Academic Excellence
Excellence in Education is a standard our faculty, students, and parents strive together to achieve. Many of St. John’s Middle School students successfully enter Bay County public School advanced high school honors programs such as IB, AICE, and MAPPS and become college scholarship recipients.
St. John Catholic School ranks in the top 10% of all U.S. Schools, government or private according to the results of our most recent Standardized Tests (The Iowa Test of Basic Skills, ITBS) which meets the United States Department of Education Criteria.
Many of our students qualify for Duke TIP (Talent Information Program) in which they must achieve a qualifying score in the 95th percentile or higher on a nationally-normed test or state criterion-referenced test. Students in grades 4, 5, and 7 are eligible for Duke TIP. See program details at http://www.tip.duke.edu/.
Recognizing that students learn in many ways, teachers utilize methods that are designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles. St. John School maintains a rigorous academic program. We expect all students to succeed. To achieve that expectation, the program is designed to meet the individual needs of every students.
St. John is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference
The purpose of the accreditation process is to regularly review the education provided by the School and to develop a plan of continued improvement.
Students learn the basic academic subjects and Biblical Truths:
- Reading and Literature, English Grammar and Composition
- Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.
- Religious Education; Biblical truths, beliefs, traditions
and history of the Catholic faith - Physical Education, Music, Art, Spanish, Computer/technology
- Extracurricular Sports
- Early Drop-off and Aftercare program available
Our Middle School
Middle School is a critical stage as students move from the world of childhood to the challenging time of adolescence. Our teachers and Guidance Counselor take extra time to ensure every student receives individual guidance to encourage personal growth, to build self confidence, and to expand their horizons.
Our Middle School Students have a chance to get a solid academic foundation and to form values and habits that prepare them for high school. Many of our Middle School students excel in the Bay County public high school’s advanced programs such as IB, AICE, and MAPPS.
Middle school classes are located in separate buildings. Students switch rooms for classes. Core subjects are taught by teachers specialized in those areas such as Math, Religion, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Science. In addition, our school also has teachers for Visual Art, Music, Physical Education, Computers, Library, and Foreign Language. The curriculum also includes an extensive list of electives designed to meet a variety of student needs and interests.
Our students are encouraged and given opportunities to compete in Academic Challenges and competitions such as Science Fairs, Speech Competitions, Social Studies Fairs, Essay Contests, Spelling Bees, Math Competitions and Art Exhibits. They also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs and organizations:
- St. John’s Honors Program
- National Junior Honor Society
- Student Council
- Beta Club
Middle School Academic Honors Program – At the end of the first quarter of middle school, qualified students are invited to participate in St. John’s academic honors program. Invitation into the program is based upon GPA, ITBS scores, and current teachers’ recommendations. Based upon the level of participation and date of entry Bronze, Silver, or Gold level honors can be earned for the current year. Students who achieve any level of completion for the honors programs receive awards at the end of the year, a notation of their achievement in their permanent record, and an honors inscription on their diploma at graduation.
St. John’s honors program is a vigorous course of study in which students are provided numerous opportunities to enhance, expand, and experience in-depth study of topics of personal interest to the student. The program requirements include extended study in all core academic areas, fine arts, foreign languages, and independent study. Many of St. John’s middle school students currently participate in the honors program.
