Holy Spirit Catholic School

The teachers are great and my children learned well while attending Holy Spirit. I agree with the other parent the recently posted. The school will need to undergo more changes to see better results. It looks like the principal and staff will favor certain families over another. While my kids were attending a nut ban was applied to the school because of one student. My daughter is highly allergic to nuts but when we were there the school didn't decide on changing its rules. Shorly after one student in 1st grade attended an entire nut ban education and ban was applied. This caused confusion and soy was banned as well. We were told, anything even with a possibility of nuts can't be taken to school. Then theres the bully problem. Not only with kids but the office. The staff at the office are rude. They are never happy to talk with anyone when you call or stop by. Don't ever be late with a payment or your parent hours or you will receive very rude notice going home. Everything highlighted and repeated comments in the parent notice. BUT it's ok if they are late or have changes with school schedule.
--Submitted by a parent

Academically we rank high on HS equivalency tests but more importantly is our awesome school community. As a Caucasian family we ve felt only welcomed, embraced and loved by the Filipino families and all the cultures. Non-Catholics are welcomed as well. Dyslexic children thrive at HSS with excellent on-site tutoring available. Our CYO sports teams are top notch. Our teachers are wonderful and caring. Fr. Mathew is involved daily and has an open door policy. Our children love the Arts, FAME & PE programs. Our Buddy program for all PreK-8th grade promotes a favorable school atmosphere. Parents are always encouraged to get more involved while speaking out by attending parent club meetings and school board meetings. Many opportunities to meet new friends at school events while earning parent hours. Our 6-8th grade can go to Washingon DC while our 8th grade also does a yearly Yosemite trip. Many field trips for all grades. 6th grade goes to science camp and 4th grade visits Columbia, CA. Our tuition costs are the most reasonably priced in the area. Catholic values are taught daily. My tweens have attended HSS since preschool and we wouldn't go anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

Holy Spirit School is currently working on some changes however it will take 2 -3 yrs at the earliest before positive results might take traction. Sure the principal is leaving this year but there are still several staff who should also be changed. The other review that mentioned the Filipino community challenges was spot on. The adults shove the culture down your throat which their children pick up on and are in turn exclusionary. The school is also not good at addressing bulling and the bullies are both students and staff. Luckily the biggest bully, the old 8th grade teacher, left last year. Additionally the school does not do well with children outside the norm. If your child needs any additional academic support the burden is on you the parent to find it and financially support it (on top of your tuition of course!). The internal support is weak and there will be a new resource teacher next year. If you are going to pay for your childs educatoin I would pick another school at this time.
--Submitted by a parent

As the parent of two alumni of Holy Spirit School (HSS), the best thing I can say is that HSS prepared them for LIFE (not just high school, but LIFE). Principals I know at different high schools all remark glowingly that HSS students are the best prepared and most mature to enter high school and excel. Add to this fact that they receive a well rounded education (prepared for LIFE). The faculty and staff truly love your children, and will do everything to help them flourish.
--Submitted by a parent

My children attended top and mid-ranked public schools prior to HSS. HSS offers more in a few areas. All staff are dedicated and the majority of teachers are excellent. The school integrates multi-modal approaches including arts and technology. Teachers are using these resources to keep the curriculum fresh and relevant, while also addressing the basics. This year, iPads augmented an existing technology program and there is more to come. Things I love about HSS: music and arts with dedicated teachers, specialized staff in 4th-8th, fine arts/music (FAME), new afterschool Spanish program, flexible Day Care, aides in K-5, active parent community (School Board/Parent Club), new anti-bullying program, competitive Science Fair, afterschool sports (CYO) program, etc. I could definitely write about areas that the school should improve, but it would not outweigh the three most important school features to my family: 1) my children look forward to going to school each day, 2) a Catholic education that is BOTH high quality and values driven. 3) a supportive parent and teacher environment, that also includes our pastor.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two daughters' attending Holy Spirit School. They are currently in 3rd and 5th grade. There is one grade per class and each class can hold 36 students. The reason this large capacity works out so well is each grade K-5th has a Teacher's Aid. In addition, all of the children are split up into smaller groups for music, computers, math, library, composition and science. 39 parent volunteer hours are required per family, per year, but there are many opportunities to get hours. ie Doing projects at home, going on field trips, helping out at yard duty during your lunch hour, evening committee meetings and weekend events, which usually include the children, all go toward your parent hours. Plus, you meet the other parents in the process, which is a good thing. The school has a wonderful No Bully program and terrific sports program thru CYO. Our students get accepted to Bellarmine, Notre Dame, Moreau and other popular college prep high schools. The community of parents at HSS is wonderful. Parents help each other out. If you are considering transferring your child from another school or starting your kindergartener off at HSS you're making a great decision.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of a child who attends this school and it has been outstanding. They are really taking a proactive against bullying - the times I stay for announcements, there is always a story about a "hero" who stops bullying. My son has been thriving academically and spiritually. Lastly, there is a strong sense of community here. They continue to make improvements including incorporating parent input. As a result, they started an after-school Spanish class. I think that says a lot about this school. Come to the open house in January and judge for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

Here are my observations of this school: 1. Ms. Marchetti (8th grade) is by far the best teacher at this school. We wished there were more teachers with her experience and temperment at other grade levels. 2. There is a large Filipino community/presence at this school which seem to "over-impose" themselves in many/all aspects of this parish and school. This also included the clique's they formed amongst their children. There were many instances where my child felt "bullied" by these students. 3. I have a younger child currently attending public school in Fremont. This child's curriculum is far superior than what my oldest child received at HS in the same grade. Don't take my word for it....Just ask a Fremont public school parent to see their child's textbooks/homework/exams and compare it with a HS child's. Essentially, I'm kicking myself for wasting $$$thousands!
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the other below average ratings posted on this website, my kids have been attending Holy Spirit for years now and it has been academically disappointing. Holy Spirit really needs to focus on getting experienced teachers, especially in some of the upper grade levels. And offer better tutoring opportunities for struggling students, 30 mins once a week with another student (who may not know how/what to teach a struggling student) is not enough help! And unfortunately, the principal tends to cast a very somber mood over the school, not very friendly.
--Submitted by a parent

Holy Spirit School is the best private school in my opinion. Chalenger is a very good school too but this school has better dicipline in my opinion.
--Submitted by a parent