REVIEW OF St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall BY parent, Tara Hart

(4.5) Student Experience

Our son has had a very positive experience coming to SJSH from the Catholic board. He really appreciates the smaller class sizes and the quieter classrooms. As a student who struggled with academics and social anxiety, SJSH has made such a difference for him. He is no longer anxious about going to school in the mornings, and we have seen his confidence and his grades increase steadily. He is taking responsibility for his own homework and is feeling proud of his achievements. At SJSH, expectations are consistent and clear, and success, no matter how small, is acknowledged and celebrated. He would love to see more high school sports opportunities, but overall is very happy to be able to be a part of the SJSH community.

Why St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall?

Our son was not getting the academic support that he needed in his previous school, so we knew we needed to find a high school that could help him reach his full potential. We also wanted a school with clear, consistent expectations and rules that could help ease his anxiety and make transitions between classes and grade levels smooth and comfortable. Since he had experienced bullying in his previous school, it was also important to us that we choose a school that would foster a sense of caring community, with no tolerance for bullying. We looked at many different schools, but felt confident that St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall was the best choice to meet our son’s needs.

Expectations vs. Reality

The school has absolutely aligned with our expectations. Every time there has been an issue, communication has been excellent, and things have been handled with care and respect. Our son feels totally confident asking for help or guidance, especially from the Principal and Vice Principal.

Your Advice

When you book a tour or visit, make good use of your time and don’t be afraid to ask all of your questions. I took a folder with my son’s current IEP and a list of specific questions that our family had. I asked how SJSH would deliver the accommodations that my son needed (and was not receiving at his old school). They also offered my son the opportunity to spend a day in classes, so that he could see what it would be like if he decided to attend. This really helped him to feel confident about our decision.

(5) School Leadership

School leadership and administration are very approachable and professional. They make a real effort to build relationships and connections with students that help students to feel safe and supported. Rules and expectations at SJSH are consistent and fair.

(5) Teaching

Our son’s experience with the teachers at SJSH has been very positive, and he has commented many times that he likes his teachers and the fact that they are happy to help him if he has questions or needs extra support. We are especially grateful that all of the teachers are diligent in making sure that all of the accommodations outlined in our son’s IEP are available to him.

(5) Academics

One of the main reasons we chose SJSH was because of the excellent options available to students with different learning styles and learning disabilities. For example, the option to do both Math and English as full-year courses (instead of the usual semester system) allowed our son to learn at a slower pace, get extra time to practice and work with the material, and to gain skills in each area. We are thrilled to note that after a year, he had built up enough good study strategies and skills that he was able to move to the semester English class! Expectations are high for all students, and those with IEPs are given the care and support that they need to be successful and confident learners. There are a variety of interesting elective options to choose from, and teachers are passionate and knowledgeable.

(4) Extracurriculars

There are many extracurricular options, especially for elementary-level students, such as clubs and teams. Our son would like to see more high school-level sports options available. There are a number of well-planned and exciting school trips throughout the year, and SJSH does excellent live theatre productions each year, which all students are able to try out for.

(5) Students

The students at SJSH are thoughtful and respectful. Both students and staff foster a sense of community. The student body is smaller, around 400, which allows students to feel familiar with each other. After years of experiencing bullying in his last school, our son is so happy to be at a school where even if there are differences, students treat each other with respect. He has made some good friends and is no longer anxious about going to school in the morning. He comes home happy and eager to chat about who he spent time with each day. There are a variety of spirit days throughout the year at SJSH, and even though our son prefers not to participate (he doesn’t like to dress up), he enjoys seeing the other students and even the teachers showing their school spirit!

(5) School Life

Although our son has only been at SJSH for a year and a half, we can truly say it has changed his life. His grades have improved in all areas, his confidence has grown immensely, and he is becoming more organized and responsible with each semester. Through the consistent care and support of the staff, he has learned that it is ok to ask for help and to make mistakes. He feels like his teachers truly want him to succeed, and he feels accepted and comfortable with his classmates. When he first started attending SJSH, he was unsure about the rules and high standards for student behaviour, but soon he came to realize that they were predictable and fair. He always knows what is expected of him and of all students, and that has really helped his anxiety. He is so proud of how far he has come in just a year and a half, and he is thankful to be a part of the SJSH family.

(4) Community

As a parent, I have not been involved to any great degree with the larger school community, but only because my time does not allow for it at present. Parents are certainly welcome and do help to plan events at the school. There are always opportunities for parents to meet with teachers and administrators, and there are invitations to participate in a variety of school celebrations and events.

(4.5) School Location

The school is tucked back in a lovely treed area, on a fairly quiet road. It is near a beautiful conservation area (within walking distance) and a heritage farm, while also being close enough for high school students to walk to a few restaurant choices for lunch. Parking at the school is a bit tricky, but pickup and drop-off times are well directed, and things move smoothly.

(5) Admissions

Our experience with admissions was wonderful. We actually applied two-thirds of the way through the first semester of school after pulling our son from his previous school situation. At the tour, all of our questions were answered thoroughly, and we did not feel rushed at all. Our son was nervous, but everyone was kind and reassuring. We were thrilled that SJSH had room to welcome our son, and they helped us get everything in order to transfer his coursework so that he was still able to receive credit for the work he had done at the start of the semester.