St. Viator Catholic School

My children have been at St. Viator now for seven years. We love this school!! It is small and has many involved parents. Not only are children pushed academically they are thought to be good people. Teachers have been excellent and also helpful when need be. If you want a small, safe school where kids are learning and have no classroom distractions then this is the school for you. As for other post where "middle class" doesn't fit in, that is not true at all!!!!! We are middle class and have never experienced that at all. Anyone who would ever think Las Vegas public schools are the same as private are out of there minds!!!!! I know when I leave my kids at school in the morning they are with great teachers in a safe loving class room!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school for 7 years, and it did not feel like a catholic school. There is no security at this school, which is very irresponsible because there are homeless people surrounding the school and the church from sunrise to sunset. We have to stand in line and be totally silent from the classroom to the lunch room and cannot talk at our lockers or anywhere. Sometimes they prohibited talking even at lunch, and made us sit in alphabetical order. Children from wealthy parents receive special treatment from the teachers and administration. Parents are very cliquish. Middle class people usually are left behind. They banned sharpies because people were getting "high" off them. Sometimes this school felt more like prison than a school. I'm happy I left this school and went to a public school.

When choosing a school, you need to do your research. Talk to other parents, students, and faculty. It is very sad to hear that when parents have issues or concerns, their concerns are not addressed. If there is an issue, and administration does not address it, then it never happened. The office staff is very nice when you don't have any concerns, once you ask a question they don't want to answer, they will tell you what they feel YOU want to hear. I had a friend who taught at this school about 20 years ago, the standards are not as reputable as it was back then. If you have an opinion different from the administration, they will tell you its your choice to leave, and inform you they have a waiting list. Based on reviews from a few years back, there seems to be a pattern. In closing, do your own research, ask to have your child shadow for the day, ask to drop in during school hours to observe and decide if the atmosphere would fit your child.

Kindergarten and pre-k is a great program with caring, loving and respectful teachers. This was a great experience and would give 5 stars if I could. Once you get to 1st through 5th, the teachers seem to care about education and the children, but administration does not seem to share the same level of respect. In junior high, the children are suppose to be role models for the younger children, and treat everyone with respect. If administration would lead by example, I think the children would show more respect for themselves and others.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at this school for a couple of years. Its so sad to see the way the office secretary treats parents and students,very disrepectfully. I thought they would treat my kids as if they were their own,they dont.Its so sad but now I have to take my child out because I refuse to let my child be treated poorly at school.Its a shame because they dont exhibit Christian behavior.We donated & volunteered but I guess it wasnt enough. Think before you put your kids here.People are very clickish!
—Submitted by a parent

We truly love this school! We were particularly impressed that while many of the students have been together since pre-k, they are still so welcoming to newcomers. None of our four children had any adjustment problems and have thrived in the nurturing environment the school provides. Parent communication is excellent and a emphasis on student safety is evident in every aspect from parking lot to computers. The religious instruction is not limited to religion class...it is a truly christian environment. Not all parents accept their responsibilty to model their own faith, but most do and the community is wonderful. We have moved around a lot and have learned to recognize a good private school by how long the teachers and students stay there. Not only do the students stay, but many teachers have been there for 15+ years. No school is perfect, but this one comes very close.
—Submitted by a parent

This school makes me feel insecure and unsafe. It is not a good environment and I wish everyday that I could transfer my child out of there, but it's too difficult and the year's almost over amyway.
—Submitted by a parent

As a room mother and avid volunteer at this school I have found that the majority of teachers and administration are genuinely interested in the academic and general well being of the students. I feel that while the demands and expectations may be a bit strict for some parents I welcome the rules that are implemented. Children are allowed to run free in so many of our public schools and I have found at St. Viator that the children at any grade level are more polite and respectful. Isn't that one of the reasons we send them to not only private but Catholic school?
—Submitted by Kelly Whittaker, a parent

Having spent quite a bit of time volunteering in the classroom, I was saddened to experience the tactic that so many of these teachers employ to control the children. Parents shouldn't be 'fooled' by the fact that this is a Catholic school - it doesn't measure up to other Catholic schools in other areas.
—Submitted by a parent

For grades 1-4 at this school it is Fantastic once moving up into the Jr.Hight we've experianced problems with bad teachers and rude administartion. Parents are somewhat involved at this school. There isnt much outside of basic sports and an art club as far as extracurricular activities. There are usually 35 sudents in a class so there isnt very much 1 on 1 time. I suggest that you dont send your child to this school after grades 1-4.
—Submitted by a parent