Junipero Serra High School

Kalvin S. _{on Yelp}

Dec 16th, 2021

I graduated from Serra over 30 years ago. I appreciated the smaller classes and the teachings in morality even though I'm not Catholic.  They don't try to convert you to be one, but there are requirements to take religion classes.  I do remember that even the science classes had a hint of God's handiwork being taught in them which made a profound impression on me.The number of AP classes was quite limited back then (only about 4) compared to some of the top teared schools.  I appreciate the fact that they have a requirement to participate in community service volunteering.  I think that is helpful to have priviledged kids give back to the community.  They didn't have a Calculus class back then, even though Dick Phelan tried to teach 6 of us at lunch it was beyond him.  I had to take calculus during my senior year at CSM.Because it is an all-boys school means that there is a lot less machismo around in every day life.  No use trying to strut your stuff to impress the girls.  I found it to be a lot less cliquey than when I was at a public middle school (Ralston).  No alpha males trying to put freshmen in lockers.  If you acted up or was a bully you were back in the public school.  I've been back in recent years to participate in the career days where we can talk to the boys about what life is like on the other side.  What I'm very impressed with is how respectful and polite all the boys are, as opposed to the thugs you may find in public schools.  The fact that parents have to shell out $22k to send their sons there mean that there are not going to be academic slackers there, which help to create a better learning environment overall.

M M. _{on Yelp}

Aug 28th, 2021

Great for sports program, and does promote a faith based strong community, but academics is sub-par.  Way too many students end up taking remedial courses in college, a clear indicator that academics is not the priority.  The public schools in San Mateo are superior, as proven by acceptance rates at top tier schools.

Niles Ayer _{on Google}

Oct 29th, 2018

A GOAT named Tom Brady went here

Dale K. _{on Yelp}

May 29th, 2021

A safe place to send your kid to learn ethics. However, the academics are mediocre and public's schools have more options, more qualified teachers, and more opportunities. Our son did not even have an option for a science class in his senior year. Serra works hard at making sure grades are good for the school's benefit, not necessarily your son's. They place students in easy classes to insure good grades rather than what would best benefit them academically. The graduating class tends to go to lowered teer colleges. Serra tends to hire their own alumni rather than seek out the best teachers and although this reinforces the Serra culture it is academically myopic and not the best practice for any organization. Top universities rarely do this for a good reason. It has been a safe place to educate our son, but he's ill prepared for college with Serra's limited academic options.. I would not make this choice again.