Lake Castle Private School

My child used to attend the Slidell school. After we switched to another school, I relaized how bad Lake Castle really is. Even our pediatrician had bad things to say about this school. What kind of school has no library! This school is unacceptable. Don't waste your money. The classes are too big. The only positive aspect is the CHEAP tuition. But then, you get what you pay for. This place is like a little prison camp. I would rather send my child to a public school!!! Did I mention NO LIBRARY!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Terrible school full of non-certified teachers. Madisonville location, all that the staff knows how to do is YELL at the students. The children are made to bring home every book that they have, every single day in a book bag that is carried on their back; and it normally weighs more than they do! It started out as a great concept for a small private school, then CERTAIN PEOPLE- MR BARRY BUTERA- start to get greedy and take on more students than can be handled and the quality goes out the window.
--Submitted by a parent

I've seen many terrible schools, but the Lake Castle Private School Madisonville Campus was, by far, the WORST! The pupils act very innapropriately and are taught these behaviors by the staff. The principal, Barry, has even committed violent acts towards students! Also, there is no special education available for the many children who require it! No school nurse, no counselors, and your money goes to Butera's leisure--barely to school supplies! This rating SHOULD have a NEGATIVE amount of stars!
--Submitted by a parent

Lake Castle Private School Madisonville campus - The most horrible experience you could ever put your young children through. Take them out as fast as you can before they turn ignorant and blind the to the real world.
--Submitted by a teacher

I put my children in the Madisonville campus because I agreed with the philosophy in theory. If my kids wanted extracurricular activities, I'd sign them up separately. WRONG! None of the teachers communicate and therefore the children often have more than 3 tests on one day and even my K child had an hour of homework at night. The principal routinely screams at the children and the parents. If you have any problems, you will not get any help. You can either like it or you can go elsewhere. They are a private school and therefore accountable to no one. When he was at the New Orleans campus as a teacher he broke a child's arm and threw a desk at another. Afterward, he was banned for one year from dealing with children. Why do people still go to LC? Because it seems like the tuition is cheap. It is the cheapest private school around and the education is good if you are willing to put up with the above problems and know going in that if you have a problem you have no help to fix it. There is no bus, no cafeteria, the lunches are catered and cold when delivered to the kids etc. My advice is the $ savings isn't worth it in the long run. Your child will suffer.
--Submitted by a parent

My name is Lily and I am currently enrolled in Lake Castle Private School (the Madisonville campus). I am in the sixth grade and have been here since pre-k. It's a truely amazing school. Lake Castle doesn't just teach you how to read,write, etc. It teaches you real life lessons about how it really is out there in the real world. I have also learned many valuable study habits and efficent ways to help me get my homework and schoolwork done faster. The teachers are wonderful! I don't think I'll ever forget them because of the way they always seem like what you could call "real people" not like "robots". I know many other kids that have come from Lake Castle and they have been extremely successful both in high school, college, and during adulthood. If you're looking for a school to put your child in this is the right school. I have loved my time so far at LC and I look forward to my future years here!

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL FOR A STRONG FOUNDATION IN EDUCATION. FROM PRE K TO 8TH GRADE THE BEST IN ORLEANS PARISH. MY SONS WENT TO A FOUNDATION CAMP FOR THE SUMMER WITH COLLEGE PREP CLASSES FOR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION IN ENGLISH AND MATH . AND NOW THEY WANT TO PLACE THEM IN HONOR CLASSES. THEY GRADUATED FROM LAKE CASTLE IN 2011.GREAT SCHOOL !!!!!!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Lake Castle is fantastic! The staff is like a well oiled machine. It's priced so the average family can afford a top notch private school education. It's the best kept secret in New Orleans east.
--Submitted by a parent

Don't be fooled this school is over-hyped! Imagine a private school that has classrooms packed with 30+ students. The teachers yell at students, and the people running this school are extremely rude. Most parents overlook these facts due to the students achieving above average test scores. However, there are no extracurricular activities. The principle is a puppet for the headmistress so don't waste time there. Also the parent's have complained that the secretary is very casual with private information. The headmistress has not reacted to parental concerns, but let your check not clear! Makes you go HMMM?
--Submitted by a parent

The students learning capabilities are maximized due to the great teachers. However, the classroom sizes are too large which can peak at 29. The facilities are antiquated with little renovations done since Katrina (used as an animal shelter). No cafeteria and no extracurriculars.The administrative staff is horrible. Personal and financial issues are addressed in front of other parents and staff. If you think it can't get any worse- think of a 50+ year old woman (Headmistress) who is constantly sunburned and wearing halter tops or clothing revealing her splotched shoulders and back. At the orientation the Headmistress says her father wanted to establish a school for those who couldn't afford the archdiocese schools, yet she kept Pre-K and K's from participating in graduating exercises due to tuition balances. I bet her father would be proud. I rather a well-rounded, wholesome child as opposed to an overachieving extravert. Don't be fooled!
--Submitted by a parent