St Jane De Chantal School in Bethesda

Posted: June 2, 2026

I think this school is terrible because they put my child through child labor and the teachers would bully her and they would hate her for no reason. If I were a parent I would never send my child here. My husband is a lawyer and if I hear anything else bad about the school I will sue.

Posted: June 2, 2026

Posted: May 19, 2026

I am truly surprised by the negative reviews mentioning bullying, teachers yelling at or traumatizing students, or students who are "different" being ostracized... We are just finishing our first school year at Saint Jane, and my 3 children absolutely love their school! They spoke no English whatsoever when they arrived, yet they were warmly welcomed and received plenty of support. My son is autistic and has never been mocked or isolated : he told me that this is the school where he feels happiest and most accepted for who he is. The teachers actively involve parents in their children's education through weekly emails and updates. The other parents also warmly welcome newcomers.

Posted: May 19, 2026

Posted: July 13, 2025

Our son attended public school through 6th grade, starting at Bradley Hills Elementary and then Pyle Middle School (virtually), so we may have a slightly different perspective. Both public schools are well regarded; however, during Covid we decided to explore options for 7th grade and discovered St. Jane de Chantal, which is more financially viable than other options and offers a smaller, more familial environment. Initially, we worried about our son adapting to a new school that starts in pre-K, but we were grateful for the warm welcome from the students and community.

Of note, Pyle, Montgomery County's largest middle school, offers a wider range of programs, including extracurricular activities and IEPs. However, we felt St. Janes intimate setting allowed for more personalized attention from teachers. They also have a relatively robust selection of activities and sports; our son enjoyed the ski club, playing baseball, and CYO basketball (two championships).

We were very impressed by the school's support as the students transitioned to high school. The teachers work hard creating a personalized packet for each student to help with high school admissions. Further, Principal Hamilton is a vocal and direct advocate for the students (a fact we learned later from two different high school admissions reps).

Our son loved his time at St. Jane and we appreciated its supportive community and the balance it strikes in offering a comprehensive education while maintaining a shield against external chaos of a large public school. Our only real regret is that we didn't send him sooner.

Posted: July 13, 2025

Posted: December 19, 2024

In the weeks before Christmas, the school does a great job preparing the kids and the community for the season. Last week the band held their Christmas concert with the 4th grade beginners leading off and the 5th-8th grade advanced band playing classical and seasonal pieces. Over the weekend was the annual Breakfast with Santa, a morning to spend time with families, judge gingerbread houses, and do a little holiday shopping. And last night was the annual Christmas pageant in the church. Every student in K through 4th plays a part, whether it be a sheep or shepherd, angel or wise man, narrator or star. Along with the children's school choir, the kids are so excited to present the story of the nativity and sing their hearts out. It's a wonderful gift to the parents and a perfect way to really get in the mood for Christmas day. We're so thankful for these traditions.

Posted: December 19, 2024

Posted: December 11, 2024

Our children have been attending DeChantal for over 15 years. We originally looked for a school with a Catholic faith based education with high academic standards. DeChantal set up our children with a solid foundation of faith and learning. My children are happy every day to go to school. The teachers in the lower grades are gentle and caring. The Kindergarten lead teacher is the best in the ADW and our preK program is outstanding. The lower grades are filled with young teachers some of whom are alumni who bring new teaching ideas bring life into the traditional school. The resource program is small but the younger children get one-on-one help and the older grades are given wonderful support and the resource teacher expertly communicates with the parents although we wish there were more than one resource teacher for the upper grades. Children in the classrooms at DeChantal are expected to be polite, respectful, and courteous to the faculty and each other as they teachers are kind and understanding. Lessons on behavior are gently taught. Hallways are quiet and organized. Parents are relied upon to volunteer heavily with countless activities, celebrations, recess monitors and school-wide traditions which creates a wonderful social aspect for new families to get to know the community. Their sports programs include all children of all skill levels for a very low price. The upper grade teachers are a good mix of veteran teachers who build the solid Math and Social Studies curriculum and young energetic new teachers adding new STEM initiatives. One of our older children just let us know that he learned at DeChantal helped him succeed in his college-level writing course. Their specials like PE (twice a week for the older kids), library, and music are fun and their Art teacher is wonderful and a favorite of our younger children. We wouldn't send our kids anywhere else.

Posted: December 11, 2024

Posted: June 28, 2024

Some teachers were amazing, but some were insane and hardly ever taught. It was not uncommon for teachers to shout at a student in front of everyone over something simple like their hair being too long. Bullying was also common and rarely handled well. Weird gender roles were pushed onto students and students who were not Catholic often got singled out. Its not just that it was too old-fashioned and strict, but I really dont understand how some of the insane teachers from 10 years ago are still there. They also treat children with any learning differences horribly: they are expected to just conform and get punished harshly when they cant. Students are also underprepared for high school. Please do not send your kids here unless you want them to leave with anxiety and other mental issues. Its not worth it at all.

