Oratory Academy of St. Philip Neri

A good mission, a good studying atmosphere, and the spirit of strong catholic eduation is the tripod of these schools.
--Submitted by a teacher

Excellent work of the school with dual language, preparation for collage, catholic education, excellent teachers, students are being prepared to lead their communities in the academics and morally. I am also a mother that has 4 children being educated in this school and would not change it for all the extracurricular activities.
--Submitted by a teacher

This school is great! Dual language is an advantage for our children. The Catholic faith is also priority and it is benefical to these children in this day and age. I appreciate all administrators, faculty, and support staff for all their hard work and dedication. Parents are always going to complain but I am one who can say THANKS... I have understood the trials and tribulations of this school and even then it has still succeeded. It is hard to start something out of nothing and establish what my family and I consider to be the best. Fundraising is crucial to keep this great instituion afloat. With no government or Diocesean help what do you expect. FREE TUITION! Come on people. My children are excelling in their studies, faith and life because of this school. So once more I thank you, Oratory Schools!
--Submitted by a parent

The school seems to have too many new teachers every year, but there are some that have been there many years.The school has a good ratio of new teachers and those that have taught for many years in the public schools.The oratory schools do not have a extracurricular sports program.Students are taught a higher level than in public schools and is a college-prep school,so homework is a daily assignment starting in kinder,making it difficult for the student to persue after school activities,finish homework,etc and still get to bed early.Somethings that I dislike are;there are many occasions that the school will ask for more money/private school is expensive.The school requires that the school uniforms/shoes be bought from a single supplier and they are expensive. The ' me first' attitude of the parents/drivers at drop-off and fetching times,some of them do not understand 'common courtesy'
--Submitted by a parent

Althou its religous backround is a plus for most,as well as its 'Bi-Cultural' enviroment, I found that my children where constantly complaning about it(irregular discipline, favortisim, wasting class time and the list goes on and on) till I took them out They are now happy at another private institution in Mcallen which I am happy to say was much more at par with thier needs.
--Submitted by a parent

As one previous reviewer clearly stated this school is an atrocity. Its bicultural and catholic backround only helps to exclude the students futher. Half of the classes are lost,and with such a high tution I came to expect only the best. I found the worst teachers programs no extracurricular activites and I regret all my involvment in this institution where fundrasing was the primordial thing then came the learning. The discipline if one is to call it that is irregular and excludes the high rollers at the school.
--Submitted by Gregory Smith, a parent

As a former student of this school I must warn parents of the low standards at this school. The school charges a ridiculously high tuition only to teach your kids that it's important to raise more money for the school. The lack of high standards, both academically and morally is disgusting. The also apparent lack of funds is questionable, considering the high tuition. Where does it all go? I just hope that parents will think before sending their child to a below average school.
--Submitted by Sad Oratory Student, a former student

As a former Oratory Academy teacher, I must say they are right on track offering an excellent bilingual, bicultural, biliterate program. The Oratory values both languages and fosters leadership in its students. It is a leader in education. Keep up the great work!

A slowly well established shcool, with very high academic standards, covering a Catholic, bilingual and liberal arts education. But most of all, teaching their students and parents the need to form strong and valuable individuals, with high moral standards. An ideal school for the area, that lets the students have a bicultural education in this global world. This school is a blessing!
--Submitted by a parent