Dear Prospective Cardinal Family, Thank you for your interest in St. John’s Episcopal School. As you engage in this admissions process, I trust that you will experience the many aspects that make St. John’s a truly special place. As a leading independent Episcopal school serving Orange County students from 8 weeks through 8th Grade, we believe that firm foundations lead to extraordinary successes, in the classroom and in life beyond. St. John’s Episcopal School strives to live its Mission each day, to foster each child’s full intellectual, physical, and spiritual development, within a nurturing learning environment which deftly balances best practices of tradition and innovation. Through a world-class STEAM education, we combine academic rigor with individualized instruction to ensure maximum growth of every student. Coupling our academic and co-curricular programs with our inclusive, faith-based culture, lived daily through our Cardinal Character Traits, the results of a St. John’s Episcopal School education are outstanding, indeed. Our secret sauce isn’t much of a secret: by coupling outstanding teachers with small class sizes and a dynamic program, exceptional results ensue. Every child is known, supported, and encouraged to be their best self, building self-awareness and confidence every step of the way. It’s no wonder why our students come to school each day with a sense of joy, curiosity, and excitement for what’s to come! Our graduates are uniquely prepared to not only excel in the classroom in high school and beyond, but as empathetic and impactful leaders in the world around them. They consistently demonstrate their own growth mindset, using the skills honed within our STEAM education to make connections, collaborate and empathize, and persevere through life’s inevitable challenges. Whether your family is interested in our Early Childhood or Elementary Divisions, seeking to build strong academic and social foundations, or considering our Middle Division for a rigorous, yet supportive environment to prepare for success in high school, I hope you’ll find a home here with our Cardinal Family.
Sincerely,
Patrick McHonett Head of School
OUR COMMITMENT At St. John’s, we cherish our independence. Unlike private schools generally, independent schools are not subject to outside mandate. Rather, we are able to determine our own mission and values and create approaches to teaching and learning that best serve our students. This freedom enabled us to be the first independent school in Orange County to implement a highly-acclaimed STEAM Program, the deliberate integration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Independent schools have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, commitment to service, leadership development, and strong character education. We are proud to be a part of this tradition of outstanding preparation serving students from eight weeks through Eighth Grade.
our mission Grounded in the rich history of diversity and excellence in Episcopal education, St. John’s fosters every child’s full intellectual, physical, and spiritual development. A nurturing learning environment and programs built on an ideal balance of tradition and innovation encourage our students to pursue lives of service and purpose.
Innovative S
t. John’s has fully adopted STEAM as a means to
integrate learning across the spectrum of subject areas. Each discipline is not isolated, but interrelated to deepen understanding and engagement. Students participate in inquiry-based lessons, collaborative experiences, and project-based curricula focused on solving practical problems.
Robotics Lab Beginning in the Elementary Division, students are exposed to robotics through the St. John’s science curriculum. In the Middle Division, some of the topics robotics students investigate include mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using the VEX® Robotics platform, students design, build, program real-world
Recognized by many leading authorities as the most effective preparation for success in higher education and the workplace, STEAM prepares students at St. John’s for the ever-changing demands of our world. In addition, small class sizes and low student–teacher ratios enable our teachers to maximize the potential of every student and to facilitate handson learning. The School’s ground-breaking and newly renovated facilities are dedicated to our integrated STEAM approach to learning. Some of the innovative spaces on campus include:
devices, wire both open- and closed loop systems, and create programs that use motors and sensors to solve robotic problems. St. John’s is also proud to have sent the first all-female team to the Robotics World Championship in 2021.
Science Labs In the Elementary Division, an emphasis is placed on science in the world around us with several thematic connections tied to classroom learning. In Kindergarten through 5th Grade, science at St. John’s includes Project Lead the Way, a cutting-edge engineering program. The program empowers students to adopt a design-thinking mindset through compelling activities, projects, and problems that build upon each other and relate to the world around them. With a new state of the art Middle Division laboratory and collaboration space, and the recently adopted Amplify Science curriculum, students engage in hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to
Makers Lab
empower them to think, read, write, and argue like real
A creative building space where students design
scientists and engineers.
projects and learn to implement modern technology with craftsmanship. In the Makers Lab students have an opportunity to use wood working tools, learn about 3D design and printing, experiment with screen printing, and create with a Mayku FormBox… just to name a few.
