Academics

Learn About Academics at SJCP

Developing leaders with good hearts and discerning spirits

The college preparatory curriculum at Saint John’s Catholic Prep consists of the core subjects - Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, World Languages, and Theology. Physical Education, Technology, and Fine Arts are also required. Students may select electives in major subject areas in addition to required courses.

In order to challenge each student appropriately, and allow each student to work to his or her full potential, Saint John’s provides college prep, honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses. The general academic courses are designed to strengthen skills required in a college preparatory program ,while the honors courses, offered in English, Mathematics, World Languages, Science, and Social Studies, provide progressively greater challenges and more in-depth study. Qualified students are strongly encouraged to take Advanced Placement courses offered in English, Mathematics, Science, Government, and World Languages. Advanced Placement courses may allow students to earn valuable college credits. Seniors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher are invited to take Dual enrollment classes at the Frederick campus of Mount St. Mary’s or apply for a full senior/freshman year at the Emmitsburg campus. Are you interested in attending or enrolling your student? Stop by our open house event on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Mission

School Philosophy

Saint John’s Catholic Prep enjoys a long tradition of service to its students, its community, and to the kingdom of God. That tradition is rooted in the values established by its Jesuit founder, Father John McElroy, which in turn reflects both the message of Jesus and the way he taught through wisdom, reason, story and personal example.

We believe that our responsibility is to bring knowledge of the past to our students, to engage them in the present, and to prepare them for the future. The purpose of our effort is to create good citizens, sensitive to the needs of others, morally and intellectually responsible for our world and ready to account to God for their lives. To those ends we strive to offer a strong academic program intended to endow our students with the intellectual, spiritual, athletic, and aesthetic qualities needed to maintain the world as God intended at its creation.

Objectives

To recognize the Magisterium of the Church in matters of faith and morals
To provide opportunities for prayer, reflection, and service to others as an expression of one’s faith
To maintain a code of conduct that creates an atmosphere of self-discipline and self-direction
To develop within the individual a respect for self and for others in a family environment
To encourage the student to grow as a critical thinker and to foster the fullest development of the individual’s academic and personal potential
To encourage students to assume a responsible role in planning their course of study
To guide students as they progress academically to appreciate the relevance of the past as it applies to both present and future experiences
To motivate the student to strive not only for academic excellence but also for personal satisfaction and social fulfillment
To support qualified instructors who, through a variety of techniques and experiences, assist students to reach their maximum potentials
To provide for each student a core curriculum which is regularly evaluated based upon the needs of the student
To provide resources which develop skills enabling students to pursue a lifetime of learning
To enhance the academic program by providing extracurricular experiences which foster spiritual, intellectual, physical and social development