St. John's School instills in its student's intellectual enthusiasm, leadership, and an appreciation of discovery. We encourage students to focus on achievement with a willingness to explore varied paths to reach their goals. Because the SJS community revels in scholarly, athletic, and artistic adventure, day-to-day life at St. John's is filled with the joy of learning and doing, both for students and faculty.
St. John's is an independent, coeducational day school presenting a 13-year college preparatory training sequence. A non-profit institution, it was founded in 1946 to provide the community with a school of exacting standards in the development of individual, spiritual, ethical, intellectual, social, and physical growth. While the means to achieve that purpose may change, it remains the primary mission of the School.
The School seeks to develop the whole person in preparation for a lifetime of personal fulfillment and contribution to society. In particular, it is dedicated to enhancing and expanding future leadership for Houston and the country. The School offers talented, motivated, and energetic students a genuine challenge for academic accomplishment and a sense of self-worth and personal responsibility. The School, in turn, holds itself responsible for providing that challenge.
From its origins in 1946, St. John's has evolved into one of the country's most respected independent day schools. Daily we try to live up to the high expectations of the original group of Houstonians who had the vision and wisdom to pour their energies and direct their resources into creating an educational experience that produces intellectually curious, civic-minded, and well-rounded citizens.
Precepts and Principles of the St. John's Family
- Care is the School's cardinal virtue, for the other core values – respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, service – spring from appropriate care for oneself, others, and the school community, for the communities beyond the School. The St. John's School community is sustained by caring relationships in which members extend themselves for others, with compassion, courtesy, kindness, and respect.
- Honesty is expected of every student under all circumstances. A student's work is expected to be his or her own unless a particular assignment has been designated as a cooperative project. Students are expected to tell the truth, respect others' property, and honor all their commitments.
- Courtesy and Consideration are expected. Students are to behave well, use appropriate manners in all situations, and respect others' feelings. Students in grades 4 and 5 will rise when an adult enters the room and remain to stand until told to be seated. They need not stand during a test or while in the study hall. Students are expected to use "please" and "thank you."
- Loyalty and Spirited Devotion are fundamental to a successful school. Pride, enthusiasm, fair play, and hard work are recognized as essential ingredients of loyalty. Therefore, the School encourages all students to participate in and attend sports events and other extracurricular functions to show their School, friends, and classmates' support.
- Dignity and Good Taste characterize the attitude, language, dress, and behavior of all community members.
