Atonement Academy

I went to Atonement for all of high school, and I cannot give a worse review. It is ruled by an authoritarian priest who, by his own admission, believes that learning Latin is more important than learning essential modern skills such as computer usage. He and other administrators believe in teaching the high school-level students responsibility, and they attempt to do so with unreasonably strict discipline and uniforms, by giving them roughly the same amount of freedom as they do to a 3rd grader, and giving a homework load equivalent to what you would expect in a state university. The academics could be exceptionally good, if they administration did not require the students to spend so much of their time on daily Mass, and mandatory religion and choir classes for all students, at all grade levels. If you send your child here for high school, expect that by the end, they will be: -a incapable of any religious or philosophical thought not approved by the Vatican; -unable to comprehend that people who disagree with their religious, political, or social views are anything but stupid or evil, and -completely lacking the skills and self-reliance needed for college or employment. Student

While the Atonement Academy appears to be an architecturally beautiful location to introduce the youth of today's generation to more conservative values that center around the principles of Christ, it undoubtedly misses its mark. In the younger grades the teachers are exceptional, however, the higher the grade the more the bureaucracy of the school comes into play, and the morals suddenly vanish. Instead of encouraging a freedom of thought, of expression, they instill rigid discipline to conform to what is their perception of a good "Catholic". The administration in particular the deacon and the priest are at the forefront of this, and parents wishing to ensure their child doesn't have a rough time at school, also conform. The parents of the high school students as well as the administration are no better than high school students, involving themselves into catty affairs with teenagers half their age. The Atonement is not a place for intellectually stunted children, but at the same time, is not the place for parents wishing to instill actual religious values into their children.

Very good school. We sent our girl to this school last year and she loves to be there everyday. Daily Masses is a big plus. School teaches lot about moral life and religion which is a must for any catholic/christian kids.
—Submitted by a parent

hey! listen up!! all i've heard about this school is that it worries all about money and scares children into doing well. its the total opposite!! yes, we go to mass everyday, but after a few weeks, youre used to it. i went to a school where i was non-stop bullied and stereotyped and pressured for grades. here, at atonement, my classmates love and respect me and im allowed to work at my own pace. sometimes the homework is a bit heavy or i struggle a little more on one subject than others. but doesn't that happen at all schools? and people say its all stuffy and loser-ish because they don't have a strong sports program. but the school's still fairly new. no more cliques, no more bullies. at this school everyone REALLY does love everyone. i came to atonement and i'm never going back. -A STUDENT

After months of researching/ visiting local private schools, my husband and I decided on the Atonement Academy for our Pre-Kindergartener. Both of us feel we could not have made a better choice. Our son loves going to school everyday, has made great friends and feels comfortable. His teacher is outstanding, she keeps in contact with us, let's us know daily his behaviors and what the class is doing. She is accessible and responds promptly. All of the staff is friendly, professional and genuinely care about the students. I am shocked to read some reviews about "being financially motivated" or being "shaken down", this is certainly not the case as we have NEVER felt that way. I would honestly recommend this school to anyone and am sending our younger son to the Academy next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I've read a few reviews that are inaccurate and show hints of the poster knowing little about the Atonement Academy. For instance, one poster complained of the school being primarily financial motivated and pressuring parents for money using fund raisers as tool to beat them over the head with. There are only two fund raisers per year and I have never felt pressured to make any donations to either. While I pay full tuition, I have a friend who was laid off and combined with other factors was not able to afford the tuition. The Atonement staff made arrangements for their child to stay at the academy, effectively charging no tuition. I am one of the, if not the youngest fathers at Atonement, I am lower middle class and I have always been treated with respect and felt welcome. While I mainly wanted to rebuke the comments that less than accurately reflect the school, I also want to note that I thoroughly investigated schools as far as Houston and that my research has paid more dividends then expected by choosing Atonement in several aspects.
—Submitted by a parent

