San Gabriel Christian School

I have to say that my experience at SGCS was LOW quality. The education and the student quality are terrible. Please don't send your child to SGCS. Even some of the teachers are biased and discriminatory (and remember...this is a CHRISTIAN school). Contradictions are written all over the place for a school like this to be called a 'Christian' school.

SGCS offers a attentive teachers who teach a challenging curriculum. The principal is wonderful, and makes herself available to families. She seems to know everyone's name by heart somehow! When you walk onto the campus you are greeted by a warm, caring staff. It's comforting to know your child is in a place so loving. I wouldn't choose any other school for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed in my child's experience at San Gabriel Christian. The academic standards are lower than we expected and the quality of the program was also poor. Frankly, my child was receiving a much better education when he was in a public school. I do not recommend San Gabriel Christian.
--Submitted by a parent

I am just finishing up my last year at this school. I wouldn't recommend this school because: 1) They're water fountains are filled with bugs and dirt. 2) Some of the bathroom stalls are missing doors. 3) Even though kids cuss (at a CHRISTIAN school, remember?), teachers don't do anything about it. (Five teachers heard this boy cuss but yet they did nothing.) 4) They overcharge you on food in the cafeteria. (Almost $4 for a little tray of food). And 5) In 6th grade, I was getting bullied and rumors were being spread about me (BY MY BEST FRIEND or so I thought) wanting me to have physical contact with a boy I barely payed attention to. I went to a 6th teacher and yet she did nothing. If you want your child to be well protected and not catch onto bad habits, DON'T SEND YOUR CHILD HERE.

For parents considering this school, do not put too much faith in the rating number because as soon as a parent posts about an experience and especially if that experience is negative, someone from the school's parent board will immediately counter that post with a high rating, thus keeping most private schools on this site at a rating of 4 out of 5 stars (statistically not really possible because that means that all private schools are excellent yet the price per school and the number of students who apply versus the number who are accepted ranges much more than the ratings). Out of character room, will post a part II. Things to remember: interview the principal about his or her background and philosophy, ask about how many students return year after year, especially after grade 5 because if the school is not performing that is usually when parents will find an alternative school, and finally sit in on a few classes to get a feel for the teachers and their abilities. I know that a parent involved with the school and the church will quickly counter this review and post a 5 star rating which keeps it at a 4/5.
--Submitted by a parent

This happened six years ago. It was a nightmare when my child was at SGCS. I still have tears coming down when I have to repeat what had happened to my child at SGCS. He was at pre K and was bullied everyday. The teacher was incompetent. She has young kid herself and was absent at least once or twice a week. The only time she said something positive about my child was after we gave her a gift for her birthday. She did not do anything to stop the bullies. I reported to the principal and she sided with the teacher. The staffs (including teachers and principal) at SGCS sent out wish list during holidays and they expect gifts from parents. If they are Christian school, they certainly did not practice what they believe. My child was bitten by the bully so bad that I have to take him to the doctor. We finally move my kid after six months of cruel treatment.
--Submitted by a parent

I am also an alumni, class of 2000. Perhaps the previous alumni to post is talking about the quality of the history education after my experience there, as the middle school history teacher was nearing the end of her career, but was an excellent teacher. While things may have changed in the 10 years since I have attended SGCS, Out of my graduating class(~80) that I have kept in contact with over Facebook, I can think of 8 ivy league graduates, at least 10 graduates of UCLA/USC, and a few others that went to the likes of MIT, CalTech, and Johns Hopkins. While not everyone ended up attending a top tier university, nothing about SGCS's academic programs should be considered a liability for long term academic success.

I will have to disagree with most of the reviews here. I am a alumni from SGCS and I would have to say, this school is a joke. As much about the Christian curriculum and etc, the educational training from SGCS did not help me during my freshman year at a top private high school. Middle school English and History would usually consist of writing persuasive arguments at other schools, but at SGCS, we didn't have that training. We would complete drawing projects for history when a history curriculum is strongly based on writing. For middle school English in SGCS, we would complete essays BUT the teachers never really gave us complete feedback about our grammar or writing style. If you want to invest in a high quality private school education, seek schools around the Pasadena area. Compared to other private schools and even some public schools, SGCS ranks lowest (I'm being truthful). Most of them are pricey, but DEFINITELY MUCH BETTER than SGCS. I would say, SGCS is your last resort.

Wonderful, caring principal! Well-rounded education! Great families!
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school personally. The teachers are great, the students are nice, and the principal is awesome. Both choir and music teachers know exactly what they're talking about too. Im extremely fond of the choir. It lets you perform not only inside the school but at bookstores, cathedrals, schools, (etc.) The music in the Parks program is superb you get to sing your hearts out and you get to go to disneyland after. It's a bit pricey but it is worth it! Our music teacher also leads the instrumental classes. She teaches them very well. Her students in beginning classes are sometimes better than other school's intermediate classes. The art teacher is just wonderful. You don't just draw in art class you learn about the history of art and he teaches you how to improve.I like every single part of SGCS field trips, students, and teachers.
--Submitted by a student