Immaculate Conception School

IN REF TO THE REVIEW of April 18, 2013: There is no wrong or right in a forum like this! I am not ridiculing anyone. This is my opinion and my experience at Immac and it hasn't been a bad one for the most part. My opinion states that the school has improved over the years. Now my opinion to "bullying" again is from what my children have told and from what I have seen, and if it is far more serious then that, then shame on the principal, the teachers, the class parents, etc for not reporting or doing something about it. Now as far as you calling my daughter "the Queen of Sheba" with her nose up in the air, when she's with her clique on Ditmars ~ Welcome to the preteens duh LOL to you! Look at you shame shame picking on a child! Is it you she doesn't say hello to? You take her shyness as being stuck up lol ...My daughter has respect and I'm proud to have her as my daughter!!! Wow to you with all the other negative comments here, you singled mine out and it was just to make fun of a child who in "your" opinion is disrespectful and the "Queen of Sheba" on an open forum who's being a "bully" now?? hmmmmm... Well you have yourself a great day!

We like the teachers there, however, we don't agree with some school practices, they have a community group using the school cafeteria during school hours. We asked and requested they remove that group from their agenda during school hours, their answer was that they will not "kick out the group", as they "like them". The group consists of 300-400 senior citizens, and the school has no knowledge of any of the member's names or background history who are regularly attending those meetings, and refuse to get that information from the group they rent their cafeteria during school hours. That among other safety issues is our main concern. The principal won't make the necessary changes to make the school building and practices safer ones. Another concern is that we picked the school because it raves they allow kindergarteners "play time" , as opposed to public schools where children do not get play time, and recess, they get "table play", the children are not allowed to stand up, and the teacher brings some toys she picks for each table, the kids play with those toys and are not allowed to pick any other toys nor get up to socialize with the rest of their classmates.
—Submitted by a parent

It's been several years that I have removed my child from Immac. She was bullied for several years and I had been promised that it was being resolved. After another complaint from my daughter, I decided to inconspicuously watch the school yard from across the street. She was being punched in the stomach and no one came to her for help. The mothers were yapping by the gate. Besides this, the school was more like a babysitting rather than a educational environment. I had passed by her classroom one day and kids were jumping on the deals and "swimming" on the floor. I watched for a while and no one stopped these kids. The science teacher was too obsessed with her dollhouse building which means they never had a real science class. Because my daughter was quiet I was told that she needed to be evaluated. It was surprising that they have themselves the authority to make this call without having proper credentials. My daughter is now in another school and is actually the captain of a debate team and captain of her basketball team. She is a high honor student and I often compare the academics that she is doing to others on Immac. They are way behind. Good luck to you all!
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible. Took my son out just short of graduation because of the principal and teachers. No follow through at all. Unreturned phone calls and unreturned emails are the norm, unfortunately. I suspect now the faculty and staff are planning for the open houses to lure new parents and students with the promises of "love and family." There is no family atmosphere. Oh, and by the way, REPEATED fighting and hitting in the school yard by one student to another is bullying whether it makes headlines or not. Maybe the school needs to make the news in order for the principal to properly address the problem. Save money and send your kids to public school.
—Submitted by a parent

These reviews are amusing to say the least. I'll start by saying that I am a satisfied parent. My kids are happy in school. They like their teachers and don't have many complaints. There is DEFINITELY a bullying problem in this school, no doubt about that. The school is not perfect and the principal does not always address my concerns in a timely fashion, but so far I have never thought about transferring my kids. That said, I am giving the school a low rating because there are so many unhappy parents and children. It's apparent in the reviews here. What's worse is there is no empathy towards these parents who are voicing their concerns. After every 10 bad reviews a glowing review surfaces and the writer passive agressively takes jabs at the complaining parents. I like the school, but it's not my job to come on here and defend it. One dissatisfied parent or child is one too many for such a small school. I'm sure the staff reads here because it's obvious that the first few reviews were written by staffers. If they would aknowledge these concerns, I will gladly come back and adjust my rating. To the unhappy parents and children, I am sorry that you had a bad experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I really don't understand all the bitterness towards Immac. My child LOVES the School, teachers, staff, principal and has many, many wonderful classmates which grew into true friendships. My child comes home everyday talking about Immac and her day, I wouldn't ever think about sendong her anywhere else. As a parent, I couldn't be HAPPIER with Immac. Immac does more then teach school work they teach and preach about responsibilty, make the right decisions, community service, caring for each other and most importantly they develop the child's love for GOD.
—Submitted by a parent

My 6 year old said to me with tears in his eyes after I withdrew him from this school ."Thank you mom. That place was a prison."
—Submitted by a parent

I have not re-registered for next year as I am on the fence about sending my child back. This year has been frustrating because I cannot get the principal or teacher to have a constructive meeting with me. In short, my child has been the brunt of major verbal abuse and any time I try to discuss in order to come to a resolution I am dismissed. I understand that the principal and teacher are busy, but so am I. I can honestly write that I am not feelingpart of a "family." I will continue trying to resolve these problems, but I just may end up somewhere new in September. Not sure.
—Submitted by a parent

Immaculate Conception School is unique and truly a great place for a child to learn to grow and mature in his or her academic and faith life. With that said, yes, it is a school, so there also come some challenges and struggles along the way. No school is ever perfect! But Immc is committed to strive for excellence.

