The Lion Line

Dear Lion Parents,

For most of you, I say, "Welcome Back to SJCA!" for many others, I say, "Welcome to your new school!" Now, I am just going to come right out and say that I love SJCA. We are different from every other school in Clay County. SJCA-Fleming Island (FI) and SJCA-Orange Park (OP) have a distinct curricula designed to take a child from kindergarten to graduation, resulting in a well-rounded, beautiful person.

While we are co-existing with a good school district compared with most, our curriculum is a true "curriculum" which is a sequence of planned experiences where scholars achieve proficiency in content - this sets us apart. You will be amazed that by the end of kindergarten, most of those scholars will be able to read on a third-grade level and will already know how to diagram sentences. That experience will propel them in their learning for the rest of their lives.

For the parents with a child in Upper School, don't shortchange them by pulling them out of this sequence of learning. This curriculum is designed for K-12. While we are not necessarily a college-prep school, it is a robust byproduct of our scholars' education. We have graduated two classes of seniors so far and have much data to back up that this curriculum works.

We are excited about what this school year will bring. Our faculty theme this year is "Joy and Wonder." it is our earnest desire that your child finds joy in attending SJCA and that they find wonder in the content being taught. Thank you for entrusting us with the education of your child or children. It is a duty that we take very seriously. Now, let's have a great school year!

LION STRONG!

Mr. Johnson

Thank you to Pat’s Nursery for the beautiful job decorating our marquee flowerbed and also for the donation of flowering shrubs toward our school beautification efforts!

Imprimis is the free monthly speech digest of Hillsdale College dedicated to educating citizens and promoting civil and religious liberty by covering cultural, economic, political, and educational issues. The content of Imprimis is drawn from speeches delivered at Hillsdale College events. First published in 1972, Imprimis is one of the most widely circulated opinion publications in the nation with over 5.6 million subscribers. Past issues are available at: https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu

Click here to activate your free monthly subscription to Imprimis.

Tune in weekly to hear directly from Headmaster Johnson on SJCA's podcast. He discusses a variety of timely topics with different stakeholders. Be sure to turn on notifications to listen each week on Spotify, Amazon, or Google Podcasts. This way, you will be alerted each time a new podcast is posted on Tuesdays. Listen to all of them by simply clicking here.

A platform with a mobile app that will allow you to pay for all school fees in one spot. Easy, convenient, and secure. Look for notifications in the next few days on how to easily set up your account and be ready for the new school year!

08/02 Teachers Return
08/05 Seniors paint parking spots @ SJCA-FI Campus
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

08/07 Lion's Council @ SJCA-FI Campus 6 p.m.
08/08 Kindergarten Orientation @ SJCA-FI Campus 10 a.m.
08/08 First Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI Campus 12 p.m.
08/08 Second Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI Campus 2 p.m.

08/08 Coaches Meeting & AD Meet and Greet @ SJCA-FI Campus 6:30 p.m.
08/09 Third Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI Campus 8 a.m.
08/09 Fourth Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI Campus 9:30 am
08/09 Fifth Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI Campus 11 a.m.
08/09 Sixth through Eighth Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI 12:30 p.m.
08/09 Ninth through Twelfth Grade Orientation @ SJCA-FI 2 p.m.
08/10 Scholar’s First Day of School
08/10 Boo-Hoo to Yahoo Social @ SJCA-FI Cafeteria @ 8:30 a.m.
08/12 SASP 2 Day Clinic @ 18811 Maxville-Macclenny Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32234
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
08/13 SASP 2 Day Clinic @ 18811 Maxville-Macclenny Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32234
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
08/16 Fall Picture Day - REMINDER first Formal Wednesday
08/21 LS Chorus Rehearsal @ Mrs. Crosby’s Room @ 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
08/24 Board of Directors Meeting @ FI Campus Cafeteria @ 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
08/25 Spirit Day ($2)
08/26 SASP Tryouts @ 18811 Maxville-Macclenny Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32234
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
08/28 LS Chorus Rehearsal @ Mrs. Crosby’s Room @ 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
08/29 Glee Club @ Mrs. Smith’s Room @ 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

08/30 Baton Twirling @ 1 p.m.
09/01 College Colors Dress-Down Day ($2)
09/04 Labor Day, No School
09/04- 09/08 Substitute Appreciation Week!
09/05 Little Dancing Stars @ Cafeteria @ 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
09/05 Glee Club @ Mrs. Smith’s Room @ 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
09/05 SASP Parent Orientation @ Cafeteria @ 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

09/06 Baton Twirling @ 1 p.m.
09/07 Parent Volunteer Orientation @ Cafeteria @ 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
09/11 LS Chorus Rehearsal @ Mrs. Crosby’s Room @ 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

