
During the past 100 years of service to St. John the Evangelist Parish, the grammar school has educated thousands of young people. In 2003, the St. John School was awarded the Catholic School’s of Tomorrow Award for our Innovation with Technology. In 2005, the St. John School was honored with the Who’s Who’s in America for achievement in Elementary Education. Through the efforts of very dedicated teachers and staff, St. John School is a place where students learn to be active members of the faith community formed in Christ. Students continue to learn values and develop a world- wide view as contributing citizens.
OUR MISSION & PHILOSOPHY
St John School's mission seeks to educate and nurture the spirituality of each student in the Ursuline while fulfilling their highest academic potential. We prepare each student for a rapidly changing world by inspiring them to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and courageous leaders.
Our Philosophy as the faculty, and staff of St. John School are inspired by the charisma of St. Angela Merici and are committed to providing a unique ministry of education in the Ursuline tradition.
- We believe that we can only achieve our mission of education with the active participation of families on our teaching team.
- We create and maintain high academic standards to inspire our students to become critical thinkers.
- We provide opportunities for our children to turn their gifts outward and grow as stewards within the global community.
- We empower our students through leadership opportunities to create a safe and comfortable environment that accepts and celebrates every child's unique potential in our school community.
- We pledge to work with families to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to foster our children's sense of Catholic Christian identity.
SCHOOLWIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
E
Exhibit kindness, willingness, tolerance, and justice to those around us with a Christian and compassionate spirit.
A
Appreciate, respect and encourage our individual gifts and the gifts of others.
G
Grow in knowledge, love of learning, and in a collaborative awareness to journey across the spectrum of academics and life.
L
Learn openly and apply academic skills that will lead to analysis and innovation throughout life.
E
Explore how we can help and leave a positive impact on our world.
S
Serve all of God’s creation as stewards of the environment and global community.
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Principal Alexandra Iwaszewicz received a Bachelor of Art and Masters Degree from St. Mary’s College of California. Ms. I. taught second grade and fourth grade at St. John School before becoming a Vice Principal in 2018. She transitioned her leadership to Principal in 2020 with a commitment to helping the school embrace the exciting educational experiences waiting for this generation of TK, elementary, and middle school students.
ACCREDITATION: WESTERN CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION (WCEA) AND WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (WASC) ACCREDITATION
St. John Catholic School is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WCEA accredits Catholic elementary and secondary schools in nine western states (26 archdioceses) and the US Territory of Guam. WCEA co-accredits and is in partnership with three Regional agencies (WASC, NAAS, NCA) and two private agencies (CAIS and HAIS). WCEA began in 1957 in San Francisco and has a long and successful history of assisting school improvement through the accreditation process.
St. John has been awarded the highest-available (6-year) accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC accreditation is a dual-purpose process: schools must be worthy of the trust placed in them to provide high-quality learning opportunities and clearly demonstrate continual self-improvement.