St. Michael's Catholic Academy

the school was great, until they decided to enforce this new "uniform". instead of giving the students the customary plaid skirt and polo, the school decided to make the students buy their own khaki pants and button downs. the majority of the school would prefer the standard uniform because now we have to go and try to find appropriate uniform requirements. it wouldnt seem like it would be a big deal, but it is almost impossible for the students to try and find appropriate dress. when making dress code decisions, the administration should have taken a poll or something because letters were sent from the sophmore class regarding this issue, and they ignored them completely. even after numerous complaints from parents, the school would not even consider changing to a real uniform.
--Submitted by a student

I think it is true to say that your experience in anything is directly related to the effort you put into it. We have 2 kids at SMCA. Our experience has been nothing short of wonderful. We are very active in the activities of the school and attend events (sports and the arts) whenever we are able. we volunteer often. Like any environment there is diversity at all levels. Clearly an academically focused environment, it has made our kids much better students. That's why we are there. The family environment is hardly pretentious. That's what makes it very special for us. Yes, extracurricular activities are important at the school which reflects their importance to our/your child. It is a great source of our SMCA family interaction. I like to describe the environment by saying "there is no place for the students to hide". Hopefully it will challenge your kid to be a better student and person too.
--Submitted by a parent

I must say that I was shocked to read a few of the posts regarding SMCA as we have had the complete opposite experience. I have two children currently attending and one who will attend next year. The teachers have been very accommodating to my child who has ADD and have offered to meet with him before school, during lunch, after school or whenever he needs it.The academics are rigorous and they will be more than prepared for college. Athletics is an important part of SMCA however academics is number one.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Michael's is a great school. We would not hesitate for an instant to send our kids there again. We have had children at Westlake as well, SMCA was a better choice. Just as with anything in life, you get what you put into it. If you want good grades, you will have to work hard. If you want to excel in extra-curricular activities , you will be similarly challenged. If you choose not to get involved in the many organizations and activities offered at SMCA, blame no one but yourself. The school does require discipline, and if your child, or even you as a parent, don't believe in following rules and recognizing that there are consequences to actions, perhaps a public school may be best for you. The education, study habits, and friendships our children have gained and made while attending St. Michael's has made their transition to college much easier and their college grades are a true reflection and validation of the value of the education you get at St. Michael's. Teachers and administrators have shown considerable care and concern and the families which we have met have become true friends, and have been there for support when we have needed them.
--Submitted by a parent

My family has had an amazing experience at St. Michael's. We have one graduate, a senior, and a junior.--eleven total years of wonderful experiences. The faculty and staff love their students and therefore become like family. It is always a treat to see these happy kids released from class at the end of their day, scurrying to so many after school sports and activities. We have loved every day at SMCA!!
--Submitted by a parent

The name SMCA is less of associated with academic success and more with social status. If you do not live in the Westlake area, do not have an iPhone and do not have your own car, you will not be accepted by the majority of students. The school has a very elitist student body and even most of the teachers as well. This elitist nature really does effect the experience. If you are not one of the rich families at SMCA, do not expect most of the teachers to care about your success. If you do not play any sports at all, be prepared to have a horrible high school experience here anyway. Athletics at SMCA is the most funded extracurricular, while other extracurricular programs (such as band and tech) are left with very little. This school is obsessed with it's reputation and administrative decisions are made for the better of the school, not the student.
--Submitted by a student

I agree with the review posted on July 15th, 2010 completely. You do get ignored and shunned out if you don't play volleyball or football. Of course, no one's rude enough to you for you to say anything about it, but you can sense the hostility. I don't feel welcome at SMCA, and I can't believe I chose to come here. I regret applying to St. Michael's. Thankfully, I will not be at SMCA much longer. Despite the Rachel's Challenge Program initiated to encourage people to treat each other with kindness, hardly anything has changed. Most of the students are fake and mean, and the whole 'nice' act is sickening, which just goes to show that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
--Submitted by a student

While the academics are excellent for the most part, my daughter's peers are extremely mean to her. She's only staying at St. Michael's for the good education, most definitely not for the rude and cruel people that treat her unkindly. We can't wait to leave. SMCA is extremely clique-oriented, and many people who attend SMCA have admitted that it's full of many horrible, mean, conniving, fake people.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Michael's is a great school. The academics are challenging but you will be ready for the future! The parents, teachers and students are very involved in this wonderful community. 70% of the students play sports but if you do not ,there is band and the theatre group is top rate. Our two children love SMCA. Life is what you make it. ST. Michael's makes it great!
--Submitted by a parent

I've known many families who have loved St. Michael's. My daughter attended freshman year, and was happy, but I was frustrated by the distance, and the expense. The academics were challenging, but the workload wasn't too bad. She had alot of friends, but I can see how cliquey it could be. Athletics are very important, and those are the popular kids. But they have a great theater director, and a very enthusiastic (perhaps a bit weird) musical director, and if your kid is interested in the arts, it could be a good place. I'm not much into sports myself, so as a parent I became really involved in the wonderful Arts Guild, which was great. really Finally the finances became too much, and my daughter decided to apply for the Global Studies program at Austin High, and once she got accepted, we gave our notice.
--Submitted by a parent