St. Margaret Mary School

My son has been attending SMM since Pre-k, he is now in first grade and I will never pick any other school for him to attend. The teacher's are great and really care for the students.They are strict but I believe that is what kids need. I love the school and would not change it for nothing! I'm very pleased with everything. And forgot to say my son just started first grade 3 months ago and he is reading at 40 words a minute.
--Submitted by a parent

SMM has forgotten it Christian values. My child has dyslexia and the school has totally failed her. Though they would only comply with a few of the intervention recommended, we found that even those agreed upon were inconsistently followed. If you are considering this school and your child has any special needs, I urge you to think again. This will likely not the best fit for your child. Socially there are bullies who, if your child runs up against, will make their life very unpleasant, to say the least. It has been my experience that the staff most dedicated to my child's best interests, have left, or are planning to leave (go figure). Please be aware that simply paying for a better, Christian education doesn't mean you will get it. I am very displeased with most aspects of what should have been a vey positive experience for my family.
--Submitted by a parent

The SMM staff only focuses on the above average students. If your child has any type of learning disability or challenge, these issues are placed back on the child. The principal specifically indicated on registration day, that their resources were limited to deal with learning issues. SMM wants your money, but doesn't want or desire to ensure the success of every child. When asked how the school handles students with issues like dyslexia, both the principal and teacher had no answer. When I inquired about joining the class to observe/assist, all I received was excuses. Also, don't be fooled regarding Christian values. I'm a catholic and selected this school to ensure my child received a Christian education. Yes, the students have religion classes and attend mass, but I guess SMM's version of a Christian education is not to support children with special needs. I believe Jesus healed and educated everyone including those with special needs. Lastly, I did contact the Archdiocese of New Orleans, requesting assistance and was informed that any help or assistance was solely at the discretion of the principal and unless the child was failing they could not help.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Margaret Mary is an excellent, well disciplined school with outstanding, friendly and compassionate personnel. The strict discipline is fair and handled in a loving manner. Academically, the school is an excellent base for high school. From St. Margaret Mary, my 2 children received this base for high school and have excelled as well rounded individuals and citizens.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a good school if your child is average. My child had a learning disability and they refused to give him accomadations. I had to move him to a public school. So much for a Christian attitude.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Kindergarden at SMM. He was not at the top of the class, and so they had no use for him. All they are worried about is having higher achievers so that they can keep their Blue Ribbon standing and be able to brag that they have such a good school when actually this does not reflect their teaching but only the type of student they want to attract. Also, I find that they pick favorites to do certain priveleged things. I paid the same amount of money as everyone else, and I understand that not everyone can be chosen to, say, bring up gifts at Mass, but why not be fair and draw names from a hat?
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, an outstanding school. Academically competitive with Lake Castle but a warmer, more embracing environment. Discipline can be somewhat unfair.Overall I think the teachers are authentically interested in the student's well being. All the teachers and administrators are approachable and reasonable. There are playground politics, however I think all the children are treated fairly. The school offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities in sports, band, theater, cheerleading and ministries. Be prepared for typical Catholic nickle and dime fund raising efforts. A fun social environment for parents and plenty of chances to be involved at school. I would recommend this school without reservation for Catholic and non-catholic students who are academically serious and have support at home.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has excellent sports teams and thats about it. Way to strict.. Especially with uniforms. Not a fun school to attend.
--Submitted by a former student

Teachers here could use a bit more patience with the kids (especially the boys). They seem too quick to discipline them for what I feel is typical boy behavior, but the education is excellent.
--Submitted by a parent