St. James Academy is the best Catholic school, period. As a parent, there is no greater peace of mind than knowing your kids are safe, being educated in the best way possible, and learning to love their faith. The principal, Mrs. Lang, is incredible. She is out there every day, greeting the students, and knows every child by name. The teachers from preschool through 8th grade are all exceptionally well trained, caring, and committed. I went to a Catholic school in San Diego myself, and I chose not to send my kids to the school I attended. The vibe at St. James and the presence of true Catholic values can be felt the moment you walk through the door. What sets this school apart is the sense of community. You are not just a number here. You are truly part of a family, and I mean that genuinely. We feel so lucky and grateful to be a part of such a loving and faith-filled environment. read more

Our kids have attended St. James Academy (SJA) for the past 2 years. SJA is not just a "school" it much more than that. It is a caring and nurturing student-focused educational facility with a strong sense of community. It is our extended family! Everyone has been welcoming and inviting, the teacher/student ratio is low, so every child gets personal attention to help them thrive with individual needs. The teachers and other SJA families care deeply about the kids. SJA has helped our kids grow both spiritually, academically, emotionally, physically and socially. They really educate the whole child. We have loved the families we have met through SJA. Not only are our children obtaining a great education, but they are learning to be good people with great morals and values in a safe and loving environment. It is beautiful to see the older grades connecting with the younger ones. During lunch time they play together, and the older kids sit with the younger ones during Friday mass. The students even have "school families" where kids throughout all different grade levels come together monthly to do activities. It creates a strong relationship and friendship between all the children on campus - the older kids help teach the little ones. SJA has been the best investment in our children's future. We love it here and would highly recommend it to any family. read more

Traditional Roman Catholic elementary education is offered for grades K-8. Lay teachers and principal embrace Christ's teaching in all disciplines. Students attend Mass each Friday morning. The Parish supports the school's mission and the pastor and Eudist priests make appearances in the classrooms. SJA students mostly score on the 92nd-95th percentile academically and go to high school at (a)- Cathedral Catholic (b) Saint Augustine Academy (c) Academy of Our Lady of Peace (d) Torrey Pines (e) Canyon Crest Academy (e) La Costa Canyon. Alumni usually attend selective schools and very selective schools like Notre Dame University, Villanova University, UCal, Stanford, etc. Small school with a low student to teacher ratio read more

Our daughter attends St. James Academy for preschool. She is four years old. The student to teacher ratio is great. There are lots and lots of activities for parents to meet each other which is a great improvement from our daycare. The feedback from staff to help our daughter has been outstanding. I would recommend this academy for preschool to anyone looking for a quality place to send their child. read more

Very caring environment with excellent and solid academic foundation. Both my sons went to St. James Academy K-8. Both were very happy here and loved the school. They achieved great academic success in later years. I like the grounding in solid academic basics, like math, reading, writing and science. But the school also offered great classes in art and music. We wanted our sons to be the best they could be but also to be in an environment that stressed good values. Character values were very important and our sons developed into caring, compassionate young men. You have to visit the school to get a "feel" for the warm and welcoming nature of the place. read more

Our experience was extremely horrible at this school. Both Principals were very judgemental. My little boy attended here for only short amount of time. We had previously come from a private preschool to enter their kindergarten program. To put it simple, my son is a sweet, loving little boy with a lot of energy. They treated him poorly and we were told that he was not a good fit for their school after only attending the school for a couple of months. We received the news a week before Christmas, not giving us any time to find another school until after the winter break putting us in a bad situation. My poor little boy was devastated. In the end, they did us a huge favor. My son is now doing excellent in his new school and is much happier. I HIGHLY recommend that you think twice before sending your kids here. I would hate for anyone else to experience what we went through. read more

We were planning on sending our kids there this school year 2021-22 - we were told there was no waiting list for kindergarten, that our son did great on his assessment and we should get our registration paperwork in the mail. Weeks and weeks go by, no registration paperwork, I called multiple times and was told they're just behind on getting everything mailed. Then at the last minute (when it's too late for us to look at other private schools) the principal calls to inform us that there is no room. They intentionally strung us along for months. If it wasn't a good fit then no problem, but you don't tell a family for months that everything is fine and then drop that on them at the 11th hour. I've never seen a more unprofessional principal or school - they clearly do not care about doing what is right and are only looking to serve themselves. So glad we saw their true colors. Avoid this school at all costs - there are way too many amazing options for schooling in North County, no need to settle for this awful place. read more

If I could give this school zero stars I would! The principal was recently fired. The pastor is absentee. There are very few teachers worth their salary: PK- students leave unprepared; K- leaves early twice a week; 1-20% need to repeat the grade; 2- extraordinarily lazy; 3- the fact that 30% of this class left mid year speaks for itself; 4- wears attire too short and inappropriate for a catholic school; 5- she was good! so, of course, she won't be teaching 5th anymore; 6- also good, but seems unhappy & agitated so I can't imagine she will last; 7/8- also losing 2 of its 3 teachers skilled teachers. Other issues: the kids are bullies, the parents are clicky & mean, the facilities are dilapidated, and enrollment is now so low K and 1 will be one class. This year can not end soon enough. read more

I now have my 3rd and last child at Saint James Academy in Solana Beach, Ca Words can't explain the morals, values and ethics my children live by, by going throughout the program at SJA. I couldn't be more proud and happy!! Highly recommend this school, staff and families that attend. Ashley MacKinnon read more

