St. Catherine Laboure School

Very good school. Solidly Catholic. Very diverse in teacher and students. Bilingual assistance to families who need it. New principal is very dynamic and engaging. Small enrollment both a blessing and a curse. The school struggles financially - its Christian charity of giving a lot of aid probably causes problems. Teachers are lovely. There is a feeling of community and family there. Everyone works hard to make this school work. They aren't fancy - but they use well what they have. They address issues that have come up- and get things resolved.
—Submitted by a parent

My son and daughter attended SCL three years ago. The teachers there were very capable and committed to providing a solid Catholic school education. In terms of resources, SCL did its best to provide technology and other tools, but it was an ongoing struggle. We stayed at SCL for three years and probably would have remained if it weren t for my daughter s problem with certain cliques at the school. The girls in my daughter s class were not kind to her and the administration really didn t help the situation because many of these girls parents were very involved with the school. At first I thought it was a just phase but my daughter routinely came home in tears after being picked-on and excluded from many parties and social activities. Although this was never a problem for my son, our daughter was miserable, so we finally decided to change schools. This was the right decision for our family as our daughter is thriving and much happier now. Since leaving SCL, we ve learned that several families left the school because their daughters went through the same experience...we recently ran into another family.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Catherine Laboure School has struggled financially like many private schools in the area. The school has a very capable and qualified administration and staff to educate students. Most importantly, the adults care for and know each student. Families that are involved support the school in all ways and keep the community thriving. The small size of the school accentuates the family feel and the attention to each student's needs. If you want value, diversity, care, and the Word of God for your child, you may trust in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been involved actively with the school for ten years. I have sent my two children to this school and they have received a geat education, but what they have really recieved was a very sold, firm gounding in teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and more importantly in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. THIS IS WHAT TRULY MATTERS IN THE LONG RUN!!! I am not sure what school these reviewers are talking about. For instance, the english speaking and bilingual office staff are very courteous: there is no "study group sessions" associated with the school at night and so on and so on. True, there are some "bad teachers, uninvolved parents and questionable students" but this is true of every school every where. Few schools could boast, however, of the true Catholic Christian Spirit that comes from Saint Catherine Laboure School and Parish Community. It's diversity, struggles and fellowships are its greatest attributes!
—Submitted by a parent

I heard about this school and dropped by but everyone acted like they didn't know anything . I tried going by the school and visiting for a study group session but it was horrific. the study group starts at 7pm ends at 8pm ...that's what it says on the site and speaking to the deacon on the phone. Everything was confirmed and I was to drop by that night. No one came I waited 45 minutes ...also no one could even tell me the entrance to the study group session. I am already angry and the person who answered the phone barely knew English and can hardly understand her .....my first time experience visiting the school was horrific and I never want to go back.....

I am a student currently going to SCL, and I think this school is not too great. The teachers are constantly yelling and every time another teacher enters the room the current teacher acts nicer and more helpful. Every time we are taking a test or in the middle of a lecture there is always the annoying clanking of the heater. They also have very bad materials for us to use, and teachers go by their own rules there is no system. Teachers assign us work while they go on the internet and check their Email/Facebook. The principal also has two faces. For Example when talking to parents she is very kind, but when talking to student she is always mean even when we don't do anything wrong. The Principal and Vice Principal are very biased on who donated the most and who donates the least. This all only takes place in the junior high. So as you can see SCL is not a very good school.

SCL is not a very good school. Many Junior high teachers go on Facebook or email in the middle of class. They yell and make it frustrating for students to want to do a better job, and it has very old/broken materials. For example while students are taking a test the heaters are always clanking and distracting them. So as you can see SCL is not decent school to send your child too.
—Submitted by a parent

As a past student,I loved this school. It the school was inclusive,caring and supportive. However if your child has delays or learning disablities, you need to get proper placement in Montgomery County Schools.I had learning disablities and only recently at Montgomery College found the Joy in learning.
—Submitted by a student

The school is not bad at all; however, this school needs to hire better teachers for junior high. Unfortunately, a lot of parents are disappointed in some junior high teachers. Some of these teachers don t even speak English properly and no one came blame the parents for being upset. Since the school hired new teachers for lower grades as well for the specials educations such as music and art, this school needs to hire new teachers for junior high. The economy has nothing to do with losing a lot of students in this school, particularly in junior high, the problem is there is no enough good teachers in junior high. The principle is doing a great job!!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent I am very happy with St. Catherine's. The class sizes were no larger than 25 students in any class. That is a normal ratio of teachers to students. Recently four new teachers were hired as well. As for the '1 grade for each class when it used to have 2' comment, perhaps the writ er was not aware that is the trend for ALL of the local Catholic schools. The economy is mostly to blame. The other comment is so poorly written that I won;t even bother to comment on it as it appears to have been written by an unhappy student. Finally, the comment about 'my children always hated getting up for school'....is a personal problem. My children happen to love getting up for school. Perhaps your children were not going to bed early enough.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended St. Catherines. In the beginning, I liked it. However in 2nd grade, it was a mess, not enough teachers and my daughter suffered. 3rd grade was much better, Ms. Viterilli is the best. 4 was a disaster. Both teachers didn't seem to care, one was completely unresponsive to my questions about my daughter's progress in his class. I chose not to send her back because nothing was changing. Now the school has 1 grade for each class when it used to have 2. They used to be good, but not now. It's a shame, the diversity in this school is the best.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is absolutely dreadful; i mean one of the worst; teachers are just so not qualified. some teachers give the students loads of homework, while others don't even know how to teach. they are very unfair with grades and everything. i know this school can be better, but I hhave seen no improvement, whatsoever.
—Submitted by a parent

this schools educational system is awful. My children always hated getting up in the morning to get to school. The school does not understand that every child learns a different way. I was very unhappy with St. Catherine's school.
—Submitted by a parent

What makes SCL one of the greatest schools in our area is that the 'Teachers and Parents' work together. I am very pleased with the quality of education, discipline, safety and of course the cultural diversity. SCL - staff and teachers 'KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.'
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at st.Catherine since preschool, in which i was very pleased with the teachers!(Ms.Gina made it so easy). This year in 1st.grade, I realized that this was going to be 'for real'! when i saw the homework list i panicked! And being a first time mother doesn't help! All i could do was to turn to her teacher and ask her 'How can i help my child at home'. I was clueless! Anyway, my point is that by the end of this year, my daughter could read,spell, and do math better than one of my freinds 2nd grader! I learned how to work with her at home, but i could never done it without her teachers help! Thank you so much Sister Margaret Ann! We will miss you next year.
—Submitted by Madalena Silva, a parent

Really like the school. They take a great interest in the kids. Diversity is great no one really stands out. Peace builder is working well so that bullying is not an issue.
—Submitted by a parent

This September I took my daughter Jasmine to her first day of school at St. Catherine's although our family is Christian and not Catholic I enrolled her at the school since I had heard it had a reputation for fostering moral strength, hope and optimism in your child. It is now mid November and I'm in the U.S Army's 561st Medical Battalion stationed in Vilseck, Germany and presently in Tallil, Iraq. I am very happy with the decision I made and realize it every time I talk to my daughter on the phone, she sounds so excited when she talks about school. She's so silly she's even mentioned that she wants to live at school. The teachers are so warm and special they have been very committed to writing me a little message every few days about Jasmine's daily activities, they've even sent me picture's and art projects which I call 'Picasso's'. I couldn't have made a better choice! Thanks Ms.Suzy!
—Submitted by Laura Meza, a parent

Very disciplined school. Wonderful education with great racial and cultural diversity.
—Submitted by a parent