Monsignor Slade Catholic School

I am a student at Slade and I think the school is awesome. I have some of the best friends here. The teachers really help you when you need it, like when you don't understand something. Everybody is so nice and friendly and welcoming, so it feels like home. I love music and I am in the band and chorus, and it's really fun. It helps me show the things I like to do. I can't wait to try out for the play. We have the best music and band program around. I only have a few more years at Slade and I know I'm going to miss it when I leave.

This is my children first year in Monsignor Slade. My daughter is in third grade. She transfer from a public school, she is doing alot better she loves her teachers. She notice that teachers take interest in showing her to learn. She loves her Math teacher because, she has patients. Something mommy has to learn,"she said". My son is in pre-k so he is starting out right.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a 8th grade student and I can testify that Slade is not a good school anymore. I have been going here since 1st grade and every year its gotten worse. I have been bullied and called names in front of teachers and they do nothing to stop them. The teachers treat "popular" kids better and they are in the high group even though they need help with most of their school work. The teachers at the school don't have any degrees in teaching and not certified to teach. Most of the teachers were students at the school or attend the church. They do not have any teaching experience. I have to rely on my parents to help me explain the lessons. If I had to choose again, I would not choose this school. Many of the "uncool" kids don't get the extra attention or work so their parents reteach them at home. I am very unhappy and can't wait to graduate.

I am a grandparent who takes care if my grandchildren while their parents work hard to send them to a private school. I am very saddened by what I have been seeing at the school. I have 2 grandchildren who are going here, one is in the 1st grade and the the other one is in intermediate. The teachers and administrators are so worried about the reputation of the school and what test scores are they forget to look at the whole picture. Are the children being treated fairly? No. Many of the scholarships and high level children are the teachers' children. The parents who know the system learn that if they want their child to succeed they have to raise a lot of money for the school and befriend the teachers. What type of Catholic politics is that? Also rules? what rules? The children wear what they want even though in the handbook in says otherwise and there is no discipline. My grandson has been bullied since he was in the 3rd grade and they just kept saying that they informed the parents. My grandchildren will be attending another private school in the area where most of the families from Slade usually go after they realize what a disappointment the school really has become
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current parent at the school. I have 3 children who attend this school and I have seen at the this school go downhill every year. My son graduates next year so we will be pulling our 2 remaining children out when he graduates. I will tell prospective parents to really consider your option when choosing a private school. Parents are sacrificing a lot to send their children to a private school not to have adequate and competent staff and teachers who are teaching your child. This school is failing all ALL levels.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a student in the 8th grade and there is a serious bullying problem. Everyday these boys pick on everyone sometimes even teachers. They will make fun of your laugh, your hair, the way you talk or what sports you do. They try to help the bulling problem but it gets nowhere. I'm glad this is my last year so I wont have to go to the same high school as them. Thee academics are very good but one or two teachers are a lot to be desired.

Currently my son attends Spades Educate program. He attend pre school last year in public school. Wow is all I can say. The staff is simply amazing. My son T.W. is currently in what's called the Panda Room. His teacher Ms Elmira, Ms Judy and Ms Edna are truly gifted people. My son was terrified in public school and learned nothing. These teacher take some much time teaching the children so much. Every day is filled both activities and play. They believe children learn by play this is so true. My son was 4 when he started at Slade and is so excited about learning. He of course knows his ABC's, he is adding learning to read, knows a great deal of sign language. Everyday I'm so impressed with how much he is learning. At just about $800 a month for tuition it is a great strain on us financially but worth every penny. I cant wait for him to get to first grade. I just pray those teacher are half as good and the three teachers i mentioned above. Ms Jane runs the office and the financial end and has been so wonderful with us. As I said its expensive but she has helped us worked payments when tough times hit us. And they never made us feel like trash when we made a payment a little late.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a student in the 8th grade at Slade. I thought the elementary school was great, but when I got to middle school it all went down hill from there. There are the usual cliques, bullying, and a few of the teachers are a bit out there. The school tries to help the bullying issue, but the kids don't listen and it continues. There's a lot of cussing too. If you aren't in the cool crowd you will be made fun of, and some kids are made fun of just because others don't like them. I've seen some kids make fun of others because of their race. Don't get me wrong though, I liked the elementary school a lot and there are some really good teachers in the middle school. Its pretty good academically, with the grading scale being tougher than public schools, and its non-advanced classes are more advanced than public ones.Overall it could be better.

Slade is a great school for academics but because the economy is very slow I think looking at the entire school is important for every family. The tuition at the school is very high compared to other schools and many families make sacrifices to send their kids to private schools. As a parent of a non White children I can testify that the school's environment try to accomadate this population but falls very short. The parents who "whisper" and "don't speak" to people who do not look like them are the ones who rule the school. So often families from different backgrounds are shut out and don't feel like you are a part of the "Slade family"..there are many incidents that happen that the school will not tell other prospective parents. They may can get a few people with different backgrounds at the school but they usually leave the school. Statistics don't lie. This is our last year here.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current parent at Slade and although I do not agree with bashing a school I do agree with most of the comments about race, lack of leadership and the tuition cost. I think most of the teachers try really hard to help the students but some do not know how to help students who may need "extra" help. Also I do think the school need to address bullying at the school because it is happening.
--Submitted by a parent