Posted: June 28, 2024

Posted: October 2, 2023

Theres no mental support for children. Teachers have anger issues and treat children differently especially the girls. The principal still thinks its the 1800s.

Posted: October 2, 2023

Posted: August 31, 2023

The curriculum is very behind. Middle school social studies barely learn anything. Middle school science teacher is awful and gets many complaints but they do nothing about it. Kindergarten teacher is mentally abusive and left my child with a lot of trauma. So many other awful teachers, a lot of things happen behind closed doors.

Posted: April 11, 2023

My family has grown up at DeChantal. We have no regrets regarding our decision to make this school and parish our home. We chose a Catholic education for our kids despite the expense and our modest incomes. The sacrifices have been well worth the gains. Mrs. Hamilton has known all of our kids by name and is well aware of what is happening in the building. She cares wholeheartedly for the families at the school and particularly the children. We will always look back at the special years spent involved in this community. If any of my kids chose to teach someday I know that they would be honored to come home to DeChantal to do so. We are forever grateful.

Posted: February 27, 2023

Since there's not much information if you are not networked, let me tell my story. I am one of those not too religious minority parents who scrambled for a private school after finding my public principal having little/no experience in education at their orientation. St. Jame De Chantal was one school that had an open door (did not play games), responded quickly, gave me a tour and we signed up immediately. Tuition was quite reasonable and I gave more as I became more grateful what we actually received from the school. Unlike my impression on the tour, I realized the atmosphere was warm, caring and really a fantastic one once my child got there. They said they didn't have much computers/STEM on the tour, yes they had quite a bit. As someone with multiple post-grad/professional degrees, I would say this school was the best among all the educational institutions I have encountered. The classes were small. The teacher was a star. She taught her heart out. Besides pushing kids hard, having lots of teaching tricks and methods up her sleeve, she taught kids to tell jokes which helped them develop socially and personally. She was the best teacher I've seen anywhere. My child thrived there. The school from the principal down to all the staff puts their heart and soul into the children and it shows. The communications were excellent, and parent group was strong and active. As a minority without private school experience and not being a Catholic, I felt very connected and a part of the school. The religious teaching was excellent. The only down side is the slow carpool for this big school. We left the school after our local catholic school had an opening. The long drive was taking a toll but I felt it was worth it, unfortunately not to my spouse. I can see it hit the teacher and the principal pretty hard, even though we thought of every way to finish up the year at De Chantal (even offering to pay tuition in the new school to hold the spot.) Till this day, I feel that De Chantal is a great school and very grateful my child had the precious opportunity there. I personally know teachers from public schools to your most elite boys and girls private schools in the area who send their children to De Chantal. Don't get fooled by De Chantal's open door policies and its available spots being a big school. The classes I saw were small, the teaching is stellar and the school was well put together. People really give it their heart and soul there.

Posted: February 27, 2023

Posted: February 11, 2023

It can be expensive when sending more than one child as all private schools are. However, it is worth the peace of mind. This school is incredible and the people are very supportive and not snobby at all which I find really refreshing because no one acts entitled and I find the kids to be same. The kids are very kind and well mannered. They are strict on behavior and dress but its appropriate considering kids need this in order to grow into orderly people. They are very serious about catholic traditions and faith formation which creates a rich culture for the kids. Its a happy school atmosphere and the teachers are all very loving.

Posted: December 18, 2020

St. Jane de Chantal School is by far the best school around! With caring teachers always there for the children when they need them, and an AMAZING principal that really cares for the school and works super hard to make it a wonderful place. When my children get out of the car, they are greeted by one of the fellow teachers, and then when they get inside, the principal is there every day, rain or shine, to greet them, which is a great way to start their day. They have so many events for most major holidays, which they LOVE going to because they get to see all of their friends and teachers outside of the school day. And they have really shone their greatness this year during the pandemic. They were planning all summer to make this school year really fun and safe at the same time. They have been able to stay open the whole 2020-2021 school year, and they are always making sure they are staying 6ft apart at all times and wearing a mask. After we had to change to de Chantal after bullying at public school, they made sure my kids were happy at all times and well-taken care of. We love de Chantal and will continue to stay here until all my kids go to high school. The fun never stops at de Chantal!

Posted: December 18, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2015

This is our fifth year at St. Jane De Chantal. I have no words to express all the gratitude that I have to everyone who makes this school such a wonderful place for my children. My boys have had the best experience in all areas of their education, in addition to the benefit of receiving a deep Catholic, Christian education. The school is a true gem, and all students, parents, teachers, staff and most importantly, the principal, Mrs. Hamilton, make the school a fantastic place worth all the commitment and the sacrifice.
People are always impressed on how well behaved and polite my boys are... and it's just very simple: St. Jane De Chantal reinforces everything taught and valued at home and within our Christian community.
Thank you DeC for all these happy years!!

Posted: December 2, 2015

St. Jane De Chantal provides a Christian-based education where ethical values are a key part of the every day education. School has clear goals and expectations from students. All students strive to meet these expectations.

