St. Mary School

Overall the school is very good. The teachers that we have come across have been good. With that aside my children did learn a lot in her class. The Principal is involved and is available to take your call. One thing they need to work on, is parent participation in the class room and on trips. It ALWAYS the same parents that are selected and they are usually the room moms plus their cliques. If you're a parent that wants to be involved or more importantly if your child wants to see your presence in the classroom for centers and trips try your best to become a room Mother, if not you can count on never being invited in to help unless it's for a fund raiser and you have your checkbook with you! Another annoying thing is the classroom fees collected by the room Mothers for Teachers gifts and class parties (the ones you are not invited to). Each student is asked to pay $20-$45. The annoying part is the parents are not told what was purchased for the teachers or class with the money. With that aside the school is very good for the students all of my children are happy, and thriving. Unless there's trip or party . Then there are tears from my kids because their Mom wasn't invited.
--Submitted by a parent

I have put both of my children through this school. In retrospect, I regret not taking them out before they started the sixth grade. The middle school years would have been better spent at a larger, more diverse public school than in St. Mary's. Some parents are very clicky; keep in mind that it will be the same kids and the same parents year after year. There are disadvantages to that. A couple of the 6-8 teachers are mediocre. Screaming and slamming doors are not appropriate methods for getting the student's attention. Also, a teacher relaying "war stories" to her 6th grade class from a previous teaching career in an inner city school district is not appreciated by parents like me, who went to inner city schools and sent our kids to St. Mary's to avoid those pitfalls. One teacher made it clear that she does not like to hear from parents. When I finally sat down with her to discuss my son's performance, her demeanor forced me to remind her that I was not one of her pupils. Another parent mentioned bullying. Correct, and one of my son's was a victim of it. It was finally handled after numerous parents complained, and the offending "student" was removed. Very overrated.
--Submitted by a parent

I put my children through this school. In retrospect, I regret not taking them out before they started the sixth grade. The middle school years would have been better spent at a larger, more diverse public school than in St. Mary's. A couple of the 6-8 teachers are, frankly, mediocre. Screaming and slamming doors are not appropriate methods for getting the student's attention. Also, the relaying of "war stories" from a previous teaching career in an inner city school district is not appreciated by parents like me, who sent our kids to St. Mary's specifically to avoid those pitfalls. This caused a complaint to the principal. One teacher made it clear that she does not like to hear from parents. She returns phone calls only after you try several times. When I finally sat down with her to discuss my son's performance, her demeanor forced me to remind her that I was not one of her pupils. Another parent mentioned bullying. Correct, and one of my son's was a victim of it. It was finally handled after numerous parents complained, and the offending "student" was removed. The bogus annual science fair with the same kids every year. A lot of stress and money for nothing.
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of education is superior at this school. The leadership and teaching quality is first rate. My child was extremely well prepared for high school. It is worth every sacrifice to send your child to this school. Mrs. Anderson is a phenominal principal and the teachers truly care about every child they teach.
--Submitted by a parent

I could not be any happier with the faculty, staff, and fellow parents of St. Mary. My children are receiving an excellent education in a safe, caring environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! Caring staff and faculty. The administration regularly goes above and beyond to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the students.
--Submitted by a parent

There's a bullying problem that the administration won't address. My child was threated to be beaten by a student. There was a witness to this. The administration assured me that action would be taken. The student that threatened my child wasn't even suspended from school. A previous time to this, my child was verbally abused and when I complained, I was told that my child wasn't the only one being bullied.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been attending this school for over 7 years, and I can say that I've only had one or two bad teachers. The people are extremely caring. The middle school, called the Upper House is not the best, though. (The idea of switching classes is walking in a semi-circle around the hall.) I believe that everyone here prepares you for 'life' very well and in general the students are very supportive. Tuition is rather low, another nice thing about the school. The 'multi-purpose room' as called by my good friend Emily, otherwise known as the gym, isn't the best idea. The science fair: The same people win every year. Just keep that in mind.
--Submitted by a student

a great learning experience with no judgments on looks.
--Submitted by a parent

As probably the only alumni to cross the path of this thread, i can say that I totally agree with the previous comment of the parents...it is run by an elite self-chosen few whose kids are well aware of the fact. Unfortunately, yes, the same 5 kids win the science fair every year...but, come on, nobody cares after you hit high school anyway. I grew up in this school and loved almost every teacher I had...which I think only Mrs. Morrison Mrs. Bernstein, and Mrs. W are left unfortunately. I had a bunch of siblings go through here, and they weren't so lucky with a few of the new ones. In particualar, few new teachers know how to deal with the social 'outside of school' lives of the kids. Also, absolutely no support (in my time) of arts, music, or athletics. Cafeteria/Gym/Band Room/Art Room/Stage isn't ideal. LOL.
--Submitted by a student