Corpus Christi Elementary School

Corpus tests in the top quartile of schools in the country, with some classes testing in the top 10% and 1/3 of Corpus students testing in the top 5%. Corpus has a cutting-edge iPad program, yet value-wise, they emphasize being kind and keeping kids age-appropriate. For example, my ten year old still believes in Santa Claus...and most of the 4th grade class does too! The kids are mostly unspoiled, sweet, religious, inquisitive and happy. The pastor is gregarious and well-liked by both parents and children. A new principal will start in 2013. This is a desirable area and the school will have its pick of qualified candidates. The community is sports-oriented but it s not off-putting. The website is not updated because it s currently getting overhauled. Pacific Palisades is a wealthy town rife with conspicuous consumption. Corpus keeps the displays of wealth tamped down, so the parents aren t in competition, and the kids don t perceive a financial pecking order. The campus pales in comparison to nearby schools. The kids don t care and it ferrets out parents who are overly concerned with sparkle. The school is an unpretentious gem with solid values and involved parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Honestly looking over the reviews, you can tell they have been scripted. I can tell you honestly the good, bad and ugly about Corpus. There are many redeeming aspects of Corpus, strong community, safe environment, enforced good behavior (even though punishment is somewhat inconsistent and not always handled well). But the bad is the over involvement of parents. Volunteering at Corpus can be like having a full time job, they throw way too many things to the parents. Teaching has greatly improved, technology has improved, and kids are getting into good high schools, but Corpus sometimes misses the mark on the simplest things.
—Submitted by a parent

Corpus Christi has everything it takes to be a great school-strong academics, dedicated and fully credentialed teachers, excellent enrichment programs, extraordinary leadership and a caring community. We have had 8 years at Corpus Christi, and each year we are more appreciative of our decision to choose a K-8 Catholic school over much more expensive private school. Respecting oneself and others permeates the school day, and the kids are taught life skills that will help them mature into responsible, balanced adults. Corpus Christi gets an A+ from us!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Our children love going to school at Corpus. The principal is an incredible leader. She's also nurturing, fun and filled with a loving heart...
—Submitted by a parent

Corpus Christi is a top academic school, placing in the top 1% of the Archdiocese year after year & in the top 5% of the country. The small class size and parent participation encouraged by the administration is the key to the level of confidence, leadership, manners and moral behavior displayed by the children. You know a Corpus student! The matriculation success is 99% of students getting into their first choice high school. Just this year 7 students were the top students (several #1) at entrance to Loyola, Marymount, Louisville, St. Monica, Chaminade and Harvard-Westlake. We are so blessed to have our children at Corpus Christi and know that their outstanding education and moral leadership is who they are for a lifetime.
—Submitted by a parent

a good education consists of the following a) the classroom teacher and b) the feedback that child is given. my son has never been given any feedback on any report card from corpus christi. not one comment in four years....i find that frightening!!! the school was established in the 1950's and i fear not much has changed in the last 60 years....the education is totally sub-standard!!
—Submitted by a parent

The principle of Corpus Christi is very professional and genuinely interested in the welfare of the students. I get the feeling though that she cannot run the school as she wants to, as she is controlled for the most part by the parish. They need some fresh leadership in the parish otherwise they will never have the quality school that the students deserve. There is too much micro management from a small group of parents who are doing jobs that should be performed by the school. A successful school does have parents interact with the school, though never on the level of Corpus Christi. A catholic education does not mean a second rate education, there are so many catholic schools that do provide a quality education unfortunately Corpus Christi is not one of them!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been a part of the Corpus Christi community for 20 years. All of our children, current students and graduates, have received a wonderful education. Not only does Corpus do an excellent job academically, they also teach to the whole person: mind, body and spirit. We have had the privilege of being guided by 2 exceptional principals during our time at Corpus. Another wonderful component is that we have made lifelong friends in this school/parish community.
—Submitted by a parent

