This school has been a huge disappointment to our kids and family in general. It use to have small class sizes, now classes are 23-29 kids per class and no teachers aides. They share lockers. The teacher are pretty negative in general. I have been told they are over extended. The politics in a private school like this are overwhelming. My biggest issue has been the bullying. Yes, it is everywhere, but this school does nothing to protect the kids and often blames it on the kid who is getting bullied. Basically you have to physically beat someone up to get kicked out. They accept kids who have been kicked out of other schools! No real art teacher. No art room. classroom computers are obsolete or broken. Some of the monitors are updated, but not the system. They also go over the top with AR and homework is 1-3 hours per night. My kids have had several things stolen out of lockers and they do nothing but say, "Check lost & found". I realize all schools have problems, but to pay over $250.00 a month per kid for it is crazy! On a positive note they have a couple great teachers, but the sarcastic negative teachers out number the good ones. I would want to know if I was considering HC.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 5th grader and love this school!!! The teachers are nice esepecially Mrs.Hoham!!! I am staying till 8th grade!! Come to Holy Cross!!!

This school has a real problem with getting rid of students who bully and are in general horrible kids! We pay good money for our children to get a christian education and many of the same ill behaved kids continue year after year to be a problem and the teachers put them on the wall at school at recess, send home notes and have "pow wows" with parents, but let them stay enrolled. It makes for a horrible learning enviroment for our children.Public schools do not even tolerate this amount of poor behavior. Some of the parents are so out of touch...If your kid is getting in trouble for major stuff on a weekly basis...guess what? get some help for them and stop letting them destroy other kids learning enviroment. Not to mention kids share lockers that are too small for 1 kid much less 2 and they are lacking in technology....cramped classrooms too. Public schools do not even tolerate this amount of poor behavior. Sad, they do have a number of fab teachers, but the whole structure is so messed up, it does not matter. It is time for a change for Holy Cross...Wake up before you see good families leave...May be too late. You have already lost some good families with more to follow.
—Submitted by a parent

I recently left and pulled my children out after 7 years. There were not enough classrooms or text books or desks or lockers for all of the children enrolled. There is also a zero tolerance poolicy on bullying that is never enforced which then causes even the best of kids to get pulled into questionable behavior. Afterall if there is no consequence why not join in with everyone else? I was also told as a teacher that if I wanted to continue to work there I would have to give up being 100% my kids mom. For an employer especially a "Christian" one to ask that I think is absurd. Overall I feel there are many other Christian Lutheran school avaiable that have not lost sight of God's plan for us the way that Holy Cross has. God and his teachings are no longer a priorty at Holy Cross. More students and a bigger bottom line financially are now their prime objective. Why pay for that when you can get it for free at public school? If you're looking for a true Christian school and education for your child look elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at Holy Cross. Initially I loved it but ended up leaving because of poor leadership and a loss of perspective. I was no longer getting a Christian education and the bullying by girls and boys that I had grown up with was awful. Friends turned against each other and nothing was done. The teachers did nothing because the principal never backed them up. The pastors were never around. I am in a great Lutheran school now and I hope thing improve at Holy Cross soon.

I was a student at Holy Cross for 5 years and at first it was good and then they got a new principal and her kids were awful and behaved terrible. She did nothing so the teachers did nothing and it got to be a very sad place to be. Our librarian left and now there is only a part time person who is not kind to the kids the way our old librarian was. The pastors were never around and the teachers seemed angry all the time. I am glad to be in a better Christian school now.

My son is just finishing kindergarten and our experience has been wonderful! He was in a class where 2 teachers job shared and both were patient, loving, and responsive to my son's needs. They geniunely know his likes, dislikes,strengths, and weaknesses. Though I have heard from parents with older children there is a bullying issue amongst the later grades, this is not happening around my son. This is a school that values the parents role. There are endless opportunities to volunteer throughout the school, not just in my son's classroom. It has been amazing to see my son learn to read, write, and tie his shoes. I feel blessed to have their support in raising my children with both academically and (equally important) a moral character.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student of Holy Cross, I love this school. I am currently a 8th Grader there and I am very pleased with my experience at Holy Cross. First of all the teachers are amazing, they teach well, help if needed, and provide a first hand christian education. The school itself has lots of pride and is boosting with new kids coming in. Kids at the school are the most smart, kind, and christian kids I have seen. They offer a lot of extra things and the choir is simply amazing. Other Lutheran schools don't offer as much and the confirmation teacher is great. The field trip that we go on for confirmation that other schools don't, really help the kids to find their place and be friends with everyone and act accordingly to God. I am going to send my kids to Holy Cross and keep the tradition, because I think its the best Lutheran school to go to.

