International Orthodox Education

St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy is making available in the 2008-09 school year a new opportunity for students aged 13-18 from around the world to participate in full-time Orthodox education.

Offering a challenging college preparatory curriculum in the context of a traditional Orthodox way of life, St. John’s is a unique school in North America. It is an English-speaking school for Orthodox students based at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in one of the USA’s most attractive cities.

Consequently, it presents an ideal setting for Orthodox high school students from abroad to develop their English language skills while continuing their academic preparation for university. Similarly the Academy provides a wonderful opportunity for Orthodox students from the USA, including those who have been home schooled in younger years, to study within a committed Orthodox educational environment.

Young people from Russia, former Soviet republics, Greece, Eastern Europe, the USA, and elsewhere will find at St. John’s a classical curriculum that highlights language and humanities courses while typically including preparation for Advanced Placement exams in English, US History, Modern European History, French, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus. Classes are small, giving a low student-teacher ratio and a family-style atmosphere. The Academy serves day students in grades K-12, and facilities are shared among all students.

The entire community meets together for prayers both before and after school, and at the close of the school day, all students go into the Holy Virgin Cathedral to venerate the relics of St. John of San Francisco. On major feast days prescribed by the Russian Orthodox Church, the school celebrates Divine Liturgy, and during the first week of Great Lent and Holy Week, the students participate in many of the daily and nightly services.

Students attending St. John’s from outside the Bay Area reside in local home-stay accommodation. With its educational partners, the Academy provides an all-inclusive program including transportation to and from San Francisco, local transportation, insurance, obtaining the proper visa, room and board, class trips, activities, and service opportunities.

For further information, please contact Maria Kotar at information@stjohnsacademysf.org or (1) 415-221-3484.