# Our Story

*About St. John's*

From a handful of students in 1950 to a thriving community today, discover how St. John's has become a place where generations find their home for over 75 years.

## A legacy rooted in faith, built with love

In 1950, when St. John's Day School first opened its doors, we welcomed just a handful of students into what was once the beautiful Gardner family home. Seventy-five years later, that same spirit of welcome continues as we serve nearly 200 students in a place that feels more like family than institution.

## Where it all began

Our story starts with vision and generosity. The Rev. William S. Mann, Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, saw the need for a school that would nurture children's hearts and minds together. Jane Rogers Hynson, granddaughter of the home's original owners George and Catherine Gardner, shared that vision. In an act of remarkable generosity, she donated the stately 1901 Georgian home to become our school.

The Gardner House itself tells a story of Laurel's rich heritage. Built during the lumber boom that shaped our city, this 7,000-square-foot home was designed for a family who believed in creating beautiful spaces. Today, children's laughter fills rooms that once hosted dinner parties, and classrooms occupy spaces where the Gardner family once gathered.

## Growing with generations

What began as a small kindergarten program has grown into something extraordinary. We've watched families choose St. John's not just for one child, but for generations. Parents who skipped down our halls as six-year-olds now bring their own children to experience the same joy of learning. Grandparents point to classrooms where they once sat, now watching their grandchildren discover the same love of reading, science, and community service.

This continuity isn't just heartwarming—it's foundational to who we are. When teachers know not only your child's name but remember teaching their parent, when traditions like May Day connect grandparents to grandchildren, when alumni return year after year for our special celebrations, you realize you're part of something larger than a school. You're part of a legacy.

## Traditions that shape us

Some of our most cherished traditions have grown alongside our families. May Day, with its joyful Maypole dancing, began as a simple spring celebration and has become the heart of our community calendar. Alumni plan their visits home around it. The Flowering of the Cross at Easter brings generations together in a beautiful expression of faith and renewal. Our Eaglefest fall festival started as a small fundraiser and has become a community-wide celebration that brings neighbors, alumni, and friends together.

These aren't just events on a calendar—they're the moments that create lasting memories and bind our community together. They remind us that education is about more than test scores and college preparation. It's about creating experiences that shape character and build lifelong connections.

## Innovation rooted in values

While we honor our heritage, we've never stopped growing and adapting. Our organic garden program, inspired by Alice Waters' vision of connecting children to their food, teaches our students about sustainability, nutrition, and the satisfaction of nurturing something from seed to harvest. Children who might never have touched soil discover they love getting their hands dirty. Students who claim they "hate vegetables" find themselves asking for seconds of salad they grew themselves.

Our approach to technology follows the same principle—we embrace tools that enhance learning while never losing sight of the relationships that make education meaningful. Whether students are using adaptive learning platforms or traditional pencil and paper, our small class sizes ensure they receive the individual attention that helps them thrive.

## Faith as foundation

From our beginning, faith has been woven into everything we do—not as something imposed, but as something that naturally flows from our belief that every child is a gift with unique purpose. Our chapel program brings students together weekly for reflection, gratitude, and community building. Children of all faith backgrounds find welcome here, and families appreciate how we nurture spiritual development alongside academic growth.

This foundation shows up in how we handle challenges, celebrate successes, and treat one another. It's why our students learn to see themselves as part of something bigger—their classroom, their school, their community, and the world beyond.

## Our family atmosphere

Perhaps the most important thing to understand about St. John's is that we truly are a family. Not in the way organizations sometimes claim to be, but in the daily reality of how we operate. Teachers know every child's name, not just those in their own classroom. Students feel comfortable approaching any adult in the building when they need help. Parents find themselves forming friendships that last long after graduation.

This family feeling extends beyond our current community. When alumni visit—and they do, regularly—they're not just reminiscing about the past. They're checking in on a place that shaped them, sharing their successes, and often bringing their own children to meet the teachers who made such a difference in their lives.

## Looking forward

As we move forward, we carry the best of our past with us while embracing the future. Our commitment remains the same as it was in 1950: to provide an education that prepares children not just for their next school, but for life. We want them to leave us as confident learners, compassionate friends, and young people who know they have something valuable to contribute to the world.

Every August, as we welcome new families into our community, we're mindful that we're not just enrolling students—we're beginning relationships that may last for generations. In our classrooms that have hosted thousands of children over seven decades, in our traditions that connect past and present, in our gardens where students learn patience and wonder, the story of St. John's continues to unfold.

We invite you to become part of our story. Come visit, meet our families, experience our traditions, and discover what it means to be part of a place where every child is known, valued, and inspired to grow.