St. Jerome Academy

Posted: September 27, 2024

We relocated specifically to this school from another state. We attended for less than 2 years and in that time we experienced poor leadership, poor communication from the administration, and witnessed classroom management styles that do not acknowledge the dignity of the student. The school does not have the resources to support students with learning differences and classroom teachers use punitive measures when children do not follow classroom rules that are not conducive to the development of children. I would not recommend this school and I'm very disappointed that it is touted within the Catholic community as an example of excellence in Catholic classical education. My oldest daughter has now stopped practicing her faith after leaving the school; she is only 11 but has chosen to stop receiving sacraments because of how she was treated at SJA which shaped her understanding of God. If your student is self-motivated, can sit still in a desk for the majority of the day, and abide by a rigid learning environment then perhaps they can do well at this school. Teachers say "three strikes and you are out" as a warning in the classroom and as a management technique; students with learning differences are put in the hallway with no support, and as a whole instructors do not have the training to teach with social-emotional intelligence needed working with children. One teacher imparticular was more interested in rules than personal relationships with new families and students. This school was a massive disappointment, and we will not use another Catholic school as we saw this as our last hope for failing Catholic education. Maybe years earlier when it initially became classical and improved enrollment the school was a good place for children under Mary Pat Donoghue. We did not have a positive experience under the principal (Danny Flynn) who has now left to work as a consultant for other Catholic classical schools.

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2024

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Posted: December 18, 2023

My children overall did not have a positive experience with St. Jerome Academy. We spent many years and had multiple children at the school. There are some truly phenomenal teachers and there are some truly terrible ones which is sort of par for the course with any school but there genuinely don't seem to be many way to address issues and expect improvement. There were serious problems with bullying that were sometimes exacerbated by the faculty rather than mitigated.

My children have had bullying experiences at the schools they have moved to as well but now when those incidents happen I can expect to receive some sort of communication and my children are actually able to expect consequences and protection rather than lip service to formation.

Academically St. Jerome does very well with recitation and reading. However, my oldest child is in high school now and with a number of the other graduates is behind in math and science. There are of course successful students in those subjects but they tend to be students who were already talented in those areas and had parents well positioned to support them in those subjects.

As an example of a frustrating academic experience, one middle school child studied for a number of tests by simply memorizing the order of answers because the test did not vary from the study guide. I have no objections to their studying hack because it was sensible and efficient. This might have been a simple fix but at that point a confluence of events led us to decide to leave the school.

The first thing I noticed when moving schools was the emphasis and formation in kindness and courtesy with actual consequences for bad behavior which were severely lacking. I didn't appreciate that previously children would more routinely get punished for dress code violations than for for bullying. The nurses often seemed overloaded with helping children with mental health issues since I knew of a number of children who went to the nurses office for a safe space. There was no counselor. At the time the resources were lacking and even if there were resources available the teachers failed at very basic accommodations for a neurodiverse child with a learning disability.

Overall we've had to pay a great deal of money to fix some of the issues St. Jerome left us with and did not gain very much from the experience. I want to acknowledge that there are people having a marvelous time at St. Jerome but that just wasn't us.

Posted: December 18, 2023

Posted: December 18, 2023

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Posted: January 12, 2021

My three children have attended St. Jerome Academy for their entire primary school (my eldest is about to graduate from 8th grade). I can honestly say that I had no idea that K-8 education could be as rich and engaging as the St. Jerome classical curriculum is. Instead of memorizing facts and figures and regurgitating them back for tests and exams, students are taught to question "why?" and "how?" and are not immediately given answers, but instead encouraged to explore the question and possibilities before learning the foundational elements and building off of them. Instead of learning each subject in an isolated silo, students see the interconnectedness of all the subjects. While learning about the American revolutionary war they read novels about the revolution, study art and music depicting the American revolution, engage in debates about Just War theory, and get dressed up in costume and present a 30 minute recitation of the Constitution and Patrick Henry's speech (as well as other famous American leader speeches) to the public on the Mall. When learning about Newton's laws of physics they spend weeks first exploring the laws and trying to understand them and explain them on their own through observation & hands on learning. Rather than simply being told to memorize multiplication tables "because math" (which the children of course eventually do) they go out and observe the outside of the school and try and count the number of bricks, and then learn how to group the bricks and count in multiples. Children learn Latin from 1st grade and my kids now have each decided to learn an additional romance language on their own (which the school has encouraged) and they've been surprised at what a breeze it is given the similarities with the Latin roots. My eldest daughter is WAY more prepared for high school (& higher ed) than I was at her age - not just from a standardized testing perspective (although she, as well as her classmates, are all well above the national average), but from a deep foundational perspective (as a young lady and as a student), not to mention her thirst for knowledge and love of learning, which St. Jerome Academy has instilled in her from the very beginning.

