St. Barbara Elementary School

I graduated from St. Barbara's last year and transferred to this school a few years ago and compared to my old school, which was also a Catholic school, St. Barbara's lacked MANY qualities. First, there are VERY strict rules on your shoes (athletic shoes only; no vans, converse), you have to wear white crew socks or you'll get in trouble, there is no school gate, only these border things, so parents have to walk into the classroom to pick up their child. Some of the teachers are not very considerate and don't explain stuff through enough and expect you to know it. Some teacher qualifications are awful considering this is a private, Catholic school, not some public school. And some of the students that I've met have very ill manners. But some of the things I like about St. Barbara's is that if you're an 8th grader, you will get to go to Washington DC for a week near the spring time, and the history, math, and religion classes are excellent. But in my opinion, the english class didn't really prepare me for high school. Things that I have learned in the 7th grade at my old school were just introduced to the class in 8th grade.

Both of my children attended St. Barbara School. They received a very good education and had no trouble maintaining good grades after entering high school (they went to a public high school). The teachers care about the students, and classroom instruction more than meets curriculum standards. The rules are strict, but it is a Catholic school where discipline and rules are emphasized. Uniforms are mandatory and the dress code is strictly enforced. In addition to regular schoolwork, my children participated in community service projects, learned computer skills, learned to be healthy individuals through their Physical Education class, learned about the Fine Arts (music/art), and received religious education.
--Submitted by a parent

I left this school because my student's need were not being met. Principal is insincere. Some of the teachers are okay but many lack compassion and competency. Was a great school 10-20 years ago but not now.

New Principal this year is great. Teachers need to follow rules. Great admnistrative staff.
--Submitted by a parent

It is a good school but it is way too expensive. The rules are also very, very strict. One of the rules I think is not neccessary is to wear ONLY crew socks, if you don't wear crew socks you get a detention.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been monitoring this school for 6 years since my kid going here. Teaching quality was very poor and teacher qualifications was a joke. There is absolutely no academy perfomance indices except enforce students to pray since it is Catholic school. I end up paying double tuition for 'one on one' tutoring year after year so my kid can keep up with standard curriculum. It was a very bad choice to send your kid here and I should have pulled him out years ago.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Barbara is a good school with dedicated teachers. The principal has made great strides with the school but has lately stretched herself too thin with other projects. She would be better off concentrating on the needs of St. Barbara and not trying to solve the problems of the diocese. She desperately needs a good assistant principal to help with the running of the school. She can't do it all herself. The children do get a good education and the middle school staff, espeecially Mrs. Betzold, do a wonderful job with them.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school! I love that the kids get computer and music every week where public schools hardly have that any more.
--Submitted by a parent