From the Headmaster

It is with great regret that I inform our parents, students, alumni and supporters that Saint John's is suspending academic operations for the 2008 / 2009 school year. This decision was reached at the end of June by the Board of Directors that oversees the school.

In recent years, it has been increasingly difficult to find staff to work in a boarding school that operates twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week throughout the school year. It has been a challenge finding those who are ready to teach, supervise students in a residential setting, and be involved in an outdoor adventure program.

At the same time, there has been a decline in student enrollment that has affected our bottom line. It became apparent that there would be a substantial cash loss in operations for 2008 / 2009. Administration and the Board of Directors were hopeful that there would be more positive signs by the end of June, but this has not occurred. While it is possible that enough students might be found over July and August, it was considered ill-advised by the Board to keep present parents in a state of flux over the summer.

Although the school will not be operating with students in the coming year, a skeleton staff will be on site reviewing a variety of alternatives for the school and its resources, with a decision to be reached by December 2008.

The Saint John's community has been blessed by generous donors, parents, alumni and all the great people that we have met along our journey that have enriched the lives of many students and staff. This is not the end, but perhaps the beginning of something quite different, but even more rewarding than what so many of us have experienced. I am full of hope as I enter discussions with others on "The Next Step".

Peter Jackson
Interim Headmaster