“ St. John’s Episcopal School is one of the largest and most innovative Episcopal day schools in the country.” Reverend Dr. Daniel R. Heischman, Executive Director National Association of Episcopal Schools
“ St. John’s provides the environment and tools to allow students to experiment and innovate. We take pride in allowing students to perform with limitless creativity.” Suzy Hardy, Math and Innovation Teacher 2015 Orange County Teacher of the Year Finalist 2015 & 2016 Project Tomorrow High Impact Teacher Award Finalist
Individual S
t. John’s strives to cultivate a sense of joy and
belonging where every Cardinal is known, valued, and celebrated. We believe in the unbounded potential of each community member, recognizing that diverse perspectives and experiences lead to exceptional personal development and character-building opportunities. We aim to nurture a growth mindset, where each individual believes they have unlimited potential, views challenges as opportunities for growth, and see themselves as intellectual risk takers. Our program is leading the way in STEAM education through small class size, differentiated academic excellence, robust enrichment experiences, and character development that recognizes, engages and supports the whole person.
INvolved F
rom athletics to the arts and service learning to leadership, there are numerous
opportunities for our students to explore their interests and engage their passions.
Athletics • Football • Cheerleading • Cross Country • Lacrosse • Basketball • Volleyball • Soccer • Track and Field • Physical Education
Co-Curricular Activities • Broadway Bound • Speech and Debate • Robotics Team • Book Club • Coding • Makers • Yearbook • Octothorpes (Math Team) • Student Council • Peer Assistance and Leadership (PALs) • Garden Club • Digital Media
Service Learning • Birthday Boxes (Orangewood Children’s Home) • NEGU–Joy Jars • Local Senior Living Center Visitation • Park Clean-Ups at O’Neill Park • Gleaning in Irvine Fields • Rancho Santa Margarita Food Pantry • Angel Tree – Families Forward
ARTS • Visual Arts • Middle School Band • Choir • Instrumental Music • World Drumming • Advanced Drawing • Dance • Music • Drama
Inspired S
t. John’s is a place where we
live a generous faith in a beloved community. Where we experience joy, we pursue reason and wonder, and where we have hope for the human race. St. John’s students are inspired to discover and develop their best selves. From their talented teachers, they are inspired to become lifelong learners, committed to academic excellence and creative expression. Our students go on to excel in top secondary schools and universities and pursue their dreams with
“All people of faith share a belief that the Creator has endowed each of us with a particular
passion and commitment.
purpose, which means that
In chapel, our students are inspired
each child is precious and
to deepen their spiritual awareness. Based on the liturgy and worship of the Episcopal Church, chapel services support students from all faith traditions and those without a faith tradition to develop a sense of awe and wonder, and to reflect on the relevance in their lives of gratitude, love, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and service.
indispensable. In chapel at St. John’s, we preach God’s love as a foundation for exploring God’s invitation to our students to value themselves, love their neighbors, and live into their unique destiny.” The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor Seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles (Vicar of St. John’s from 2004- 2017)
Invested S
t. John’s has been a cornerstone of the
Rancho Santa Margarita community since our founding in 1988. Our investment in this community stems from relationships rooted in and developed through our students and their families. Now in our fourth decade of educating future leaders, we are proud to say that generations of families have also invested in St. John’s, choosing to send their own children to the very school where they once thrived as students. Even more notable, close to half of our graduating class each year are “lifers,” having attended St. John’s from Preschool through Eighth Grade. Our commitment to the development of the whole child, coupled with our dedication to serve and support the entire family, cultivates a love of learning and a passion for service that is evident both on campus and in the community.
“Over the many years since I was a student, the curriculum has advanced to new levels, the campus has matured, and buildings have been constructed. However, the same commitment to love and attention for every child remains. My kids are thriving, knowing that their school is a place of challenge and growth, provided by caring and capable teachers, in the company of great friends. My kids spend their days on the same campus, in the same plaid uniforms that I used to wear, but with new and exciting opportunities. I couldn’t be more pleased and proud.” St. John’s Alumna, Class of 1997, and current St. John’s Parent
Current St. John’s Cardinals and their alumni parents
International S
t. John’s is a SEVIS approved school, issuing I-20s to a select number of international
students each year from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. The international student program brings a global perspective to the classroom and beyond. All international students are supported through specialized classes that are geared to building academic vocabulary and becoming more integrated into the collaborative classroom experience that is a central part of the St. John’s STEAM approach. While international students benefit from immersion into the culture, language, and the academic practices in the United States, all St. John’s students gain a unique and enriching perspective. Research has shown that students who work with others from around the world acquire new skills that allow them to think more creatively, open their minds to incorporate new ideas and information, and gain in-depth knowledge about an increasingly globalized world.
“ Before I joined the St. John’s family, I thought I would not make any American friends because of the language barrier and the differences in customs. However, all of my classmates were very welcoming and accepted me easily. They helped me to join this new environment and thrive. St. John’s showed me how American students study, how American teachers teach, and how Americans live. I have learned so much here. St. John’s not only prepared me for high school, but also helped me become an independent person.” St. John’s International Student Baccalaureate Speech
Contact the Admissions Office to learn more or apply today. stjohns-es.org/ApplyNow
admissions@stjohns-es.org 949-858-5144