St. Frances X. Cabrini School

I sent my child to St. Frances Cabrini for her final year of middle school because I believed the enviornment would be much more tamed than public school since there are less students and I thought she would get an excellent education. I was WRONG!! My child is in the 8th grade and she is not being academically challenged what so ever. She is not given enough homework to last an hour. There are days when she has learned absolutely nothing. She is never given vocabulary words. She was getting a better education in the LAUSD Math Science Magnet Program. They are out multiple days EVERY month for unknown reasons. The worst part about this school is that they allow bullying and fighting. My child tells me about her day everyday. I made the principle and the pastor aware of a situation where a child is being physically assaulted daily by known trouble makers in the school and to this day, NOTHING has been done about it. The kids in middle school talk back and completely disrespect the teachers. The principal is a nice person but she has no control over these kids and she seems annoyed when issues are brought to her attention. It is total chaos. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a parent

St. Francis Cabrini is a wonderful catholic school. I have volunteered in the classroom setting and I must say the teachers are very knowledgeable in all areas. They not only teach the children based on the curriculum but they teach them MANNERS! Something that should be taught in every school. These students will likely be well rounded as they also incorporate religion and are open to celebrating others cultures. Such as the Mexican tradition "Day of the Dead". The children seem happy to be in school and eager to learn. The staff, teachers, and parents are very involved in their children's education. Cabrini is a great learning and growing environment that I would recomend to any family for their child or children.

I love this School & Staff. I am a parent of a student that attends Cabrini and I have to say that the overall aspect of the school is impeccable. This School brings a Family Enviorment where students ar polite with excellent manners. Cabrini helps my child to be an overral achiever while becoming a respectful individual, by being a good Christian. Teachers bring both aspects of christianity and acamedia perfectly by making my child an above average student. They also encourage their students to be leaders in their own communities. I recommend Cabrini to any parent!
—Submitted by a parent

My three children have been going to this school since kindergarden, my oldest is now in the 6th grade. Cabrini is a GREAT school and my children love it! The teachers are involved with the school activities, they are helpful in providing guidance to parents and strive for student excellence. The staff is very friendly as well. My children participate in various extracurricular activities that they love and are encouraged everyday to try their best. I would definitely recommend this school to incoming students.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not connected with Cabrini as a parent or staff member. I worked in the field of education for almost 20 years, and I now work with Cabrini as a volunteer who frequently comes to the campus for various meetings. It is such a joy to visit this school. The children greet me politely, always saying, "Welcome to Cabrini." Their manners are excellent. As I walk the hallways, I see children engaged in their lessons; the climate is calm and businesslike. No school is perfect, but it is obvious that much care ios being taken at Cabrini to offer the best possible experience to the beautiful children there.

i have been to this school since kindergarten. i really want to leave my school i HATE it. We have alot of days of of and some times they are for un necessary reasons. and they don't even give us h.w!!! when we come in the morning the principal gives us a speech about things we already know like be ourselves be unique. and the poor kids with heavy backpacks waiting for her to be done.also they don't challenge us. i ask other students if are learning what i am and there like"oh i learned that in 5th grade".they dont give us a good academic challenge.the teachers are bad its like they dont know how to teach.my 6th grade teacher made me cry 5 times.and she had favorites.my 7th grade teacher which i am curently in doesnt know how to discipline he doesnt . and thats coming from a 7th grader!!!!!!!!!!all he does is say quiet please.bad teacher.i dont recomend this school to nobody!!

What a blessing! This school is great! I love how welcoming and accommodating the teachers are. I am a close friend of parents. Their child is in first grade and I am very happy with the school. She loves that they have small class sizes. The chid really gets the attention she needs. I can see that there are some areas of weakness, but I believe that this is a rebuilding period. I think that there are good things to come for this school.