Saint James Academy is the best as it gets!! this school is a great way to connect with the community and God...I am very proud to say my daughter goes to this school! The staff is just outstanding and always have smiles on their faces. Provides great education and many experiences. Having the SJA community as a family is really comforting for our family. Knowing my child is getting dropped off in a safe and educational environment is very reassuring. read more

We drive far (from Oceanside) so our child can attend here because of all St. James provides. The school fosters a sense of community & encourages stewardship: teachers look out for the kids, families look out for other families, older kids look out for younger ones. It's also academically challenging in the best way. I love the organic garden the kindergarten class nurtures, while at the same time learning the science behind it, the Spanish classes that teach our children a valuable skill & cultural appreciation, the music & arts programs that instill a love of culture and builds confidence among the kids. I love the feedback mechanism the school has: always an open door by the Principal & teachers where feedback is heard & acted upon. I love the family concept they have with the kids, grouping one kid per grade & forming school families of K-8th graders. These kids care about each other & that's fostered by programs the school puts in place. I can't think of a better place for my kids to go to school, to be challenged academically, to grow spiritually both in a religious sense as well as a larger sense of understanding how one can impact the world around them. It's a rare commodity & one that is taught 100 fold at St James. read more

Loving, supportive community. Excellent academics. Check it out because Dan M's post couldn't have been more inaccurate and just plain wrong. read more

We moved to Encinitas from Portland, Oregon in 2012 and chose St. James for our children. Our son started in first grade and our daughter in pre-k. We have consistently been happy with the academics and strong, supportive community at St. James. Highly recommended! read more

We have been at SJA since 2008. My three daughters have attended the school since each of them started kindergarten. My daughters have thrived academically and socially at SJA. I have had such great experiences with the administration, staff and other parents. This is a community that truly cares about raising and educating great individuals. Best decision to send our kids here! read more

We chose SJA for our son primarily for the excellence in academics and the religious aspect. We started him at Saint James in Kindergarten, and he is currently finishing 2nd Grade. One of the best things about this school is the community. I am confident knowing that I am sending my son to a school where the adults genuinely care about him. He has made wonderful friends and has excelled in his academics. He actually wants to go to school, and he loves learning. I could not disagree more with "Dan M.'" Especially when it comes to the 2nd grade teacher! She puts in countless hours at the school for the 2nd grade! She also works with children in other grades before and after school!! To call her "lazy," makes me think that whoever "Dan," is has never met our 2nd Grade teacher, or at the least, is unaware of everything that she does for our kids and our school!! In my opinion, any child would be lucky to have her as a teacher! If you are considering sending your child to Saint James please schedule a meeting, or a chance for your child to shadow his/her grade level. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what this school has to offer! read more

Great school. We drive from carlsbad just to bring my daughter her. The teachers and staff are fabulous.

We send our three boys to St. James Academy and our daughter will attend kindergarten next year. We are very pleased with the school. The principal has a strong faith and cares about the school, staff and students and gives her all. She is an excellent leader. The teachers are wonderful, caring and good at what they do. The school fosters good morals, values, community and love of each other and God. There is one classroom per grade, which makes for an intimate, family-like setting. The academics are top notch. We are very happy and highly recommend this school. read more

Love St. James and its wonderful and loving community!! We moved here two and 1/2 years ago from Seattle and are very happy with St. James. It is a very welcoming school with strong academics and teachers who really care about your kids and also our amazing principal, Mrs. Dunn. read more

My third child just graduated from St. James this week. 15 years at this wonderful school for our family. We are so blessed to have had a place where our children learned not only math and reading but where they learned how important faith, compassion and kindness are in life. Thank you St. James for all you have done for our family. The teachers and staff at this amazing school have helped form my children into the wonderful people they are today! read more

Great school. Love the staff and teachers. My kids have nice friends and do well . We are happy here.

Awesome school and community!! We are so happy to still be at St. James Academy after being there from over 17 years! Now looking forward to 2nd Grade this year and filled with gratitude as I reflect on how well my older children were prepared for high school and beyond as a result of their experience at St. James Academy. My son graduated cum laude from college in May and my daughter is entering her 2nd year on the Dean's List earning top honors. More importantly, it is the friendships they made at SJA, the leadership skills they exhibited in high school and college, and work they continue to do with St. James Youth Ministry during the summers that speaks volumes about their education both in and out of the classroom at SJA. St. James is an honest, humble environment of faith-filled, rooted and committed families who strive to work together to allow students to to figure out the benefit of self-discipline, perseverance, collaboration and commitment. Happy, responsible, resourceful and well-prepared children THRIVE at SJA! read more

Great school, teachers and administration! Have graduated 2 children with one remaining. Fully prepared for high school and both kids tested in to high math and english. Amazing music and art programs, live performances, which enrich the learning possibilities for children. Older children mentor and bond with younger children (leadership). The community is like family where parents and children can build lifelong friendships. Character, work/play balance, character, respect, leadership are key to my kids success. I have not agreed with every single thing, but that is not my expectation. Public schools in the area may be very good, but I along with countless other families pass several public schools and other private schools to attend St James. There is a reason. St James is a very special school....and I feel it's like having a child....you can't understand how special it is till you experience it yourself. read more