St. Joseph High School in Burbank, California

“wonderful educational environment”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a student at SJ. To me SJ has really given me an oppertunity to really express myself. I may not be the smartest or the most popular or even active, but i really love being here. In my view, i don't see anything to do with drama or popularities because they're not really important. I do agree on tuition. It's not cheap. They want our parents to do lots of service hours. some of the students' parents just don't have time. Overall, it's great.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am currently at sjhs. If you are not popular, then you only recieve half of the attention you deserve. Way too much drama going on there. The school asks too much of the parents... Pay this, pay that and then participate in this, that, and this. It's quite ridiculous. Each individual should be recieving more help from their teachers if they are struggling. One of the worst things is rumors. You may think someone is your friend, but they will turn around and stab you in the back and spread lies about you throughout your whole grade, and even sometimes into the other grades. The school asks constantly for more and more money. And they are way too over-dramatic about having boys on campus after school... The teachers are okay. Some of them should not be teaching at all because their methods of teaching are just totally unorganized.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I wouldn't recommend this school for anybody. The students there are all very snobby and its just like some popularity quiz! Although there are some pretty good teachers here and the education here isn't horrible.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is an AP student here at SJHS. I am somewhat pleased. The teachers are wonderful, and are very caring towards their students and they want them to succeed. The one thing that I am very disappointed about is how the school admin and the dean handles things that go on in the school. When one person (or group) does something wrong the whole school is punished for it. I think that the principal needs to become more involved with the students.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a student and I am fortunately very active. Being at SJ you need to be very active and known to get help. The one thing about SJ is that the teachers favor students who are active, the teachers pay more attention to them and I feel bad for the other students who do not participate. There are teachers at SJ who favor students who are smarter or got A's in their class or who play sports. I have found that teachers will go the extra mile for those students who excel in everything. But they do care. The one thing that is very disappoint about the school is the Campus Ministry. The two ministers claim to promote the faith within the school by allowing the girls to participate in the ministry but honestly its a popularity contest. The two ladies who pick the students favor other students.”
This review was posted by a student.

“As a current jester, i do not like my high school because of the current dean. The staff in general favors certain students, and other faculty. I barely qualified for the AP classes this year (as a senior) and wish i could have attended a public school, because the public schools prerequisties are not as extreme.”
This review was posted by a student.

“my daughter and i have had trouble wtih the so called catholic teachers and dean- they accuse your daughters of eveything-they should blame things on themselves from now on !”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a current student at sjhs and its not very good school. The teachers arent good although i have had about 2 good teachers.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I do not recommend this school for anyone. My oldest daughter attended that school as a freshman & she wasnt able to get honors once at sjhs. When you have a question or problem the staff isn't really any help and the teachers aren't that great when your child is having a difficulty with her classes. My daughter complained most of the year about how the teachers never helped and she said that there was a lot of cliques at the school and how she always seemed to hear rude and racist remarks among the girls. The school doesn't have much discipline. Don't be fooled by the blue ribbon award which the school received 6 years ago! (it currently wouldn't be a candidate or that award) right now she's enrolled at a public high school and she is doing much better and the teachers are actually better and she gets good”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As a current student of St. Joseph's I would not recommend it. I have not have a good experience with classes. Religion class is often a joke: little is learned. I am a student with a 4.0 GPA, and often the regular classes are too easy, but AP classes are too difficult. Few are accepted AP classes because of faculty shortages and ridiculous prerequisites. The faculty there, while nice, often does not know how to effectively teach. The art and music programs are inadequate, and often I believe that students aren't encouraged to look into these areas of study because the school tries to show that they are giving girls a chance in fields originally held by boys (i.e. sports, math, science). Lastly, the atmosphere is not great, and cliquey, with 'drama' being prevalent. This school cannot decide whether it wants to be fun and lax, or strict and militant.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Much better than every public school in the Greater Long Beach area. If there is a better place to prepare young women for college and adult life, it's not nearby and no one is talking about it. Biggest challenge is the need to develop newer facilities to encourage Math and Science careers for these exceptional young women.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I attend SJHS and I do not recommend it. While I have had some good teachers, I believe a lot of teachers are not prepared or qualified for teaching. The all girls environment is taking away part of my high school experience. The security is even strict about letting a boy step on campus after school has ended. The money you spend on the school is definitely not worth it. Nothing is given back to the students. The school still boats about being a blue ribbon school, but that award isn't even in attect anymore. I only attend this school because my parents force me. They know the school isn't worth it but they feel there are no alternatives. This private school is not worth it. Most teachers there are a joke. This school really has no hands on learning. On the positive note, if you end up being an alumni and”
This review was posted by a student.

