Espiritu Santo Catholic School

my child was unfairly rejected from the school, and when my father of 28 years a parishioner of the school approached the pastor, the pastor responded by admitting he was a puppet of the school principal. I do not want anyone to make the mistake that we made after my family were parishioners since 1979.
—Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of the class of 2009, I would highly recommend the school! Mrs. Preble, the Language Arts teacher, more than prepared me for high school. I am learning things now as a senior in an AP class that she taught me in 6th grade! The environment is amazing, and I met my best friends at this school. Whenever I return, I feel welcomed by everyone. Attending this school was a better experience than that of my high school one. I would recommend ESCS to anyone!

We love Espiritu Santo Catholic School!! The principal, teachers and staff are excellent...very caring, dedicated and highly qualified! The facility is wonderful and the tech department is great! There are a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to be involved in. The environment is very warm and friendly and everyone feels welcome! I would highly recommend this school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

School is the pits. You will get more school and christianity at St. Cecelias or Our Lady of Lourdes. The principle does everything she can to avoid any parental involvement. She is a disappointment. If you are not the YES Parent, you'll get no where. She's like the evil dictator and has removed anyone who has ever disagreed with her. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!
—Submitted by a parent

Overall school is disappointing. Core cardinal virtues are not taught (moderation, prudence, justice, fortitude). Nothing is in moderation and atmosphere encourages excess and waste. Looking at other schools which encourage more spiritual and academic learning rather then $25,000 two day trips to the Kennedy Space Center for the 5th grade class.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school! So far we have graduated two of our children and we have been happy with everything about Espiritu Santo for the past seven years! We hope to be part of the ESCS family for many years to come. THANK GOODNESS the principal got rid of the parents and staff members who were so negative and counter-cultural to the excellent CATHOLIC community which has been built! Espiritu is such a fabulous place!!
—Submitted by a parent

The Principle quality is poor. The principle is unpredictable and does not take well to any other opinions other than her own, even if those opinions are for bettering the school. If they were not her ideas, they cannot be used. The teachers are good though, if in middle school you are in the accelerated classes. There is not much of a chance for those not in accelerated to get into it again. Through fourth-fifth grade, if the student is having trouble, they aren't necessarily given the attention or helped needed. She has been there five, going on six years and has not improved.

My son has been a student at this school, and I must say that we are extremely dissapointed. The leadership at this school is very bad, and the teachers are intimidated by the leadership so they are afraid to speak up, because if they do, they most likely will loose their job, the principal will see to that. The tuitution rates are also waaaaay to high for what you get. I wish we hadn't wasted our time at this school. Be aware and do your reasearch before you apply.
—Submitted by a parent

As a member of the ESCS team of educators, I am blessed to work with some of the finest people I have ever known. The teachers at ESCS truly have the best interests of the students at heart. The administration is supportive of faculty, students and parents which is a difficult balance to achieve. As in all schools, there are people who disagree with policies and procedures, but for the most part, the support of the parents is outstanding and there is a true partnership between school and home.
—Submitted by a teacher

ESCS is by far the greatest school I've ever attended. The teachers are wonderful, especially the middle school teachers. As a 2009 graduate and I'm EXTREMELY proud to say that I attended ESCS from the 1st grade in 2001 to the 8th grade in 2009. I learned so much with every teacher and made long lasting friendships. ESCS is my second home. I feel welcome there EVERY single time I walk in those doors. It is a Catholic environment in all meanings of the word. Children would be very very lucky to attend ESCS. The principal, Mrs. Penn, made so many wonderful changes that I, as a student, was lucky to witness. She made the middle school special and different from the elementary school, providing cool privileges every year. She is one of the most Christ-like people I have ever met. ESCS is a fantastic school and I highly, recommend it.

As a parent of an ESCS graduate, I have to comment on the fact that my child was more than aptly prepared for high school. She not only felt safe at ESCS, but felt it was her second home and she was surrounded by family who cared about her well-being; physically, academically, and spiritually. She is still volunteering her time after school at ESCS. We have been a part of the ESCS family since it opened its doors and have never regretted being there.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been involved in the growth of ESCS since the beginning. It has taken 9 years but ESCS has become the premier Catholic Elementary School in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The administration, teachers, teacher aides and support staff are the best. The students are always our first priorty. ESCS may not be the perfect school for all students but it is one of the best.

My children have attended the school since it opened. Our family is proud to be part of such a wonderful Catholic school community. The teachers are excellent! We have been extremely happy with the middle school language arts program, headed by Mrs. Preble.
—Submitted by a parent

We've been parents at Espiritu Santo Catholic School since the very first day in 2001! Our experience from PreKindergarten to present has been very positive. The educational staff is exceptional at all levels. My middle school student is thriving and has exceptional and understanding teachers. The administration team has shown strong leadership and good communication skills. I appreciate the fact that they are standing up to bullying and intimidating parents. I would recommend Espiritu Santo to everyone!
—Submitted by a parent

My experience at ESCS has been woderful. My children transfered from an other catholic school in the area and have received a great education. I love the fact that they have a super student support program, My child needed help with her studies and she received all the help she needed to now succeed in middle school. The middle school is amazing. My child has learned so much this year and is thriving. I wouldn't send her anywhere else. It is a finanical struggle to afford the tutition, but I will eat eggs for dinner just to afford this great school. I would recommend this school to anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

Great leadership and a very positive change from the entitled parents during the first principal. It is very refreshing to see the principal stand up to the bullying parents and not accept their disrespect. We are very, very happy with the formation and education of our children! We love Espiritu Santo and are blessed to be a part of the school family!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very please with the school and the administration. Catholic values permeate every aspect of the school. The educational instruction is outstanding and our children are part of a great educational community. We are so blessed to be a part of ESCS.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is Catholic in name only. It overlooks bullying at every turn. The middle school teachers are progressive and liberal. Conservative Catholic Orthodoxy is missing from this place. The pastor never comes around, nor the associate priest. The school has great facilities, a clean beautiful environment, but it is shallow. The children who have been there the longest are not welcoming of newcomers and are rude, spoiled and self absorbed. At least 6 students have withdrawn to attend other schools or home school due to bullying and antisocial behavior. The lower grades are much much better with loving teachers. The school board and pastor are unresponsive to concerns about the current administration. They have way too many employees for the number of children who attend...keeping tuition increasingly high.
—Submitted by a parent

If you're looking for a school and principal who allows bullying and teaches the exact opposite of good Christian values and morals then this is your school. I have been involved in many Catholic schools due to our family moving often and this by far is the absolute worse!! I can't believe what goes on at this school and that they can call this a religious school. Our family and many others will not be returning next year due to all the fighting between the principal, teachers and parents. I only wish we wouldn't have wasted a year here.
—Submitted by a parent

Espiritu Santo is a great school! All of the administrators and the teachers are amazing and above average. The best teacher there is Mrs. Holly Downing, who has been teaching second grade for five years now.