We could not be happier with Corpus Christi. Our first grader has received a warm, high quality education including rich arts and physical education programs. The families and staff are knowledgeable, warm and supportive. The resulting community is truly something special. we feel lucky to be a part of it.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children went to Corpus Christi and overall I did not have a good experience. I feel the teachers for the most part were not helpful and the students were mean. There are a few exceptions with the teachers, just a couple are good but for the most part they are not helpful and I feel as though its just a job for them. I did pull both my girls out of this school early on. If you are looking for kind students and caring teachers this is definatley not the experience I had at Corpus Christi.
—Submitted by a parent

There are many things one has to consider when choosing a school for our greatest gift, our children. More than anything my goal for my children is for them to be allowed to grow in a safe and nurturing environment where the childhood experience protected and allowed to flourish. As a parent I believe Corpus Christi is a great partner with me in that process. My children are growing up with a strong sense of self, confidence and genuine sense of right and wrong. We are fortunate to be part of the Corpus Christi Family.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to Corpus Christi and its a great school. Everyone feels like family. The teachers challenge you and the students are encouraged to be loving members of the community. We participate in mass and get comfortable in speaking in front of groups. You can tell outside of school which kids go to Corpus. They are more respectful and are clean cut. Our sports teams always act respectfully toward other teams.

We have 4 kids that go to Corpus and very fortunate to be sending them there. One of the hardest things growing up on the Westside is raising your kids to be ethical, responsible and grounded. Corpus teaches humility, ethics along with a great education. We love the small school size as it gives a chance to get to know the teachers and other families.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an eighth grader at Corpus and have been there since kindergarten. The teachers are great and we all feel like family. There are great sports and I'm even on student council. I feel prepared for high school. Its a great place to grow up and go to school.

I truly believe CCS provides the best whole student education in West Los Angeles. The staff develops young boys and girls into peer leaders who have a unique and compassionate understanding of their classmates and community. With the strong faith based education that focuses on leadership and initiative, it is no wonder CCS counts among its alumni olympians, professioanl athletes, highly decorated members of the military, and the most distinguished business leaders in Los Angeles.
—Submitted by a parent

corpus christi school has been a true blessing to our family...our daughter loves her teachers, the principle, father kidney, sister patricia and all the kids that go to the school...it is just fantastic to live in a big city and yet go to a very special small school, with only one class per grade, the children are nurtured and so cared for it is really a gift. Not being catholic i never even thought of going to a catholic school until a friend of mine told me how much she loved the school, i was so taken by her passion for it i had to see it for myself, and i am so glad i did!! Corpus teaches the whole child not just the brain, and that is a gift these children will have for life!!
—Submitted by a parent

My family is blessed to be part of Corpus Christi community. My son is in first grade and he receives a quality education provided by a very nurturing, well educated and loving staff. I am amazed that his teachers take such a personal interest in his well-being. They rally behind him and make him feel special and, as a resul,t he excels. I find his reading ability amazing and am pleased with the overall academics and nuturing environment. Also, I couldn't have asked for a better principle to run the school. She is an amazing person who genuinely takes an interest in each family and is all about helping the children. I am thrilled with my choice to send my son to Corpus Christi School.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child transfered to Corpus Christi in the 7th grade having graduated from a small and nurturing private elementary school. The transition and integration was so smooth; our son was welcomed with loving open arms and immediately felt part of the community. As parents, so did we. We are so genuinely pleased with the nurturing culture, the acedemics including expectations and support as well as the athletic program. We feel our son will be prepared to excel in the high school of his choice. Additionally, we witnessed a new sense of personal disipline since our son has been attending CCS. He is proud to be a part of the school and strives to be his best. If we were to do it all over again, I would have wished to have been part of Corpus Christi from the beginning.
—Submitted by a parent

For our four children over the last 16 years Corpus Christi has provided excellent academics and athletics in an environment that nurtures and develops the whole child. Our older children who have graduated from Corpus Christi have gone on to the high schools and colleges of their choice, including Georgetown University. My family and I could not be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

Dedicated faculty, strong school community that works side by side with teachers and administration, ongoing evaluation and strengthening of educational and extracurricular programs, happy children!
—Submitted by a parent