St. Catherine of Siena

I have a child at St Catherine and I couldn't be happier with the educational standards. My child is in 1st grade and is way more advanced than many of my friends children that go to other schools. She is reading at a 2nd grade level and in fact, they are encouraged to read books at a level above their grade. I've also never seen a school so accommodating to parents, you can come eat lunch with your child if you like, parents are encouraged to come do art projects, etc. You will never be turned away if you show up and want to talk to someone. The principal is first class, she is approachable and loves the children. The have a great art, music, computer, foreign languages, and PE program. Tuition is on par with other schools, but SCS seems to be able to offer more. This is mostly in part to the huge Co-op (Parent's club) involvement, they are dedicated to the school and have several fundraisers that allow the school to offer more. When the new principal took over, several people were really upset and that's why they were posting bad things about this school. The truth is, SCS was failing with the last administration and the changes over the last 6 years have been great!
--Submitted by a parent

Have never been happier since I pulled my kids from this school. This school has failed to maintain itsexcellent high academic standards since the arrival of new administration.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 1 child left at St. Catherine. Two of my boys and one daughter have graduated and gone on to Jesuit and Mt. Carmel. All three children we re very well prepared for high school both academically and socially. My twins graduated from high school last year and both received full scholarships to college. One is at Tulane the other at Brown. I think the basis for their education started with the attention that was given to them at St. Catherine. Yes, I think things have changed some since my older ones were at St. Catherine. I think if we had a new principal we could get our momentum going again.
--Submitted by a parent

My family is very happy at St Catherine of Sienna. We have two children there now. The environment that is offered at St Catherine is like no other school. They offer the best academics that challenge the children, but offer several classes that nurture the creativeness in children. The teachers are wonderful dedicated men and women that have a strong faith in God and a 100% commitment to the children they teach. Our recent test scores were off the charts. Everyone should be so lucky to be able to send their child to St Catherine.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree. They are more interested in your checkbook than your child. Children do not seem excited about learning. I have experienced other schools that are far more child oriented. Perhaps the school is just too big.
--Submitted by a parent

Staff is very rude and makes you feel uncomfortable asking any questions. Kids seem unhappy. Only thing you get communication on is when they are looking for money. How much is enough? Just add it to the tuition and be done with it! Awful waste of money. Can't wait for this year to be over, our kid won't be back!
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible school with horrible office staff. Rude people.
--Submitted by a parent

A great school with great students and a determined faculty. The reviewer of April 29, 2008 must be experiencing some other school or has some sort of axe to grind. I have a child in the early childhood program, and have plenty of friends who do, and have had no such problem.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed with the early childhood program. They are expecting these young children, to behave like adolescents. They are quick to catergorize/label your children if they do not blend in.

A lot has changed with our new principal. SCS still has a fantastic drama program that begins in 1st grade. Latin and Spanish are now offered. Science begins at least in 1st grade. I can't say enough about the English program. And since the renovations a few years ago that included a beautiful new art room, they have added a fantastic art teacher! The faculty has several male teachers to provide better mentoring for the boys. However, the main selling point for me was the parental involvement. It's a wonderful inviting environment for a parent. You are welcome to come and have lunch with your child on any day. Parents are also invited to help with art projects. There's a great men's club and co-op. There's still plenty of fun activities for the kids, like math day, assemblies, sports(including a nationally ranked cheerleading program), etc. It's truly a total package school.
--Submitted by a parent