“St. Joseph High School is a rare jewel in the educational system. I am both a parent of a student and a graduate. The programs are designed to help the students be all they are capable of - academically, emotionally and spiritually. The Principal, faculty and staff are dedicated, innovative and moral. They support the students and their parents 100%. My daughter has made many good friends and had a great high school experience there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has a very few teachers. I think that in order for our daughters to succed in his school the parent have to be always on top of their daughter education. ask your daughter questions about the teachers and classes, be involved inyour daughter's dailly activities at school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“this school is so much fun. I wouldnt want to go to any other school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am unhappy with the education I received at Saint Joseph s. I was an honors/AP student who graduated with a 4.0 and was not prepared for my top ten college, especially concerning math. The teachers are not fantastic. I noticed the two teachers I did have respect for (Sullivan and Parkins) are both still teaching. Maybe the rest of the faculty has risen closer to their standards. Students who are average will be challenged. However, I felt minimal challenge in the honors program. While the social environment is far superior to public schools, your daughter will not be shielded from everything. In the end, I would probably recommend this school due to a lack of alternatives, but I don t give the school high marks for their performance.”
This review was posted by a student.

“This is a not a good place. As a student I can honestly say that this is probably one of the worst schools I've ever been too. Teachers don't listen, students frequently are pushed around, and despite all the money you pay you end up with a bad education. The faculty don't encourage you to do any better, its just run of the mill, you feel like a number in a cattleherd. Its very 'clicky' if you don't fit in with the preppies, jocks, or other 'groups' on campus. Forget about being on ASB if you are not popular. This school is all about popularity and not about what really matters- intellect!”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have one daughter at St.Joseph and am sending my second daughter there next year. It is an outstanding academic and social environment for young women. It is a very caring environment and I have been very impressed with the quick response I have always received from teachers and administration when I had a question or concern. Many AP and Honors courses and a wide variety of extra curricular activities as well as an emphasis on teaching social responsibility.Parent involvement is mandatory and really gets you involved with your daughter's education.We love this school and look forward to more years there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It is an amazing school with wonderful girls. Though the drama can be quite depressing but the teachers and especially extra-cirricular activities are amazing. The percussion ensemble stands out as one of the best example of the visual and performing arts at sjhs. Not to be outdown however is the drama department headed by mr. Brian bozanich and also the concert choir, show choir and block choir run by mr. Steve ordonez. Overall the school is exceptionally good and is known as a national school of excellence.”
This review was posted by a student.

“St. Joseph is the biggst bang a parent can get for their buck. It is the safest high school community I hav been in and offers great classes. There are many AP and Honors courses available. Counselors are sure to check up on students and the school really prepares the girls for college. It is really a great school that offers a well-rounded college prep education for young girls in Lakewood and the surrounding areas.”
This review was posted by a student.

“SJHS is by far not a good school. Many of the teachers are nice- but good educators- they lack. The school demands far too much from the parents. There are numerous hidden fees (such as raffle tickets) and school 'service hours' that parents-not just students have to do. It is rediculous when you are paying over $6000 a year to send your daughter there. Another problem is the lack of morals among students. The availability of programs such as music and art is also lacking.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school has very few good teachers. Some of the teachers are old, and do not look professional on a day to day basis. There are some good teachers who genuinely care about their students. The extra curricular activities are great. there is a lot of parent involvement. Some of the teachers need to be more organized though. When the school presents it self they will only show the good teachers. Be sure to talk to some students about the good teachers before you enroll your young woman.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I am a graduate of this school and look forward to sending my daughter!”
This review was posted by a former student.

“This is not a school I would ever send another daughter to. Our experience with St.Joseph's was atrocious. The schools boasts about being 'a blue ribbon school' yet fails to provide students with adequate facilities and a good education. AP classes are virtually 'locked out' if your child isn't enrolled in the first year engish 1H. The discipline is horrific (in that none is carried out) and unless your child fits into a 'click' be prepared for many days of your child coming home depressed. Worse yet is the idea that this school is 'catholic' or moreover 'christian.' The students are not sincere Catholics or Christians. It can be a very negative environment.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Excellent education, with an emphasis in academics, athletics, artistic abilities, community, and family. The perfect environment for young ladies to tap into their talents, find themselves, and be the best women they can be. Parent involvement is expected.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“L loved everything about being a Jester. The education I received was top notch and my mother says it was the best money she ever spent. A year after I graduated all the classes were air conditioned so I feel great for the girls there now. My college years, I'm a sophomore) have been easier because of the eeducation I received at SJHS.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Great school as far as education and extrac urriculars, a happy atmosphere for my child.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I went to SJHS and trust me, it is a great school that deserves its blue ribbon all the way. The only thing that bothers me about the school is that students are clique-y and that the school asks for a lot of donations, but besides that, everything is great. Teachers are qualified for their jobs, and so far, all of my teachers seem to know how to teach. Their extracurriculars are fantastic! Our sports teams are pretty good, and there are friends for everyone. Our school is socially diverse, Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American, you name it. I absolutely love learning in such a diverse environment with dedicated teachers. I have learned so much this year, inside and outside of the classroom. I even traveled to Mexico to help the poor families there. Saint Joseph is a great school that challenges the mind and cultivates the spirit.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Parents are involved only because they are forced too or they pay the price. There is no supervision during lunch time. Principal doesn't take care of issues fast enough involving theft of personal articles. So how is any one safe there? Also evening after paying a high tuition of $500 a month plus $450 in raffle tickets our girls are forced to work in an nonairconditioner room.”
This review was posted by a parent.