Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The school suits children's needs. There are some elements that could use improvement, but that could be said for most schools in Arizona (public, private, religiously affiliated or not).

I REALLY wanted OLPH to be an excellent school. Sadly, I had to pull my kids out after the year had already begun. I felt unwelcome in large part by the mostly Hispanic population. When I took my children to another Catholic school I was told my one child was so far behind they would have to repeat a grade! After talking to other parents, they had the same problem!! PLEASE won't the Diocese step in already? Oh on a side note, I did NOT pull them out because of their teachers. I think the new teacher are great!
--Submitted by a parent

Fr. Mike, Nice post on June 4th, 2009, Old teachers and parents were creating a complot against the school, they were just waiting for an opportunity to talk bad about their own kids school. Actually the Administrative Team created the deceit, allowed staff verbal outbursts in front of students, problems, and would not openly discuss any issues. Which posts did the Parish Liaison write? Why does the school need a New Set of dedicated volunteers? What happened to all of the volunteers that were there? You and the Parish Liaison asked them not to return.

If I could give less than one star I would. We stuck with OLPH through thick and thin. Last year when the pastor and interim principal reeked havoc and half of the school population left, we decided to give them the benefit of doubt and stay another year. It was an excellent year with an excellent new principal until the administrative liaison was given too much power and went after the principal and teachers. Very sad as the previous principals made OLPH an excelling school. In 2008-09 they had an enrollment of 400+ students; in 2009-10 after the pastor and administrative liaison took over it was down to 220; and for the 2010-11 school year it will be less than 100. The diocese will not get involved, the level of education is lacking as many students who are leaving for other schools are behind in math and science. The school has
--Submitted by a parent

There is no continuity of staff- 23 staff turnovers and 3 principals in two years. The deficiencies with the accreditation have not been resolved.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very frustrated with this school. Now the new principal hired in July has been not asked to return. The enrollment of this school has declined from over 400 to less then 100 students in three years. The education of the students is certainly declining.
--Submitted by a parent

This year at OLPH was incredible. The new principal and new teachers were a God send. Everything seemed to be going great until spring break. A letter was sent home, that our current principal was not asked back. Since then, there has been so much turmoil and confusion. I thought this year the principal and the teachers had a great respect for the Catholic faith and for the well being or our children but apparently a parents perspective is not taken into consideration. So at this moment, I can't say, that we will be returning back to OLPH which saddens me because I am an alumni and I love the school and my children love the school. I pray that God enlightens the new people in leadership and that he brings a staff as incredible as the teachers and principal that are leaving.
--Submitted by a parent

I had a child go to OLPH since kindergarten,and they did very well under the leadership and guidance of Maureen Degrose, Fr. Fausto and Fr. Paul, however we did not return because of the lack of warmth, communication and commitment to teach the very catholic principles that brought us to that shcool in the 1st place. My child was always greeted with excitement and respect from the principal and the previous pastors, and truly looked forward to the days there. The previous teachers were awesome and unfortunately there are only a handful left that can make a difference but not enough for a lot of great families that left.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a very frustrated parent. It's about a week and a 1/2 away from school and we have no supply lists. We have had 1 contact from the school indicating the start date. Not much more. Their website was down until yesterday and now today I find out that they have changed the uniforms and this is the 1st I've heard of that. With 2 kids at this point it is going going to be a financial struggle to have my boys ready for the start of school. I was willing to start with a clean slate as that is what most of us were expecting. They are not making it easy.
--Submitted by a parent

OLPH is a great school! I will give the school the benefit of the doubt this year and support the staff and students 100%.
--Submitted by a parent