Cardinal Mooney High School

Best friend dropped out after a number of negative experiences here. Apparently religion interfered with education here.

Wow, I was searching schools for my younger children as we are moving back to Sarasota and am shocked at the previous review! My daughter went to Cardinal Mooney her freshman year and only left because we moved. The school was amazing with excellent teachers who prepared her well. When she transferred to another Catholic High School, they were impressed at how well she wrote essays. She also scored almost a perfect score on the ACT writing. We have Mr. Salamone to thank for that. He was tough but he prepares your child. She had an amazing role model in Mr. Scheuer and I can't say enough about Mr. Christie's leadership. As far as the cost Catholic vs. Non Catholic, that is nothing new. It was like that when I went to Catholic school. As far as the facilities, yes they are old, but kept in excellent shape. You should see my daughters new Catholic school, the admistration offices have paneling for the walls. Most people choose a Catholic school to instill values in their child not the aesthetics of the buildings. I have to disagree with you on the teachers. The teachers at Mooney are there because they love the school and the children, many of them graduated from Mooney.
--Submitted by a parent

Caveat emptor. True costs. Non Catholic Church 10.5k active contributing Catholic about 8.5K. $500.00 registration fee, $600 to $800 books sport $200 on insurance, practice 3 ads for the program$200 Old Gym is lunch room child must bring $30 a week for cold sandwiches and soda. School costs 13k year. The Gymnasium was built in the 50s and looks like it. The classrooms will remind you of what your Mother and father went to school in. Almost a fifth of the population has financial aid Non tution students succeed quickly or get dismissed . drugs very common like any high school) be careful if you have daughter. 99.9% college placement rate. bear in mind anyone spending 13k a year for HS will find a college somewhere for the right $$ very high on sports, football. lacrosse, soccer, volleyball but play in a 2A and 3A. Average athletes can play 4 more years. Good athlete should go elsewhere. Private schools have better teachers " wrong". They just can afford to pay them as well as public schools, you get what you pay for. If your CHMS student tells you of teacher issues INVESTIGATE the rumors they are true My advice "Ask questions before enrolling and visit the campus
--Submitted by a parent

Second year my son has attended. This is about as safe as it gets. Attend a football game and you'll understand why. I asked my son how bad is the bullying there. He said "what bullying". There is really a Zero tolerance for any of that kind of stuff. I graduated from a ghetto school in Tampa and this school is an absolute sanctuary. The school really tries to push Catholic values but ALL religious values are respected. The sports programs are awesome and appear well funded. It's a smaller school and they work to build athletes vs picking from a large talent pool. The basketball program is the best I've seen. The staff appears to be truly committed. The parents are VERY involved. The principal has his heart and soul in this place. The tuition was an issue at first and it s a large financial sacrifice for our family. I just feel that the kids are going to be ready for college and disciplined to not be distracted from the social situations there.
--Submitted by a parent

Best school ever. I feel very safe here.
--Submitted by a student

Great school. Great teachers. Great everything!

Great school. But your children will get made fun of if they don't have the most expensive items or if they are shy.
--Submitted by a student

Great school academically. But when it comes to the students here-- they are quite mean. Tons of cliques.
--Submitted by a student

Turning out some of the brightest and socially brilliant kids.
--Submitted by nikki, a parent

Excellant school. Ranked one of the best in the nation. Graduation rate and acceptance into higher education always above 95%. Would reccomend to anyone. A great school with Catholic Christian values.
--Submitted by a parent