St. Patrick High School

My child has been part of the Catholic School system from Pre-K to High School. While at first glance the school seems to be community oriented, I realized while attending a football game at Vancleave, the difference between the school and some public schools. There does seem to be an inner group of community rather than just the community. Offering help to the school is filtered through the inner group. Almost like a business protecting its upper management. With that said, my child loves the school and is doing well academically but I believe he would do well academically where ever he is. I sincerely hope the school is not succumbing to politics and the sole purpose of the boosters is not to sponsor the "golf" tournament.
--Submitted by a parent

I have three children attending St. Patrick's (two since the doors openned), each with different interests and learning skills. I have been very pleased with what the school has to offer each child. They are all thriving. The environment promotes leadership, Christian fellowship and my husband and I believe we have made the perfect choice for our family. Absolutely, no regrets!
--Submitted by a parent

My child went from all A s to failing. Transition to a new school, and puberty, is difficult and it s easy for kids to slip up. I went through the same thing and remember it well. I asked my child regularly how things were going at school. He made the mistake of missing some assignments and not being truthful about it. He felt trapped and went down hill quickly. Unfortunately, while his teachers knew he was having problems, they did not share the information with us. We did not know there were any problems until his report card came in and he was failing nearly every subject. We got him straightened out and he finished the school year with A s and B s, but that school put us through the wringer. During this time, we sent may emails to the teachers, advisors, and staff, including the principal. Most of these went unanswered.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a little floored by a few of the very childish reviews presented here. We have lived in many different states and been in many different school systems. (Public and Private) St. Patrick is one of the best we have been involved in. Just because the sports do well, doesn't mean it lacks in academics. I have one child who is and one who isn't in sports and both are doing very well in academics and on ACT testing. I attribute their high ACT test grades to the teaching they have recieved. They are both happy and feel very safe at St. Pats. We are not rich but we feel the sacrifices we make to pay for their education are well worth it at this school. They are surrounded by children who are very interested in their own education, futures and in doing the right things in the community.
--Submitted by a parent

Academics secondary to athletics. OK is the best I can say....not terrible but a disappointment.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal of st. patrick is the principal from mercy cross, the athletic directer is a combination of mercy cross's football coach and st. john's football coach. The leadership is growing with the school. New schools offer new problems that will be handle and can only grow stonger and learn from its mistakes. St. Patrick is nothing like mercy cross. This is a larger school with more diversity. The school offers more activities and oppurtunities and experiance more from different types of people.

Mercy Cross was great. St. Patrick is terrible. The leadership is poor, including the principle and athletic director. The school is made out to be a rich stuck up school. Mercy Cross was a school that anybody could go to, at St. Patrick it is all about how much money you have. Jesus never said that you are suposto flaunt your money like they do at St. Patrick's.
--Submitted by a parent

Very good environment and safe. However, it is lacking in academics. For my child this was not an issue -as she is bright enough to catch up when she gets to college and not motivated enough to miss not being challenged. Overall it was a good choice for my particular child. I have another child that I chose to send to public school.I think that every parent must make look at each child as an individual and decide what is best for each one. If the school was funded better I am sure it would offer more academically. They do very well with limited resources and have a high rate of college acceptance.
--Submitted by a parent

Mercy Cross High School offers my children a spiritual, academic, supportive atmosphere for them to learn not only the required courses but also morals and virtues. There is a 'family' atmosphere here and many parents are involved in their child's life here. The parents here want to raise their child with the school, not expect the school alone to raise them. There are many opportunities available for the students in sports, extracurricular actitivites and community service. And we are allowed to pray and do pray here, every day, every class.
--Submitted by a parent

Mercy Cross is a great school in which I have attended the past year. It has been an awesome experiance. Everyone knows everyone because of the small population of the school. The parents are very involved with the school life. I am very glad my parents sent me here! I even get to participate in as many activities as I'd like.
--Submitted by Mary, a student