St. Paul's School

Great school, great teachers, great community. We love this school and are very happy here. My children are thriving !
—Submitted by a parent

I have read over all 82 reviews and offer this wisdom: divided we fall. We have long since given up hope that this community can be cohesive. Some think it can rest on its laurels.....years old by now. Instead of placing the children first, this seems to be the case: 1. Money 2. Parent cliques 3. Power struggle Academics, which I understand used to be a strength are just so-so. Certainly not creative. Workbook driven. My children enjoy sports and that has kept us loyal to a point. 2013 will definitely see us move on. I mean! No principal? what next? No teachers?
—Submitted by a parent

We love St. Paul's - We have been part of St. Paul's school for five years. We have two children at St. Paul's who are thriving! Both children are doing well academically although they are very different learners. We take advantage of all the school has to offer: sports, after school activities (art, chess club, etc.) and are active participants in the St. Paul's community. The two principals are amazing and well loved by their students and have done an amazing job this year. The teachers and staff are all highly dedicated professionals! We highly recomment St. Paul's School.
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE this school!!!! Our family has been part of the St Pauls community for over 13yrs now. With 1 child still at St Pauls, we have never encountered anything as negative as these other post are saying. Every school has it's issues. Not one is Perfect!!! True in the past few years there has been changes. However change isn't always bad. True we have 2 teachers who are the principles, but KNOW that these two are very hard working, approachable individuals who are ALWAYS willing to to help when called upon. I believe that this is simply a Personnal Issue. What really was the issue? If it has NOTHING to do with the education of the child then this doesn't make St Pauls a bad school. From the education point of view our children have always made Honors not just in St Pauls but in High School. St Pauls has prepared them WELL and I'm sure this is the most important aspect when looking for a school. Please don't let other peoples NEGATIVE OPINIONS sway you into not looking at SP. This is a great community not just for the children but for the parents. It is truely a gem.
—Submitted by a parent

While the kinder and 1st grade teachers are fantastic, kind, caring, communicate with the parents and show respect, you will NOT find the same with the other grades. We were not the only parents to pull our child out (6 out of 19) left the grade and moved on for various reasons. The principal was demoted and instead of hiring a new & affective principal, the diocese/school decided on having two co-principals, who are teachers at the school, be the ones in charge. We found the co-principals unwelcoming, rude and basically were told to just trust them. Our concerns and issues with the school were not welcomed and we tried our best to give this school a shot. I felt I wasted our money and I wish the diocese would come in and clean house. If you simply want to send your child to school and you're not going to voice your concern/opinion about anything, then this is the place for you. However, if you are like most parents and are active in your child's schooling and will be your child's voice, then this is NOT the school for you. Please do look beyond the first two grade and ask the hard questions. Do not be fooled...it will cost you!
—Submitted by a parent

great community but lacks direction and leadership, what once was is sadly not the same.
—Submitted by a parent

I could not find a better school to take my child everyday to receive an excellent education, life lessons, loving care, self confidence and excellent values. I am astounded to read the negative reviews as I am very blessed to have the opportunity to take my child to St Paul. The school does not run itself, we have an excellent principal and the teachers are the best out there. We chose to bring our children to this school and am shocked that there are negative reviews of parents that CHOSE to bring their children to this school. I am very happy with my child's progress and the support I have from staff. The principal has an OPEN DOOR policy. If you ever need to contact the staff, they are ALWAYS available. I have shown up at times and have never turned away. The principal has brought extracurricular activities to the school and although we have to pay for them (as any other private school) my child and I are happy with the diferent activities she has the opportunity to participate in. I highly recommend this school; if I felt differently, I would remove my child and enroll her elsewhere. By the way, I am not a board member as a parent suggested in his/her review.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in first grade at St. Paul's and I am very impressed by the curriculum and the staff. Our experience at the school has been very positive and we appreciate being part of such a wonderful community.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with St. Paul s has been excellent! I have experienced good communication with the school and appreciate their being so proactive in informing me of any changes happening in the school. The music and PE programs were not downgraded, but in fact, went through a vendor change. The new PE program currently includes a nutrition component that has received rave reviews from parents at every grade level. St. Paul s after school programs included ballet, chess and art in the fall. The Enrichment committee is working on a number of offerings for the spring. Our new co-principals are doing an excellent job of providing leadership to teachers, parents, and administrators. I always feel welcome to have meetings or discussions with them and feel that I am being heard. Given that the school budget has not been finalized and registration hasn t started, it is inaccurate to state that the school is having financial problems, or to speculate on rumors of merging classes. As a parent, who has children in 3rd, 7th & 8th grade, I could not be happier with the changes that have transpired so far this school year and I am looking forward to more beneficial changes the future holds.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Paul's is a wonderful school with an outstanding faculty and families that care about the best education for thier son/daughter. Talking to past graduates, that are now at the best high schools in the city and better yet, at colleges in and outside of California, they have all said that St. Paul's prepared them well. The faculty here prepares the students for high school and beyond, which was the reason I have been proud to send my two sons here. There have been changes along the way, as in all schools, but the devotion these teachers have in preparing our kids for high school and be be independent young adults is their main job, and to be leaders who lead with integrity and self respect. I will be a proud parent to watch my second son graduate this year, and I am grateful for all St. Paul's has offered to our family. I am confident that the education he recieved at St. Paul's has prepared him for high school.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Paul's is not what it used to be in it's heyday. While the school facility is fairly new, the academics are good, the school has gone through tumultuous changes, most for the worse, over the last 4 years. Communication to parents on the what's & why's is nonexistent (Google Fr. Flickinger) . There have been no substantial changes or improvements that affect the kids positively over the last few years. The changes have been deficits like downgrading the beloved music, choir & PE programs (Xmas concert was a substandard at its best), cutting the kids very reasonably priced art program (with no notice to date to the parents), & announcing the change to the PE uniform AFTER selling the excess inventory to the families at a discount (figured out on BTS night why I got that discount!). There is NO leadership at this school & it's been that way for years. Father M is so removed the school runs itself. The school is in the red & there is talk of combining some of the small classes. Take your time & do your research. The first faces you meet will be sweet as pie but don't be fooled. Just like the these 5 star reviews, most if not all, are written by board members.
—Submitted by a parent

