St. John’s Parish Day School- Educating Students, Aged 3 through 5th Grade, in the Episcopal Tradition for Over 60 Years

An innovative curriculum and teachers who know and serve each student as they grow academically, socially and spiritually

A loving, caring, supportive environment where childhood is preserved and celebrated

Development of confident, independent thinkers, people of character, and respectful citizens connected to our local and global communities

A sense of wonder and possibility; where opportunities for discovery abound

To be a positive light in a child's life is the ultimate goal for teachers at St. John's. Our teaching staff come from impressive backgrounds and over 45% hold advanced degrees. They are the lifeblood of the school community and take a front-seat in decisions related to curriculum and daily life. The lessons our teachers create exceed National Standards. Our teachers are coveted for their creativity, dedication, talent, and connection with their students. The spirit with which our teachers teach goes back in school history to our founding teacher, Betty Ford Umbach, who knew she could offer a curriculum that surpassed that of the public schools. In September of 1965, after much preparation, building, and donations from parishioners, Mrs. Umbach opened with a parent and child tea party. From its humble beginnings until now, SJPDS continues to be a light unto all who attend. Those who answer the call of teaching are special people. The faculty plays a central role in the life of an independent school and many parochial schools. Teachers' talents, experience, and commitment to the school's philosophy are vital.

Chapel: We hold daily chapel for all students - creative and inclusive and drawing fully upon the liturgical resources of the Episcopal tradition. Community Life: Reflection, prayer, and matters of the spirit are honored and cultivated along with the support and nurture of the physical, mental, and emotional health of all. Religious Formation and Study: Meaningful, academically substantive, and age-appropriate teaching in the Christian tradition that also fosters dialogue with other faith traditions. Social Justice: The integration of the ideals and concepts of equity, justice, and a just society; the embracing and honoring of diversity; and the inclusion of community service and environmental stewardship as integral parts of the life of the school. By weaving these principles into the very fabric of the school's overall life, Episcopal schools ensure that their missions are built on the sure foundation of Christian love that guides and challenges all who attend our schools to build lives of genuine meaning, purpose, and service in the world they will inherit.

At St. John's, we not only focus on academics but also on our students' social and emotional well-being. Our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) approach into daily curriculum and programs help children recognize, understand, and manage their emotions and stress. Nurturing children's abilities to identify the feelings of others, develop empathy and respect, and build healthy relationships and interpersonal skills. We foster SEL through daily chapels and outreach initiatives with lessons to promote empathy, kindness, and mindfulness. Furthermore, we enhance our SEL initiatives such as Responsive Classroom and Zones of Regulation, which are student-centered approaches that support creating an engaging, inclusive environment that improves specific goals. Having this strong foundation not only supports social, emotional, and academic success but will serve students beyond their early years, helping them grow as strong, independent thinkers, people of sound character, and active stewards of the world.

Calendar of Events

Main Calendar

Sunday

Aug 24

End of Summer Social

All Day

Sunday

Aug 24

End of Summer Social

3:30 pm

Thursday

Aug 28

Visit Day

All Day

Thursday

Aug 28

Visit Day for Parents and Students

All Day

Tuesday

Sep 02

First Day of School! NO BEFORE OR AFTERCARE SERVICES

All Day

Tuesday

Sep 02

BooHoo/Yahoo Social

8:10 am

Tuesday

Sep 02

First Day of School

9:30 am

Wednesday

Sep 03

ChildCare Services Begin

All Day

Thursday

Sep 11

Back to School Night- Parents ONLY

6:30 pm

Wednesday

Sep 24

Mandatory LS Parent Technology Session

6:30 pm

Thursday

Sep 25

Individual School Pictures- All School

All Day

Thursday

Oct 02

Road to Middle School (5th Grade)

6:30 pm

Friday

Oct 03

First Friday

8:15 am

Friday

Oct 03

First Friday

8:15 am

Friday

Oct 03

Blessing of the Animals

3:45 pm

Sunday

Oct 05

Episcopal Schools Celebration Week

All Day

Friday

Oct 10

No School- EC & LS Parent/Teacher Conferences

All Day

Friday

Oct 10

SCHOOL CLOSED- Conferences

All Day

Monday

Oct 13

No School

All Day

Monday

Oct 13

SCHOOL CLOSED- Fall Break

All Day

Saturday

Oct 18

Fall Family Fun Day (PA)

All Day

Saturday

Oct 18

In- Person Open House

10:30 am

Saturday

Oct 18

Fall Family Fun Day

11:30 am

Friday

Oct 31

Early Dismissal- Professional Development

All Day

Friday

Oct 31

EC & LS Halloween Parades

All Day

Friday

Oct 31

Halloween Parties and Parades

All Day

Friday

Oct 31

EARLY DISMISSAL- Staff Professional Development

All Day

Monday

Nov 03

All School Chapel

9:15 am

Tuesday

Nov 04

Student Council Elections

All Day

Friday

Nov 07

No School for EC ONLY- LS Full Day

All Day

Friday

Nov 07

No School- EARLY CHILDHOOD ONLY

All Day

Friday

Nov 07

First Friday

8:10 am

Friday

Nov 07

First Friday

8:15 am

Tuesday

Nov 11

Veteran’s Day Celebration

All Day

Tuesday

Nov 11

Road to Kindergarten (Virtual Event)

