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Admission
Policy - Registration Procedures
St. John the Baptist School 301-622-3076 Hours of Operation: Special Announcements: St. John the Baptist Catholic School is dedicated to the Christian formation of its youth. It offers students the opportunity to develop their intellectual, spiritual, physical, and emotional potential through educational and religious experiences. We endeavor to do so through instruction in the Catholic beliefs, tradition, the scriptures, and academics. We fsoter an environment that inspires self-discipline, self-respect, and self-confidence. We expect academic competence and a commitment to the service of others as modeled by Jesus Christ. Our collaborative professional faculty builds on the primary education imparted by parents and family. We recognize individual growth and uniqueness, by providing opportunities that empower each child to take an active part in the school and parish community. St. John’s is committed to serving God and others within the parish, the surrounding community as well as across the globe. Through developmentally appropriate instruction, students learn about the world around them. While deepening their awareness of God's gifts and presence in the world. students mature in their role to live the gospel message. Our goal is to say, when asked for an account of our stewardship, “We made the most of what was entrusted to us.” St. John the Baptist Parish was founded in 1960 on its current 10-acre site on 12319 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. At that time the custom was that every new parish build a school. Accordingly, St. John the Baptist School opened for the first to grades in 1962. Another grade was added each year and the first diplomas were awarded in 1969. An all day kindergarten was opened in 1993. The parish has had only two pastors. Monsignor E. Carl Lyon founded the parish and guided it until his retirement in 1987. His successor is the current pastor Monsignor Francis Kazista, who was himself a former assistant pastor from 1975 - 1981. The Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary from Kankakee, Illinois staffed the school until June 2000. A house on Brantford Avenue, a nearby residential street, served as the parish convent. Five principals have administered St. John the Baptist Catholic School. They have been Sister Virginia Marie Derk (1962 - 1966), Sister Catherine Bartlett (1966 - 1971), Mr. Leo Klagholz (1971 - 1972), Mrs. Peggy Spalding (1972 - 1992), and Ms. Marianne Moore (1992 - present). The School Advisory Board and the Home and School Association represent the parents of the students. The purpose of the School Advisory Board, founded in 1990, is to provide advice and assistance to the pastor and principal in the governance of the school. Besides the pastor and principal, it consists of six elected members, who each serve three-year terms, two of whom are elected each year. The Home and School Association (HSA) is an umbrella group of volunteers. It has several standing committees (budget, community service, hospitality, elections, cultural arts, hot lunch, library, publicity, school service, hospitality, substance abuse prevention corps, and traffic and playground safety) and sponsors family activities and fundraisers throughout the year. The HSA finances many extras for the school, such as a faculty Christmas bonus and teachers' wish list. It also sponsors a school supply store. St. John the Baptist School is accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Universoties. First accreditation was received in October of 1995 and was subsequently renewed in April 2006.
Religion Curriculum The school’s religion curriculum follows the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Washington. Religion is taught daily in every grade by homeroom teachers. Sacramental Preparation A unique tenet of St. John the Baptist parish is the recognition
of the parents’ role as the primary educators of the child.
The Office for Christian Formation supports the parents through evening
classes attended by
both parents and children. The school religion Candidates for Confirmation register in the spring prior to 8th grade. Parents attend the initial meeting with their young person. Candidates prepare for the sacrament throughout their 8th grade year by attending a series of evening classes, participating in service projects and making a retreat. Confirmation is held in the fall. First Communion Parents may register their child for First Communion classes when their child is in second or third grade. There is a three-session evening program in the winter and again in the spring that must be attended by both the parent and the child. After completing the program and the accompanying book, the parents determine when their child is ready. Arrangements are made through the parish office for individual First Communion celebrations at any of the regularly scheduled Masses. First Reconciliation Reconciliation Preparation classes are held each fall. Children in grades 2-3 register for reconciliation classes in the parish office. Parents and child attend three evening classes while working through the accompanying book. The program culminates in a Children’s Reconciliation Service. Prayers The school day begins with a morning prayer service that includes a scripture reading, a psalm, and prayers of petition. Grace is said before lunch in each homeroom. Prayers at the end of the day are written by the students and read by the principal after dismissal announcements. Reconciliation Services The Pastor and his associate provide the students in grades 2-8 with an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Fall and again in the Sspring. The Penance Service is planned by teachers. Dates are listed in the school calendar.
St. John the Baptist School primarily serves the families of St. John the Baptist parish, but does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion or national origin. Students who meet the academic and behavioral standards of St. John the Baptist School are admitted in the following order of priority: • Siblings of present students in the school Re-registration of current studnts and siblings entering St. John's is held in January. Registration of new students is held on the first Sunday in February in the school office. If there is space available, students entering grades 1-8 are tested in reading, math and language arts. If space is not available, applicants are placed on a waiting list. Children entering Kindergarten must be 5 years of age by September 1st. Children entering 1st grade must be 6 years of age by September 1st.
Grades 1-8 (in Parish) 2007-2008 1 child $5,730 Books $150.00 per child Activity Fee of $125.00 per family Registration Fee (new students) $75.00 per child The school is a vibrant part of the St. John’s parish community and is supported by its contributing, registered parishioners. To be considered a registered family and receive in-parish tuition, a family must be contributing via the envelope system at least one year prior to acceptance in the school. To continue to receive in-parish tuition, a family must show support via the envelope system throughout the duration of enrollment in the school. St. John the Baptist has a scholarship fund to assist families who
cannot afford to pay the full tuition. Requests for aid are made in
late winter for the following year. Donations to the fund are tax
deductible and may be made at any time.  website hosting provided by ToadNet |