Our Mission
Our Philosophy
History of Saint John School
Home School Association

Our Mission:

St. John School is a Catholic educational community, which in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, continues to offer a challenging and enriching curriculum interwoven with an emphasis on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Students, Pre Kindergarten through Grade 8, are welcomed into a diverse, family-centered environment and encouraged to develop into kind, compassionate individuals with a life long passion for learning.

In order to accomplish our mission, the faculty and staff have established the following goals and objectives:

  • To foster a strong foundation of Catholic values and traditions

  • To empower students to achieve their full potential and develop their decision making skills in accordance with Christian doctrine

  • To develop a strong partnership with parents in the education of their children

  • To provide a safe and nurturing environment in which students respect and accept themselves and are sensitive to the needs of others

  • To nurture each child's gift of faith and encourage them to become actively involved within their community by showing compassion and caring for those in need
    Back to Top

Our Philosophy

It is the aim of the administration, faculty and staff of St. John School to promote the spiritual, moral, intellectual and social growth of our students in accordance with the mission of the Catholic Church. We challenge our teachers to provide stimulating motivation for every student, and to offer guidance and encouragement as their students progress through the learning process. At St. John's, we believe a necessary ingredient for a complete education is parental involvement. Mutual cooperation, support and assistance are imperative to the success we envision for the children entrusted to us. The community of St. John's is committed to providing Catholic education and accepts with pride and responsibility this commitment to educate each child.
Back to Top

History of Saint John School

The history of St. John School has been a long and glorious one. From its humble beginning over a hundred and fifty years ago, it has grown and developed until it now rates as one of the finest in the diocesan school system.

According to the records, St. John School began in the year 1855. Therefore, it has the distinction of being the oldest Catholic school in the Diocese of Norwich. Long before the present school building was erected, classes were held in the old church, which was on the site of the present sacristy. The first teacher was Mr. Andrew Cody, who was a graduate of Fermoy College, County Cork, Ireland. As his assistants, he had two sisters, Miss Isabel and Miss Helen Fagen, who conducted classes in the old church. They served for many years instructing the children in the fundamentals of learning.

In 1866, St. John School was taken over by the Middletown Board of Education and became one of the public schools of the city. Until 1872, the school remained part of the city school system. In 1872, the pastor of St. John Church, Reverend James Lynch, felt that the school once more should be a parish school. He petitioned Bishop McFarland for permission to seek a community of nuns to staff the school. The Reverend Thomas Walsh, at the request of Bishop McFarland, went to Ireland and brought back with him a group of Sisters of Mercy. A convent was constructed which became one of the Mother Houses of the Sisters of Mercy in Connecticut. The original convent is now St. John Community Center.

Although the convent was not yet finished before the arrival of the Sisters, they nevertheless began their work with great enthusiasm and pride, which continued down through the years. Their mission was clear - to offer a challenging and enriching curriculum, interwoven with an emphasis on the teachings of Jesus Christ, to the children in the Middletown area.

St. John School soon outgrew the cramped quarters of the old church and a new, larger school became a necessity. The present three-story, sixteen room building facing Main Street and overlooking the Connecticut River was built in 1887 and blessed in August, 1888.

With the ensuing years, many changes and modernization have occurred in the interior of the school, along with the addition of the latest in teaching equipment and methods. Each succeeding pastor and principal left the marks of his or her achievements. Today, although the building may look much the same, substantial improvements have been made.

Over the past ten years St. John School has undergone tremendous development in the area of technology. A security camera/monitor system was installed allowing visibility from the school office of all people entering or exiting the building. Computers and printers were installed in every classroom and the entire building was wired to allow for internet access. A computer lab was constructed and furnished with new computers, a large screen television, digital projector, and an interactive whiteboard.

Presently, 182 students from Middletown and surrounding towns attend St. John School. Not all students are parishioners nor are all Catholic. Parishioners and students from other Catholic parishes represent 76% of the enrollment and non-Catholic students represent the remaining 24%. Percentages are based on information from the Survey of Catholic Elementary School Finances Report.

Students from pre-kindergarten through grade eight work hard to carry on the fine traditions and achievements of the past. Many of our students are fourth generation St. John pupils which is a source of much pride to both students and alumni. The enthusiasm of the students, the generous involvement of parents, and the dedication of the staff ensures the continuance of St. John School well into the future.
Back to Top

Home School Association

For more information, please visit the HSA page by clicking Here!
Back to Top