St. Rose of Lima School

This school year, we moved our child to St. Rose from another local Catholic school and are thrilled! The quality of the work our child brings home is far superior and the communication regarding our child's academic progress went from just the bi-annual parent/teacher conference to constant two way feedback. We know this school will be academically challenging, but that's what we are here for as parents. We will support our child and the school to make sure she gets the best possible education. As far as communication, I have no complaints. The school has been very friendly and quick to handle issues. To some, it may not be as warm as cozy as some of the other smaller schools (although our experience has been even friendlier), but that may be due to the fact that this is a bigger school. I don't see that as a negative because the size of the school also means it has more high quality resources. I can say with confidence that this is the right choice in school to bring up a child with well rounded interests. No other school we have seen has such professional teachers plus excellence in science, music and art. We are just so happy with our choice!
--Submitted by a parent

Can't please everyone .... When looking for a parochial school to send my child to I visited many local schools. What I found could not compare to St. Rose. The facilities are nice and the principal is great. Yes, the curriculum is challenging and that is one thing I liked about the school. We need to challenge our children. Maybe that is why our country lags other countries in education. We don't want our children to be challenged because it will stress them? When they get into college they'll be thankful. Anyway, you can find faults in all schools and not agree with the administration 100%. That's expected. The administration also cannot please everyone, it's impossible. Someone mentioned the teacher turnover rate recently, you need to know & mention why they left. The teachers are also held to high standards. You also want to have the teachers change grade levels so their curriculum does not become stale or else they will teach the same thing for years. That's a good thing not a bad. Anyway, I am pleased with the school thus far. My child enjoys going to school. I am happy with my decision to send her there. I would recommend St. Rose.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has changed dramatically in recent years. A place we once felt part of a small, caring, close knit community to a place that we now feel unwelcome. Despite NUMEROUS administrative positions added, concerns still appear to fall on deaf ears and communication is terrible. The schools marks are high and the curriculum provided advanced but both come with a price, the stress and anxiety evident on the upper grade stidents especially. The school has become incredibly "clicky" and now has more of a wealthy & colder private school feel, versus a faith based catholic school feel. The best component is its faith curriculum, but this can also be found in many parochial schools. Be ready for family fees, fundraising & donating year round in addition to rising tuition. Afterschool activities are available but be prepared pay ALOT for them, we could not afford it for our child, making us feel inferior. The school has a handful of excellent teachers but in recent years the amount of new teachers, teachers who left/resigned, and the teachers changing grade levels has been large. If I ever had another child I would not consider sending them here unless major changes had occurred.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at St. Rose and I love it. Academically, St. Rose is a very strong school, with both hard-working teachers and students. There is a wide variety of clubs and activities as well, giving the kids who go here something to do. I would recommend this school to anyone looking for a dedicated staff, friendly students and a challenging curriculum. Probably one of the best catholic schools in Fairfield County :)

I am an alumni of SRS and I think it is a great school. I was there for 9 years with the same kids and the same teachers, and in my last year I couldn't wait to graduate, but I miss it so much. I have been so prepared for high school and it is like my home. I would recommend this school, but with two warnings: the work does get very intense and socially, there are problems. But all in all, going to Saint Rose is the best decision my parents ever made for me

St. Rose school provides a good, sturdy education. The problem with the school is that in the upper middle school grades, students are often pushed to hard with work. There are many other private schools who offer just as good as an education as St. Rose and use a different method of teaching that, in a way, accomplishes more because the students are drawn into an outstanding education, not pushed away from it. Another factor of stress is the strict teachers and grading. What happens many times is that a student will become so overwhelmed that they won t want to enjoy their education as much as they would in a less rigid environment. Newtown's public schools tend to offer a wider selection of programs, not to mention that they give students more freedom. No, St. Rose is not a bad school, but I personally think that they need to figure out a way to give students a good education without stressing them out to their breaking point.

St Rose School had for many years been a perfect fit for our family. Unfortunately recent years have painted a different picture. The lower grades offers an impressive education, the upper grades is significantly lacking. The upper grade teachers lack organization and often exert an undue amount of stress onto the students with their deadlines and super strict grading. The religious element is impeccable and one of the schools strongest qualities. The communication at the school has sorely deteriorated in the past 2 years, with a lack of administrative response to parent inquiries/concerns. The principal is no longer an effective administrator and appears to be losing sight of the balance that is required to nurture young minds. 3 years ago I would have given it 5 stars this year 3 stars at best.
--Submitted by a parent

what a wonderful school!!! the education is top notch and my children (grade 1 and 5) LOVE this school!
--Submitted by a parent

the teachers are mean. i have been stripped of my personality, and i used to cry about having to go to school in the morning.
--Submitted by a student

Our child is getting a good education at St Rose. Our child LOVES the school and does well academically.That part is 4 stars. There is a major problem that needs to be addressed though. They are in desparate need of a vice principal. There is only 1 person at the helm and she is spread much too thin to operate the school effectively. The diocese needs to take action in that area immediately. We would like to keep our child in St Rose through 8th grade but are definitely having 2nd thoughts.
--Submitted by a parent