THE SCHOOL
St. Johns Country Day School, founded in 1953, is a nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory school that enrolls approximately 650 students in grades Pre-K3-12. Admission is competitive; however, academically qualified students are admitted without regard to race, creed, color, or national and ethnic origin. The teaching faculty numbers seventy-seven, providing a healthy student–teacher ratio, the small class size typically expected of independent schools, and an overall environment best described as both challenging and caring. Situated on 26 wooded acres in Orange Park, a growing suburban community located just south of Jacksonville, St. Johns attracts students from throughout the Greater Jacksonville and Clay County area, and the student body reflects many diverse social, ethnic, and professional backgrounds.
ACCREDITATION
St. Johns is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Florida Council of Independent Schools. In addition, the school holds active membership in a variety of professional organizations including the National Association of Independent Schools, the Cum Laude Society, the National Honor Society, the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. St. Johns complies with the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice.
FINANCIAL AID
During the 2010-2011 session $986,702 was awarded to twenty-eight percent of the students enrolled.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
All students in grades 9-11 must take five or more courses each semester. Each course meets five times per week. Students must earn at least twenty-two credits for graduation. Graduates must have completed 8 semesters of English, 8 of history, 6 of lab science, 6 of mathematics, 6 of one world language or 4 each of two, 2 of physical education, and 2 of fine or performing arts. In grades 10-12 each student must take part in at least two full, interscholastic athletic seasons. In addition, all juniors and seniors take a three-semester practicum. This practicum involves college research and application, career education and internship, and an exploration of college transition issues.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND HONORS
St. Johns offers Advanced Placement courses in Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science, French Language, English Language & Comp., English Literature & Comp., Latin Vergil, Music Theory, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Statistics, and U. S. History. During the 2010-2011 session 64 students enrolled in A.P. courses. All of these students sat for the respective A.P. examinations (a total of 117 exams), and 91% scored at or above the honors level. Honors courses are offered in Algebra I, Algebra II & Trig., Biology, Chemistry, English grades 9-12, French, Geometry, Latin, Modern World History (2010-11 and after), Physics, Pre-Calculus, and Spanish.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE
An Advanced Placement course receives one additional point. An Honors course receives an additional .5 (Any grade less than a C in an A.P. or Honors course receives no boost in GPA.) Sequential courses (English, math and foreign languages) require a final grade of at least C- for promotion to the next level. A passing grade is a D-.