Saint John Of The Cross Catholic School

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

Posted: June 11, 2021

School program is from the 90’s. Zero technology. The entire School structure has deferred maintenance. School mission: No petitions allowed, parents do not have rights, bulling allowed. The Principal is the main problem of the school.

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: July 30, 2017

My children have attended since preschool. We now have three kids enrolled and couldn't be happier. The education is rigorous and challenging. My kids score many grade levels above their enrolled level on nationwide tests. We have been very pleased with each of our teachers to date. I'm very excited for my youngest to start preschool this year. We love Mrs. Walters. We highly recommend SJC.

Posted: July 30, 2017

Posted: June 26, 2014

I agree that, like all schools, SJC has areas that need improvement; however, things are not as bad as some reviews suggest. The new principal left the school early in the year and I feel that the teachers pulled together immediately to assure continuity. Bullying and teasing occur at every school across the globe and they ARE addressed, though perhaps not to everyone's satisfaction. I know that many teachers talk about respect, honesty, integrity, etc. It is the parents' responsibility to follow through and model at home what is taught in class! Regarding the lock downs: the school is in the middle of a large urban area and NOTHING bad has happened on campus, due in large part to the drills that teachers and kids have had. The school computer server crashed, but in an effort to stay in touch with parents the school started a Facebook and Twitter account. The area that needs improvement is parent involvement. PTG meetings are sadly not well attended, but a new board was installed and things will get better. One example was the end of the year Walkathon. It was wonderful! The board has many new ideas for next year, too.

Posted: June 26, 2014

My kids started at SJOC in Pre3. They have excelled academically. The administration has had some turn over and the school is in transition. I feel they are making changes for the better. Most of the teachers and staff want what us best for the school. There are several teachers and staff who put in 150% and it shows. My kids really enjoy going to SJOC. As parents we love to be involved as much as we can. The school needs more parental involvement. Every school has areas of improvement. SJOC is no different, however I feel they are taking it in the right direction. I love that they are in social media now. It makes announcements so much easier. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: June 15, 2014

My child attended this school from pre3 through 4th grade. I am pulling her out next year for mulitple reasons. One, there is a lack of structure and communication on the part of the administration. Their school website is down, so communication relies heavily on the teacher and in my case it was NONE. I wouldn't be aware of school events or even half days that required planning ahead of time. The main reason I am pulling my child out is the discrimination and bullying that occurs ont only between children but also families. I thought at first that with such a high hispanic population it would be a good experience and help my daughter learn Spanish. Instead, she is bullied and ridiculed for not speaking Spanish and the parents are no better. i have never experienced cliques like those i saw in this school, even when i was in high school. Teachers and administration do nothing in response to complaints. Teachers vary quite a bit as far as their skill, professionalism, and education. One teacher in particular (Mrs. Stepp) is AMAZING and the only reason i kept my daughter in for another year. Unfortunately she can no longer counteract the other negative aspects.

Posted: June 7, 2014

I had previously written a review at the beginning of the school year, I came to know the school better, while back then I was happy, I end our stay at SJOC very disappointed, the Principal left for personal reasons, that I respect, but the school was headless, some teachers were in charge, then they appointed one teacher as Principal, what does it say to me? No stability. Then, being a Catholic school I experienced no validation of the faith through their actions in regards to controlling bullying, rivalry between families, and a total lack of interest in many parents to make feel people welcome and integrated, that also happened between classmates. Several lock downs thru the year didn't deter us from giving the school an opportunity, we thought God is with us, nothing bad will happen. But, the social pressure, the lack of compassion, the lack in making accountable kids that bully and provoke others, the administration not being congruent and consistent, just was unbearable. No sense of community here, sorry to say, no sense of compassion. :(

Posted: May 29, 2014

Some teachers in teaching are great, or at least the ones I've encountered. The first thing this school needs to work on is getting new staff for the front offices. There isn't any equal customer service. They pick and chose who to talk to nicely, but if they don't know you r don't like you they will talk to you any a very rude way. Second every time the children have a issue, they only punish the one that is defending themselves because they do not listen when a child is being bullied. It's a beautiful school/church, but it's sad that their personal can't even smile at you from time to time, specially front desk folks. That is where everyone starts when trying to get any customer service.

Posted: April 28, 2014

I feel that overall this school is working towards student success and all the teachers and staff have the best intentions for the students. In my opinion, I also feel that the preschool program is excellent. My daughter had a tough time transitioning, but the teachers helped her to overcome and work through her behavior issues. Now she is another school that is Dual Immersion and offers three languages. I feel that the only area that the school could work on it their customer service. (office staff)

Posted: September 23, 2013

I'm sorry st.johs but the school has a big fall I was a student in this school and yes I do speak Spanish but yes I have seen people get bullied for not speaking Spanish the kids here are very pervertive and nasty they say bad words in back of the teachers and the smoke smarties I mean really this school is a epic fail !,,,,

Posted: September 3, 2013

SJOTC is not a great school. It's teaching is antiquated and has not kept up with current research or instructional practices. We have one child who will excel no matter where she is and our other needs extra support and nurturing. I am glad that they no longer attend and I feel sorry for parents who think that this school is able to support their children socially, emotionally, and academically.

Posted: June 24, 2013

St. John of the Cross is not a good school. Most of the students speak spanish and a lot come from Tijuana. Their children are allow to bully other students, that don't speak spanish. They constantly pick other students. If you complain about it they do nothing: they don't want to lose the money from the large TJ population of students at the school. The teachers are OK, but with over thirty students per classroom there is less teaching and more homework to make up for the lack of teaching time. IIf you don't mind your kid getting bullied,and teachers without teaching credentials this school may work for you.

Posted: December 16, 2011

My son, Sergio , enjoys this school ! He went to another school in Chula Vista called High Tech Elementary, but recently got expelled for his behavior. It's ok though, he makes mistakes sometime & so does everybody else. Here, he learns from his mistakes & hardly even makes mistakes at this school at all (but he really misses his friends from High Tech) !

Posted: November 16, 2011

Not thrilled with the pre-school there. After one month they have determined my three-year old is "not up to par," which practically gave my wife a nervous breakdown (which of course does wonders for a marriage). How, on God's green earth, can you already label a kid after one month of observation is beyond me. Especially when the kid shows no signs of "below averageness" in my opinion. I guess, according to SJOC, they can determine a kid's future at the ripe old age of 3 years. Thanks SJOC! Nice to know you keep an open mind there and try to help develop kids.

Posted: July 11, 2011

I took my child out of SJOC this year. I kept her in 1 more year to see if any improvements would be made after what was supposed to be an "intense" parent/principal/teacher meeting in the beginning of the year. Nothing changed. Unfortunately attitudes of the majority of the students towards those who don't speak Spanish or who aren't from TJ affect the atmosphere of the entire school. English speaking students are the minority & are ostracized on a daily basis (meanly & blatently). Nothing is done to curb this behavior. In an age where adults are required to go to "sensitivity training" one would think more of an effort would be made. I believe close to 15 students have left this year in my child's grade alone (15 out of 60 students is a lot). SJOC has an uphill battle. I'm not willing to sacrifice my child's well being hoping SJOC will catch up. It's a shame that SJOC will be losing so many students due to a shortsighted school administration that refuses to address the same problems that have been hurting SJOC for years. While the "message" SJOC says they portray is a nice thought, how about putting it into everyday practice. Goodbye Crusaders, it's been a long 6 years.