About Us

We view the talents of our students as divine gifts bestowed by God, and thus, we embrace the responsibility of nurturing and developing them to their fullest potential, returning them to God enriched. Recognizing that intellectual growth is a spiritual imperative, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in southern Tucson, AZ, is dedicated to implementing best practices in teaching and learning, resulting in significant strides for our students.

St. John the Evangelist offers a Catholic elementary and middle school education of the utmost quality within a secure and nurturing environment. Our commitment is to intellectually and spiritually engage your children, setting them on a trajectory toward both College and Heaven. As a private school, we provide a rigorous, faith-filled educational experience, serving as the cornerstone for a life devoted to serving Jesus, the Church, and the Community.

Our dedicated parochial school faculty and staff, guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church, warmly serve students in grades kindergarten through 8th. With two classrooms per grade level, we maintain small class sizes to ensure individual student learning is maximized.

Root Beliefs (T.H.U.N.D.E.R.)

At the heart of St. John the Evangelist Catholic School lies a set of core beliefs that shape our perspective on life, community, learning, faith, and the Church. These beliefs are more than convictions; they are guiding principles that influence our choices and priorities within the school community. Established by NDAA leaders and teachers, this unique set of root beliefs is diligently upheld to ensure that it directs our daily school operations. The acronym THUNDER draws inspiration from scripture (Mark 3:17), reflecting the moment when Jesus called our patron saint, St. John the Evangelist, one of the 'Sons of Thunder.' Here are the root beliefs that define St. John the Evangelist Catholic School:

School History

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School embarked on its educational journey in September 1950, a year following the inauguration of the present St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The school was founded by Fr. Joseph B. Murphy, appointed pastor by Bishop Gercke, under the direction of the Holy Ghost Fathers. The construction, guided by the Sisters of Charity, who had been actively involved in Sunday school teachings within the parish, resulted in an original structure featuring three classrooms, two offices, a teachers’ lounge, and restrooms.

In the spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Sisters of Charity played pivotal roles as both principal and teaching staff for numerous years within the community. Transitioning into the 1970s, lay professionals were introduced as teaching staff to compensate for the diminishing numbers of Sisters of Charity. In 1995, the retirement of Principal Sr. Harold Ann marked the end of the era of the Sisters of Charity at St. John's School.

In 2010, St. John School entered into a transformative partnership with the University of Notre Dame, officially becoming a Notre Dame ACE Academy (NDAA). This collaboration with the Notre Dame ACE Academies network, an initiative in response to the U.S. Bishops' call for a "new model of sponsorship and collaboration," solidifies our commitment to excellence in Catholic education.

Building on the success of our partnership with the NDAA network, St. John School made a strategic decision to transition into a self-administered school starting in the 2019-20 academic year. This move, guided by insights gained from the NDAA collaboration, has empowered St. John the Evangelist with enhanced in-house leadership capabilities, fostering sustainable management practices.

Acknowledging the invaluable guidance and support received from the NDAA network during our fruitful 8-year relationship, the school's leadership recognized the opportune moment to forge ahead independently. We are profoundly appreciative of the NDAA's contribution to our growth and development.

The St. John the Evangelist Catholic School community extends an open invitation to all, encouraging a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, an acknowledgment of God in all aspects of life, and a commitment to guiding our students on a journey toward both college and heaven.