Both the TK and K programs at SJNDS have been instrumental in our children's development and well-being. Knowing that the teachers and the school as a whole promote the same moral Christian values that our family relies on makes both my wife and I feel blessed to have our kids there. We are extremely proud to be a SJNDS family and look forward to having our two youngest daughters attend in the coming years.

SJNDS Family

We chose SJNDS because we wanted the beliefs and values that we have at home to be reinforced at school along with stellar academics and a community of parents that are invested in their children's education. TK made the transition to Kindergarten seamless for my son because he was able to make friends with the same students that were moving onto Kindergarten, became familiar with the teachers and was prepared academically. The Kindergarten program is like a 'well-oiled machine'. The classroom schedule is very organized allowing the students to work in small groups. The student teacher ratio is excellent and my kids come home from school happy every day.

Parent

The TK teachers at SJNDS are amazing! We like how the curriculum is structured and we can tell that our daughter has come a long way both socially and academically since she started at SJNDS. At home, she loves talking about her school activities, her teachers, and her friends. We are so thankful to have SJNDS as a wonderful second home to our daughter.

Parent

SJNDS is our family. It is where our big family of 7 has grown in in faith, love, friendship and academically. We have an 8th grader and kindergarteners (and a few in between) and it is an amazing journey......with Kindergarten being the roots and foundation.

SJNDS Family

I chose SJNDS to start my children's education in TK/Kinder because this school is a family as much as it is an exceptional education facility. It was important to me that they learn about their faith and how it correlates to the morals and values being taught at home and reinforced in the classroom. I knew with a small teacher to student ratio they would receive special attention if needed while being introduced to writing and math. I was impressed that they were exposed to Spanish, Technology and Science in conjunction with their core studies. Most importantly, I loved the teachers, who when I met them, I knew instantly that my kids would be loved, nurtured and taught in a safe environment.

Parent

There are many wonderful things my daughter has learned during her kindergarten year at SJNDS including academics, a sense of community, lasting friendships, and the ability to let go of her mother's side. Even more important than all this, my daughter learned to love others in need, as Christ did. This is something that sets SJNDS apart from other schools. During the year, the children were able to get involved in many service projects. These projects planted seeds of kindness in our young children's hearts that will blossom and grow in the years to come. For one service project, the school was collecting new backpacks filled with needed supplies for the homeless at Friendship Park. In the hustle and bustle of life I had forgotten all about the project. My daughter had to remind me of the upcoming event. The day before the backpacks were due my husband took her to the store to gather supplies. She cheerfully brought her piggybank for this outing, which was unexpected. At the store she purposefully and thoughtfully picked out items to buy and with a giving heart purchased it herself. I know she values her precious coins, but she has learned from school that it is better to give then to receive. As her parent, I am proud and honored to bear witness to this behavior that I know has been grown in the examples and teaching she has received from SJNDS. I know that SJNDS offers excellent academics, but even more children learn to truly love thy neighbor!

Parent

Looking for the right kindergarten school for our daughter was no easy task. My wife and I had many concerns and expectations. We were looking for a school that offered a well-balanced program of academics, social and play activities. We toured and visited many other area schools in the El Dorado Hills and Folsom areas. From a number of recommendations from friends, co-workers and families, SJNDS stood out among them and was the best fit for my daughter. Every day, my daughter comes home excited on what she learned from her lessons on reading, math, science and technology, and even Spanish. Surrounded by good, dedicated teachers and kind, wonderful friends and classmates, I know she is in good hands. My wife and I made the right decision to choose SJNDS.

