Saint Barnabas Episcopal School

St. Barnabas Episcopal School in DeLand has been a toxic place for my children and our whole family. Academic opportunities are there, but in an environment of bullying, cliques, and behavior that is far from representative of Episcopal missions it's hard for many kids to focus on their education. The Head of School is more interested in furthering her personal brand than in abating the cliques, bullying, and unkindness that runs rampant in the Middle School. She exercises horrible retribution for any parent who might disagree with her; she was rude and dismissive with me when I asked questions about bullying treatment my son received. As an Episcopalian at another parish, I am sadly removing my children from this school. I plan to ask my priest to alert the Rector at St. Barnabas and the Bishop, so they can step in and check attitudes and accountability--the school needs ministering. The teachers do try to focus on the children, but they appear afraid of retribution if they cross the Head of School, even in an attempt to help kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I loved this school in the beginning. However as time goes by I find myself becoming less enchanted with it. Everyone I know that has left and started public school are all behind academically. They do cater to certain families. As long as you stay quiet and go along everything is good, but the minute you have a problem and complain You become the enemy. It is a dictatorship for sure. Bullying does go on much as they like to say it don't. The family atmosphere is gone and the class sizes are way too big! They have a if you don't like it leave attitude and that is SAD. There is at least one teacher there that should not be teaching. She is very nasty. I just think when paying this kind of money to send you kids to school you should not have to be so afraid to speak up with any concerns you have.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Barnabas Episcopal School lives up to its national ranking of a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. They teach to the whole child and all three of our grandchildren have been very prepared for high school and beyond. There are not enough words of praise to thank the teachers, administration and staff for their loving guidance and the academic preparation that students receive each day.

We have been at St. Barnabas for 5 years and have been nothing short of impressed. They are both challenged academically, while instructed by excellent and caring teachers. St. B not only educates my children academically, but also spiritually and provides life-lessons to prepare them for the world they face. Thank you for going above and beyond in every way.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Barnabas has been an excellent school for my two children for the past 5 years. I love how they have a challenging academic program along with Christian values. The Faculty and staff are always friendly and welcoming, and willing to help in any way possible. The students are great and always respectful.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Barnabas has been the best choice I have ever made for my children! They have both been there since preschool and we wouldn't have it any other way. The Faculty and staff have always been extremely supportive and helpful in every aspect, and my children have become very capable and successful students because of them. They still have close friends that they met first at St. Barnabas. I feel this school is a great environment for academics and encouraging well-rounded students.
—Submitted by a parent

On paper St. Barnabas sounds like the perfect school. Unfortunately what is written in their brochures and on their website is not a reality. Those with influence are catered to and the rest receive a mediocre education at best. The administration and faculty have an elitist attitude and show no sense of accountability for their actions or the impact of these actions on the children in their care. St. Barnabas was unfortunately a huge disappointment to our family and a time in our children s lives that they would like very much to forget.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrific school! Challenging academics, enrichment programs and creative projects to teach a lesson. My children's teachers were all so nice and communicated with me all the time. The campus is beautiful, and my kids were happy to and from school everyday, excitedly telling me what they do at school. Test scores were great, the curriculum can't be beat!
—Submitted by a parent

My experience this whole year has been excellent. The communication between the teacher and myself has been amazing and honest. I love that!
—Submitted by a parent

St Barnabas Episcopal School does not know how to handle bullying. They also do not know how to handle children with any simple needs such as ADD. I am not the first parent with the same prolblem. I have spoken to 3 other families b(who also quit going to this school) who had the same complaint about St Barnbas.
—Submitted by a parent

Administration is clueless. Parents are snobs. Teachers are unhappy. Academics are worse than public school. Save your money. Don't throw it away here.
—Submitted by a parent

We think that the overall academics are excellent and the staff is very good at their jobs. Our kids are very happy in 4th and 5th grade respectively. I will note that there has been an influx of 3 new families into our school from another local parochial school. They complained that their "gifted" children did not get the academic attention they needed at the other institution. Apparently being gifted to some means blaming their child's mediocrity on the institution because "how could my child be anything other than gifted?". LOL Have fun with that.
—Submitted by a parent

My children love this school. All I can say is that it has been nothing but a positive experience for them.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children attend St. Barnabas pre-school through middle school and I can't think of a better preparation for high school. St. Barnabas is a loving community with highly involved parents, teachers and administration. There is not another school like it in all of Central Florida! It deserves a 5 star rating.
—Submitted by a parent

Beware of this school. The experience in younger grades was good for us with good teachers. Later years were more like a nightmare with inept and unkind teachers. Administration backs teachers without regard for facts and refuses to listen. Initially there was good dialog with teachers and a collaborative spirit, until the administration refused to let us meet with teachers. Their excuse was that the teachers were too busy to meet with parents regularly. Athletics are a joke. Your child can be a starter and receive preferential coaching on any team if you are related to the administration or donate plenty of money. As for character development, there are nice signs and lots of pretty brochures, but we found bullying, lying and deceit to be prevalent on part of students as well as teachers. Conversations with other parents revealed similar experiences. We would put younger children in the school again, but move them before getting to middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a wonderful experience at St. Barnabas. The teachers are wonderful and as our kids are younger, I have to say that the teachers in the early grades are exceptional. Coach Shaw has done an amazing job with integrating athletics into the entire experience and Coach Tucker is an excellent addition to the staff as well. Give the school the highest recommendation.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice teachers they really help feel safe and more!
—Submitted by a student

Excellent expereince so far. This is my childs first year at St. Barnabas. She is in first grade and has come home everyday LOVING it. Everyone we have come in contact with has been great, caring and welcoming to us. It has only been a couple of weeks, but I can not think of a negative thing to say.
—Submitted by a parent

This School lacks in the emotional caring and well being of your children. I am totaly dissatisfied with this school. They don't veiw your child as an individulal they expect the children to be robot like. save your money and find a school how really has your childs best intrest at heart!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with a wonderful staff of caring people. I am very happy we came here 3 years ago. My only problem is that there is alot of catering to certain families because of money donations and volunteer hours. I would like to see the clicks dissapear there are some very rude uppity parents who treat the working moms like second class people. I guess that happens no matter what school you attend.The administration is great and they should be commended for the work they do. They really care about the kids. It is expensive but well worth the money.I wish they would not ask for so many donations most of us struggle with the tutition and cant afford the many fund raising programs. The teachers we have delt with have been great. The fourth grade teacher Mrs Ross is the best. This is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent