St. Therese School

STS is the best school in the area, my children attended STS from K-8 grade, they loved their teachers, and the family atmosphere, we always got the support we needed from the teachers and the staff including the principal. The moral principles of the kids are very different from the children attending public schools. My kids were admitted in some of the best High Schools ( Alverno and La Salle High School ), and they were well prepared for the challenges high school brought, taking honors classes from their first year. My youngest Graduated 4 years ago and I'm still part of the STS family, and I'm thankful for all the great support teachers give my kids even during their high school years. THANK YOU STS YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

STS could use some improvement. I was a student there and I can tell you they do not prepare you well for high school. Other students who come from, even public schools, know much more than you and are already in honor courses. The math program for eighth grade in particular is lacking and many students who are in algebra in eighth grade, repeat it freshman year. The enrollment at the school has gone down significantly from what I understand and its not a mystery why. The academics and sports are below average. The tuition is too much for a school that is lacking. Do your child a favor and give them a higher education.

Great school with very attentive teaching staff. If you are looking to distinguish your child from the pack and actually add value to the community around you...this is the place for your child and quite honestly, your family. Our children are receiving more than just a great academic curriculum. They are learning about life, faith, character and family in an environment that applauds these things. As parents, we are required to participate in the process and you know what? We should be active participants in the education of our kids. Is it a sacrifice to pay tuition? Yup, but I do it every single month because I see the difference everyday. The principal is amazingly dedicated and goes above and beyond on a daily basis. She is always available, even on weekends and is very responsive to emails, messages, etc If you are considering private schools in the area, St. Therese should be at the top of your list.
--Submitted by a parent

As principal of St. Therese School I would like to address some of the negative comments shared by earlier reviews. First of all, our teachers are all hardworking and dedicated to each child achieving academic excellence. They are available to offer extra help, but rely on parents for support and follow up. All the finest high schools recognize and respect St. Therese School students. Though our school honors some children with awards, the honors and merit scholarships are given directly from the high schools. We do not have influence on these and many of our students year after year have been honored in this way. I do adjust my hours so I can be available to working parents and be present for all the evening meetings. I also have two very capable vice principals that are available at any time I am not there. Under my administration I have made numerous improvements to our school and am committed to providing an outstanding education for all our students. We are blessed to have many supportive families that bring positive energy to our school. Please do not rely on these reviews to determine if our school is GREAT. Come, visit, see great things are happening @ STS!

I have been at Saint Therese for over 10 years. I can honestly tell you that if your child is motivated, and has no problems learning, the school is average. But if your child struggles, particularly in math, specifically 7th and 8th grade math, your child will be in big trouble. Unless the parent has the financial resources to pay a tutor, the teacher could care less. Compassion? Very lacking when it comes to helping a child. The school can be improved with the right leadership. The principal gets to work late most of the time. Lower grade teachers are hard workers and try to be the best they can be. Teachers and parents need a principal that can be to work on time everyday.
--Submitted by a parent

No doubt the principal and teachers are very hard working, but St. Therese academic curruculum is out dated. A smart well informed parent only has to look and compare St. Therese to the surrounding Catholic schools to see the difference. I've never seen or experienced any type of favortism the school has shown any one family. As far as stating "look at the merit and leadership awards the graduating class received", well it was the school itself that gave out these awards, so think about it? If these awards were given out to the students because they academically out performed kids from nearby Catholic shools, well then it says something. As far as private high schools go, well any economist would tell you of the truth behind elementary school kids getting accepted in private high schools is all about the $$$$$. Private High Schools need your money to survive, so any kid with a "C" average and can meet the minimum entrance exam will get accepted into private high schools.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Therese School has provided my children with a wonderful foundation. The teachers are dedicated and hardworking . Each teacher provides a unique experience that specifically meets the needs of my children. The principal is eager to bring the families together and bring about positive changes. As everyone knows, tuition is a huge sacrifice, but to our family it is worth every cent. I know my children are safe, the teachers care and the principal has a vision for providing what is best for our children. I completely disagree with the previous comment. It is obvious this person has not been at St. Therese for a while. This years graduating class of 2011 was accepted to all the finest high schools and many with honors at entrance. Many received merit or leadership scholarships.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Therese's academic cirriculum, especially in the middle-school grades, is significantly lacking compared to other parochial schools in the area. STS's science lab course and high school entrance examination preparation (ISEE and HSPT) is simply abysmal. Additionally, no foreign language course is available. In short, STS provides a very basic education which is consistent with its' overall philosophy of doing everything on the 'cheap.' I also observed the preferential treatment described below. However, most of the faculty/staff care a great deal about the student's general welfare and academic success. It is also a very safe environment with many wonderful families. Notwithstanding this, parental involvement and providing supplemental academic resources to your child are absolutely critical for academic success and in admissions at the selective high schools. I must sadly conclude that my daughter was accepted to Mayfield, FSHA and Marlborough high schools in spite of STS not because of it.
--Submitted by a parent

It seems as though if your child does not excell academically then why would they be chosen for awards or read for mass. After all it still is mass and we need it to flow. There are extra tutoring sessions and learning for the slower students that would help if the parents took the time. My son went there and it was our first child and we were not involved until his 5th grade year yet he always received great education. The teachers are fantastic especially the 7th and 8th grade ones who were always helpful. I think parents need to take more responsibility and if they do not see the work maybe it is because the child is hiding it & should ask the teacher directly for the work. When children dont exceed they always want someone to blame, yet never themselves! This school is terrific. RECOMMEND TO ALL!
--Submitted by a parent

I have been part of the St. Therese school community for 9 years. This school caters only to those children who excell academically and/or whose parents are extremely involved in fundraising. If you do not fall in either of those categories your child will be left behind; not chosen for parts in plays, not chosen to read in mass, not chosen to receive awards, etc. I am very disappointed in the education my daughter received. 7th and 8th grade teachers do not provide you with their test scores for weeks after the tests are taken, so you don't know how your child is doing until it is too late. I chose to put my other child in a public school where he is getting a better eduction.
--Submitted by a parent