We wasted tens of thousands of dollars in this school, when the surrounding schools (public and private) are so much better. When I first saw Atonement I was impressed with the European fa ade and beautiful uniforms, but I found out later that the core values are rotten. What matters here is money, not the person. Children are treated harshly and given massive amounts of homework which robs them of a normal childhood. The social relations among the students are unpleasant. There are clicks, unfriendliness, gossip and bullying. I learned that I don t have to waste so much money or overwhelm my kids with homework to educate them, I just need to get involved; they will do fine if I spend quality time with them regardless of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school for most of my life. And let me tell you. I wish I hadn't . From the outward appearance of Atonement, it is a very beautiful, well brought up school. But as a student, the teachers expect way to much out of there students. They expect children to act as if they were proper adults. And this school is ALL about the cash. The tuition is WAY to high. And they think that the school is going to grow... HA! as if. The teachers are rude, unorganized, grade harshly, and pretty much the opposite of what a good Catholic SHOULD be. They randomly throw tests at you and you have to stay up until 12 o clock at night studying for them! I would not recomend this school for ANYONE.

I went to this school for two years, and though I made some good friends, I was constantly stressed out and crying due to the amount of homework and teachers. This school is a patriarch, where if you are male, you are more important. I got sent to higher authorities for not bringing my book to class once, and was constantly looked down upon in my math class for not understanding something I have never been good at. I left church everyday feeling like a horrible person, something that NO ONE should feel that way after church. Students visibly straightened up and acted completely different when the priest or deacon walked around. The school is too busy spending the money from fundraisers on gardens and outside appearances than providing warmer uniforms for the winter and books. Teachers compared the grades of males and females, and it was just not fun. I would NOT recommend this school for your children unless you want cold, judgmental teachers, and to be paying an arm and leg for tuition so they can make a nicer outside appearance instead ensure your child is being taken well care of.

My son was an average public school student. He started at the Atonement Academy in Middle School (6th) and is now finishing his freshman year. The first year was a struggle for him, but he is flourishing academically and socially. This is the kind of school where you need to stay out of the teacher / student relationship. I may not always agree with everything, but he needs to fight his own battles and he is becoming more of a man everyday. The academic program is rigorous. I have never had anything but productive feedback from his very competent teachers. Everyone at the school knows my child and is interested in his success. I truly appreciate the fact that this is a very orthodox Catholic shool and I don't think it is a good fit for everyone with daily Mass, formal uniforms & no-nonsense discipline. If you want your child to spend his days with other high-calibre students from strict families with high parental involvement, then this is the place for you. Otherwise there are lots of other schools to choose from. I think this school is worth every dollar. Although there are plenty of wealthy families in this school, there are also plenty of middle class families.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has just finished their first year at Atonement. I say this as it takes a total partnership between family and school for children to succeed here. I do not find this to be a short-coming of the school. Yes Atonement is quite rigid, but I find that there is sound reasoning behind each of the rules. If your child is not willing to work for their education, this is not the school for you. I believe no finer school can be found for any amount of tuition. Only once during the school year did I feel that the amount of homework was overwhelming for one of my children (I have two attending). However, the work load WILL REQUIRE good time management skills if one wants time for extra-curricular activities. The Administration and staff may not hold every parents hand individually, but it is because they are busy WORKING to give my kids the best education possible. I think it is also noteworthy that we are Lutheran, and I have never felt like we were not part of the Atonement family. All the tools for children's success are here. If there are failures, they rest in the goals, and work ethic, of the students and their families.
—Submitted by a parent

Atonment Academy is no more expensive than any other Catholic school here in San Antonio. At other Catholic school there are required "donations" which makes absolutely no since to me. Yes they upped their tuition $50, but again all the school do. I am not sure if you do realize that there is a tuition cap for families, so if you have more than 2 children at the school, the rest go for basically free minus the enrollement cost. I am not really sure what is wrong with having very high expectaions of our children. That is why we are sending our children to private school, so they get a better educatioation. I personally would rather sacrafice in my own wants and pay for my child to have a better future.
—Submitted by a parent