This school needs to dramatically change its policies. I see less students than there were five years ago. The Prinicipal is never around to deal with various issues. She is not visible throughout the school campus. I don't feel I am getting my money's worth because the kids have many days off for no reason and at the last minute. Serious atention needs to be dealt with finances. Seriously, does 8th grad need a party bus to Disneyland? Are these the Catholic values we are instilling in them? A bit more humbleness please. How about re thinking such measures. There were some teachers in the past administration that were stronger at various skills. It's sad to see the school deteriorating.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are interested in a school committed to providing your child with a solid academic foundation, maintaining schedules and contractual commitments, and teaching in a systematic and organized environment conducive to learning, then you should eliminate St. Frances X Cabrini from your list of options. As a close friend of an 8th grade parent. I have observed an institution of chaos, mismanagement, and communication problems beyond reason. My god-child hasn't been engaged, challenged nor required to be consistent in preparation for high school. Last minute assignments have been thrown without teaching the lessons, they've taken money for sports programs that didn't occur, & the list goes on. This experience is & has been so bad, it makes the worse school within LAUSD look like a California Distinguished School. I know there are several parents who can't wait to leave this school behind. For example, a parent has opted to forgo the graduation and request for the diploma to be mailed instead and another parent withdrew her child one week prior to graduation. Does this sound like a school for you, your child, and checkbook? As you can surmise, I don't recommend this school at all.

St. Frances Cabrini has been around for many years and has always held the principles or faith and education until the last 3 years. I feel that the school took a turn for the worse with the last principle and I was ready to pull my child out of the school. However this year I feel my child is receiving everything I pay for. My child is now in 8th grade and I feel with the current teacher he has, he is finally getting the education he needs to move on to highschool. I met with the teacher and she is very assertive on her plan for the students and their future. If you are looking for a place to put your child their last year, I would definately recommend Ms. Medrano and St. Frances.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's second year at this school and I LOVE it. She gains all her core subject learning needs, plus religion, which is a must. They also have taught her all sorts of cooperative game sports in physical education, which is amazing. Most teachers don't even take their students out for pe any longer, but they have faithfully gone outside to accomplish all sorts of gross motor skills. The staff are always so friendly and supportive. If you live in the area, choose this school as the best choice of Catholic education there is.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend the school. The school has a great sense of catholic community that extends to the parents and alumni. If you are looking for a place that puts your children first this is the place to be.
—Submitted by a parent

As a new parent at St. Frances School, I don't understand why some people are complaining. In my 7 months at this school, I have been welcomed, loved, appreciated. The principal, parent board members and faculty are GREAT. My daughter came from another school where we didn't have a say. I can go to the principal and talk to her about my daughter's problem. Results are seen. Maybe those parents that are complaining do not know what kind of gift you have in this school. The grass is not always greener on the outside. All I can say is this is a wonderful and fabulous school, the students are loved, learning and strive to be good people in the name of God.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I have seen so many things change with the current principal. We have more parent involvement, family events, church activities and the teachers are working hard to help my child learn. I know that this is a great school. I have had my son in both public and Catholic and this school is a wonderful school what a difference from most Catholic schools. I can talk to everyone and know things will change. Religion is being taught in every subject and reflect the Catholic views. What impressed me the most is I have seen so many 8th graders go to Catholic high school with the principal's help. If you want a school that is going help your child succeed this is the place to be.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very sad about the downturn of Cabrini since this principal has arrived. Academics have suffered greatly. I have waited for things to get better but I won't be sending my child to Cabrini next year - Faith and learning are gone.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school Ihave ever been to. I love it forever.

Cabrini has many benefits that must be weighed when looking at a school. Teacher - are they good (teaching the standards), availability (teachers & principal), and academics (are they met?). I have seen a drastic change in Cabrini over the last 1 year. Mrs. Sarmiento, th new principal works for the children - seeing what is best in academics, spiritual development and social awareness. I applaud the school for all the improvements. GOOD JOB!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a student in St. Frances I have spend many years watching the school change. The previous principal did not care about the school. Over the last year I saw changes because of the change in principal, pastor, and teachers. I plan to keep my daugther in St. Frances until she graduates now. I can get ahold of the teacher and the principal anytime. My daughter is learning more about how to be a student and is working hard to go to a good high school. She is in 6th grade and loves her teachers. Last year the new principal made changes that were hard on some of us but she always talked to the parents and asked what we thought. She is a parent and expects hard work from her teachers. I feel that my daugther is getting a great education.
—Submitted by a parent

I wanted my daughter to learn more of her faith and receive the education I had going to a catholic schoo. Unfornately the teacher quality was below standard and my daughter did not learn any thing she already knew. Her teacher would not challenge her. I had to pull her out.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend Cabrini. Over the last two years the curriculum is now longer at a competative level and the quality of teachers are very disturbing. The school is more focused on the low tution and not on the student becoming educated.
—Submitted by a parent