Monsignor Slade Catholic School

This is a really good school, definitely worth the money. The staff really cares about the success of each child, and if they see anyone struggling, they use all their resources to assess the needs of the child to get the kid back on track. They just really want everyone to succeed. I am also impressed with the strong community of families at this school. We looked at other schools but were turned off by the cliquish atmosphere created by the families. Our experience at Slade has never been anything other than absolutely welcoming.
—Submitted by a parent

Please visit for yourself and see what Slade has to offer. It IS a caring environment with teachers whom are not only certified but also holding or pursuing Masters Degrees (and beyond). In one of the instances addressed below (the reading sign), I happened to walk in to the classroom that same day and the "a" had fallen off of the wall mid-day. Kudos to the teacher for continuing to teach and fixing the sign after school. I am sure the parent would have been upset had the teacher stopped class to repair the sign. As far as the curriculum goes, each grade has a specific curriculum they follow and Slade would not be an accrediated school if they did not. There is a bullying policy in the Parent/Student Handbook which is strictly followed. The library is one of the largest in the county private schools and is not only organized but also computerized. Schedule a visit and see for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

Real courage is standing up for what is right, not posting something anonymously on a web site. If people have issues, they should address the source. Spending time on dealing with issues instead of posting negative comments on a web site is infinitely more courageous (and emotionally healthy). Everyone has a different perspective. If any one of these former students had brought their concerns to the administration/teachers in a positive, intelligent way, they may have a different perspective. You cannot change another person, but you can change how you deal with them. Be the better person. Stop ripping apart something just because things didn't go your way. People are generally treated with respect when they treat others with respect. If names were permitted here, I WOULD post my name. Support your school and your teachers and I think you'll find they will support you, too.
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter attended Slade for kindergarten. During my open house visit, I was disappointed by the classroom appearance and reading lesson. The word reading was displayed on a classroom banner spelled: reding. The lesson was on blends/sounds at, cat, however, theprepatory reading was unrelated and did not include these phonic blends. The teacher reported there is no curriculum to follow. School climate is negative beginning with the principal and assistant principal at morning drop off. While waiting outside locked doors for the Christmas program it began to rain. A family had entered the building with a teacher. The Assistant Principal briskly escorted the family with young children back out into the rain. When trying to report a possible bullying incident, the response from school faculty was: "there is no bullying here". During the librarian's lesson the children drew on a paper plate then retrieved a book from an unorganized bin. This teacher used gender groupings. The principal was unavailable to discuss parental concerns. Teachers are not highly qualified and lack of rigorous instruction was evident in both settings witnessed. I would not recommend this school.

My children attended Slade and my friend's children attend Slade. No school is perfect but Slade offers a good education. I find that if parents communicate with teachers if they have concerns, complaints can be resolved. Teachers are very willing to give up their lunch breaks to help students and they stay after school to help students also. The school has resource teachers to support students who need extra help also. There are a wide variety of activities and a great parent volunteer program.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated this school, not going to state which year. However, I was very unsatisfied with some of the Middle School teaching. Two teachers in particular: One who does not have a teaching degree and one who took forever her papers. The one without a degree set me up in a bad way for High School, causing me to recieve a low grade that I was not at all happy with. On the other hand, after taking four years of Spanish, I was still only abke to place into Spanish I at the High School level. The K-5 is outstanding; the teachers and ciriculum, but I would not recommend staying through 8th. I, along with many other students, had a poor expirence at the Middle School level. I believe some teachers need to be replaced & some need to learn more effective teaching strategies. I believe the school is losing its reputation, and it is very obvious why. Thank you for reading.

I graduated Slade in 2008, and I can honestly say that this school has truly shaped who I am today. The caring and nurturing staff concern themselves with the well being of each student. Teachers are willing to put in extra time to help those who ask and challenge their students to reach their highest potential. The education I received from Slade helped prepare me for high school. The transition into the next stage of my education was much easier, thanks to the education I received from Monsignor Slade. I attended Slade for grades K-8 and would recommend this establishment for anyone looking for a quality education and wonderful experiences.

My daughter finally graduating this year and I can tell prospective parents that this school is not a good school anymore. When we first attended the school, we were elated and found the teachers and staff to be caring. Now, the school tuition has been raised twice, teachers are leaving and being replaced with inexperienced teachers, the staff focus on families who raise a lot of money for the school. If your child does not participate in band or sports be prepared for your child to be isolated and picked on. The school operates on sports, band and teachers who have either attended the school as a child or have children at the school. You can imagine how the teachers' children wind up always being on honor roll or getting scholarships. Its a very unfair system and I have to be honest I see nothing Catholic at all about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

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

I am currently a student in 8th grade. Slade is a good school if you yourself are student academically. K-5 is very good compared public school. Middle school is a different story. There r the usual cliques and social status. If u differ from your usual social group you end up getting pcked on. It is sometimes to get a teachers help. The academics are very good overall and is both a challenge and a good life experience. Though on a side note the school is a typical white school with little diversity. As a non caucasian student you are welcomed by the normal mannered students and are picked by the 'cool' kids if you are not good at sports or fit in. Overall the problems are with a certain clique in each grade and the school deserves its 4/5

After seeing my son come out of school after his first day of second grade smiling ear to ear I was reassured we made a wise choice when we picked Slade three years ago. Slade provides him with a safe, comforting learning environment. He has learned so much academically as well as morally. The teachers are caring and considerate of each child s needs. We are looking forward to another great year!
—Submitted by a parent