Junipero Serra School

Posted: May 29, 2019

Excellent. This was our first year at JSS and we were so pleased with the faith-based education, rich in art and music and science. The community is warm and welcoming. The school is led by a dedicated, compassionate and loving group of teachers and principal. While we are sad to see Mr. Stewart leave at the end of this school year. we are also very excited about the incoming principal Steve Henderson who brings a great deal of experience with all types of learners and values the core of JSS: faith, community, the arts, science and experiential learning.

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Our child has received an outstanding kindergarten education this year. The teachers allow for an age appropriate play/work balance in the classroom. I wanted my child to have fun in kindergarten and receive a high quality, faith-based curriculum that will excite her for years to come. Mrs. Todd and Mrs. Calhoun are wonderful!

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Our child is a different learner. We were shown so much compassion and love from the start. The teachers and principal welcomed ideas for accommodating our student in the classroom. One example, they allowed for and welcomed a behavioral specialist to come into the class at lunchtime and work with the entire class on social thinking skills. I found everyone from the top down to be open to new ideas and ways of incentivizing students to perform. I'm excited for the new principal and the experience he brings for children with learning differences. We believe that the school will only improve in this category as we move forward.

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: February 7, 2019

We are relatively new to the community, but have been overwhelmed by the welcoming and warm spirit of the place. This is a place where childhood still matters. We are grateful to have this option in our community--and in such a beautiful setting. JSS is a hidden gem.

Posted: January 12, 2019

Excellent! We are extremely happy we chose JSS. Education, morals, safety, Communication and religion is a few of what JSS offers. Our family looked into many schools before we chose JSS. We wanted to make sure everything our family believes in that JSS had to offer. Mr.Stewart our Principal has strong leadership qualities. I find him to be fair and consistent.

Posted: January 12, 2019

Posted: January 12, 2019

Posted: January 12, 2019

Posted: January 12, 2019

Posted: January 12, 2019

Posted: January 12, 2019

Posted: February 23, 2017

From time to time there are issues but the school does deal with it effectively

Posted: February 23, 2017

JSS does a good job to accommodate children with learning differences

Posted: February 23, 2017

No leadership at the top, they only support the staff and do not represent any other stakeholders

Posted: February 23, 2017

Here they do a pretty good job

Posted: February 23, 2017

Weak overall, no continuity, no lessons plans, no syllabus

Posted: February 23, 2017

One arm has no idea what the other harm is doing.

Posted: February 23, 2017

I made a big mistake when deciding to send my children to JSS. I did not do my homework. The school is mediocre at best. Certainly there are some good teachers, but unfortunately it is poorly managed. There is no continuity from k to 8th grade. Teachers do what they want for the most part (some teach and some do not). So basically, you are gambling on your kids education. Good luck!

Posted: February 23, 2017

JSS does a good job for the first few years but once they have to actually learn something at a higher level, the school does a very poor job - once the kids reach 5th grade things turn south. Avoid sending your kids to JSS after 5th grade.

Posted: February 23, 2017

JSS is not much better than a public school. Poor teaching especially in Math and Science. The administration that manages the school is non responsive and is only trying to manage the situation the best they can. The Diocese is oblivious to the problems or they choose not to deal with them. Send your child to public school and save the money for high school.

Posted: August 24, 2013

Years after I completed grades 1-8 there, I am sad when I think of my time at JSS. Kindness was rare from staff and parents alike. I try not to think that my non-English speaking, single family home had something to do with the way I was treated. Supportive, intelligent priests when I was an altar boy keep me from giving zero stars.

Posted: November 28, 2012

We relocated as a military family to Carmel, CA in July 2011 in time for our daughter to attend 6th grade at JSS. She was invited to participate in the Volleyball Camp before school started. She loved it and was able to meet some classmates before the start of school which really helped. Our daughter had been at the same school back in North Carolina from kindergarten through fifth grade so this was her first time going to a new school. Since day one, our family has been welcomed with open arms and we feel very blessed to be part of such a faith-filled close-knit community. We have been happy with the curriculum as well as the variety of school sports offered. And what a beautiful campus! Not all of the missions are able to have schools; how fortunate we are to have one here at the Carmel Mission!

Posted: November 28, 2012

Our family has been at Junipero Serra School for 13 years. We have a son who graduated from Junipero Serra and is a senior at a local private Catholic boys school. He was very prepared for high school and has continued to be successful maintianing high academic honors. He could have not done this without the solid foundation he received at Junipero Serra School. We also have a daughter who graduated from Junipero Serra last year and is in her freshman year at a private Catholic girls school. She also receive a very impressive academic foundation and is doing well in high school. Our youngest is a fifth grader at Junipero Serra School and she has loved each of her years there and all of her teachers. My husband and I are Catholic and we feel very strongly that our children have a grounded moral compas largely in part to their interaction daily with the staff, administration, students and other parents at Junipero Serra School. The school has high academic standards as well and puts great emphasis on curriculum development across all grades. My husband and I have always been involved and volunteered at school, parent participation is needed and encouraged.

