St. John's High School's story is one of a continuing commitment to excellence in education, deeply rooted in the vision of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice (the founder of the Christian Brothers) and the dedication of the Brothers and Staff. Our journey began in 1959, with the Brothers answering the call to establish a leading English medium school in the vibrant, newly established city of Chandigarh.
The seeds of St. John's were sown when the Christian Brothers were invited to take over the administration of a new school. By November 15th, 1959, the Brothers officially acquired the property, with Br. J. Crease playing a key initial role in this transition. Preparations moved swiftly, and in January 1960, we welcomed our first students, with admissions opening for Classes 3 to 8. The school officially opened its doors on February 1st, 1960, under the leadership of our first Principal, Br. Morrissey.
St. John's quickly flourished, earning affiliation with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) in 1961. Our commitment to academic excellence was evident from the start, with the first ISC batch achieving a 100% pass rate in 1963. Throughout the late 1960s, St. John's rapidly grew into a leading boys' school in Chandigarh. This period saw significant expansion, not only in student numbers but also in the breadth of educational opportunities we offered. Key developments included the introduction of the school magazine, the ICSE curriculum, the construction of a new assembly hall, and the introduction of computer education. These advancements were made possible by the tireless efforts of successive generations of dedicated Brothers and staff.
St. John's has always been committed to progress and inclusivity. A significant transition occurred in 1993-94 when the school adopted the CBSE board, broadening the educational pathways available to our students. Our commitment to serving the wider community was further exemplified by the introduction of innovative programs such as "Indradhanush," dedicated to the education of underprivileged children; the Creative Learning Integrated Programme (CLIP) for our junior school students; and "Horizon," a project focused on providing support and education for mentally challenged students. These initiatives reflect our enduring belief in the importance of inclusive education.
In line with the Christian Brothers' emphasis on shared leadership, St. John's welcomed its first lay Principal in 2001. This marked a new chapter in the school's history, one that has been characterized by continued growth and achievement. St. John's was recognized as the No. 1 school in Chandigarh by Outlook Magazine in 2002, a testament to our ongoing pursuit of excellence. Since then, the school has consistently achieved top rankings, being recognized among the leading schools in the Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh region, and earning a place among the top schools in India.
Throughout its rich history, St. John's High School has remained steadfast in its dedication to the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice: to nurture well-rounded, educated gentlemen and to shape the minds and hearts of the young. We are proud of our legacy of providing a transformative education, and we continue to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of education and society, ensuring that our students are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.