Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The quality of education at this school is unbelievably lacking. Principal leadership is non-existent. There are some good teachers at the school, trying to tough it out, but the environment is too chaotic to be productive in any way. The school communicates very poorly with parents and staff members, to the point that no one really knows what is going on from one moment to the next. The community as a whole is more focused on sports than academics, and the Catholic identity is all hat and no cattle--as the saying goes. The children may be at mass every morning, but they don't even wait to exit the building before negating any good they just did by being in the pew. The priest, himself, is either deliberately kept in the dark, or in a deep state of denial about the situation. A few in the community seem to be trying really hard to improve the condition of the school, but there isn't enough leadership present to support those efforts. There is a spinning revolving door for good people/good students. Parents try to help only to run away in extreme frustration. The ones that stay make excuses like an abused spouse for their abuser and nothing changes.

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

As a parent I'm very happy that this new staff was able to clean all the financial issues our school was going thru. I'm very thankful that we are going to star fresh the new year. 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. I embrace the changes and May God Help those who are judging and acting against a good catholic behavior. For everybody's information all catholic school follow the Diocese's guidelines and all are the same it is our job as parents to embrace this catholic education and make the difference.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has gone through greatly needed changes. The changes were long over due. The current office staff have been wonderful. The three ladies in the office are proffessional and kind and very helpful. I have NEVER felt welcomed at this school but since the administration has been in place, I am always greeted warmly and I feel comfortable and confident that my children are being received with the same love and kindness.
—Submitted by a parent

We will not be returning to this school after being there for 8 years. The overall well being of the students is not a concern for anyone. We are disheartened to see our second home for so many years crash and burn.
—Submitted by a parent

For the 2008-2009 school year, I challenge each parent of a student at OLPH to get involved this year. Helping in the classroom, fundraising, volunteer on a committee, cleaning up the school, field trips, art, Junior Achievment, sports, music, collecting labels at home (campbells/boxtops etc), come up with new ideas and take them to the school board. Make a difference in your child's education and school environment. I also challenge the teachers and principal to recognize and acknowledge those parents who do get involved. Front office staff needs to be more inviting and helpful especially to new families. Our family looks forward to a successful school year!
—Submitted by a parent

I had two children go through OLPH Glendale yes there are fund raisers however it is always the same parents. All it takes is for the parent and the teacher to have a nice of understanding and everything would be great for the child.Parent involvement is the most important for their child's development. Complaining does nothing. helping and being involved does everythning. My children have both excelled in High School for we were involved with them and their teachers and the schools they attended. You and your child get what you as parents put into it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an active parent at OLPH, parent participation is extremely important in order for the school to thrive and the children are to suceed. Yes, fund raising does exsist to help keep the tuition cost down. If every family fully participated, there would be no need for fundraisers. However, that is not the case, it is the same group of parents volunteering for just about everything. The decipline at the school is needed with the few students that need to understand the concept of manners and respect. THe teachers at the school care deeply about the education of the students and with the active help of the parents the student do suceed. This is a school not a daycare center.
—Submitted by Miss V, a parent

The school seems to be more involved with the fundraising than providing extra help to children who may be struggling. Although communication is good at first or so it seems, after you are there for a little while the communication ceases and the principal then begins to make decisions as to when she will contact the parents unless it has to do with a tuition payment. The school certainly does not allow for anyone to breath between fundraising let alone really enjoy the school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Our parents are very busy fund raising. It may seem that we are a bit insular but we are just busy as we have to meet our financial goals. We have some excellent teachers and coaches however a few of our teachers are retirement ready and it spills over into the classroom particularly at the Junior High level. The disipline level is fairly high and frequent. The children are heavily monitored for minor infractions.
—Submitted by a parent