St. Monica Catholic High School

St. Monica has been a second home to our kids. The student body and faculty truly are like a family. Most teachers are willing to help students reach their potential whether it is in honors and AP's or regular college prep classes. Students can be as involved as they want. Sports teams are doing well especially the Girls Basketball team that won their division and went to State. The one area that needs to be addressed is the college counseling. Not enough attention to it early on and too much pushing for out of state and private schools. That said, it is being worked on and I see improvement. I highly recommend it!
—Submitted by a parent

SMCH is becoming a great school. Our football team, soccer team, boys basketball, and girls basketball all made it to the playoffs. Not to mention the girls won CIF champion. The academic is lacking, but a responsible student shouldn't always rely on the teacher (real talk).
—Submitted by a student

Some of the colleges that the class of 2011 were accepted to-U Penn, Georgetown, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, USC and the US Naval Academy. Whatever your student wants to achieve, this school will help them reach their goals (at 1/4 the cost of most private schools on the Westside).
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers! Diverse student body! A vast variety of activities available on and off campus! Great location, near the beach!
—Submitted by a student

We love the community and spirit of St. Monica's.
—Submitted by a parent

saint monica's is a great school and I love it! it has clubs that are outstanding and a great academic program and awesome teachers and since I go to church there it is easy to do community service and church service while I attend school there.
—Submitted by a student

This school was the worst High School for my daughter. Better to save your money and send your child to public school. They gave No guidance whatsoever for college or college prep. or applications. The teachers are unqualified to teach and do not care about students.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your child here. It is a nightmare. With the exception of about 4 good teachers, the rest are horrible. So is the administration. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

low academic level. not enough supervision. ugly uniform. excellent location. all and all, not a good school. it is disappointing
—Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are competitive if your children have a balance of honor's courses and other challenging environments. The teachers are dedicated. Many are young and without a lot of experience but some are veterans. They all share a love for the children and are available to both students and parents. I get immediate response anytime I contact a teacher. It's a little slower from administration. Some of the religious teachings are medieval.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic quality appears to be at the mercy of activities. There are too many extra-curricular activities without regard to the teaching of students
—Submitted by a former student

The priorities of this school are wrong. There is too much emphasis on non-essential things, such as strict adherence to an outdated dress code, and not enough emphasis on academics. The college counseling program was mediocre, but that may have improved with the new principal. The school does provide a drug-free atmosphere, and the students are good kids. The parent volunteer level is high, but the administration disdains constructive criticism from the parents. Parents are welcome as workers or donors, but they have no input into the running of the school. Your children will be safe at this school but I suggest you hire an outside consultant the beginning of the sophomore year to become involved in the college application process and that you enroll your child in an SAT prep class if getting into a top 4 year university is important.
—Submitted by a former student

Overall a very disappointing school. The classroom atmosphere is almost like a public school, the kids are more focused on their social life than their academics. More graduates go to community colleges than to four year colleges.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Monica's High School provides an enriched catholic education to students of all ethnic backgrounds. It allows teenagers to develop today's skills and their individuality...
—Submitted by a former student

There is a basic lack of trust and respect. Much of the resources are spent on policing students: uniform violations, dogs sniffing for drugs, locker and backpack checks.
—Submitted by a parent

i am very pleased with the quality of education my child is getting at this school. Only one complaint I have is I wish there were more electives for the juniors and seniors that are UC approved. But the teachers are wonderful and the security is great. I don't worry about my child getting hurt there.
—Submitted by a parent

I attend St.Monica's now and I am in the ninth grade, and I find it to be an excellent school. They have great curriculum, athletics, afterschool programs you name it. It is a geat highschool and I support it all the way. Go Mariners!
—Submitted by a former student