Posted: January 12, 2021

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Posted: January 12, 2021

We used to homeschool but decided to put all our kids into St. Jerome Academy after they adopted the classical curriculum. The teachers are amazing, and our kids come home excited about what they are learning in class! I now have 4 kids at SJA in grades Montessori through 7th, and they are all thriving there.

Posted: January 12, 2021

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Posted: December 15, 2017

I have had my child at this school since the child care center (she is not in 4th grade). She has had a well rounded and loving experience at St Jerome Academy. I could not be any happier with this school!

Posted: December 15, 2017

The teachers choose assignments that are appropriate to their age. The older students have more thorough and thought provoking work while the younger grades are not laden with work but asked to read daily and talk with their families about their education.

Posted: December 15, 2017

Posted: December 15, 2017

Al l children are encouraged to be themselves. Morality and virtue are apparent in all the children in the building.

Posted: December 15, 2017

Posted: December 15, 2017

The resources program is fabulous. There are two teachers dedicated to helping all students, but especially those with learning differences.

Posted: December 15, 2017

Posted: November 22, 2017

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am conscious of how very thankful I am that St. Jerome Academy is there for the Hyattsville community. The school has simply returned to and immersed itself in the Catholic Church's beautiful tradition of education and formation. They emphasize the cultivation of wisdom and virtue as the highest goods. This means that the literature selections are timeless and provoke thought and good discussion; science and math are gateways to wonder, not just means to well-paying jobs later; writing is approached as an art as well as a skill; and the teachers themselves are committed to this model of educating children. Much to be thankful for!

Posted: November 22, 2017

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Posted: November 22, 2017

Posted: September 6, 2017

The school leaders are intentional about creating a supportive culture that celebrates the achievements of all students while encouraging hard work. Problems are addressed quickly, and personally, with an emphasis on the best outcome for the school as a community.

Posted: September 6, 2017

My kids could learn the basics many places, but SJA is teaching them how to think for themselves. While everything is age-appropriate, nothing is watered down. We've talked about Antigone and the civil rights movement and how to build the tallest possible tower out of spaghetti ... all thanks to lessons in the classroom. But what I appreciate most is that students are expected to be kind. It's not unusual to see an older student stop and help a younger one, and it is encouraged through both formal programs and the overall school culture.

Posted: September 6, 2017

Students get to know teachers and maintain relationships with them over several years. This makes transitions from grade to grade smooth, and builds good rapport that helps when a student is struggling. My son had trouble with math in fourth grade, but thanks to a well-timed intervention by his teacher, he's now in advanced math at the middle school level. There is lots of collaboration between music, arts, and the more traditional academic components of the program, which keeps students engaged.

Posted: September 6, 2017

The school recently introduced two new programs, one focused on character and values, and a second focused on bullying prevention. While I never perceived either of these as an issue with any of my children's classes, it is valuable to have that teaching incorporated into the curriculum.

Posted: December 19, 2016

Posted: December 19, 2016

Posted: December 19, 2016

Posted: December 19, 2016

Homework is minimal- teachers and administration believe children should be playing outside and reading after school. I agree.

Posted: December 19, 2016

I was homeschooling when I discovered this amazing school. There are only two classical Catholic schools in the state of Maryland so it's a real gem! My kids are learning from the wonderful teachers/role models, have access to great music and band programs, and are a part of a diverse student body. The faith formation is excellent! I can't say enough good things about this school.

Posted: November 15, 2016

Great teachers. Great curriculum. My son is learning to think and the values that we have instilled at home are reinforced throughout the day.

