St. Jerome Elementary School

We are relatively new to Saint Jerome School. So far it has been a gem of a school, especially for the price. Our children are very happy there. We feel they are in a safe and caring environment and are appropriately challenged. We use the after school care programs even though we don't need to because the children enjoy them and ask to stay after. Not academically easy. Students need some self-discipline and organizational skills but all age appropriate in our opinion. Our children say the St. Jerome kids behave better than at their prior school (local public). St. Jerome has been a pleasant surprise for us so far. Definitely worth a tour. Friendly, low key, inclusive environment.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my older children were educated at St. Jerome School. My two younger children currently attend. I have been within the school community for many years. I am greatly disappointed in the changes I am currently seeing within the school. The school has declined since my older children attended. The new leadership of the school is weak and unprofessional. The school office is filled with drama. The reputation of the school has gone down tremendously and good, active families are leaving the school. A few of the elementary teachers have been there 30 + years and need to retire. The leadership of the school is arrogant and unable to hear and respond to the concerns of parents. The math and science programs need to be updated. The school is being run to the ground. Immediate changes need to happen to save this school. Positively, the school has a great community of families and the children really love their school.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children attended St. Jerome. The school not only prepared my boys to succeed academically at one of the most prestigious prepatory high schools in Los Angeles, they were also given the opportunity to become Christian leaders and elite athletes. The kindergarten teacher is world class. Every child walks out a reader. The first grade teacher made butter with the class....integrating science, history and fun.The 2nd grade teacher gave my daughter a love for reading. And the 3rd grade teacher is my favorite. She would stay after school to help my boys study an organize themselves....voluntarily. The athletic program starts in 3rd grade and every big and girl can run track, try volleyball, basketball, flag football, soccer, and we even had a bowling and golf team! My children learned how to work as a team with their classmates families got to cheer their children on from the sidelines together. St. Jerome is the total package. It's a financial sacrifice to send three kids to catholic school...but I can't think of a better investment in their future.
—Submitted by a parent

In addition to the strong emphasis on academics, I love that the school has an arts program as part of the curriculum. I am not Catholic and was a little hesitant about sending my child to a Catholic school however the small class size, academic standards and extras really won me over. I am very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

Strong Catholic identity that welcomes all faiths, highly professional, credentialed faculty. Cutting edge, interactive white boards in every classroom. Ethnic and socio-economic student diversity. St. Jerome has a strong parent community. Campus is on 5-acres with a large playground for elementary children and pre-school students. There is a dedicated science and Mac Computer lab for our students. Students enjoy our Gateway to Art and Music Program. The school offers Spanish instruction as well. There is a daily lunch program with healthy choices. Graduates from this year were accepted into their 1st choice schools (Bishop Montgomery H.S.,, Crespi Carmelite H.S., Marymount H.S., Notre Dame Academy, Notre Dame H.S., Serra H.S., St. Bernard H.S., St. John Bosco H.S., and St. Monica Catholic H.S.). St. Jerome School also offers a sports program for 3rd - 8th grades, Student Council and Academic Decathlon Team. I am truly proud to be a Spartan Parent.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Jerome School has been a great experience! I have been a student at St. Jerome for nine years. As I prepare to culminate my middle school experience, it is filled with happiness, sadness; as I embark upon new beginnings. I've learned to appreciate life from a Christian lens and to give back to community through its great service program for the middle school students. I love seeing my parents volunteer, because it makes the learning experience even better. I love SJS!