Just a few suggestions. I have only seen book work with worksheets given this year. I think lessons need to be taught in a variety of ways, hands on, projects, etc... We need more small group work. The librarian used to do that for reading. We need aids in classes or simply smaller class sizes, less than 20. It is a very tight maze to get around the desks. Teachers should not use their rooms for year round storage of items only used a couple times, the rooms are too small. A cluttered room is distracting to kids. I also agree, that for a private school, they should offer some sort of foreign language program and more science. Curriculum should be varied, based on your child's level. Some kids are amazing readers, but need help in math or vice versa. With smaller class sizes or aids, teachers can do more individual work with kids to either challenge them higher or bring them up to grade level, right now classes are too big for that. I know many parents who would volunteer their time to be an aid in their child's room. I would be willing to pay more tution for either smaller classes and the addition of more academics - foreign language. Quality over quantity is a better seller.
—Submitted by a parent

My son LOVES going to Holy Cross. He has learned so many wonderful lessons from his teachers and peers. I am so excited when he tells me about the bible lesson they learned that day or the story they read. He has grown so much both acedemically and spiritually this school year. Our family has enjoyed the many extra activities that have been offered.
—Submitted by a parent

This school could be so great. It is lacking a couple essential things. First is leadership. There are great people here, but they lack a strong leader. The system is set up to be indecisive at best; neglectful at worst. They talk a good game, but have little to no follow through. The principal is "busy" spending her days in meetings, but she doesn't actually get anything accomplished that makes any difference to the children or staff. Half the kids there don't even know who she is or her role there. There are talks of bringing in an assistant principal to help, but that is merely a band aid, one the school can't really afford. Second, because of budget issues, the school is understaffed. There are no aids in classes of 24+, a full time librarian, art teachers, foreign language, or science program for elementary. The academic program is at or maybe below public school standards, not great for a private school. Bible stories are taught, but the core lessons are rarely demonstrated in real life displays during the day. They give a lesson on anti-bullying, but don't actually implement the program themselves. This school needs leadership and guidance.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a child who has been here for over 9 years, from a preschooler through 8th grade, I have nothing but sheer praise for the great education she has recieved academically. But even more important, my child KNOWS that her Lord loves her dearly! It is the loving teachers who have instilled this faith in her heart that I am truly grateful for! Sure, as any other child, she has had her ups and downs and not always perfectly happy, but that is the way children are sometimes when the expectations are high and they have to work a little harder to reach their goals! I know that my family will truly miss Holy Cross next year! Thank you to all of the great teachers-You are such a blessing!
—Submitted by a parent

my son is now in 2nd grade.At first I was not pleased with all the extra home work and all the reading..It really has paid off! my son loves to read and is doing so good in school.I'm very impressed with teacher of 2A . As a parent, I'm very greatful.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has good teachers and a couple of bad. Overall the families are great. The support you receive from them can be tremedous. My child has made good friends and is receiving a decent education. Of the couple of bad teachers, I just assume each school has at least one. With as many teachers that are out of work now, you would think they would have their choice of great teachers, but the school would have to try and weed out the ones that aren't working and I don't know if that is a priority.
—Submitted by a parent

Our three children have gone through Holy Cross school and received an absolutely superior education. The comraderie among the families is such a blessing. The teachers my children had were outstanding. I am a former public school teacher and found the expectations, care, and expertise to be far above the average. When we moved into this area from the Chicago suburbs we were looking for a strong Christian based education, superior academics, and a vibrant church life. We found it here at Holy Cross.
—Submitted by a parent

Holy Cross has great families, and encourages parental involvement. They offer great academic programs, and the tuition is affordable.
—Submitted by a parent

I have an older child here and I agree with the earlier review. I learned early on that you have to talk to parents to find out who to request for the next year. I have gotten stuck with the "bad" teacher and let me say it was awful. And for the years when there isn't a "good" choice, you just have to live through it. We stayed because we love the families and friends we have made there, and there are some really good teachers when you get them. When my child entered middle school she did report more bullying going on, especially with the current 8th grade class. We have talked to the principal about it, but it made no difference. The school values certain families over others. I volunteer a lot, more than most. But this year the school decided to have dinners for families that donated a certain amount of money. Only wealthy families were invited to a catered meal. It was a slap in the face to me considering all the hours I put in there for 7 years. Volunteers make things happen just as much as money does. I haven't gotten so much as a donut in the drive through line and these other families received a catered dinner because they have money.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten was great, but we had the good teacher. The choices are a loving teacher and one you can hear yelling several classrooms down. First grade was also fine, but we got the "good" teacher again. In second grade there is no "good" teacher. Our teacher is strict to the point of being mean. She will hold kids in from recess for weeks at a time if they do not get their work done in the allotted time, do not finish their entire lunch, or read enough for the contest SHE is trying to win. She talks down to students, belittling them in front of classmates. We have about 2 hours of homework each night, for a 7 year old. He cries if we don't have time to get it completed, because he fears her reaction. The other teacher, yells loud enough to be heard down the hall. Her kids sit in the hallway for 30+ minutes at a time for talking. Supposedly, there is a "good" teacher for third grade, but why should we have to see if we get that teacher. Shouldn't they all be good in a private school?
—Submitted by a parent

i think holy cross is the best school for children to attend!!! love it love it love it.
—Submitted by a parent

The stated 'zero tolerance' is wavering depending upon who the student or parents are. Bullying and lack of respect often rear their head as witnessed while walking the loud hallways or trying to eat with my child in the cafeteria in the defcon 5 noise level. I was amazed as the only 2 teachers stood talking at one end as the children ran to the otherside to get into a so called line screaming and smacking,swinging lunchboxes and being totally out of control! Where is the discipline? Is it like this in the classrooms too? I've been to better public schools and it costs alot less. On the plus side the few teachers we requested were great.
—Submitted by a parent