Posted: November 9, 2016

I am very impressed with the Montessori program my daughter attends. She is becoming very independent and organized at home this year. She comes home everyday so excited to tell me how happy she is going to school and playing with the other kids. The school is also the most affordable preschool in the area!

Posted: October 13, 2016

Our new principal was the dedicated 8th grade teacher. He was so effective at teaching that children were crying in the hallways when he was named principal because they wanted to be in his class. They've quickly discovered, he's also an awesome principal. A true man of God.

Posted: October 13, 2016

The Golden Rule is practiced each day. It's expected....and shown to the students. Every activity supports this.

Posted: October 13, 2016

The teachers at St. Jerome Academy believe in the Classical Curriculum....they see the amazing results year after year. The students are exposed to great literature, loving religion and teachers who know and care about each student. We've been with St. Jerome's since the Child Center @ age 2 and our student now in 7th grade. Truly, it seems to good to be true, but, it's true!

Posted: October 13, 2016

The approach to homework is to make it light so that children can spend time with family.

Posted: November 18, 2013

We moved to the area in part because of this school. My wife and I are both college professors and we have been shocked by the poor preparation of young people coming out of schools in this area. St. Jerome Academy's curriculum is truly inspired. Our oldest son is flourishing in first grade at SJA. We are also excited about the new Montessori classroom, which combines Classical content with the Montessori method. This is the perfect start for preschool-aged children. And yes, the community is great. The principal is very good at her job. She is professional, capable, and flexible. No school is perfect, but SJA is the best we have seen in the DC area -- esp. about the things that matter most. It isn't a wealthy community, and they work hard to keep tuition low (compared to other private schools) so the physical buildings and play areas are not gorgeous. They continue to make slow improvements whenever they can afford to do so. They have the right goals for the long term and see the connections among beauty, truth, and goodness in their choices about facilities vs. tuition/fees. They are actively seeking ways to make the campus more beautiful on a tight budget.

Posted: July 24, 2013

We've had our grandson enrolled in the St. Jerome's program since he was 2...first at the Child Center and then in the elementary school. He is now entering fourth grade. I cannot think of a single negative regarding this school. The Classic Curriculum is fun for the entire family....all of our horizons have been broadened. The teachers are truly concerned with each child, communications are great and the principal is constantly putting forth efforts to improve, improve, improve!

Posted: June 21, 2013

I'm very happy with our move from public school to St. Jerome. Like many public school children, my child was falling behind her grade level. The teachers and principal at St. Jerome are much more responsive to parents and students. The classical learning program is great and has really helped my child blossom. It has improved her ability to focus on foundational skills like reading, grammar, spelling and math. I would recommend the school.

Posted: January 29, 2013

As the parent of child attending St. Jerome Academy' I am very pleased an impressed with the school, staff, and curriculum. The building is spacious with large classrooms, dining area, and gymnasium. There is plenty of outdoor space for the children to enjoy as well. All of the faculty and staff that I have had contact with are friendly, knowledgable, and caring. The teachers my child has studied with have been helpful in guiding my child in her work. The new curriculum has been a very positive influence on her learning. I am amazed at at how much information she is learning. The classical curriculum the school has created is challenging the students to perform at their best. I am very pleaded and impressed by what the school is accomplishing with the students.

Posted: January 27, 2013

We moved to the area in large part because of the school, and we have not been disappointed. We have one child at St. Jerome's and will enroll our second in September 2013. The teachers that we know so far, and the principal, are both skilled professionally and very attentive to the individual child. The faculty as a whole are dedicated to the school and happy working there. The facility includes ample classroom space, a gym, and a cafeteria. These things are not to be taken for granted at a parochial school. Although we have not had a need for it, we are also particularly impressed that the school has two resource teachers and classrooms, another thing not to be taken for granted at a parochial school. Based on the academic rigor, spiritual richness, professional expertise, love for the students, and a general attitude of enthusiasm and positive spirit, I hight recommend St. Jerome Academy.

Posted: January 11, 2013

I have been a parent at this school both during "the old regime" of St. Jerome, as well as with the current principal. I at times have mixed feelings about this school's environment. There are some teachers who seem to label students outright and provide no room for improvement. There are others who are excellent and that is why we stayed here throughout various positional shifts. The principal performs her duties with great determination and drive, and it is greatly due to her effort that this school is still open (and now, I would say flourishing). Many teachers both new and longstanding are excellent, but there are some who seem clueless when it comes to classroom management and relating to students.

