St. Michael School

St. Michael's does a great job! We have children in multiple grades and have been very pleased with the academic rigor, the sense of community, and the incorporation of Christian values into all aspects of the school day. The administration is very accessible and receptive to suggestions and the faculty is great at helping each child achieve his or her full potential. An increasing focus on the incorporation of technology into all disciplines helps ensure the kids are well prepared for high school and beyond. Advanced classes give those students with stronger skills the ability to challenge themselves. The St. Michael's students are known at Cathedral, Saints, OLP and the other high schools they go on to to be some of the strongest students academically. Having two classes of students per grade creates an ideally sized environment where the kids are still able to receive individualized attention from the faculty but have a large enough group of peers to help them develop the social skills they'll need for the larger academic environments they'll enter as they move on in their education. We continue to be very pleased with our decision to send our children to St. Michael's.
--Submitted by a parent

Such an amazing school! We have been so happy with the the entire experience at the school! Our son has such a complete, well rounded education! Not only is he challenge every day without any fluff teaching through the days, he also experiences the extra classes of weekly music, art, spanish, library and PE 3 times a week. He is enriched academically, spiritually, and there is such a feeling of family and community at St. Michael's. We are so Blessed to be a part of this school!
--Submitted by a parent

So far, so good. My daughter has been going to this school for 2 years. She's had two good teachers and always looks forward to going to school. The only concern I have is that if your child is advanced in any subject, they don't seem to be interested in advanced learning in the classroom. They do, however, encourage it at home. Not a perfect school, but great so far.
--Submitted by a parent

I was a student here from kindergarten to the end. I am sure this place is quite different from how it was in the '90s. However, I'll write a review, anyway: maybe someone will find it useful. I found it an extremely stressful experience, mainly because of the social atmosphere. Kids at this school are mean (esp. the girls)! It did not help that teachers set a bad example by treating some students better than others. Which brings me to my next point: Many teachers clearly had favorites--and "unfavorites," if you will. One year, I was one of the latter. My teacher SCREAMED at me for my messy desk in front of the class, threatening to dump it over (A--it wasn't that messy and B--I was only 9!). I also remember having to perform uncreative, boring tasks repeatedly if it was not satisfactory to the teacher (yes, starting in kindergarten). This taught me to be slow and inefficient, and I am still suffering the consequences in school today. I WILL say that this school taught me to be an excellent writer (might not show here), and I suppose I'm above average in math skills, too. Still, this school does a poor job of bringing up kids to their full potential.

The new principal is not a very good communicator. She received a lower rating this year on the parents survey, then proceeded to suggest in a presentation at the open house that the survey must be wrong because she was doing great. The vice principal has a chip on her shoulder and uses the teachers against the kids of parents who stand up to her. Ther are some good teachers but the administration is poor.
--Submitted by a parent

It has often been tough to get in to St. Mike's, but once you get in you'll understand why. Top notch.
--Submitted by a parent

poor leadership starting with the principal. This school does support children who think "out of the box." My child is highly gifted based on standardized tests and is not encouraged to channel his knowledge. This school is very traditional in the sense that the teaching styles and curriculum is not innovative or uses proven, current strategies that support all learning styles. The technology is behind the times. It lacks support services and parents tend to be unfriendy and cliquish. I am pulling all 3 of my children out and sending them to a top-notch private school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the best Kindergarten program I have seen. The teachers are great with the children. They always do very creative activities with the children. Every week they have PE three times a week. separate from recess, computers, library, art, music, religion and that is in addition to the normal Reading Centers and Math centers. The child gets a well rounded education. There are 30 children in my sons class but don't let that detour you they are broken up in two groups of fifteen, with a full time aid and parent volunteers. Every Monday you get a letter home from the teacher, letting you know what they will be doing for that week. They are very organized and orderly and do not tolerate bad behavior. We do not live in Poway but make the drive everyday. Kindergarten is such a great time for children, and they do a great job!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter just finished kindergarten here. This school was wonderful. It is small, but still offers lots of great classes: art, P.E., computers, sports. There are many special events that go on as well. The teachers are qualified and caring. The parental involvement is superb. You feel as if you are part of the St. Michael's family when your child attends. Unfortunately, we have to move out of state, but if we were to stay, I would keep my child here through 8th.
--Submitted by a parent

I could not have ask for a better school. The teachers really care about their students and create an excellent learning environment. Maybe the best part is that all the parents are active in the education process.
--Submitted by a parent