St. Bernadette's Elementary School

It may not be the most challenging school for the brightest students, but many of the graduating 8th graders go to academically rigorous high schools and perform well. This indicates that they prepare students at an above average level. For the most part the students I interact with are courteous, well mannered and polite - that speaks volumes in the world we live in. Cons - believe the hype, this is a cliquish environment. And this can lead to some alienation between parents. And sadly this sometimes filters down to the kids as well. My two children are doing well here - not as challenging as I would like at times, but it is only elementary school.
--Submitted by a parent

Don't send your kid here. Seriously. They provide no preparation for highschool. Like at all.

The cliquiness at this school is not overrated. Been a parent here for many years and the cliques are real. Whatever anyone has written about being left out for various reasons are all true. It's really sad for the children.
--Submitted by a parent

We have two children--one who graduated recently and one in middle school. We have found the community to be very strong and welcoming, and the 'cliquishness' to be over rated. Our kids don't fit the 'jock' or 'popular' crowd and felt very accepted for who they are and for their talents. Academically, my oldest was very well prepared for high school. St. B's grads seem to grab more than their share of academic scholarships/honors placements at the local Catholic High Schools, so I feel the school certainly holds its own in that area.
--Submitted by a parent

Too may cliques, which starts with the mothers and creates a negative atmosphere for the children who aren't "popular" or "jockish." At basketball games and the Powderpuff game, the "popular" girls only pass to their friends, and the coaches don't do anything about it.
--Submitted by a parent

My family moved here mid-year from out of state and St. Bernadette's welcomed us and our children immediately into its community. The school and activities and both parents and students included us and made us feel like we'd been part of the community for years. We now have 2 children enrolled in the school and are quite happy.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been in the school since 2006 and have been very happy here. Mrs. Wood has helped the school innovate while protecting the traditions of St. B's. We have two children in the school (lower grades) and have seen them flourish academically and socially.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a serious bullying problem involving both the students and the parents. Many adults have expressed that it's like being back in high school again with the cliques -- something we thought we'd left behind years ago. The cliquisheness of the adults translates to their children and creates nightmare situations for children who aren't "cool" or "jockish." While the new Prinicipal brought in a bullying expert, the bullying waters run deep and it's going to be difficult to fix. We withdrew our chilren.
--Submitted by a parent

Do you live in the Woodmoor neighborhood? Because if you don't, you will not be welcome at this school. Very exclusive. We did not feel welcome at the open house by the other, existing parents.
--Submitted by a parent

We love St. Bernadette's and know that the faculty and administration are educating each child as an individual.
--Submitted by a parent