St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School

St. Charles is in need of much prayer. It is very sad to see this school crumbling down due to Mrs. LaValley poor choices in our students education

St. Charles had been a wonderful school with excellent teachers and a safe educational environment. Since the new principal took over last year the school has collapsed before our eyes. Safety is one of the many concerns St. Charles parents worried about. . Google Vivian LaValley. For a principal of a catholic school she has a colorful past that reflects the problems facing St. Charles today. No follow through, lack of organization, poor communication, unauthorized employees, and inconsistent discipline all hinder the success of the school. I advise individuals considering St. Charles to do there research before committing.

My daughter attended school here. The first years was good. Both her and I were happy with it. They then brought in a new principal and the last 2 years were a lot of drama. The sad part is the parents and prinicpal were a big part of this drama as well. Another parent previously mentioned that it is a non-political school, in my opinion, that is a very false statement!! A couple teachers were good and a few below average. The last couple years my daughters grades were dropping and she did not seem to be learning anything in most her classes. Her national test scores dropped to average when before she came to this school she was above average. I thought it was just her but after speaking to other parents I was not the only one with these issues and concerns. I would not recommend spending your money on this school. There are other great schools out there, that cost less as well!!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at St. Charles from 1st-7th grade. I was happy at first, but year after year the school crashed in its funding. By Middle School, everything was messy. And this is all VERY recent. I left 3 years ago. Some teachers were excellent, others were just awful. They would assign busywork, they NEVER taught me anything I would remember, and there was one class called "Leadership" that was ust a time waster that made us memorize poems and quotes, and we didn't have actual letter grades-we had paper money. Rather than something more beneficial or interesting such as geography or a fine art, we had to do this class. The teachers that were good were good, but they have all left to find better jobs. Only a few of the original teachers are there, since funding went down or whatever happened (The library is half a closet. Seriously). The principal IS NOT a good one. I never knew her, but I know everything that happened when I left (I have a good 40-50 kids telling me this). She is nice, but she blew the school's budget on useless things. Did I mention the tution went up? St Charles 5 years ago=decent school. Now=Mediocre school with no respect.

St. Charles Borremeo is the best catholic school in the state of New Mexico. This school is a very welcoming non - political environment. We transfered from another catholic school in albuquerque that I prefer not to say the name of, there is no comparison! If you are looking for a great school THIS IS THE ONE !!!!!!!!!!! Our Principal is a great leader.
—Submitted by a parent

I have attended St. Charles for 9 years. Since kindgergarten now all the way to Ith grade. I have to say this is THE best catholic school in all of Albuquerque. Not only does St. Charles offer one of the best academic programs in the city, but they welcome you with the greatest of love. At St. Charles, everyone is family. My father also attended St. Charles when he was around the age of 7 or 8. My expirience here at St. Charles has been more than words can describe. Some people may have not liked it here, maybe that's just you, or maybe you may not have liked the staff or principal. All I can say is you don't like Principal BJ because your child gets in trouble too much! :-) BJ is so kind and caring. I couldn't stress enough how much love and dedication she puts into running the school. St. Charles provided students with the "tools to succeed". This school is more than extraoridinary, great people, academics, sports, extra curicular activites etc. etc... I know when I graduated this year, and move onto greater bigger things, there will always be a place special in my heart for St. Charles. GOOOOO Cardinals!

St. Charles Borromeo school offers a quality education. All students prepare to be the leaders of tomorrow. The school has a family friendly atmosphere and the faculty and staff work together to provide the best experience for each individual child. Most of the time, students cannot wait to go to school because they are happy and excited to learn and know that their friends, teachers and principals are happy to see them and want them to do well. The school runs smoothly and provides opportunities for the students to be self-disciplined and make the right choices. Even when students are in middle school and want to do things their own way and feel restricted because of some of the rules, they can work their way through that in a safe environment and make the decision to do what is expected even though they would rather not. They become independent, responsible and respectful because they know they need to follow rules even when they do not want to. St. Charles provides an extraordinary foundation and the investment is minimal compared to what is received.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school from 1995 to 2002 (2nd-8th grades). It is a fine school. The teachers and principal truly care for their students. The principal BJ, is strict, but she is also kind and understanding. She made a lot of changes and improvements at the school that I liked. She brought school spirit to the school. When I dropped my son off in the morning BJ was out there greeting every student. She made sure parents followed the drop off pick up rules in the parking area. My son is a college student now, but he works part time in the After care program. St Charles never had enough money, but it didn't keep them from providing strong academics, spiritual support , science fairs, and art programs. BJ and her staff brought out the very best in my son while a student there. I highly recommend St Charles.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter started school there reading above her grade level and left there readyng below her grade. Level. Safe school. Kind people. But I would not return. Sad to say but its the truth.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended St Charles for seven years and my daughter for 3 years. It is an amazing school as far as academis go. They are very strict, which can be bad and can be good.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Charles Borremeo has been a school that has really provided my child with a safe, supportive and challenging environment. The teachers and staff really care about the children. Safety is the number one goal and rigor of academics and helping form children's spiritual identity in the Christian faith are both priorities in the school's curriculum. Like all schools, there are on-going challenges and room for improvement, but one thing is certain, there is a shared commitment toward excellence. As a parent, I see the children there as really practicing their faith and trying their best in all that they do. I might add that not only is the curriculum well-designed and challenging at all levels, all grades receive music, art, Spanish, physical education, and technology. Gone are the days when public schools can provide all of these important aspects of the curriculum for elementary students.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. I started at St. Charles during the middle of my seventh grade year. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and warm smiles. The teachers are great if I happened to need help they took time out of their busy day to help me. At St. Charles is really great. Their sports activities are awesome. The girls softball team came in first for the APIAL championships and second this last year. If you want your child to have an amazing education I would really encourage you to send you child to St. Charles, where everyone is a family.
—Submitted by a student

As a former teacher, I can state this is a great school. Hand-on administrators, experienced teachers and staff that produce results; the highest test scores of all Albq Catholic schools. Great selection of extracurricular activities and all students are made welcome.
—Submitted by a teacher

St. Charles is an excellent school that provides high quality academics in a positive atmosphere that emphasizes respect for all. We have been very pleased with the wonderful music, art and sports activities; and with the well-maintained facilities. The school has a small-town feel in an urban setting, and we are especially pleased with the helpful, friendly attitude of the administration and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

This has got to be the worst school around for a variety of reasons because academics are marginal, teachers intractable,and there's a high faculty attrition rate. Furthermore, teachers and administrators do not follow their own written policies. Meeting with teachers is almost impossible, The mission of the school is obscure. Teachers and administration are more concerned with rules then with learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to st.charles since i was in kindergarten. The elementary school is good, but when you go to the middle school it's so bad. The kids judge you, and the teachers don't listen to you at all. I'm telling the truth and i would never put a kid through the torture like i went through. If you're friends with the principle you get what you want,but if not your out of luck. Now that i'm in highschool,i know they didn'tcare at all about me or any ofmy friends.My highschool years are way better.
—Submitted by a former student