St John Vianney Catholic School

I hardly ever write a review, but this really bugged me to a point where I had to write it. We recently enrolled our children to attend St. John during the Fall. We went to all the testings and mandatory meeting. We paid the registration fee of $ 500 per child, so $ 1,000 total for two children in hopes of attending a great school. We applied for financial aid and other scholarships (the BASIC FUND program) that were provided by the school. The school did mention that the registration fee was a non-​refundable fee, but with the thinking that it would go towards your children’s education, there was no hesitancy. However, when we received the granted amount, it was $ 400 per child, so $ 800 total for two children. Since our home parish was a different parish, there was a out of parish fee of $ 800. The grant went towards the «out of parish fee,» leaving the tuition as is without any financial help. While I did apply for «The BASIC FUND program,» nothing was mentioned in the tuition agreement, except the $ 800 grant. When I reached out to the school, they finally came back with a principal scholarship of $ 4,000, the $ 800 in grants and the Basic Fund program of $ 1,600 per child. We just didn’t feel that the school was out to really help those in need. The school needs to be up front about how much a family will usually be granted, so the family knows up front if they can afford tuition or not instead of being blind sighted by the word financial assistant. One of the school associate even emailed me and said «normally» each child gets $ 400 IF APPROVED for financial aid. If I have gotten this information sooner, I would know right off the bat if we can afford tuition or not. When we applied for The Basic Fund Program, we were not told whether or not we were approved until I emailed and one of the school staff called me back to let me know yes it was approved, then why wasn’t it on the agreement form to begin with?
After all of this back and fourth, we just decided that our children will not be attending St. John Vianney. While we did ask them to make an exception to refund out $ 1,000 HARD EARNED money since our children will not be attending there, they simply say policy is policy. I just feel that Catholic Schools should be more understanding and helpful instead of trying to take people’s hard earned money because of the «ACCEPTING PROCESS.»
Therefore, be aware that if you are applying for the financial aid here, it is «NORMALLY» $ 400 per child IF APPROVED, the school grant varies, and if you qualify for the BASIC FUND program then it’s normally a given amount, but make sure you follow up on it. In the end, we have to bite the bullet of losing $ 1,000 over the school’s admission process. I’m quite sure there are probably other families out there that has lost their registration money on the school’s admission process.
We moved away to a Southern State for two years, they also have the same program for financial aid for schools. However, sadly to say that the Southern states admission process is a lot better and more trustworthy. They do not take your registration money until you agree with the terms and tuition agreement. They don’t take any money from you until everything is finalized and they really help you when they say financial assistance for students when it’s a big school with 3 classes per each grade level. Coming back to California and experiencing such a bad Catholic school process with St. John Vianney. Southern States really think about the parents and are more understanding, every grade gets out at the same time so its easier for the parents to pick up their children if they have more than one. At St. John Vianney School, Kindergartens get out at 2pm while all of the other grades get out at 3pm. There is a one hour difference, if you don’t want to bother with having to come back within the next hour to pick up your other child, you would have to send your kinders to extended care for an extra fee of course. It’s just making any way possible to make money I feel.

I volunteer here once in a while and I love how rooted in kindness the school is. The new facilities are great and I love the eclectic activities they hold for the community once in a while.

My child was very unhappy at this school. Her teacher was not good with kids. She is unapproachable and so is the assistant. The teacher is an disciplinarian which resulted to my child also developing anxiety. My child had a horrible year and it is suppose to be fun and exciting. We did all of our volunteering hours and they would not accept it and when asked, they had no reason. They are money hungry. They do not listen to the parents concern. I would not recommend this school.

Our 2 children attend SJV and they love it. Great teachers and principals who are deeply involved with our kids and the community. You can expect a stellar education and appreciation for the Catholic faith. Our 2 nieces are part of the alumni, so they are following in their footsteps.

St John Vianney Catholic School has been an Eastside institution of excellence. 540 students in K-​8^th. Tuition is $ 6k ($ 400 discount for Parish families). This is a well run school with an active alumni and parent community. The school has a good mix of wealthy and moderate income families. Reading the newsletters off their website will give you a good feel for the school. A new gym is being built that will accomodate school events and basketball games.