09/11 Lion's Council Meeting @ SJCA-FI 6 p.m.
09/12 NHS Meeting @ Ms. Cosme’s Room @ 2:30 p.m. – 3 p,m.
09/12 Little Dancing Stars @ Cafeteria @ 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
09/12 Glee Club @ Mrs. Smith’s Room @ 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
09/12 Dr. Leonard Sax Event for Parents @ FI Campus Cafeteria 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

09/13 Baton Twirling @ 1 p.m.
09/14 Red, White, and Blue Dress Down Day ($2)
09/14 Handprints on Our Hearts (grades k-5) @ Cafeteria 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
09/16 Trivia Night @ Cafeteria 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

09/18 - 09/22 Chick-Fil-A Spirit Week Mention SJCA When Ordering!
09/18 LS Chorus Rehearsal @ Mrs. Crosby’s Room @ 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
09/19 Little Dancing Stars @ Cafeteria @ 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
09/19 Glee Club @ Mrs. Smith’s Room @ 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

09/20 Baton Twirling @ 1 p.m.
09/25 LS Chorus Rehearsal @ Mrs. Crosby’s Room @ 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
09/26 Little Dancing Stars @ Cafeteria @ 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
09/26 Glee Club @ Mrs. Smith’s Room @ 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

09/27 Baton Twirling @ 1 p.m.
09/28 Board of Directors Meeting @ FI Campus Cafeteria @ 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
09/29 Spirit Day ($2)
09/29 Shakespeare Field Trip (Grades 9-12) 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sign up for the Lower School Chorus at the Back-to-School Bash!

Fee: $20

Registration forms available on-site

Our Roaring Lions Cheer Squad attended a three-day UCA Cheer Camp and the University of Central Florida and left with a 1st place win! With that win came an invitation to perform at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Football Game!

Monday, August 7, 2023 / Monday, September 11, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.

Regardless of your interests, talents, or time limitations, there is a position for you on the Lions Council. Annual membership is very affordable at $15 per parent/guardian or $25 for a family. Learn about the benefits of membership and join the Lions Council today at https://lionscouncil.org/join-lions-council/.

As a reminder, meetings are open to all SJCA family members, guardians, and staff—you don’t need to be a member to attend! We hope you will join us in the Cafeteria of St. Johns Classical Academy at 6:00 p.m.!

St. Johns Classical Academy has successfully graduated its second class of scholars. Throughout their time at SJCA, scholars were immersed in classical literature, Latin, philosophy, logic and rhetoric, history, science, and mathematics. Our scholars completed a beautiful liberal arts education. The liberal arts are defined as the studies of the trivium, which includes grammar, logic, and rhetoric, as well as the study of the quadrivium, which includes arithmetic, astronomy, music, and geometry (Merriam-Webster, 2023). “A liberal arts education is a vital foundation for both individual flourishing and the well-being of our society” (Princeton University, 2023). The mission of St. Johns Classical Academy “is to develop graduates in mind and character through a classical, content-rich curriculum that emphasizes the principles of virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. We are building intelligent, virtuous American citizens” (St. Johns Classical Academy, 2022). Solely focusing on college and career readiness is not our goal; rather, it is a natural byproduct of our classical, content-rich curriculum.

SJCA’s graduating class of 2022 consisted of an average SAT score of 1076, a cumulative scholarship offering of $193,812.64, five scholars qualifying for a Bright Futures Scholarship, nine scholars attending four-year Universities, and 10 scholars attending community colleges. SJCA’s graduating class of 2023 consisted of an average SAT score of 1141, an average ACT score of 23, a cumulative scholarship offering of $676,225, five scholars qualifying for a Bright Futures Scholarship, 10 scholars accepting offerings at four-year universities, 12 scholars attending community colleges, and our first scholar enlisted in the United States Navy as an E1 HM corpsman. The class of 2023 had college acceptance letters from Savannah College of Art and Design, Mercer University, Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of North Florida, Stetson University, Jacksonville University, Belmont Abby University, Auburn University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology, and Ferman University.

Throughout my first year as the Academic Advisor, I learned an abundance of information that aided and will continue to aid all SJCA scholars graduating from high school and applying for any post-K-12 opportunities. During this time, I have also heard many misconceptions about what colleges and universities are seeking as scholars prepare their applications. These are the most common misconceptions I encountered this past year: It is important to get all A’s; test scores will make or break my chances of being accepted; I need numerous letters of recommendation for my application: I must have several advanced placement or dual enrollment classes on my transcript, and the GPA on your transcript is the GPA that is used to determine admission and scholarships. Demystifying these misconceptions will help put parents and scholars at ease as they better understand all SJCA is doing to prepare scholars not only in applying for college but in fostering their roles as virtuous American citizens.