My wife and I are both products of Catholic education, and we think this school is exceptional. The curriculum is top notch and challenging to the students preparing them for a lifetime of learning. Teachers care about the individual students and it shows in their frequent, though not required, attendance of student activities. The only complaint that I have had is that they depend on room moms to communicate some activities with parents. This has proven to be ineffective, but has since been corrected. I'm not sure I understand the complaints about fundraising in a Catholic private school. It is asked, but not required, and I have been able to participate in some and not others. I am not an outcast, and appreciate the efforts to raise funds for the school outside of straight tuition. I respect the efforts of Atonement Academy in providing my children with a rigorous Catholic education preparing them to be the leaders of the community in years to come.
—Submitted by a parent

I gave this school a 1 because it is a total misrepresentation of what it claims to promote. If you are looking for a school built around CHRISTIAN values, you are looking in the wrong place here. This is a school where MONEY talks. Conformity and fundraising is what this school is all about. You are expected to open your wallet up wide here at the many fundraising events they hold and solicitations come often. If you don t crack your wallet often, you are treated as a second class citizen (a very Christian attitude). For the money you fork out here, you would think that they would have smaller classes for more one on one education but you can expect 25-30 or more students with one teacher and NO aide. Conformity rules here. If you are a YES MAN/WOMAN and want your kids to be, you will love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are more than pleased with the education and Catholic environment at The Atonement. Our job transfer brought us to SA, and when we looked for a school with daily Mass required of all students, this was the ONLY place in town. Hard to believe for such a Catholic town, but our visit confirmed that the old school traditions were the right fit for our family. New admin team is young, bright, welcoming. Never had the feelign that newcomers weren't welcome, and got to know a family that has been at the school 10+ yrs. No place is perfect, but if you want a sound education, discipline, and if you know how to be a parent rather than a BF to your kid, this is the place.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my family enrolled in AA for several years. Yes, it's hard --the students work to achieve Blue Ribbon grades. The classes are very large (25 to 30 students). After many years of observation, as a parent, it is best to stay at the periphery. If you go with the flow then it will be a satisfactory experience. AA strongly encourages conformity in both parents and students. It is not a sign of weakness to disenroll but, rather a matter of finding the right fit. "Dfferent strokes for different folks." 90% of the students are well mannered and polite. The remaining 10% exude haughtiness and sense of entitlement, and seem to get away with things that other students do not, which is giving AA the reputation of a snooty, elitist school. If confomity works for your family, then AA is the right "Stepford" school for you..
—Submitted by a parent

I am a high school student at the Atonement Academy, and I have been enrolled since I was in 5th grade. Never have I been in a class with more than 26 students, and never have I felt that my homework was overwhelming. I am almost an Eagle Scout, I participate in at least two sports teams a year, and I have time to have fun with friends. My parents have never been responsible for my homework, and we get time at school to at least start our homework - of course some kids prefer to raise h--l instead. Oh yes, then they are invited to leave midyear. Lots of our kids are military and leave b/c they are transferred,& some do in fact flunk out. We can't help those w/ bad study habits, needing remedial work or undisciplined kids--sorry. Don't slam my Blue Ribbon School!

Catholic and classical curriculum are the hallmarks of an education at The Atonement Academy. It's definitely not the place for weak students and even weaker parents. Kids have plenty of time to be kids as long as use their time well at school. Not the place for being spoon fed and never having homework. The nasty remarks about the large family dynasties and the UNTRUE statements about teachers and class size sound like sour grapes. We have 2 kids at the school and have spent 6 years there with lots of other happy families.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children in the Atonement Academy, and we are absolutely thrilled with the school. It can't be stated too often that this school is not for everyone, but if you want a thoroughly Catholic environment, a commitment to the teachings of the Church, dedicated teachers and administrators, and academic rigor, I can't imagine a better school. Also, our children and we as parents have made so many great friends at the school. It's a blessing to find so many people who share our values.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter made her first straight 'A' report card this quarter (five of them were 100's) I still remember the day you accepted her....her math placement test score was concerning; therefore she needed extra help. Now she is getting excellent math scores after a year with The Atonement Academy. Since attending your school she has grown into a responsible and confident young lady. She always had it in her to do well, but you and your staff brought it out of her. The work load and expectations had me worried at first, but in the end I think it may have been what she needed to prove to herself she could do it. I am very grateful for everyone's dedication!
—Submitted by a parent