St. Peter's By-The-Sea Day School

I am a professor of a loal college and looked into this preschool for my grandson. It is under new leadership and the new director is terrific. I did not tell her I was a teacher, but asked very important questions. She was delightful and truly knows education. I have looked at every school within 5 miles of Bay Shore and the new preschool program for 2013 at St. Peter's was simply the strongest. I was impressed that the teachers degrees and certifications were for parent viewing. I know my grandson will thrive there. If you stop by ask for Miss Sara who is the director for the preschool!
—Submitted by a parent

This used to be a great school, but it is now closing and will only have a nursery program in Sept 2013. None of the great faculty, and teachers will remain next year. I would not send my kids there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at St. Peter's for three years. It is a beautiful school. The teachers are warm, caring and exceptionally skilled. Students get significant individual attention at school because of small class sizes and having two teachers per class. My son's confidence grows significantly each year at St. Peter's and the knowledge he gains each and every day is amazing. The families and students at St. Peter's share strong values. It is a wonderful and nurturing environment with high, yet reasonable, standards for knowledge and behavior in each of the classes. I have been particularly impressed with the reading, science and math programs. The after school programs are wonderful as well. My son is building strong academic knowledge, while having fun and making friends. The manners and morals we teach him at home are reinforced at St. Peter's. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter's a new student this year. Much impressed me right off the bat when I first toured it. It's maintained well: the hallways and classrooms look clean, well-lit, and decorated by teachers with a stimulating learning environment. There are Smartboards in every classroom, they have an iPad lab on wheels for group activities in class and for the--very active--library. They also have a well-equipped computer room. They perform a full-featured play every year and are active in intramural sports. Their homeroom and morning chapel time is combined into a student-centered event. Therefore, every morning these children practice public speaking as they take turns leading in worship and giving announcements. They offer more than 10 clubs after school. They have foreign language. St Peter has a sister school in Costa Rica that students can visit if they wish. The parent association is well attended, even the principal sits in at the meetings. St. Peter's is starting up a robotics program this year. Hats off to this school, quite innovative. Most importantly, my daughter comes home happy every day. Her teachers are caring and detailed. It must be the small student-teacher ratio.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Peter's has been a great experience for our daughter who has been at the school for 3 years. She is very advanced and has been reading several grades above level. The principal and teacher's have worked with us to create an individualized plan that continues to challenge her but she can still feel like a kid. She has gotten opportunities to go to Costa Rica and participate in the partnership with the Falcon International School, has joined many after school clubs including mandarin, scrabble and piano. Beginning in Kindergarten all of the children get the chance to lead the school prayer and develop their public speaking skills. I don't know another place like this. I can't say enough good things about this place. Not only did most of the kids score in the top tier of the Iowas this past year - but the kids are happy!! Parents are truly involved in every aspect and can be actively involved in the community.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Peter's By-the-Sea School (www.stpetersdayschool.org) goes beyond the basics, blending a long tradition of community and individual values with an academic program of excellence preparing a new generation to succeed in the globalist 21st Century. Our two children are exposed to French language and Mandarin programs along with a strong reading and technology/science curriculum. Small class size, customized study based on the highly respected Iowa tests and St. Peter's amazing diversity all go to school being ranked in the top tier of private schools in New York.
—Submitted by a parent

St Peter's By-the-sea School has an impressive faculty and staff and it does a professional job preparing kids for going to a great high school. The tuition is allot less than similar prestigious schools in NY. Class sizes are very small - about 15 kids in the class. It is a rare find .
—Submitted by a parent