6:30 pm

Wednesday

Nov 12

5th Grade Echo Hill Trip

All Day

Thursday

Nov 13

EC Donuts w/ Grown Up’s Group B

8:45 am

Friday

Nov 14

EC Donuts w/ Grown-Up’s Group A

8:45 am

Wednesday

Nov 19

Road to Kindergarten Virtual Event

12:00 pm

Monday

Nov 24

Grandparent’s Day- EC Group A

All Day

Tuesday

Nov 25

Grandparent’s Day- EC Group B & LS

All Day

Tuesday

Nov 25

EARLY DISMISSAL

All Day

Tuesday

Nov 25

Early Dismissal- Professional Development

9:30 am

Wednesday

Nov 26

School Closed- Thanksgiving Break

All Day

Wednesday

Nov 26

SCHOOL CLOSED- Thanksgiving Holiday

All Day

Friday

Dec 05

First Friday

8:15 am

Friday

Dec 05

First Friday

8:15 am

Thursday

Dec 11

EC Christmas Program- EC Group B

9:30 am

Friday

Dec 12

EC Christmas Program- EC Group A

9:30 am

Thursday

Dec 18

Lower School Christmas Program

8:45 am

Friday

Dec 19

Early Dismissal- Spirit Day: RED & GREEN

All Day

Friday

Dec 19

EARLY DISMISSAL- No AfterCare or Enrichment

All Day

Friday

Dec 19

Spirit Day- Wear Red & Green!

All Day

Friday

Dec 19

All School Chapel

9:15 am

Monday

Dec 22

School CLOSED- Winter Break

All Day

Monday

Dec 22

SCHOOL CLOSED- Holiday Break

All Day

Monday

Jan 05

School Resumes

All Day

Tuesday

Jan 06

All School Chapel

9:15 am

Wednesday

Jan 14

Kindergarten Assessments for New Applicants (Fall 2026)

All Day

Friday

Jan 16

Spirit Day- WEAR BROWN!

All Day

Friday

Jan 16

EARLY DISMISSAL- Professional Development

All Day

Monday

Jan 19

SCHOOL CLOSED- MLK Day

All Day

Thursday

Jan 22

Kindergarten Assessments for New Applicants (Fall 2026)

All Day

Saturday

Jan 24

STEM Open House Event

10:30 am

Monday

Jan 26

SPIRIT WEEK!

All Day

Monday

Jan 26

All School Chapel

9:15 am

Friday

Jan 30

Walk for Wamunyu

All Day

Friday

Jan 30

Designer Bag Bingo

7:00 pm

Friday

Feb 06

First Friday

8:15 am

Thursday

Feb 12

Valentine’s Day Parties <3

All Day

Friday

Feb 13

SCHOOL CLOSED- Conferences

All Day

Monday

Feb 16

SCHOOL CLOSED- President’s Day

All Day

Wednesday

Feb 18

Ash Wednesday Chapel

9:15 am

Friday

Mar 06

First Friday

8:15 am

Saturday

Mar 07

New Families Celebration

9:30 am

Wednesday

Mar 11

EARLY DISMISSAL- Professional Development

All Day

Wednesday

Mar 11

SPIRIT DAY- Wear GREEN

All Day

Friday

Mar 27

EARLY DISMISSAL- Professional Development

All Day

Friday

Mar 27

EC Easter Parties

All Day

Monday

Mar 30

SCHOOL CLOSED- Spring Break

All Day

Wednesday

Apr 08

All School Chapel

9:15 am

Wednesday

Apr 22

Recycled Arts Night

5:30 pm

Saturday

Apr 25

Spring Fundraising Event

All Day

Wednesday

Apr 29

EARLY DISMISSAL- Professional Development

All Day

Wednesday

Apr 29

Spirit Day- Wear YELLOW

All Day

Friday

May 01

First Friday

8:15 am

Friday

May 01

Lower School Spring Concert

2:30 pm

Saturday

May 02

New Families Breakfast

9:30 am

Thursday

May 07

Muffins in the Morning- EC Group B

8:45 am

Friday

May 08

Muffins in the Morning- EC Group A

8:45 am

Friday

May 08

Kindergarten Tea w/ Me

2:30 pm

Monday

May 11

ERB Testing- Lower School

All Day

Thursday

May 21

Lower School Field Day

All Day

Friday

May 22

Early Childhood Field Day

All Day

Friday

May 22

EARLY DISMISSAL- Optional Conferences

All Day

Monday

May 25

SCHOOL CLOSED- Memorial Day

All Day

Friday

May 29

Spirit Day- Wear WHITE

All Day

Friday

May 29

EARLY DISMISSAL- 5th Grade Graduation

All Day

Wednesday

Jun 03

EARLY DISMISSAL- EC Last Day of School

All Day

Thursday

Jun 04

EARLY DISMISSAL- Last Day of School

All Day

Thursday

Jun 04

Lower School Moving Up Ceremony

9:15 am

Friday

Jun 05

Possible Snow Make-Up Day

All Day

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News & Events

News & Events

Check Out our Media Center!

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Welcome Steve Springer, Head of School!

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Early Childhood Field Day!

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4th Grade Visits the Visionary Arts Museum!

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Fly Me to the Moon SJPDS Annual Gala & Auction

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Mrs. Moulding’s Book Tasting

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STEM Day & Open House Success!

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School Closed TOMORROW, January 7

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School CLOSED Tomorrow, January 6

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STEM Event & Open House

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At a Glance

1

school serving children age 3 through 5th Grade

10

preschool options for 3, 4 and 5 year olds with partial and full day options/opportunities

14

beautiful acres in the heart of Ellicott City, MD

99%

of 5th grade students have been accepted to their top choice schools

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