St. Frances Cabrini School

Class sizes are 36 or pushing that & academics are not nearly as strong as the were 5 years ago. The child is no longer taught, but rather the class is. All 36 students (72 for each grade as there are 2 classes/grade) need to be on the same page at all times. Even "advanced" groups are taught the same thing as the "regular" class but just given more problems to do -really, shouldn't the kids who don't understand the work be doing more problems to help them understand? If a new teacher with fresh ideas comes in, they are paired with an "experienced" teacher who has been at the school forever who has complete domain over any new, possibly helpful, thoughts or ideas. If you're looking for a standard, average, ok education that will teach your kid how to get into high school, then SFC is just fine. If you want a school to teach your child, will be ready for high school & who will be capable of succeeding in high school & beyond, then keep looking.
—Submitted by a parent

Saint Francis Cabrini offers a safe environment for students to learn. We appreciate the small school, intimate feel where students and teachers get to know one another. The academics are rigorous and challenging and there are incredible field trips and on-campus events that make learning relevant. We especially like the strong emphasis in the middle school years on service. The students do many wonderful activities to help others via organized events at school and in the community at-large. It's felt that the study and preparation skills our son is being given will help him easily transition into a college prep high school environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son started at SFC in middle school and absolutely loves it. The staff and teachers are amazing and he is thriving in their warm and nurturing environment. Academically they are solid and they are doing a great job of preparing him for a private high school. We have looked at many other private schools in the area and we highly recommend this one.
—Submitted by a parent

My family had a terrible experience at SFC. I would never recommend SFC to any parent. The children are put under a lot of pressure and the expectations are not developmentally appropriate. They are not accepting of all children and do not believe all children can learn. They only accept children who fit in a certain box, this is a direct quote from the previous principal.
—Submitted by a parent

We've been VERY(!!) happy with SFC and all it portrayed itself to be... The staff has been open about requirements and expectations financially and physically and we haven't felt any issues with anything. Out daughter is a full time Pre-K student this year and were absolutely THRILLED with the (new) program and skills learning she's experiencing. The teachers are wonderful and can acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of the children immediately which is very important. We do 'have' to participate and do so willingly as they ARE our children and we do want the best and want o be involved. There is homework even in Pre-k and I encourage it as its practice for her - and us, as we enter her later years. The Pre-k program starts early - 7:45am but we love it since we're used to our kids having care when they were younger. Then after that class they begin at 8am. It's a great system for early morning drop off as well. The non education staff are wonderful and have a genuine care and concern for the student body. I feel very comfortable with the surroundings and elements the school provides. The children at this school are very grounded and seem to have strong family ties
—Submitted by a parent

We've been at SFC for 5 years. Most teachers are great, some are not. We had a small class size (23-24) 3 years ago which is good. The last 2 years they increase the class size to 36, that makes the class very crowded and teachers don't get enough one-on-one with the students. The Pre-K and K class time is ridiculous (7:45am). We left for Charter School instead.
—Submitted by a parent

Not as good of a school as it used to be. We've been at this school for six years & class size has rapidly grown. I don't feel the school was ready for such growth. Classes are full or near-full, kids who can successfully keep up are kept back because of those who have trouble. Parent involvement is rated highly because it's mandated. Some teachers are incredible, others are not & are very ineffective. Luckily, new teachers who start offer a glimmer of hope & enthusiasm. Mandated SCRIP purchase based on profit per child in school is insane. Not sure if there are any better alternatives in the Catholic school system in this area, but better private schools are definitely out there. The "Wow Factor" we had when we found this school has definitely worn off.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at SFC and we absolutely love it!! Our son is in 3rd grade and thriving. We looked at every catholic school in the area and nothing topped this one.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is in first grade, and we love the education that he's receiving! He has had wonderful teachers and teachers' aides. My only concern is the size of my son's class; however, this hasn't seemed to impact the attention he receives or the quality of his education.
—Submitted by a parent

We love SFC! The community is so warm and welcoming and my daughter surprises me everyday with the wonderful thing she is learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This school gives each student a great start in their life!!

We moved our son to SFC in Pre-K after having him at Challenger where he started at 3 in their program. The Challenger experience was tramatic and was an all day program. My son loves SFC, has learned more in their 3 hour intense academic program than in Challenger's all day program. His self esteem is soaring and his sense of humor is back. SFC's teachers and Extended care teachers have given our son a lot of TLC and he loves Cabrini. After a few months, he told me he wished he could live there. There is a lot of parent participation and volunteers run many of the programs. This is great for the most part, however as a new parent, it can be challenging to 'get with the program' at first. Folks are helpful and welcome the whole family.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved our son from a competitive public school to SFC for 4th grade this year. We were afraid that in the public school, he would be lost in a large class size, without enough individual attention. SFC has been able to give him the attention that he needs and his success at school has soared. This was the perfect decision for him. Thanks to the teachers, and their after school tutoring, he is truly succeeding, and he knows it! The kids are courteous and encouraged to be responsible for personal work.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school. Great teachers and great administrators work together to grow the students. The academics are excellent and kids are held accountable. Wonderful PE teachers that understand it's not all about winning. My kids love it and so do I. Highly recommend SFC.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been attending SFC for 4 years and I couldn't be happier. SFC has excellent academic program.The teachers are wonderful and well deserving of their positions. The school is well maintained. But the most important thing is that my children are not only happy being there but the level of education they are receiving from SFC far exceeds what other schools offer.
—Submitted by a parent

The foundation of this school is great-good teachers, good scores, but the school is actually not one I would ever send a child of mine. The rules, and the people the choose to enforce the rules are completely absurd. They get upset over the smallest things.
—Submitted by a former student