St. Peter's School in Bay Shore prepares our kids for life in an interdependent world. The school is a reflection of the diversity in our society. St. Peter's is unmatched in academic terms and builds self-confidence and a desire to learn. St. Peter's offers outstanding programs in language, reading, science, math and the arts.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from NYC to Bay Shore and this school is as good if not better than many private schools in NYC. The principle, Mr Fallen is excellent. the teachers are first grade, class sizes are small -- perfect for kids to learn and the curriculum is very rich. This is one of the best private schools in Long Island.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has been a part of St. Peter's day school for several years now. I am confident in saying that the faculty and staff at this school, are some of the most loving, intelligent, nurturing, creative and understanding people that we have come across. The small class sizes allow our children to receive the guidance and attention they need. St. Peter's students learn through experience, are taught to think outside the box, and to value different cultures and religions. Our children are given the opportunity to learn a foreign language, experiment with technology, to play a musical instrument. to create beautiful art projects, to participate in community outreach, to respect the thoughts and feelings of others and to learn manners, kindness, and responsibility. As a family, we are welcome to participate in many wonderful activities at St. Peter's School. It is wonderful to be allowed to help out with activities and see your child interact with their teacher and friends. Our children have grown academically and socially since they started to attend this beautiful school. We love this school and the vision our principal has for it's future.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been in St. Peter's since nursery school. It offers an academically accelerated program that is based on the individual student. Each year students take the Iowa tests and are individually tracked from grade to grade. My children have tested annually way above the national standards. Programs like French starting in nursery school set the school apart. It offers diversity in the student body and the teachers and families are incredibly dedicated to the school. The school has experienced a lot of changes in the last couple of years but the education continues to be superior to other schools on the South Shore of Long Island.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have attended St. Peter's for 5 years and will continue through 8th grade. As working parents, words cannot adequately express the joy we feel in our hearts when our children get on that bus in the morning. Our kids wake up happy and ready to roll. They cannot wait to get to school. They are doing so well in their studies and just love their teachers and friends. Our children are also involved in supporting many community outreach programs - a joint effort between parish and school. What a relief to know our little ones are spending their days in such a safe, caring and loving environment. Another bonus - great parents who have become our dear friends - like family. Frank Fallon - our Headmaster is amazing. He is kind, caring and introducing so many innovative and ground breaking educational programs. As for the Parent's Association - simply amazing. so many supportive individuals who care so deeply for St. Peter's. We're in for the long haul. xo
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been in St. Peter's By the Sea since kindergarten. There has been a lot of change in the school led by Mr. Fallon. Initially, the plan for educational improvements seemed scary to many parents. However, the school has improved so much and some of the new teachers are just fabulous. This is a place where children are safe. The hallways and activities are well organized. The approach to religion is age appropriate and fun for the kids. Mr. Fallon has done a terrific job of turning this school around. My child has been committed to her school work more than ever and the new fresh ideas that her teacher has brought to the classroom have been implemented at home, which is so important. While I respect all points of view of previous reviews, I do believe that there is a night and day difference in the school curriculum, after school activities and their accepting and welcoming approach to diversity. We are glad we stayed committed to the school. They most certainly are committed to the children. It's an expensive school, but it is money well spent when you have relief as you are heading off to work knowing you left your child in the right place. Don't miss it!
—Submitted by a parent

St. Peter's is currently under new leadership. My child attended there up until third grade and his years there were wonderful. However, I am very happy that I decided to send him to another school because St. Peter's lacked diversity. It did not represent our diverse world. The new school is larger and warmer. It was "stuffy" there. Hopefully, the new leadership will do better. They lost a great deal of students due to the tuition hikes and the management. He acted as if he were growing a business which is different than managing a school.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children are in the 2nd and 4th grade. Both children are very different, yet St. Peter's has managed to accomodate both their needs. The school and the faculty encourage the children to speak publicly. This has taught my child to overcome shyness and become comfortable with expressing herself in front of 10-100 people. One child has received the extra attention she needed to develop her phonetic skills and to make her a better reader. The teachers and the administrative staff treat you like family. I applaude the diversity. My children are sharing costumes and traditions from Christianity, Judiasm, Hindi, Pharsi, etc. The French language adds depth to the curiculum. After graduating from St. Peter's in 8th grade, I believe my children will be prepared to take on the challenges of high school both academically and socially.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel the school is excellent. My children have attended starting with the nursery. My children have excellent grades. The new school head only cares about the children that attend. The school starts at the nursery level and goes on through 8th grade. You need to check it out yourself. The teachers are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended St. Peter's since Pre-Kindergarten and is now in third grade. The current administration is very good in that parent participation is always encouraged. The staff and parents I find to be warm and friendly. Overall I am pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to St. Peter's since 2004. While the comments posted for August 2003 may have been true at that time, the school has undergone a total transformation starting from the top and the new head of school is wonderful. The school is great now. I think you should consider taking down the two August 2003 posts.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with a very warm and caring learning atmosphere. The students are nurtured to reach their full academic potential. The curriculum is very well rounded and includes French, Music, Gym, Computer Technology, Art, Library, and Science Lab on top of the main subjects. There is also many opportunities for advancement in classes such as Math, Enrichment, and Gifted and Talented Classes. I can not say enough about such a wonderful school. Any child would be lucky to attend this school of excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor administration and management of school. Arbitrary firing of long term faculty with no discussion with parents. Parent involvement is limited to bake sales and fundraising. Parents not welcome in discussion of school policy or academics or faculty issues. Head of school is unpopular with parents. Parents not informed about faculty changes or other school policies. Parent involvement considered interference and ignored by school administration if concerns include academics, faculty, school policy or programs. Very disappointing. School has lost half their enrollment over the past 2 years. No 6th grade anymore and half the first grade remains. Future of school is questionable.
—Submitted by a parent