Testimonials
"When my graduation finally came it was a reflection of all the hard work that had come before and the sacrifices that were made. Saints Academy changed me for the better and I have learned life lessons that I will take with me at Bishop Fenwick and beyond. So, as I reflect back, I think about the difference between the school I left vs the school I came to. Respect, community, discipline."
Student Testimonial
Kailyn joined The Saints Academy in 7th grade.
"I needed a change. I shadowed at The Saints Academy in Beverly and was extremely nervous in the beginning but ended up falling in love with the environment that was there. I already knew someone who attended Saints and that made me comfortable knowing they could help me with any questions or concerns I may have. I appreciated that very much. I applied and got in and started getting ready for my new adventure that I was about to embark on. As soon as I stepped on campus for my first day, I could tell these next two years were about to be an awesome experience. The community feel was the same here at Fenwick, but on a smaller scale. Everybody is willing to help and support everyone in the school. Being a PreK to 8th grade school, Saints had many opportunities to connect and make relationships with the younger kids, as well as being their role model. In my two years at Saints, I connected with many younger kids who if I saw them in the hallway today would come up and give me a hug. We had our 1st and 2nd grade buddies who we would see every week and play games or do activities with and create bonds. I had the same buddy for two years and we created a bond which can never be broken. Connecting with the younger kids was something that I took great pride in because I remember looking up to my buddy and looking forward to our weekly meetings. At The Saints Academy the academics are held very high and taught very well, so everyone who learns in a different way can understand the material. My science teacher, Mrs. Pomeroy, did this very well. She did hands-on activities to engage the students as well as sitting back and letting all the information sink in. The Saints Academy faculty emphasized being a leader, especially in my 8th grade year. I displayed most of my leadership on the basketball court for my Saints Academy team. This was a team who needed a strong leader, me being one of the main ones. Leading that team was a joy to do and we got all the way to the championship game and had a great season overall. Coming to Saints I knew two people, one that was new to the school and one that had been there for years, but along the way I made many friends and got closer to them and with the small class size we just became even closer. All the extra curriculars and academics made me very busy, but there were good times that came with all the hard work. Such as when we went on a trip to Cape Cod and had such an amazing time that made us forget all about what we had waiting for us after the weekend. So, when my graduation finally came it was a reflection of all the hard work that had come before and the sacrifices that were made. Saints Academy changed me for the better and I have learned life lessons that I will take with me at Bishop Fenwick and beyond. So, as I reflect back, I think about the difference between the school I left vs the school I came to. Respect, community, discipline."
-Kailyn Grassia SA Class of 2024, Bishop Fenwick Class of 2028
Parent Testimonials
We have been a part of the SJS/Saints Academy family for 20 years with one more to go. Three of our kids have graduated and the last will graduate in 2023. Our kids have been prepared the best way possible at SJS/Saints: academically, spiritually, athletically, artistically, emotionally and socially. The foundation they each received has set them up for success in high school, college and beyond. The eldest has graduated from college with a dual Business/Spanish degree and owns his own company. Our daughter is half way through college, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Our son graduated from high school and is attending college this year to study Interior Design. The youngest has just started her second year of middle school at SA where she has absolutely flourished. She is a member of the Student Council, the cross country and basketball teams, as well as the ski club. SJS/Saints Academy is the best decision we made and the best money we ever spent. ~Tom & Joan O’Hare
"I can't say enough good things about Saints Academy. My husband and I always say it was the best decision we ever made. For us it meant so much to know that our children are learning respect, kindness, and empathy in addition to their conventional academics. The community of teachers, staff, families, and students is wonderful and supportive. We are so lucky to have this opportunity in our community". ~ Jennifer Fluckiger P '
"My three kids attended (formerly St John) pre-k through 8th grade. I can say 100% that the spiritual, emotional and educational foundation that was provided to my children was hands down an exceptional foundation for high school and beyond success. My children are now grown and I am proud of the man and women they have become". ~Annie Townsend P '10, '12, '14
"Absolutely the best experience we had for my boys. My son Andrew and Joe wouldn’t have been so prepared for high school if it wasn’t for The Saints Academy. Total family atmosphere and the faith based program keeps the children grounded and humble for their future. My boys still have connections with the people from there. Highly recommend". ~ Lisa Palazzo P '11, "An extremely positive experience for my two children who attended the Saint’s Academy for middle school. A solid foundation was established while they were at Saint’s Academy. They were fully prepared for high school and continued to excel academically in their high school education". Pamela Murray P '12, '12
Parent Testimonial Robinson's |
Parent Testimonial Shawna Erps |
In the weeks leading up to middle school graduation, Aidan would often (and seemingly spontaneously but with deep reflection) tell a story of something that occurred months or even years prior. The topics ranged greatly - from funny cafeteria situations with fellow students to more serious topics like the English teacher who challenged him to think deeper in his writings, the science teacher who taught him that assumptions can be proven wrong, and the basketball coach who instilled the notion that losing a game while giving it your all is not failing, rather a lesson in civility and self-awareness. Four years later, as he now prepares to graduate high school, he has come to realize that these are more than just great stories, they shaped who he has become. The Saints Academy prepared Aidan for high school in so many ways – perhaps most significantly with instilling self-confidence and developing a high regard for community. Combined, these have guided his high school experience.
Starting freshman year, he became very involved in school activities and athletics, leading to roles in peer leadership, a multi-sport captain, and working with Bishop Fenwick to launch a YouTube channel to stream winter sports while covid restrictions prevented families from attending in person. He also became actively involved in many social and community service groups, including Best Buddies, Campus Ministry and a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
While we’ve admired how successful Aidan’s high school years have been, what doesn’t come as a surprise is that alongside him through all these experiences were classmates from The Saints Academy. This fall, Aidan will be attending Xavier University, a Jesuit university in Cincinnati, Ohio. He will major in Marketing/Sports Management.
Aidan Dwyer The Saints Academy, Class of ‘17 ~ Bishop Fenwick, Class of ‘21 ~ Xavier University, Class of ‘25
~John & Carrie Dwyer
"My three children all attended The Saints Academy, formerly St. John the Evangelist from PreK through 8th grade! They received a wonderful foundation in Catholic education and philanthropy! All three went to different high schools: Pingree, St John’s Prep and Bishop Fenwick! They all played varsity sports in HS and two went on and played varsity sports in college! All three graduated college and my oldest, Amanda, is a HS teacher at Brooks School and is perusing her PhD in education at North Eastern University, Nicholas is finishing his 2nd year of medical school at Tufts and Jenny is finishing her MBA at Roger Williams University. All three children have volunteered their time in other countries and in the US helping their fellow man! Something they learned at the Saints Academy! Amanda worked for Teach for America and she brought so much of her SJS teaching and values to these students! Nicholas is on the board for Timmy Global Health and has made numerous trips to Guatemala! He and Jenny are fluent in Spanish and we attribute this to starting Spanish in Kindergarten at SJS! Jenny majored in both Spanish and Business in college! She has traveled to Spain, Morocco and Portugal in college and is heading to Chile this March as part of her MBA and she is thrilled she knows Spanish! My husband and I and our children made life-long friends who share our values of hard work, faith and helping our fellow man! The school teaches children a rigorous education-that helps them gain confidence and self-reliance on learning! They learn how to learn and this makes them successful! The sports and performing arts are just enough to keep the curriculum well rounded and the students learn respect, resilience, and how to be part of a community! My husband and I attribute our children’s success in life to the foundational education they received at The Saints Academy and we are honored to have been a part of this school! It is the best investment we ever made as we got a lifetime of happiness back from this wonderful institution!"
~ Bethany & Paul Nasser