Mission Statement

St. John the Baptist School perpetuates the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Faith. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we educate the whole child - spiritually, emotionally, academically and physically. Our dedicated faculty challenges each student, Nursery through Grade eight, to reach his or her fullest potential. An atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation is fostered as we prepare the students to joyfully serve their families and communities. More ...

Testimonials

Sending our children to Saint John the Baptist School has proven to be a smart decision. Why? Because SJB puts kids first. That was made clear when the school continued to hold in-person learning when most public schools were online during the 2020/2021 school year. While many kids in public school lost a year, children at SJB didn’t miss a beat.  More than maintaining in-person learning, SJB emphasizes Christian teachings. And in a society where respect, community and responsibility are becoming scarce values, it’s comforting that there is still a place where a parent can drop off their child and know that they will be taught to develop a strong moral foundation. SJB also prepares kids well for high school academically with many alumni going on to become high achievers, including some valedictorians. Our children entered Pope Francis Preparatory School this year as freshman and have adjusted very well thanks to the strong academic focus at SJB.         Paul and Amy Dias

“I have done artist residencies at St. John the Baptist School in the past as a teaching artist for Enchanted Circle Theater. Enchanted Circle Theater uses the arts to teach and reinforce academic content. Last Spring, after 30 years as a public school teacher and 12 years working for ECT, I retired completely. Recently, Enchanted Circle had some staffing changes and was committed to an artist residency at Saint John the Baptist. They contacted me and asked if I would come out of retirement to do the residency. If it had been any other school, I would have stuck to my decision and stayed retired. But, I knew the school and took the assignment. I have no regrets. The teachers are professional and very attentive to their students. The staff is supportive of each other and always positive. The atmosphere in the school is one of academic rigor, yet the children are full of appropriate energy and enthusiasm. The halls are filled 100 years of class photos, and many examples of student work; work that highlights both achievement and core values. I am warmly welcomed at the door each morning, then off I go to help a kindergarten and a first grade adapt children’s literature to the stage. Students are writing their own dialogue, sketching set design, and “hamming it up” with enthusiasm. Their imaginations and language skills are both working full tilt. The classroom expectations and routines are always present. We take it to the stage in a week or two! We expect great parent attendance at the performance, typical of St. John the Baptist events… Then, I will retire.”        Kate Carreiro, Teaching Artist

When I first enrolled my daughter in the nursery school program at St. John the Baptist School I had great expectations based on what I was hearing from other families. Those expectations turned into reality as my daughter excelled in Mrs. Ratkiewicz's class. The support my daughter is given emotionally and academically is outstanding. This was my daughters first experience being in a classroom environment and I am beyond thrilled it is under Mrs. Ratkiewicz's leadership. She has grown so much this past year, thanks to Mrs. Ratkiewicz and her team of teachers who are always willing to help my daughter when needed. Mrs. Ratkiewicz takes the time to listen and actually hear what each child has to say, making them all feel equally important. My daughter looks forward to going to school to see her friends, and teachers and most importantly is excited to learn.           -Amanda Lemieux

It's truly impossible to sum up what SJB means to my family in a limited amount of words.  From graduating there myself, to being blessed enough to send my son there, I couldn't imagine anything else.  The academic, personal, and spiritual foundation that SJB provided me with many years ago has shaped our household’s values of gratitude, respect, and integrity.  The feeling when I enter the SJB campus is that of inclusiveness and community.  I have great satisfaction in knowing that everyone at the school is truly rooting for my son.  They constantly talk about his skills, passions, and even events in his personal life.  This unity and care is exactly why we chose SJB.

From an academic standpoint, the curriculum is rigorous and I know that my son is challenged in an intimate class setting each and every day.  The constant communication from the teachers and faculty helps you know exactly where your child stands and fosters continued growth and learning opportunities.  The thing we love most about SJB, however, is what it brings to our son from a spiritual perspective.  As the years have gone by we've seen that our son continuously strives to help others and to do the "right thing.” Although the feeling I have at SJB is the same as it was years ago, it's clear that the school is committed to improvement, taking into account parent/alumni feedback and keeping up with the ever-changing technological advances.  There is no doubt in my mind that the success stories at SJB will continue well into the future.  Helder Pires

I graduated from SJBS in 2010 and went on to attend a large public high school. Although I was coming from a much smaller school, I had the tools to jump right into a vibrant and fast paced student life, making lifelong friendships along the way. I quickly saw that my academic foundation, especially math and grammar, was well above the standard the teachers were expecting from freshmen. I excelled throughout my high school and even college years because of this solid academic foundation I had received from St. John’s. When I began college in 2014, I came to realize that it was the firm foundation of faith that SJBS gave me that became the most beneficial and influential aspect of my life. I did not realize that the hours I spent learning about who Jesus is, the Eucharist, and how to pray would serve not only as a comfort in college, but as a beginning of a wonderful adventure. College offers young adults many things, but it was my faith that ultimately led me to discover my career, passions, and best friends. I am forever thankful for Monsignor Gosselin and the many teachers and staff members that made my years at St. John the Baptist such a faithful and fruitful experience. Ellen Chadbourne '10

It has been 13 years since I graduated SJB, and I still find myself looking back on many memories and lessons from my time there.  I attended St. John the Baptist School from kindergarten through 8th grade, and the education at a catholic school is something I could not fully appreciate until I was older.  The education combined with faith was a perfect mix that prepared me not only for future education, but also life.  As I continue to grow, I see myself referring to my core beliefs that I developed in my time at St. John’s.. Matthew Anziano '07

Staff Testimonial

I am a Teacher Emerita, having served the St. John the Baptist School community in various teaching capacities beginning in May 1995.  My first glimpse into the culture of this fine little school began on the day I was interviewed for my first position.  Following my interview, I was invited to take a tour of the building.

As I entered the doorway of the First Grade classroom, the teacher's lesson came to a halt.  The children promptly stood up and greeted me, saying in unison, "Good morning."  I was amazed to see this and so pleased to know that courtesy and respect were an integral part of the "lessons being taught".  It was then that I knew this school would be the right fit for me.

The phrase "We Are All Family" holds true for this school community.  I can recall more than one child saying to me "This feels like being at home".  St. John the Baptist School does feel that way for those who have passed through our doors, beginning the day the school opened in 1925 to the present time.  Many generations of families have filled the classrooms throughout the years and life-long friendships have been made and continue to evolve every day.

Lynn Cochran, Teacher Emerita

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