Posted: November 27, 2012

Our daughter has been at Junipero Serra School for more than six years now, and we have found it to be a great learning environment! We feel that JSS, thus far, has provided our child with a very complete education encompassing her academic self, as well as her character and all of this has been done in a structured, yet loving environment. In fact, the environment has been so positive that our daughter has referred to it as her second home, and even at this age, looks forward to school every day. The teachers at JSS are known for their longevity at the school, as well as their dedication to and investment in their students. As a whole, they concern themselves with providing each child an outstanding education, and finding the key that unlocks each individual s potential, at all levels of the learning spectrum. And although each teacher has his/her own methodologies, we ve been impressed at the various grade levels over these past six years and the successful nature of each has been consistently reflected each year in our daughter s performance on national standardized testing. Needless to say, we recommend JSS to any family searching for a new school!

Posted: November 27, 2012

We have 3 children attending JSS. Our daughter is in 8th grade (and has attended since kindergarten) and our sons are in 2nd grade and Prek this year. Between all 3 kids we are in our 14th academic year. We couldn't be more pleased with our experience. Our children love going to school and have experienced a rigorous academic schedule, made great friends from lovely families and participated in many extracurricular activities. The middle school sports program is unbelievable. No other school can compare. Jss athletes have superb coaching and excellent role modeling...they are always top of the line in terms of skill and sportsmanship. The teachers (and we have had all of them by now) are excellent. Extremely talented, loving professionals who take great pride in their work. They know and focus on every child always extending themselves past the "usual" academic day. My daughter is applying to very competitive private high schools in our area and is being received by them very well. I have no doubt she will do well in one of these schools next year. This is a great choice if you are looking for a place for your child to learn, feel special and a part of a loving and welcoming spot.

Posted: October 31, 2012

Our daughter is now in her 3rd year at Junipero Serra and she's had a great experience so far. We did a lot of research when we got stationed in Monterey, as there are several public and private schools in the area. Junipero Serra was one of the most affordable options that offered strong academic and extracurricular programs in a close, family-like atmosphere. The teachers and staff are fantastic and dedicated to the students. They also stress morals, values, and faith which is very important to our family. In addition, the school is very military friendly and welcomed us in with open arms.

Posted: August 20, 2012

My daughter went to school here K through 2nd grade. It was not a good fit at all, and I wish I had never left her there as long as I did. While she was there her self esteem was very low. It was amazing to me that she could become invisible in such a small school. I moved her to Carmel River School in 3rd grade and she instantly was a new child, happy and loving school. I wish she could have gotten that from JSS.

Posted: August 9, 2012

My daughter completed 2nd grade last year at JSS. We are a Hispanic family on military orders. I had big hopes for this school but it has been a huge disappointment. 2nd grade had 30 kids.The academics level is very low compared to other private schools in the area. "Special" teachers are basically babysitters who teach almost nothing. The social aspect of the school concerns me. JSS gives a weird vibe and I want to believe that our race is not the cause, but rather that we're a military family that will move in 2 years and we were never considered part of the JSS family. The administrative assistant is very rude. She yelled at me when I brought up a mistake they made on my daughter s attendance records. The principal corrected the mistake but no apologies from her rude staff. Some parents say she's rude to everyone, but nobody does anything about it. My 2 stars are for the 2nd grade teacher and her aide; my daughter loved them and us leaving has nothing to do with them. Kudos to the classroom moms. To sum up, yes, this school isn't for everyone. Since I care for my daughter s education and I prefer a friendlier atmosphere, I decided to take my money and invest somewhere else.

Posted: May 11, 2012

We completely disagree with the previous reviews. Our children have attended Junipero Serra School in Carmel, CA for 7 years. Today, they attended the Monterey County "Mathletics" competition. They have recieved an excellent education. almost all of their teachers have been excellent, and the school's small class size and nurturing environment vs. cost are beyond compare in the local area. The schools budget is paltry and requires parent participation in fundraising. Teachers don't work for the salary; they could make more at McDonald's. Most are retired, long-term teachers who are there because they love the school. It's not perfect, but for 4-5 times more, kids can go to other private schools. Unfortunately, the school isn't for everyone, but if you find it not suiting your needs, there are numerous other public\private schools in the area that are top-notch.

Posted: March 29, 2012

I completely agree with the review posted on Feb. 08, 2012. It is 100% accurate.

Posted: February 7, 2012

The campus and curriculum are great. I feel that the staff teachers aside act as though they pay us rather than the other way around. They do not give a very warm vibe although I'm sure if I made generous donations as if my $1,000+ (after school care, lunches, extras, fundraisers) a month didn't cover it. The communication is lacking unless your a stay at home mom who hangs out at the school all day. The calendar events page is terrible and half of the information is not on there. They are very vague and communication is given as though your you are an alumni of the school. Good luck newbies. Also the $150 per parent chrarege unless you attend volunteer events is ridiculous. They won't work with even if someone is in the hospital. They will still charge you. It's unfortunate because it could be an amazing school.

Posted: January 3, 2012

When we relocated to the Carmel area we were surprised by the number of excellent private schools throughout the Monterey Peninsula. After carefully researching each one of them, visiting the campuses and interviewing past and current families, we decided on JSS. We found it to provide the nurturing environment we wanted for our children, passionate teachers who respect the unique learning styles of each student and a challenging academic program that prepared our three children for high school. We were amazed that such a small school (in such a beautiful setting) could provide the above in a mutually respectful Christian environment.....and offer so many extras, as well!!!