Posted: June 29, 2014

We transferred to St Jane de Chantal from another ADW school. Our children have never been happier. Best decision we ever made. They love, love de Chantal and look forward to school everyday. We chose to move them due to the lack of classroom management at their previous school, as well as lack of respect for authority, poorly enforced dress code, no clear direction from the administration and teachers that seemed disinterested. We have never regretted the move! The principal and staff at St Jane de Chantal promote a faith based environment of respect, warmth and commitment to excellence. The teachers are wonderful. They often work during their lunch and after school to provide extra help to any child that needs it. The children are normal, nice, well mannered, smart and always smiling. The administration and teachers are very approachable. The academics are top notch. Our children have very different learning styles and all of them have succeeded. We are impressed with St Jane's high school placement. De Chantal is very respected by all private and Catholic high schools. Parents are friendly, welcoming, involved. St Jane Catholic School has been a terrific gift for our family.

Posted: March 14, 2014

School has absolutely NO resources to treat the slightest learning disability. Academics are poor, and teachers have no training to teach the new generation. A lot of "old school" teachers screaming, yelling and caught up with the semantics. Don't waste your money like I did!!!

Posted: June 10, 2012

My kids were so bored at this school. It is mostly a school for socializing, and it took us too long to realize that. There are some very nice families, but then there is also a large contingent who use the school for social climbing who don't seem to care about the quality of education. The math, science and social studies, are far behind the basic public school level, there has not been a foreign language offered in yrs and in 6th grade the kids are still using crayons and doing line design projects (again) in art class - preschool level stuff. Some parents are very cliquey and when they volunteer, they exclude the families that they don't see as worthy social partners. Since we weren't high on the social rung, our kids got some horrible teachers (1 teacher used a tape record reading the social studies book for class, 1 teacher screamed all year, 1 planned her wedding on the computer & phone all year & talked @ starving herself to get into her dress). We liked the principal, but she is ineffective against the aggressive parents & doesn't keep up w/ the teachers or classes. Kids begged to leave - people from that school look through you now like you don't exist - it's creepy!

Posted: May 14, 2012

School is OK but do know that your parenting will be second guessed the whole way thru. Very judgmental staff and administration. Children and relatives of teachers, principal and parents whose job it is to volunteer at the school, are the only ones selected for anything special and truly live by a different set of rules. Lower grade teachers are quite good, the quality deteriorates a little each year so by Middle School the quality is poor. Middle school science is embarrassingly bad, math is so-so and Spanish is a total waste of time.

Posted: January 21, 2012

The best decision I have made for my children. A wonderful blessing in every way. Principal is a 5 Stars Intellectual, Caring, Leader. She makes sure all teachers are outstanding and keeps parents informed and encourages them to be pretty involved at school. Teachers have authority and parents listen to them. Teachers keep communication channel open with parents at all times. I feel I can be at peace knowing my children are in a safe, caring environment an receiving the quality christian education they deserve!! I feel so blessed to have my children at this school. I finally put an end to years of bullying at public system!! Thank God for St. Janes De Chantal and for its outstanding Principal and Teachers! God Bless Them!!

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	White Flint	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	2 mi
2	Old Farm	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	3.2 mi
3	The Willoughby	Condominium/Townhouse	Chevy Chase	MD	3.7 mi
4	Forest Knolls	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	5.4 mi
5	Takoma Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Takoma Park	MD	6 mi
6	DuMont Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	6.4 mi
7	Hillandale	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	7.3 mi
8	Iverly	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	8.3 mi
9	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	9.1 mi
10	Norwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Olney	MD	9.1 mi
11	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	9.5 mi
12	Lakelands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Gaithersburg	MD	9.6 mi
13	The VIO	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Washington SW	DC	10.5 mi
14	Shreevewood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	10.6 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Silver Spring	Silver Spring	MD	5 mi
2	Arlington	Arlington	VA	7.1 mi
3	White Oak	Silver Spring	MD	7.3 mi
4	Georgetown	Washington	DC	7.8 mi
5	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	9.5 mi
6	Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	9.5 mi
7	Kentlands	Gaithersburg	MD	10.1 mi
8	West Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	10.4 mi
9	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	10.5 mi
10	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	11.1 mi
11	Vienna	Vienna	VA	11.1 mi

Base	Distance
Walter Reed Medical Center	1.4 mi.
Fort Myer	9.3 mi.
Henderson Hall	10.2 mi.
Pentagon	10.3 mi.
Fort McNair	11.2 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	11.2 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	11.3 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	11.4 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	11.6 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	12.6 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	13 mi.
Andrews AFB	18.8 mi.
NRO Chantilly	20.1 mi.
Fort Belvoir	20.9 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	21.1 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	29.4 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	32 mi.
Fort Detrick	33.8 mi.
US Naval Academy	33.9 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	34.7 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	37.5 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	46.5 mi.

St Jane De Chantal School

Bethesda, MD 20814

Refine Search

National Ad

St Jane De Chantal School

Bethesda, MD 20814

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.