About + Mission

Nestled in the heart of the North End, St. John School has been educating students for over 125 years. As a Catholic private school, we challenge students daily to grow academically, socially, and, most importantly, in their faith. Whether it’s a family tradition to attend St. John School or you’re new to the city and searching for a vibrant school community, you belong here.

Our location on the historic Freedom Trail makes us a sought after choice for families who live in the city or commute into Boston. We lovingly welcome children from over 25 communities from Boston and beyond in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at our parochial school.

At St. John School, you will find your partner in academic excellence with a diverse, warm, and caring school family, the resources for your children to become the very best versions of themselves, and the foundation to move on to the finest independent and Catholic high schools in and around Boston. 

 St. John School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This is the highest accreditation an elementary school can receive.

We are pleased to announce that St. John School has been granted continued institutional accreditation by the NEASC in March, 2017, and received several commendations.

Our dedicated and hardworking teachers ensure students feel they are welcome and their needs are being supported. Through caring for our students with respect and God’s love, teachers challenge them daily to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. The relationship that parents and teachers foster as members of our school ensures a strong partnership to support each child's learning.

The academic curriculum at Saint John School seeks to challenge all learners through critical thinking, student collaboration, and problem-solving. Learning to engage in Socratic seminars and STEM activities equips students with vital skills to ensure their continued academic success. In religious instruction, our students not only learn about their faith but also understand how to live their faith daily by modeling the message of the Gospels. The educational and spiritual foundation a child receives at Saint John School prepares them to continue to grow in their faith while building their knowledge to succeed later in high school. Our graduates move on to the finest high schools in Boston and we are thrilled when they return and share their news of continued success. They often remark how well-prepared they were for high school and beyond.
 

Be  - Belong - Become

In 2023, a new mission statement was created to articulate our inclusive and welcoming vision, which encapsulates the transformation of the whole student through their journey here. St. John School exemplifies our rich history and traditions while embracing a rigorous standards-based curriculum that prepares our students for today’s world while remaining strongly tied to our Catholic values.
  
Each day, we challenge students and each other to live out our mission. 
  

Be who you are, a child of God 

At St. John School, each child is an individual, and our role is to help them learn and grow in faith, life, and academics. 

We recognize that every child is precious and inherently a child of God. They are divine, they have talents and gifts. Our task is to work with them to help them grow in their gifts, and to grow into themselves.

Belong as a member of a vibrant school invested in Faith and academic excellence.

By attending St. John School, you become a member of our school community, where faith and academic excellence meet. It’s our responsibility to provide opportunities for both. That’s why you’re coming to us - to be a kind, compassionate member of society making a difference, where the Gospel is lived, not just recited.

Become a witness to the Gospel, as demonstrated by a love for others and learning.  

Students become men and women ready to contribute to the world, understand the Catholic faith, and live out the Gospel. We are a stepping stone on their journey toward excellence.
  
Our faculty and staff fully embrace our mission: Be, Belong, Become. They work daily, intentionally living the mission with their students, encouraging their curiosity and love for learning. We embrace a shared responsibility to journey alongside the children at St. John School, helping them realize their potential and become their best, prepared for continued success. 

How will you live out our mission today?