After scholars have completed their college applications, either through the college or university or through Common App, scholars will either submit their transcripts to the college or university or use the Self-reported Student Academic Record (SSAR). All the universities in the State University System of Florida utilize SSAR when determining admissions for each scholar. If scholars are required to utilize SSAR for college applications, they will self-report all the courses they have completed, and the grades earned. Scholars will also include the courses they are currently enrolled in for their senior year. SSAR will use the courses, grades earned, and weight of each course to determine a GPA calculation that each university sets for the admissions process. Marissa Hollenbacher, Regional Admissions Counselor at Florida State University, asserts that “they will not look at the physical transcript and will not look at the GPA that comes from the school.” SSAR allows all scholars applying to the same university a level playing field when considered for admissions. According to Ana Masterman, Executive Director of New Student and Graduate Admissions at New College of Florida, all colleges and universities in the State University of Florida have specific “regulations and procedures for re-calculating GPAs.” Colleges and universities that do not use the SSAR system will evaluate the transcripts submitted similarly within that specific college or university. The GPA on all high school transcripts is not utilized to determine admissions into any university or college. Instead, each college or university has its own method of evaluating GPA based on the courses earned and the level of the course. This is the same GPA that will be used to determine scholarship offerings from the college or university. When admissions counselors are evaluating admission applications, they want to see rigor, success, and consistency in the courses scholars have taken throughout their time in high school, and rigor is woven into SJCA’s curriculum.

While the culture of education is pushing scholars to take AICE, Dual Enrollment (DE) classes, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Stetson University Admissions Counselor Shannon Greeley encourages scholars to take AP or DE courses only if they are an option at one’s school. Students, however, should not risk their GPA to simply have college-level courses on their transcript. It may raise concern when a neighborhood public school offers an abundance of AICE, Dual Enrollment, and AP courses, and SJCA does not offer the equivalent courses. Current trends show clearly that scholars are not assessed for admissions compared to their counterparts in nearby schools. When scholars are assessed for admission, colleges, and universities consider the profile of the school the scholar attends, which is found on the Florida Department of Education’s website and submitted by the high school’s Academic Advisor. Scholars are therefore highly encouraged to take the highest level of courses their school offers, which is what is evaluated by the admissions committee. By focusing on the school’s profile, college admission counselors level the playing field for all applicants regardless of the schools they attend. Adam Kinnick is Ava Maria’s Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, and his biggest piece of advice for families is to directly ask the college admissions office what they seek in a stellar college application. The more prepared one is when applying, the higher the chances are of achieving admittance into the institution one wants to attend. College admissions counselors are delighted to answer any questions over the phone, through email, or in person.

The purpose of education is to do more than have a result in the conferral of a degree or prepare scholars for college and careers. It must also educate one to be a “virtuous, free, liberty-loving citizen" (Smith, M., 2022, June 19). Therefore, college and career readiness are not the sole purposes of education at St. Johns Classical Academy; rather, it is a natural byproduct of the beautiful, enriching, and rigorous education each scholar receives.

References

Bertram, Scott. (2022, June 19). Education in Colonial America: The Puritans. Hillsdale College Classical Education Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/hillsdaleclassicaled/education-in-colonial-america-the-puritans

Clark, Rick. (2023, April 3). College Admission and Discipline Review. Georgia Tech Admissions Blog. https://sites.gatech.edu/admission-blog/category/misconceptions/

Greeley, Shannon. (2023, June 8). Admissions Counselor. Stetson University.

Hollenbacher, Marissa. (2023, June 5). Regional Admissions Counselor. Florida State University

Kinnick, Adam. (2023, June 8). Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management. Ave Maria University.

Masterman, Ana. (2023, June 9). Executive Director of New Students and Graduate Admissions. New College of Florida.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2023). Liberal Arts. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%20arts

Miller, Zachary. (2023, June 23). Senior Director of Admissions. Hillsdale College

Princeton University. (2023). What does Liberal Arts Mean? Princeton University. https://admission.princeton.edu/academics/what-does-liberal-arts-mean

St. Johns Classical Academy. (2023). About SJCA. St. Johns Classical Academy. https://www.stjca.org/about-sjca

Learn the true. Do the good. Love the beautiful.

Email: info@stjca.org
Website: www.stjca.org
Location: 114 Canova Road, Fleming Island, FL 32003
Phone: (904)-458-8240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjca