Providence - St. Mel School

If I had a smart kid who was African American and was entering high school, I would prefer a more diverse school setting since PSM gives test to enter. CPS selective enrollment also send their kids to college without tuition and diversity. Walter Payton, Westinghouse, Jones and Whitney Young would be better options than PSM.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for one semester. based on his entrance exam he did pretty good but when it came to assigning his classes they were over the top and to hard, he was always according to them getting fines for his uniform and I know for a fact that he was dressed in full uniform everyday because I took him to school everyday and made sure he was dressed accordingly but none the less they always seem to find a reason he was out of uniform. Every month I would go in and pay his tuition, well it's been 6m of paying tuition and I get a call to come pick up my son for of unpaid fines and find out according to them that I have been paying the wrong tuition for all those months and they blamed it on me.and now they want me to pay for something I had no control over!! I don't work in the office!! now they are holding his transcripts hostage because I refuse to pay for their mistakes, when trying to talk to them they are very arrogant and look down on you like you're less then them. my son has been out of school since Jan. and they don't care because its all about the money for them. Now my son's education is suffering.. They are very messy and tacky, YOUR NOT RIGHT ALL THE TIME!!
—Submitted by a parent

It is so difficult to read the comments about fines! Stop whining already! To explain, if you were caught eating candy or gum, you were fined a dollar or two (can't remember). If you had five tardies, you were fined and the amount increased with every five tardies. You were also fined for stepping on the grass. Teach your kids some discipline and respect. Stop eating while a teacher is teaching you. Get up early enough to get to school on time. This just may keep you from getting fired when you get a job! Respect your environment and keep the neighborhood looking nice by not stepping on the grass. I think parents do their kids a disservice when they act like the rules are "ridiculous." Yes, I am a proud PSM graduate, now an attorney and I attribute much of my success to PSM. I learned there that hard work, discipline and preparation pays off...If you want your kid to succeed, this place is a great start...

I am a graduate of Providence St. Mel. In short I would just say that most of it's alumni are successful and happy adults which is an accomplishment giving where we come from. The school instilled me with a sense of culture, respect, and self-love. I would recommend it it anyone.

I am a former student of PSM (c/o 98). I have paid fines. I have served Saturday detentions. I didn't make my junitor contract, and sadly, did not have the honor of being a PSM graduate. Despite these things, I have nothing negative or ill to speak of St. Mel. Yes, the school is firm and consistent with disciplinary action and expectations. They should be. You don't like the fines? You are not suppose to! Don't chew gum, stay off the grass, be on time and stay in uniform. The end. These are all guidelines that you will have to follow as an adult in and around the workplace. Developing good habits start now in your young adult years. Yes, the curriculum is rigorous. It's Providence St. Mel. What were you expecting? If you'd like to offer your child mediocre curriculum in an unsafe and unencouraging enviroment from teachers who only have substandard expectations for your child, then by all means stop paying that tuition and send your child elsewhere. I got kicked out of PSM, but I am surely completeing an app for my son over the summer. See you soon! :)

I am a former student of PSM. Honestly I have mixed feelings about the school. Yes I was academy prepared for college and I did go on to college and excelled greatly. Thanks to St. Mel college was a walk in the park. However I was stressed while I was at St. Mel and burden with busy homework. Because my family could barely afford to send me there I walked on pins and needles throwout the hallways to avoid getting fines for misc. things that I believe the school uses to generate money. Also I always hated that 100% of student get accepted to college fact they always waved around because the truth of the matter was by the time senior year rolled around they had already weeded out or forced out students who where considered not to be the cr me of the crop. Any school can have a 100% college acceptance rate with PSM practices. The favorism is harmful to teenager s self esteem. This is really random but something from time to time kind of bothers me I never ditched school one day in high school, I never even saw 1 food fight, and I missed out on a couple of other all American regular high school memories but yet im 23, overachiever and I make $53,000 a year. Bittersweet right?

PSM is great at marketing and advertising! The school's curriculum is good, but the instruction is average (no offense to the teachers; they seem overworked). If a student does not immediately grasp the material, it does not seem to be the teacher's responsibility to provide different methods or examples of learning, but falls soley on the parents. The school should stop making the blanket statement that that they provide tutoring, because it is not all together true. They do not provide tutoring for the lower school students (K-5), but they supposedly do for the middle school students (6-8). In the meantime, lower school students struggle with certain subjects and may not fully grasp a concept, when a little extra help would make a world of a difference. Extra help should not be a question in a private school. Also, the too much homework complaint is true. Oftentimes, it is simple cramming. When a student is told about a big quiz one night before, and also has homework in 5 different subjects on the same night, they cannot really learn the material. These methods create stressed and sleep deprived children.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of PSM! This school is ridiculous! I'm all about discipline, however they find a way to fine these kids for every little thing. There's a lot of favortism. The kids will get in trouble if they tell potential customers, oops (I mean students) the truth about all the fines. The curriculum is nice however I hear complaints from my daughter's classmates that are quite disturbing. One girl was kicked out for alledgedly spreading a rumor about a student they favored. You're fined for chewing gum! I was fined for not pickn up my daughter's progress report. I informed the school I had just given birth a couple days prior, they had the nerve to ask me to bring them medical records as proof in order to waive the $20. I was told Icouldn't bring my newborn in as proof! PSM won't get another dime outta me! BEWARE!
—Submitted by a parent

I love how dedicated the teachers are. They expect and inspire greatness from their students.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this scool!! Even with its strict rules, it has helped me in more ways than anyone can imagine. Diamonte B. 7B
—Submitted by a student

There are many many reasons why I love psm, one being because of the environment that it creates for my child
—Submitted by a parent

I love PSM it's a great school. There are great academic classes and extra-curricular.
—Submitted by a parent

Okay! I am currently a student at Providence St.Mel. Yes I know this school is Academically great. However, they arent giving the students much freedom and things to do. A lot of people including I think that if the rules werent so strict people would actually enjoy going. Honestly Im not liking all of those unnecessary rules. I hate that when you send your kids to be shadows at this school they Force the Students to say only the good thing. In my opion everyone should be aware of all the money you spend at this school! of course since its private theres going to be a lot of fund raising but im not talking about that. Every violation a student gets, you parents are paying major bucks. By the time your child completes their first year there, youve probably spent more money than you would for a used car!
—Submitted by a student

PSM understands what's at stake and works as hard as possible to accomplish their goals.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Providence St. Mel because we live our mission every day. We believe in hard work, discipline, and accountability. Our students are incredible people and I enjoy working with them every day.
—Submitted by a teacher

Providence St. Mel provides a great learning environment for students. The academic program prepares students for a successful transition into college. 100% of the graduating students are accepted into 4 year colleges and universities.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing students, dedicated teachers, supportive parents, hard-working leaders. What else can one ask for in an amazing school?
—Submitted by a teacher

I love PSM because it does its best to balance traditional values with contemporary methodologies.
—Submitted by a parent

Help is available for students six days a week.
—Submitted by a parent

The records speak for themselves. 100% of the students have received schorships to 4-year colleges or universities for 30 years straight!