Another great year coming to an end. I love what Immac teaches, preaches and the frienships my daughther has made over the last few years. School has excellent teachers and all are willing to go above and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, great teachers, great values, and great family like relationship. That's the reason Immac is still open and going strong!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We love Immac and to read some of the comments below, it is hard to believe my kids attend the same school. Anyway, the school's record stands for itself. My daughter is graduating this year. she and many of her classmates have one scholarships so you definitely know that the academics at Immac are excellent. They have science fairs, tutoring, lots of writing opportunities and both the ela and math program is highly regarded. Immac gives a lot of work but they really go out of their way to help if there is a problem with it . They do balance the curriculum very nicely, field trips, projects etc. There is a big emphasis on service and respect. Very good atmosphere. My kids love it
—Submitted by a parent

I had my son there, and I took him out due to the constant bullying by one of the 6th grade teachers. The principal has no idea what it is to run a school. There have been so many situations and never an adequete answer from her or the teachers. There are only a few really good teachers. The principal does not know how to manage her teachers, does not know how to return calls or emails. If you do get to finally meet with her she is clueless to anything that happens and does not investigate any complaints, she has 4 separate parents complaining about the same teacher. Immac is not what it used to be and it is a shame how much this school has changed. Afterschool program, the teachers sit around and do nothing and on the coldest day, I have seen a teacher send a kid in a t-shirt to go open the door for a parent because they were too lazy, anyone could just come in and take a child and the teachers would be clueless . Half of these teachers should have been retired. I have spoken with other parents who agreed and have had similar complaints. One teacher has referred to her students as idiots! Ridiculous
—Submitted by a parent

Had issues with a teacher who apparently is just tired and has no way of dealing with her students. I addressed the principal and she had no interest to what i was saying to her she foward me to the teacher which was no good cause nothing changed after that. Year began again and the same problems occured teacher obviously was addressed and the principal never showed any support for my child or myself as a parent. Never tried to resolve the problem bottom acts only here say. But little after I heard parents going to her office to complain about the same problem one occassion she asked the parent to keep it quiet. But there were others.She does not know how to run a school or address issues I am not sure how she ended up as a principal to be honest. Money was always the first thing she addressed nothing else really mattered. It really felt like you are just paying them to babysit and that is it. I did not see the teachers at all trying to help students being involved or guiding them.It was more shooting them down and deal with it. Really horrible you invest all this money because and they cant provide you with good education and good teachers who actually care.
—Submitted by a parent

The end is approaching finally. We have had our three children here for the past 5 yrs. In the beginning, everything was fine. Last year was getting bad. This year was just horrible for us. The kids get little attention. The classes are large. I know its not the teachers fault but we have approached the principle about how she keeps taking more kids (even during the school year.). My son's class has 34 kids. There is a lot of fighting in the schoolyard too.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a shame that this school is just way too crowded and the teachers just don't have time for us anymore. If I need to speak to a teacher about an assignment, their answer is -ask your child. My other daughter, who is in nursery, is constantly screamed at by her teacher. My wife and I are tired of this school. We are searching for another Catholic School.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this school has changed the past two years. They have been taking more and more students and increasing class size. There are alot of disruptions and the teachers seem tired of teaching. In Kindergarten, my daughter enjoyed everything. She is now in fifth grade and comes home very upset because of all the bullying she gets during recess especially. Also, their science teacher just sits in her desk and tells her students not to ask questions. I have constantly approached her about this and she simply tells me that the kids just need to read the book during class to learn. My daughter is not allowed to raise her hand. You definitely won't see us there next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school becuase of the great educational and spiritual opportunity for the students
—Submitted by a parent

Immaculate Conception offers a caring educational environment. My son is in Kindergarten and his teacher is great. She shows genuine concern for the children and great joy teaching them. My son is learning so much and enjoys going to school. He has had nothing but a good school experience since starting there last year. His Pre-K teacher was also wonderful and really cared for her students as well.
—Submitted by a parent

In addition to being a school that provides a good academic education, the moral and ethical training is excellent...plus she loves going to school.
—Submitted by a parent