Our History
The Academy was founded in 1994 by Rev. Serge Kotar, a priest at the Holy Virgin Cathedral, and his wife Maria, when they saw a need for Orthodox families who wished to send their children to a private school affiliated with the Orthodox Church and which had high academic standards.
The high school opened in 1995, and the first high school student graduated in 1997.
The Academy continues to attract Orthodox Christian families from across the world, particularly those who are first- and second-generation immigrants. A significant number of new students continue to come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken.
Spiritual Life
The spiritual life of our students, staff and families is central to our mission and work. All of our students, staff and families attend the Orthodox divine services regularly in the vibrant Orthodox community of the San Francisco Bay Area (which includes over 20 Orthodox parishes of various backgrounds). And this life 'in the services' is integrated into the studies held in the classrooms. Additionally, the Academy fosters its students' spiritual life in numerous ways, including but not limited to: daily lunchtime readings in the lives of the saints; the ministry of ordained clergy and chaplains associated with the school; religious education; prayers before and after each day's study; special Liturgies served for the children in the Cathedral and crypt; and many other means.
In all things, our spiritual life at St. John's is fostered by the constant intercession and blessing of our patron, St. John the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, whose incorrupt relics rest in the Cathedral above our school. His presence is clearly felt every day in the Academy that was founded in his memory, and our students develop a special relationship with this most remarkable wonderworker of our days.
Whole-Child Education
Through physical activity, we strive for students to acquire knowledge, skills, fitness and attitudes that enhance their lives. Through all grades K-8, Physical Education (P.E.) aims at promoting the physical growth and development of each student; teaching a positive attitude towards others and oneself; creating a healthy learning environment.
The Art program is designed to teach students a range of knowledge and skills, starting with seeing and observation as the basic principles of drawing. Through grades 2-8, students explore and address many sides of art including drawing, painting, printmaking techniques, 3D (sculpture), and many other concepts. Earlier grades are introduced to elements of design (line, color, textures, shape) in the visual arts. Upper grades face challenges such as attention and patience in doing more advanced art.
The Academy's Crest
The crest of the Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy contains a number of elements that highlight the ethos and aims of our institution as a school of the Orthodox Church.
Atop the crest is the Cross of Christ, which itself sits atop a dome, symbolizing the Orthodox Church in its traditional architecture. In this way the crest exalts Christ in His Church as the summit of all our work at St. John's Academy. At the center of the crest are three intertwining circles, symbolizing the three persons of the Holy Trinity -- the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit -- at the heart of our confession as Orthodox Christians. There are present, too, the three great ethical aims of our school: Logos (truth, reason), Sophia (wisdom) and Agape (Christlike love). Our life as an Academy is ordered by these three virtues, so that all our students, family and staff may grow in true knowledge, applied with wisdom, to the attainment of an authentic love of God, our brethren, and ourselves.