Redeemed by Jesus and Promised a JOY-Filled Future 
Mrs. Sue Clausen, School Principal

"We are a Resurrection people, redeemed by the love of Jesus and promised a future of happiness. This is the Good News, the reason for our existence, the purpose for which each person was created. Our faith leads to hope and a love for all people.  Practical faith inspires us to spread this Good News, to develop a faith community, and to go out in loving service to others. We believe that in this type of atmosphere, the child can learn values, truth, and concern for others so as to fulfill one's potential abilities." (Philosophy of St. John's School)

Philosophy is lived out in many ways in our world, but, at  St. John's School, our philosophy begins and ends with Jesus Christ. The aim of a Catholic education should be to feed the spiritual, moral, intellectual, cultural, social, and physical needs of the children it serves. The curriculum at St. John's attempts to fulfill these needs to give all children that enter our doors a quality education that provides for individual differences.

Basic curriculum is only one part of the innovative and creative force behind our school. Additional curriculum in Spanish, music, art, and library science help children to find a specialty they can be proud to master. Physical education also plays an important role in students' lives and remains a part of the curriculum from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Prayer Partners are another way the Good News is spread.  Each child at St. John's is matched with an older student as a prayer partner. They become friends and help each other develop lives of faith. Service to nursing homes is especially important to the students as they focus projects and time with prayer partners around nursing home residents.

Teaching Masses have been integrated into the curriculum at St. John's.  A teaching Mass is one in which the priest explains everything from his vestments to the vessels used at Mass.  The priest stops while celebrating Mass to explain what he will be doing next and why it is important. 

Scouts' Religious Awards is another topic for our priests in talking with the students. Numerous meetings have occurred during lunch hours to introduce the children to proper protocol for receiving an award at Church. Father Magnuson has given time to the Boy Scouts to talk with them about the Ad Altari Dei Medal, which is an important medal of achievement for them.

The Drama Club is in its third year of theatrical production.  This year's performance was the "OZ," which was brilliantly staged in a very short amount of time. Many adult volunteers helped a crew of talented St. John's youth light up the stage with their acting and singing. Music for theatrical productions is provided by the band at St. John's School under the direction of  Mr. Michael Mangan who directs beginning, advanced, and jazz bands at the school. Students in the fourth grade and above are eligible to try out for the bands. 

The Art Club meets before school begins in the morning, and it is a place where students are able to work on current art assignments, get additional instruction, and create projects that may not be taught in their regular classes. All art classes are taught by our art teacher, Mr. Jeremy Berger.

The Chess Club is another endeavor for students at St. John's School. The chess club meets during the noon hour in the winter months, and students must learn the correct chess strategies, along with the sportsmanship of chess. 

Sportsmanship rounds out why St. John's School participates in athletics. Our school is one of over 50 schools that play under the St. Paul Catholic Athletic Association (CAA). Players must conform to the CAA code of  conduct which requires "personal conduct that is respectful, patient, and mature... within our association."

Players, coaches, officials, and spectators are reminded before games of the code of conduct and asked to adhere to the rules.  Organized sports begin in the fifth grade at St. John's, and sports teams are comprised of students according to grade level. Soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, and track are a few of the sports that require a student to be in the fifth grade or above. Swimming and wrestling offer activities for all grades. Mr. Jerry Bennek, the athletic director at St. John's, holds yearly clinics in basketball for the younger students to introduce them to the skills and sportsmanship needed. A small fee is required for team participation, however, no student is turned away due to lack of funds.

Funding Programs is another goal of St. John's School.  We are part of a group of Catholic schools that participate in a marathon the first Saturday in October. Students must raise $100 each toward the marathon goal. The money raised goes for classroom instruction and operating costs of the school.  The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) also hosts fundraisers.  Each May, the ice cream social is sponsored by the PTO.  This is an evening of games, ice cream, and prize drawings to raise money for the school. The book fair is also held at this time with the Scholastic Book Company, and St. John's parent volunteers staff the fair. Money earned goes for purchasing books for our library. St. John's also hosts the "Wines to Wishes" evening, which features wine tasting and an auction. Money from our fundraisers provide books, playground supplies, classroom improvements, and investment in future goals. Santa's Workshop is another avenue of income for the school. It is held in December and allows the students to buy gifts that they can wrap with their prayer partners. 

Every class at St. John's School lives under the JOY philosophy of Jesus, Others, and You. Our mission clearly states that "We help children discover and live up to their full potential, developing responsibility and respect for self and others with a sense of gratitude. We express this in Christ-like service to the community in a JOY-filled spirit."

We invite you to explore an education at St. John's School and to become part of a caring and Christian environment that lives the JOY philosophy in all it does. Children at St. John's are taught daily, through curriculum and example, what it means to live as a Christian with integrity. Enroll your children today and become part of a community that feels like home!