St. Gabriel-Sorrowful Virgin School

This school has good intentions but they cannot compete with the public schools in terms of resources. Other than the actual classes, the parents at St Gabriels are EVERYWHERE. The parents have over taken that school in every way. The school does their best but they just do not have the funds to staff the school. Parents know this and capitalize on it. What is funny to watch is that the kids get along better than the parents do. It ruins the experience of enjoying your child go through their younger years.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Gabes is the only tuition-free Catholic grade-school in PA and one of only a hand full in the entire country. We can do this by coming together as a community and pooling our time, our talent, and our treasure to provide an incredible education for our children. Because we have to come together on so many levels, we have a very active educational community with a great deal of interaction between the families, the students, the school, and the parish.
--Submitted by a parent

In today's world, education based on fundamentals, discipline and in Christ's light are sorely missing from the public schools. These attributes, and more, are bountiful at St Gabes. My daughter recently graduated from Saint Gabes and is now in a public school. She is excelling academically (4.2 GPA) and even more importantly has the power of God's guidance with her. We have found the teachers at Saint Gabes to be, in a word, fantastic. There is no better way for a child to prepare for the trials, tribulations and challenges of real life than the quality Catholic education they will find at Saint Gabriels!
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated four years ago, in 2005. I loved St. Gabes. It is a great environment for kids to grow up and go to school in. The teachers are great. I loved them. And, even though, a lot of them are gone that were there when I attended, I still go back once every year to visit the ones that I had that are still there. Going back to visit brings back so many good memories.
--Submitted by a student

I totally disagree with what this parent stated about St. Gabriel School. Both my children love attending St. Gabriel's. I do not feel at all parents manipulate eveything. This person needs to elaborate 'what they mean.' The coaching has led St. Gabriel's to many Diocesean Championships, afterschool activities, such as Girl Scouts, Cheerleading, are volunteered activites which, of course, are run by the parents. Field Trips are determined by teachers and staff, not by the parents, cafeteria staff are most,y volunteers, very few paid workers, and you can not decide where your child should sit in the classroom. Your child is not 'sheltered' in St. Gabriel's; it is one of the bigger Catholic Schools with nearly 500 students enrolled. If you are contemplating sending your child here, please come observe a classroom at St. Gabriel's. St. Gabriel's provides an excellent education with good opportunites!
--Submitted by Lori Starr, a parent

I just graduated this year, and I went to St. Gabe's from kindergarden to 8th grade. St. Gabe's was honestly one of the best schools I could have ever imagined. There was not one thing I didn't like about it. The classes were great, the sports teams are amazing, the teachers are nice and very understanding. I truely loved everything about it. Next year in high school I will be missing it terribly, and I will most deffinatly be coming to visit it. These past 9 years have been full of happiness because of the school I went to. I highly reccomend it for kids of any age. The students are so nice and very including. I loved everything about it.
--Submitted by a student

There can never be too much parent involvement in any young childs early education. I am a parent who is volunteering at the school. This parish does not have the funds to keep this school open unless parishioners support the school staff. Otherwise, tuition could be implemented and thus the school would be what the previous poster wants. No need for volunteers, just paid employees. This is a tuition-free school and would be unable to stay open without all the volunteering parents, grandparents, neighbors and such. Being a Catholic tuition-free school has its obvious rewards, but also its drawbacks such as not so grand facilities for sports, etc., so I do believe that, if that is where your priorities are, the best option for your child/children would be your public schools. With a Catholic education and tougher grading scale than public schools, that's our priority.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. The class sizes are smaller than in public schools, wich means more one on one instruction. The teachers are experienced and well trained. They give every student a fair chance and always help if a student needs extra instruction. The school also has may exra-curricular activities such as forensics, band, student council, choir and PJAS. This is a great overall school.
--Submitted by a student

St.Gabriel is a great school, but they don't disipline the students who keep misbehaving and interupting classes.
--Submitted by a student

This is the place to send your child for outstanding Catholic based education. It is a safe haven of nurturing and caring along with a strong curriculum. My children have been challenged to do their best by teachers who really take an interest in learning about who they are. Homework is given in a good balance with interesting projects. Internet use is encouraged in these projects as well as library skills. The Student Council is a great way to learn leadership among peers. Both of my sons have been active in this capacity. Physical fitness is a fun part of the curriculum. This school was the right choice for us.
--Submitted by Susan Cicero, a parent