Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School

Learning disabilities are very different from behavioural issues. In my opinion, no one should expect teachers or members of ANY school to correct their child's behavior problems. It is your job as a parent to set an example for such things at HOME so when your children go to school and out into the world they know how to act and treat people with respect. I don't think it's accurate to blame a school for not addressing bahavior problems in children because quite frankly it's not their job. Teachers are there to TEACH children, not step in as a role of a parent while the kids are in school. As far as small classes and such, some students may prefer that. Some, like myself, can't handle large classes and too many people rumaging and pushing through hallways. If you don't feel it's a good fit for your child it is a simple task to change schools. However, I don't really think it's necessary to bash a school just because you didn't have a very good experience. Everyone is different and learns at a different pace and in different ways.

I love OLOW and so does my son. He is turning out to be a very smart and articulate young man who has a strong religious foundation and understanding. I wouldn't send him anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

I removed my children from OLOW. They now attend public school. I am Catholic school educated and wanted the same for my children. OLOW has been on the decline for years. I knew it but felt it was better then Public school. I was wrong and regret that I did not do it sooner. I have spoken to a few familes who left OLOW and no one regrets it. I am a little confused about the term partnership? Do you mean picking up the slack from the teachers? When your paying money for your childs education the school should bow to your demands. I am sure the enrollment must be at an all time low. The same people getting involved is because the moral, spirit was gone . It's a sad, cold little school.
—Submitted by Erin, a parent

Our lady of Wisdom School is a wonderful place to educate you child. The curriculum is rigorous and the expectations are high for your child to excel. It is a wonderful place to have a parent school partnership so your child may learn. Many disatisfied parents did not take the partnership seriously. They or their child developed an issue and when the school did not bow down to their demands they took their child and sour grapes to another school. Several parents do get more involved than they need to, only because if they won't others don't step up. If your willing to take the partnership role in your child's education seriously OLOW is the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

I love OLOW and so do my children. There is no compariosn between public and private. The education is great and I love the strong religious component.
—Submitted by a parent

OLOW lost many wonderful children and familes who were assets to the school. For you to say the children who left were children with behavioral problems is a typical OLOW response and clearly not the truth. Those families left by choice, their own!!! My decision to leave has been the best decision I have made. I have set high goals and expectations for my children that OLOW could never have prepared my children to achieve. OLOW has many great kids and families still there. I wish them all the best.
—Submitted by a parent

I find the environment at OLOW to be one of caring, consistency and kindness. Many students left this year which was great because most of them were the kids that were disruptive with parents who expected the school to fix their child's behavioral issues. The academics are above our public school neighbors. I find it refreshing to have my child in a place where speaking about God is a good thing and learning to be kind to others is demonstrated.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my children from this school due to the multiple problems occuring within the school. Everybody is pulling their kids out of the junior high. The junior high offers no social interaction, no preparation for high school, and the kids are treated like they are in kindergarten. This led to alot of frustration and boredom in my child. I would never put my child in such a small school again. I feel the school actually hindered their emotional growth.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very happy with the school in the earlier years K,1, 2 and 3. As my daughter got older however, I found the school to be very limiting. Since there is only one class per grade, the children will remain with many of the same classmates. If your child hapens to end up in a class with a well behaved group of kids, you are going to have a better experience. However, if you end up with a class of difficult kids, you can be dealing with all the troubles that go with it for a very long time. I agree wholeheartedly with some previous comments that there are those parents/families that have way too much control and leeway with the administration.
—Submitted by a parent

Best school in the area! small classes and teachers make themselves available to help students
—Submitted by a parent

I removed my children from OLOW for many reasons. My children were bored. They were restrained academically so that others who needed special attention could try to catch up. The administration caters to a certain group of parents/students and do not properly address the behavioral issues of many of the students. We have never met such a group of mean spirited children and staff then is displayed at OLOW. I am convinced that if you want your children to succeed, public school is the way to go.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is not very good. We don't have a gym, cafetiria, lunch program, or a recess yard and is not worth the tuition my parents pay. Most children are disrespectful to the substitute teachers and is meant for a jr. high school.
—Submitted by a student

I have a child in OLOW and have been especially pleased with the staff and quality of education. That being said, it most definately has one of the most clique oriented groups of parents I have ever seen, and yes, as written below, the administration does cater to the clique.
—Submitted by a parent

I wish to address the former post regarding the 'Special Ed' issues: Parochial schools, in general, have never been, or will ever appear to be, prepared to instruct the child with special education issues. The parents are not going to the trouble to register their children and pay the tuition just to avoid the 'SpEd' label...come on! These parents, whose children may or may not be children with needs, are probably former parochial attendees themselves, and are doing for their child what was done for them. Do you really think a parent would deliberately enroll a special needs child in a school that is not equipped to address their issues? No. And I would also like to point out to that if their children were enrolled in the Port Jefferson school district, the child with 'SpEd' issues would not be in a sep class. they mainstream the SpEd children in reg classes.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration seems to be more concerned with increasing revenue instead of improving the education. The administration has lowered the admission standards where they allow troubled students with serious behavioral and learning problems. Reason being, parents don t wish their child labeled as receiving Spe-Ed in public school, thus they come to OLOW & have their child pushed through the system. In public school these students would be placed in Special Education classrooms where they would receive the proper assistance. The administration caters to the who s who politics, and it s all about whom you know! The students that want to excel academically and have no behavioral or other issues, are hurt by this, and are kept back academically. Internally among the faculty there are problems.
—Submitted by a parent

My son got a very good education from caring teachers. He was taught organization which helped him greatly as he entered high school. My son entered the school in 6th grade, I had a hard time getting 'in' with the parents. It seemed they had already formed their groups.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful Technology Program and teachers
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal is great and the children are cared for in a loving enviroment. My children have been very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school if your child can handle the small size and strong discipline environment. The school is VERY DIFFERENT than a public school setting! My child attended in the early elementary grades.
—Submitted by a parent

My children are treated as individuals, with love, compassion, and by people who care.
—Submitted by a parent