SJNDS Family

It is evident the SJNDS staff are doing what they love to do. That is, loving and caring for the well- being of our children in the faith of Christ while providing them a first class education. This is what we like the most about SJNDS. Sure there are plenty of other things we are impressed and very grateful to be a part of, such as the low teacher to student ratio; the extracurricular opportunities to broaden and deepen the children's knowledge in areas they wish to pursue further; excellent music, technology, and athletics programs; meeting other like-minded families through the Parent Involvement Program; the family like atmosphere; the respectful way the children act and are being taught to carry themselves; the never ending willingness of the staff to work with the children to make them better; teaching the children to care for the less fortunate through Egg Day festivities; teaching the children about mass and taking them every Friday; and the staff leading by example through service as Eucharistic Ministers or in other Parish leadership roles. All those ARE all wonderful happenings which we are very grateful for most definitely. And with all the learning opportunities and programs at SJNDS, there is no doubt in our minds our children are receiving a high value education. However, none of that can outshine the fact that SJNDS are providing this, while teaching and caring for our child with the same Catholic values and traditions we live at home. It is a gift to know when our young child walks out the door for school, our family values and traditions will go and grow with them at SJNDS. Kindergarten at SJNDS is the right place, at the right time.

SJNDS Family

My husband and I are incredibly happy with what our daughter has taken from St. John's. We've always considered our family to be religious and have a close relationship with God. But when our daughter, Sophia, started attending St. John's last year her love and respect for God and our religion has grown and she demonstrates that love and respect every single day. We appreciate how closely the teachers communicate with the parents in regards to the child's progress and how they get along with their peers and the camaraderie with the other parents is wonderful. I'm impressed with what my daughter learns every day. Whether we discuss what she has learned in reading or math, Spanish or religion, she always ends our conversation by reminding me that 'God loves us no matter what'. We can't wait to see in the upcoming years what St. John's has in store for her.

SJNDS Family

Rhonda and I couldn't be any happier at St. John's. Mia truly loves her class and all the new friends she has made. Along with that, we feel and believe the curriculum is top notch. We looked at the other schools in the area before deciding that St. John's would be out home for years to come. We love the structure and core values that St. John's offers to each family. Where most schools treat you as just another student, at the end of the day, St. John's truly cares and values our child and it shows day after day!

Parents

We have been very impressed with how Andrew matured and improved during the Kindergarten program. He has been transformed from a young child into a boy that is eager to learn and communicate his thoughts. We would like to take this opportunity and thank all the Kindergarten teachers that contributed into Andrew's learning and maturity. Thank you, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Whitfield, Mrs. Daysh, Mrs. Keshishian.

Parents

We chose SJNDS because we want our children to not only grow academically, but also spiritually. It is important to us that our children be in a community where our family beliefs are being supported by the teachers, staff, and also other families.

Parent

We chose SJNDS to be a part of a community of families and faculty committed to a high level of expectations regarding education, morals and behavior. The school's value of community service and caring environment was also equally important to us.

Parents

During Joey’s first year at St. Johns we liked what we saw from kindergarten through eighth grade. The class sizes, the sense of community, the emphasis on values, and the dedicated faculty. As a result we decided to stay. Our child can get an excellent education in many different schools, St. John’s included. In fact his three older siblings were educated at both Catholic and public schools elsewhere. However, what St. John’s has to offer in the way of faith, hope and values sets it apart from the public schools as well as other Catholic schools. It becomes clear after your first school wide event that you are sending your child to the right place. From the principal, to the parent volunteers to the “buddy” that is assigned to each student there is a singular focus on the stated mission and philosophy.

Parent

I have been fortunate to have 5 children attend St. John Notre Dame School. 4 of the five have graduated and continued on to high school and college depending on their age, while the youngest has a couple of years left at SJNDS. All of my children have received an excellent education at SJNDS consisting of high academic standards as well as opportunities for artistic and athletic endeavors. SJNDS offers instruction for all types of students, providing additional challenge for the advanced student as well as support when necessary. The middle school program is particularly noteworthy in its emulation of the high school schedule and in the strength of the English and Math components. My children have all performed well on the Catholic High School Entrance Exam and as a result have been enrolled in advanced courses at the high school level. The older children have all pursued their collegiate careers at Catholic universities. Thank you SJNDS for being an outstanding Catholic parochial school!

Parent