My 6th grader has blossomed into such a hardworking student and is learning time-management skills she'll take into college and beyond. This school emphasizes teaching the students "HOW" to learn which I think sets it apart from other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Just a quick review to say that the Co-Principals this year are doing a fabulous job! They are dedicated, kind, easy to talk to, and the hardest working people I've ever known. Just this week, after a long day at school, they showed up to cheer on the 8th grade girls' volleyball team (this was at 8pm on a Tuesday night at an away-game!) The most telling thing about this (besides the fact that it is a perfect example of their dedication) is that when the girls saw them walking toward the game, they gave out a huge, collective cheer for their principals -- pretty impressive! St. Paul's is a great school, with a wonderful sense of community and excellent leadership. I am thankful that we found it for our children 14 years ago, and am only sad that it's coming to an end as our 2nd gets ready to graduate.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been a part of the St. Pauls community for over 8 years and I cannot express how disappointed we are with the lack of leadership this year. As you can tell by the previous comments, we are a very divided school. Morale is low among staff members and parents, and the decisions made by those in charge only seem to be hurting the kids. Having the 7th and 8th grade teachers as principals, has really affected my childs education and I am concerned how prepared they will be for high school. Keep in mind the extracurricular activities are not free and many parents cannot afford them. Before considering this school for your child, do your research.
—Submitted by a parent

We love St. Paul's ! Our children are thriving! It is a great, diverse community of teachers, parents and kids. St.Paul's has a lot to offer: top academics, sports, enrichment programs and so much more.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent living in Noe Valley, I consider my 3 children to be extremely lucky to be attending St. Paul's School. St. Paul's has extraordinary teachers who provide a challenging, first-class education designed to ensure your child becomes a life-long learner and achieve success at every level of academics and life. The co-principals bring a fantastic energy that is inspiring an already strong parent community to do even more to help the school achieve. St. Paul's emphasis on reading, writing, mathematics, science, and Spanish and focused integration of technology at every grade level is transforming the classroom experience and preparing the students for how the world works and success in both high school and beyond. St. Paul's also offers a full range of enrichment activities, including music, art, drama, chess, piano, public speaking, and choir. Perhaps most important is the confidence the school and its community nurture in all the children. The students, my own included, feel they can succeed at any level at anything. And they do. 98% of graduates go on to attend their 1st choice high school. I most highly recommend St. Paul's. Your children will love it and you will too.
—Submitted by a parent

A large number of families left after this past academic year. The school has gone through three principal changes in the past four years and another one is planned for next year, the faculty is not open to parent involvement in the classroom and school, the pastor does not prioritize the school and is not engaged with the children and their parents, and the parents, faculty and parish do not operate like a true community. There are a handful of parents trying to turn this school around but they have an uphill climb. Read the reviews going back years and you will see the same concerns keep coming up over and over again. The outcome is that good families leave and mediocre school leadership stays.
—Submitted by a parent

GREAT school. Great education. Great community. We've been active at the school and the parish for over 8 years. Our kids are doing great. We love the new teachers. If you are looking for an alternative to Public Middle school, consider St. Pauls. All the top High Schools in the city consistently commend St Pauls for the excellent job they do in preparing students for high achievement in High school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love St. Paul's School! We enrolled our son last year who is now in 1st Grade. He absolutely enjoys going to school. As parents we find that not only do the teachers, co-principals (Which by the way, is a great advantage because the principals are actually teachers themselves!!! They are very in tune with the students on a first-hand basis!) and faculty exceed our expectations, but the St. Paul's community as a whole does as well. NO OTHER school of this ilk can provide such a warm community feeling. Another reason we chose this fine institution was because of the fine education that it provides. Graduating students are accepted into some of the BEST high schools in the Bay Area and some of the FINEST colleges in the country! It doesn't get much better than that. As an educational stronghold in our community for nearly 100 years, St. Paul's continues to stand tall! By the way, did you know that the hit movie Sister Act was filmed there?
—Submitted by a parent

We have been thrilled with the experience our children are getting at St. Paul's. While I was at first concerned about the idea of co-principals, I think the school has made an excellent choice in having Mts. Esling and Mrs. Mallick at the helm. Talk about modeling Catholic leadership and Servant Leadership! And it's all done with joy and a clear love of children. BRAVO!
—Submitted by a parent