St. Cecilia Catholic School

I am currently at St Cecilia Catholic School and it has been the greatest blessing of my life. It is a great school for a faithful Catholic who can meet the challenging classes, a great athletic program and spiritual guidance. The priests here are the best of the best, and the teachers are very knowledgeable. We have many new middle school teachers who spend time getting to know us and provide help before school. The principal is in the classroom or hallway and greets us by name.

I have one graduate from this school, and two children currently attending St Cecilia. I knew when I attended back-to-school night for my oldest that she would get a good education because the teachers seemed enthusiastic and caring. My instincts were correct. Just like life, no school is perfect but my children have received great academic and value-oriented educations. Teachers and administration are very caring and responsive to parents and children's needs. It is located in Houston's highest ranked and expensive well-to-do area and although many of the students families fall into this category, many others do not. This school is amazing. Many schools have additional fees and required fundraising in order to attend, this school does not. The school also stresses the importance of community and helping others. Financial assistance is available for those who could not otherwise afford a Catholic education.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student I can say with great confidence that this is one of the worst school programs I have ever been apart of. It was a great school until 6th grade. After that it was a terrible experience, one I hopefully your child never has to see. The teacher/student relationships were very poor with most teachers completely uninterested with doing much extra than just teaching. For example, I moved to memorial middle school towards the end of 8th grade. When I entered their algebra program, they were five chapters ahead and I struggled a lot. When the teacher saw how much I was struggling, he offered to come early and stay late to help tutor me. He even suggested a after-school tutor I could see. Also the curriculum was unacceptable. As mentioned above, SCS is woefully behind. Going into high school, most students retook the courses that they took at SCS. Finally the disciplinary action is terrible. Rather than work with the troubled kid, they would rather just punish him. Rather than try to make the situation better and find the root of the problem, they punish the student and expect the parents to take care of it. This causes a lot of fights and arguments. Please do not attend

I have been subbing at this school for several months, and I can tell you there are wonderful, kind, intelligent, and patient teachers at this school. The children are very caring, full of life and fun, and work. I worked in the public schools before, and have just started subbing in public schools, too. St. Cecilia's is a wonderful place to send your kids.

My child attended St. Cecilia from Kdg.-8th grade. My child not only had a positive experience, but was also well prepared for the challenging high school curriculum. St. Cecilia taught my child how to be responsible, organized and self-reliant. The caring teachers and staff also taught my child how to be a contributing member to his/her community by being of service to others and to God. My child did not always appreciate the homework, but I can tell you each year prepared my child to learn how to face challenges, set goals, and most importantly, accomplish those goals. My child is NOT academically gifted, but has learned that hard work pays off. My child was accepted to each of the Catholic high schools he/she applied to. You cannot get a more well-rounded or academically challenging education than the one offered by St. Cecilia.
—Submitted by a parent

Overview St. Cecilia is a very unsatisfactory school. Recently, there have been many students leaving the school because of its problems. SCS is not worth sending your children there. Your kids will not have an enjoyable experience at SCS. Parents should not take the risk enrolling your children in this school. Student Quality The students at St. Cecilia do whatever they want, and the school will let serious problems involving students escalate. Student behavior at St. Cecilia is unacceptable. The students have no concern on how they treat others in the school. Children will be excluded by their classmates and will be very unhappy here. Administration and Staff The principal is never involved in the school community and is always in her office. There is no involvement with the principal and students. The administration never keeps the teachers informed on problems within the school. Some teachers are nice, but others will give your children many problems. Curriculum The curriculum is not demanding, and you can find much better education at other Catholic private schools within the Archdiocese. You will not prepare your children for high school by sending them to St. Cecilia.
—Submitted by a parent

A challenging and excellent academic environment educating the whole child in a strong faith community. Excellent technology integrated into the curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of St. Cecilia and am now in high school. St. Cecilia has always been such a negative enviroment for me. The teachers do not want to help you, and it seems like they only want to bring you down. No encouragement coming from them. As you hit middle school they still treat you like you are in kindergarten and have you put up the quite sign when the lights are out- and if we don't obey we have a citation. I am at Memorial High School now and enjoy it VERY very much! The teachers there do encourage you and actually want to help. The kids are very inviting and friendly as well. And the classes are actually smaller than my classes at SCS. If your child does not like SCS or is having troubles I would really consider to pull him out and try public school with him. St Cecilia School was nothing but a negative enviroment for me.

St. Cecilia, as of 2008, has a new principal, who is bringing about great change, i.e. differentiated intstruction, new more qualified teachers, and an academic dean. No school is perfect, as it is full of humans, but, at least, the principal is listening. It offers a variety of special classes, starting as early as pre-k 3, such as music, art, computer, Spanish and religion. Now with 600 students, 20 per classroom, the school is coming into its own.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our third year at SCS and lots of changes (for the better!) have occurred since we began. I personally am very happy with the spiritual, emotional and educational growth of our child that we have seen- I have found the teachers to be very receptive and open minded to my concerns, but have always had the same respect for them. BRAVO for giving our children such a remarkable elementary education!
—Submitted by a parent

It's a choice to go to SCS. We made the choice to go here b/c we respect the decisions on the parish and school. It is a fine school. Our children are not only getting a quality education, but the catholic teachings are the most important. SCS has a wonderful new principal who is impressing us all. If someone is not happy at any school, get involved and make changes, or move along and stop complaining. No school the bad karma of complaining parents. It doesn't help you, your child, or the school. There is a huge waiting list at SCS, so I know they are doing something right. The families there are lovely!
—Submitted by a parent

Our children just began St. Cecilia (correct spelling) this year, and we have been very pleased. It is located in a public school district with academically strong schools, but if you are looking for a Catholic education, a dynamic group of parents, and a school with lots of positive energy, this is a wonderful place. It is truly an integrated and supportive church/school community. Not everything as SCS is perfect, but it sure is doing a lot right. As far as the academics, the kids go on to Strake Jesuit, St. Agnes, Duchesne, and St. Thomas, some of the top schools in town. We had lots of choices in our school selection, but SCS is the perfect place if you are on the Catholic high school track and want your kids to have a great experience on the way.
—Submitted by a parent

Expect lots of homework and a stressed children. Administration/teachers are there for a paycheck/retirement and do not show the enthusiasm and drive of truly loving and enjoying their jobs.
—Submitted by a parent

If children don't fit in their box, they want them out. They are not equipped to handle bright children with learning differences.
—Submitted by a parent

St Cecilia has to be one of the top schools in Houston. Education curriculum is first rate and most parents are very dedicated and support the school's mission with a lot of passion. Upper grade level kids are very mature and polite.
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic catholic education. Very competitive, challenging environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very impressed with the quality of the academic program at St. Cecilia. It is very challenging to the kids and the teachers are great at addressing the kids'needs and curiosities.
—Submitted by a parent