Student and Family Testimonials
	Next to visiting and experiencing a school for yourself, the best way to get a true feel of a school is to read or hear the testimonials of people who experienced it firsthand. Here are a few glimpses into the community of St. James through the eyes of parents and students.

	Current Parent: "We made the right choice..."
	"Our son has really bloomed at St. James and on a regular basis, we're reminded of and take satisfaction in the knowledge that we made the right choice by sending him there. The school has provided him with just the right balance of encouragement and challenge, in an always respectful and loving environment. Our son is innately a really gentle and sensitive child and it's always been our motivation as parents to defend his childhood from some of the more pernicious and cynical aspects of modern culture. We've always especially wanted to give him the space to have the freedom to develop without becoming needlessly wise at a young age. Saint James has always supported these goals as well and we're very thankful for this."

	Current parent comments on performing arts at SJA
	“Celebrate the Arts has always been a wonderful evening – the singing performances were incredible… Every friend and family that came to see the performance (Sound of Music) all noted that the play was head and shoulders above what they expected to see. Further, they all said it was better than any high school performance they had seen.”

	Austin Siegmund (written as a student) Class of 2005
	“I like learning at St. James Academy. Education is important and so is generosity. St. James students are nice. Our honor code tells us to be honest by not telling lies. The teac hers are admirable because they are understanding and sincere. This makes me eager to learn. St. James Academy is neat! Thank you Dr. Legenhausen for all you do. We appreciate you!”

	SJA Prospective Parent
	“While SJA compared favorably when using these traditional yardsticks, there was a unique and somewhat subtle difference between your school and the others we visited. It was quite noticeable and told us almost everything we needed to know…All of your children have a happy, eager, bright, energetic, and confident look in their eyes, which was quite striking to behold. While it was obviously not possible for us to comprehend exactly how you’ve engendered these qualities in the students we saw on tour, we instantly felt that SJA was exactly what we wanted. There appears to be inordinate pressure for children to grow up too quickly and become wise beyond their years. As parents, we are not trying to keep our child in a bubble; however, we do try to guard our son’s innocence from the more degrading elements of popular culture. It’s important to us that our child’s school makes an effort to do the same. It was quickly obvious that SJA is deeply grounded in these same core values and your success was visible on the face of every student we saw. “

	Matt Richards – Father of Geoffrey, Class of 2009 and Aurora, Class of 2011
	“My son Geoffrey is attending Gilman. I can say with absolute assurance that St. James gave Geoff an excellent academic preparation, from which he has benefited as he has taken on the increased workload associated with high school. Without such an excellent training I am sure he would not be doing nearly as well as he is. In addition, St. James has provided our family not only with an excellent education for our children, but a wonderful circle of friends, and a home or sorts, a place we can return to and be happy to see continuing to survive and thrive. Its conservative approach teaches the kids what they need to know and gives them the habits that will help them succeed.”

	Pat Mattheiss – Mother of Michael, Calvert Hall Class of 2010 , Jeffrey, Calvert Hall Class of 2012 and Daniel, SJA Class of 2010
	“….We were strangers to this new and foreign place. We weren’t members of the St. James Church; we weren’t even neighbors from the Monkton area; we have never been to a Pony Show or a Blessing of the Hunt. We were, in fact, city people – tucked into our comfortable surroundings in Towson. And yet, where and when we least expected it we found a home. St. James Academy has become just that for us. We’ve cherished these years, have grown within these walls and, as a family, have flourished.”

	Former student, Christopher
	“Even twenty-five years ago, the small class size and focus on the individual student needs prepared me for the more independent learning challenges later in my education. I have been able to employ the fundamentals of my St. James’ education throughout my academic career.”

	Former students, The Bergland Twins
	“St. James Academy instilled in us the desire to be good citizens; to give something back to the community of which we were so lucky to be a part. Everyone had their own duty or job at St. James, and whether it be big, like Student Council president, or small, like the line leader, each of us knew that we were contributing to a whole. Because of our experience at SJA, we were brave enough to take on the task of leading the Garrison Forest School student government during our Senior Year as president and vice president of Forum. St. James Academy truly helped us to appreciate all that is given to us and to return the favor.”

	Parent to former students, Morgan and Elissa
	“The more experience I have with independent schools the more I come to appreciate the uniqueness of St. James. It’s so rare to find a school that develops what’s really important for children to learn, i.e. respect for others, compassion, insight, and a love of learning, along with an excellent academic curriculum.”

	Parent of former student, Patrick
	“I just wanted to share with you that Patrick has been invited to interview for both the De La Salle Academic Scholarship and the McMullen Scholars Program at Calvert Hall! I'm so proud of Patrick, and really owe much of his success to the faculty at St. James. Not only is he very well prepared academically, but also their belief and encouragement of his leadership skills have helped round out his experience. Please share my joy and gratitude with the faculty, I venture to guess they'll be as pleased as Bill and I are!”

	Parent of former student, Elizabeth
	"I am extremely proud of St. James and all the teachers as an alumnus and parent. Eliza’s time at SJA was inspiring to me as a teacher, writer and parent. Thanks to St. James for being the catalyst of so many wonderful loving moments in our life as father and daughter."

	Parent of former students
	“Each of our children thrived in the Christian, coed, K-8 setting at St. James. They were able to be in school together which brought a shared experience to the family. When they graduated, they were ready academically and socially for the challenges of high school.”

	Dr. Caren Euster - Parent of Sean Nelan ’10 and Casey Nelan ‘12
	"I never realized how much the school meant to me until Sean’s graduation. I have the feeling when I returned this year with Casey that I really want to hold on to this special place."