San Francisco, December 10, 2024
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For three decades, the St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, the first K-12 Orthodox Christian school in the United States, has cultivated generations of successful students in both academic excellence and deep faith.
Founded at the cathedral housing St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco’s relics, the Academy has been a beacon of hope in the Bay Area. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, it faces significant challenges: Rising San Francisco operating costs and post-COVID demographic shifts threaten its ability to retain educators and support scholarship students.
St. John’s Academy offers an unparalleled educational experience, combining a rigorous, WASC-accredited academic program with Orthodox Christian values. Through its curriculum, liturgical life, and community service, the school embodies the legacy of St. John the Wonderworker, who dedicated his life to nurturing young people worldwide. Today, the Academy welcomes students from all backgrounds.
The school’s mission is for students in all grades to
- Know, understand and implement the basic beliefs and practices of the Orthodox Christian faith in one’s personal life
- Be prepared to live as a truly useful member of society who practices Christian citizenship towards others and true Orthodox piety towards God
- Be able to think critically and analytically
- Be able to express oneself in an effective and confident manner
- Acquire the motivation and ability to strive for intellectual excellence
At St. John’s, students in 6th grade and above also participate in a distinctive community service program requiring 30 hours of service per school year. While mandatory, this service is embraced as a way to develop conscientious Christian character. Students can fulfill their hours through school-organized activities like helping at events or singing in Church services, or they can create their own service projects.
Your donation will help ensure this cornerstone of Orthodox Christian education remains vibrant for years to come. Contributions directly support student scholarships, teacher salaries, and essential educational resources. This is more than preserving a school—it’s about maintaining a sacred space where children grow in faith, love, and knowledge.
The Academy has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help meet its financial needs. At the time of writing, $1,620 have been donated towards the $100,00 goal.
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