Posted: June 1, 2012

I am a graduate of St. Jerome's Catholic School. My oldest son also graduated from there. My youngest son will be leaving after this year. Many changes have occurred at what is now St. Jerome Academy. Some ok, some not. I was excited when we were presented with the classical curriculum. After 2 years, I have not seen much to be excited about. I do not feel my child gained much knowledge out of it. The last five weeks of school this year, his class has done nothing but review worksheets/busy work. I honestly feel that St. Jerome Academy has a great marketing director that puts up a great facade. St. Jerome Catholic School was welcoming, loving and like home. St. Jerome Academy is not.

Posted: May 22, 2012

We put our 3 children in the school this year, and what a wonderful experience it has been. The faculty and staff and very welcoming and committed to educating the whole person. Because of the classical curriculum, my kids have gained so much knowledge and have applied this to their home life.

Posted: March 6, 2012

My child is going to St Jerome's and I am highly disappointed in the school as a parent. I don't feel my child is being challanged at all. He comes home with not a lot of homework. Also, I don't see this "Classical Education" taking place. I am sorry we let our child go to this school.

Posted: February 28, 2012

All four of our kids have attended St. Jerome's (we now have two graduates). We love the wholesome environment and the new curriculum is terrific. It and some terrific new hires made an immediate and dramatic improvement in the upper school, and are steadily improving the lower school year by year. A very good school, and well on its way to being a superb one.

Posted: February 28, 2012

We looked at many Catholic schools in the DC area and happily settled on St. Jerome. The community is great, the curriculum is very exciting and the principal is outstanding. This school is only getting better.

Posted: February 5, 2012

We have our child in kindergarten. I'm giving the school a 5 star rating because the teachers and principal are superb. They are an inquisitive faith-filled group of people. Both the academic and spiritual education are impressive. We made the switch (from a public pre-kindergarten program) because of the curriculum and are happy with our decision.

Posted: January 2, 2012

We have three children who currently attend St. Jerome Academy. The reason we decided to enroll our children in St. Jerome's was due to its beautiful classical curriculum, the hiring of many superb teachers, and the intense dedication of the administration in the care of their students. We have witnessed the good character and loving attitudes of its diverse student body as well as dedication to the classical curriculum by the staff. Our children are reading works from the great thinkers, reciting poetry, learning Latin, and studying a Christ-centered history. The school has truly been a blessing to our family.

Posted: December 12, 2011

My son entered this school from public school. After a rough first quarter, I am very pleased to say that he has really pushed himself in the right direction. The dedication of his teacher is incredible. The amount of information that he has learned in unbelievable. I made the right decision and won't be changing - God willing anytime soon.

Posted: September 23, 2011

Terrible, terrible school. I went here from grade 1 to grade 8, and all of the good teachers have left or been fired. They have a large amount of work that goes into their propaganda to make sure people think that it's an excellent school, but their has been *no* implementation of the classical curriculum plan in the upper school at least. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAY. F-, St. Jerome. Extremely pretentious attitudes from all involved as well.

Posted: September 14, 2011

My son went to St Jerome Child center last year and is now in Pre-K in the "big school". In addition, I switched my daughter to St J from public school, she is in 6th grade. School has only been in session for a couple weeks, but I am definitely very impressed. I do have concerns about the "fees" the school charges. The worst one being the "book fee/student fee" combo of $285 per kid. Even in Pre-K, my 4 yr old is charged a $285 book fee! What books? I find this absurd! There was also a $150 registration fee per student, and a $45 registration fee to use their online payment system. In addition, I just received info on joining the band. My daughter is begging to join, but its $730/yr, plus $25 registration fee, plus the cost of the instrument. Insane! Not only that, but I also just found out that in 6th grade there is NO music class. So if I don't sign her up for band, then she will have no music education this year whatsoever. I think that's awful. I am very aware that this school was broke a couple years ago, and I really think that since they changed their education plan and got more enrollment, they're trying to make as much money as they possibly can!