My Daughter has been going to St. Jerome since Kindergarden, she is now in 3rd grade. I must say that this school has it's ups and downs, but how im feeling about it overall, its been more down than up! Ihave had enough than I can stand with this school. The MANDATORY volunteer hours, the constant nickel and diming, they are always raising the amount to fundraise ( I feel sorry for families with more that one child that attends this school) , Fundraising is MANDATORY by the way, and they are forever raising tuition. I feel that my daughter is not really getting the full acedemic experience because this shcool seems to only care about money. I will be taking her out of here very soon!
—Submitted by a parent

My two sons have been at St. Jerome for 5 years. They have had wonderful, caring and talented teachers. They are consistently challenged and always come home happy. The school has a strong group of dedicated parents which assist with fundraisers, school programs, and sports. I highly recommend this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a vary good school with lots of sports and acadics this school can improve on student behavior and teacher some of the middle school teachers are two old I think overall it is great. s
—Submitted by a parent

We had the worst experience with our daughter in this school. Very disappointed with the school leadership. We left sad and frustrated
—Submitted by a parent

I am not Catholic, not even religious, not really a fan of private schools ... I am just a parent who believes in the value of a quality education, reasonable prices, cultural diversity and fun extracurricular activities. St. Jerome delivers all of these qualities quite effectively.
—Submitted by a parent

At St. Jerome School, our three children s teachers have been kind, enthusiastic and responsive to each child s needs. Their St. Jerome education prepared our older children well for high school: they were accepted into Loyola High School and Notre Dame High School, as well as Bishop Montgomery High School. Being a small school, St. Jerome is also a place where a child doesn t need to be a super athlete to participate in the sport of their choice. Our children have run track and played basketball, volleyball, softball and football. Thanks to great parent coaches, some of these teams even won CYO championships. Our youngest child is now in the third grade, with the same teacher our older two had. We had a choice, and we chose St. Jerome again.
—Submitted by a parent

With 3 children having attended different schools I have come to appreciate that there is no perfect school. My daughter transferred to St. Jerome in 5th grade and I regret that my older two did not attend this school. The campus is very large, the technology is state of the art and integrated into the daily curriculum, the extra curricular activities cover the spectrum of arts, school newspaper, community service, student council, sports and more. The sports program is competitive yet it teaches children the values of sportsmanship. Academically the children are will prepared for high school. What I like most is the accessibility of the faculty, staff, principal and the pastor. The new hall and gym is a real 'gem' in this community! St. Jerome offers a diverse, safe, challenging and spiritual environment which develops the students as a whole person.
—Submitted by a parent

Dedicated teachers and a great student body.
—Submitted by a parent

I love St. Jerome for a number of reasons. Top among those reasons are that this is a Faith based education with a true commitment to technology... preparing our children for a very competitive academic environment as they move into High School and beyond. Wonderful involved parents and lots of opportunity for involvement!
—Submitted by a parent

Spiritual growth is an integral part of the development of the whole child in an academically strong atmosphere where each child is values as and individual and the family is truly a partner in the education and the formation of values. Children are prepared to the challenges they are sure to face in a world that values profit over people.

It is the Best school!!!!! You get a quality high-school preparation education with a strong, Faith based education.....what more could you ask for, The Teachers, Staff, and Community are great, not to mention the students.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Jerome's School in Westchester a great place for kids to grow and be educated...
—Submitted by a parent

Everything the parent stated above is true, so that parent is not alone in their feelings regarding this school. Most of the teachers put on the happy face for the parents, but really do not seem to have any special interest in the children. They don't stay late to offer help and if they do offer help to tutor the students, they charge, which they should not do on the school campus. Though aesthetically pleasing, St. Jerome has a lot of internal issues they need to improve on. As the school's student body has changed, so have the attitudes of the teachers, not always in a positive way. If their administration sincerely cares about the children and parents, then they would start with a new group of middle school teachers, and, yes, the math curriculum has room for improvement. Please take notes that most of the other comments are not recent.
—Submitted by a parent

I pained over my choice for elementary school and ultimately made my decision based on proximity to my home. My son is in his first year at St. Jerome. I am so impressed at how much he has learned and it's only December! He came to the school with strong preparation from preschool and home but I noticed a striking improvement even in the first month. His writing is impressive and he is reading and spelling quite well for his age of 5. He has gained confidence and has many friends. The Kinder teacher Mrs. McGee is excellent and there is alot of parent involvement. i know other children who are in Notre Dame Academy, St. Tim's Visitation and I am very happy with my decision.
—Submitted by a parent