St. Rose of Lima School

My children have been getting a very good education at Saint Rose. The school is very faith based , which is one of its strong points. The academics are rigorous but well worth the challenge for our kids. There are plenty of after school activities for the students to do throughout the year. All the teachers are top notch and genuinely care for the students offering extra help before and after school. The principal is a tireless worker and has lead the school through many changes that have been positive.
—Submitted by a parent

I love St Rose.The school really offers a sense of faith based community and a friendly atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended St. Rose School since kindergarten (grades 8 and 5). St. Rose as been terrific. My children have different personalities and learn styles. Both have thrived at St Rose. The principal is an exceptional leader and the teachers are top notch. The principal and teachers work in concert to ensure individual student achievement. St. Rose sets high standards that have helped my children develop into outstanding learners, friends and community members.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter recently entered St. Rose School after attending several years at our local public elementary school. I can honestly tell you that the transition has been very smooth and that we are all extremely happy. We are particularly thrilled with the greater intimacy a smaller more familial setting provides. The teachers and administration have been stellar . In this setting our daughter is comfortable with being herself while at the same time receiving an excellent education. She's happy and we're ecstatic.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved our children to St. Rose from a local public school. Best decision we have ever made. Period! The academics are top notch, our children are challenged like never before. They are taught by outstanding teachers who not only teach them the curriculum, but also responsibility and accountability. The faith based respect they are learning is priceless. The principal is quite possibly the hardest working person I know. The entire St. Rose community has been amazing. We are thrilled!
—Submitted by a parent

St. Rose is a faith-based, family oriented school where the staff cares for each child individually, providing love and learning.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so grateful for St. Rose and its dedicated teachers. We sent our son to the preschool fully intending to transition to Newtown public schools in kindergarten. Our wonderful experience in the PreK made us not want to change course. Just like a family, every school will have its transition periods and challenges, it just seems that students are set up for success here. The school's parameters and expectations help reinforce (and often galvanize) what we are trying to accomplish at home. I have observed a pattern of challenging curriculum, inspired teacher practices (with individual attention) and a strong foundation for continuity from grade to grade. St. Rose has created a dynamic world where students are given chances to rise to the occasion. I also have to applaud the extracurricular and enrichment programs available to St. Rose students. They represent a wonderful variety of sports, music, art, science with reasonable time-commitments, affordable participation fees for all ages and skill levels. I hope St. Rose continues to be a great fit for our family because my son loves going to school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our three boys LOVE St. Rose of Lima School (Grades 2,3, and 5). They started at St. Rose Preschool. The preschool is a wonderful place for children. When you enter the building, you're greeted with a smile and the children are excited to be there. Full Day Kindergarten prepared them well for 1st grade by teaching them in a fun learning environment. Throughout all the grades, we admire how each year, the teachers communicate with one another to assure that each of our children can learn among their peers. Our teachers are quick to address any of our questions or concerns. They work with us to assure that our children learn at their pace. Above all we love that our children are learning in a faith based environment where students respect each other, the Principal, Priests, and the entire faculty/staff. The Principal an exceptional leader. She is accessible to parents and staff . She addresses parent concerns in a respectful and thoughtful manner and is a true dedicated leader of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

By far, the best choice in Newtown. The school community is strong, the atmosphere is welcoming and nurturing. The outstanding teaching staff is lead by the strongest principal in the diocese and the town. I have 3 children at St. Rose and feel blessed to be a part of the family there. So much misconception about teacher qualification requirements in Catholic schools - the teachers are stellar! The PreK is the best the town has to offer. High expectations, but the support in place to get our children there. Academically beyond any of the public schools in the district - students graduating from St. Rose are consistently the highest achievers at the High School level. Wisdom, grace and integrity - priceless.
—Submitted by a parent

St Rose of Lima School is a wonderful learning environment, no doubt about it. Although sometimes strict, the teachers care about the students and push them to do their best. My child (middle school) is receiving an outstanding education while learning about the Catholic faith and morals. I've never been happier with any school. ST ROSE ROCKS!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love St Rose school my kids ages 7 & 9 are very happy and ROCKED on their Iowa test scores!! Great school and great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Communication is very poor (very little & often vague). One teacher waited an entire month before informing us our child hadn't been turning in his homework. Those making financial sacrifices to send child here will be made to feel like 2nd class citizens (constantly looking for $/donations). If your child doesn't fit the school's "mold," you will have no end of problems. Some new teachers condescending, rude and abrasive; and not all qualified to be teaching.Next year I would not enroll my children here again.
—Submitted by a parent

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