Northwoods Catholic School

I have worked at this school for 12 years and have seen a number of graduates who are accepted into the high schools of their choice and are morally exceptional. The teachers are excellent and guide the children in a very professional and kind way. The curriculum is outstanding. Each child receives personalized attention, helping them reach their God-given potential. Children grow in core values that enable positive leadership while cultivating essential character strengths, including discipline, responsibility, and a sense of personal dignity. NCS strengthens everyone's personal relationship with Christ.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have been reading these reviews and I haven't seen one from a student, the ones actually attending the school. As a former student, I have to say that my time at Northwoods was not pleasant. First and foremost, do not believe what their website says. It claims that Northwoods teaches strong moral character and builds christian values. Ha, the people I attended Northwoods with were anything but that. I was constantly bullied by my peers and what did the administration do about it? Nothing. The people who bullied me never got reprimanded because their parents donated alot to the school. The bullying was constant, and I was miserable. Just because the website looks good and it is a Catholic school doesn't mean that Northwoods is a good place to send your kids. Think twice before considering enrolling your kids

I am so proud to be a parent of a Northwoods Catholic School child. The school is incredible! Northwoods Catholic School has the highest levels of academics, within Catholic schools, which is evident in the 100% acceptance into Catholic High Schools by graduating 8th graders. The Legionary's Integral Formation, which no other school has, educates the whole person. We are so blessed to be part of this beautiful methodology. We have been amazed with the high level of academic programs and the gender separate education within K-5th grades. The school's leadership is excellent and continuing to grow. The school has recently announced a reduction in tuition, which is amazing during this time of financial disaster within the U.S. Again, so very blessed to have the opportunity to have such a wonderful school in the North part of Houston. Thanks Be to God!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends the Pre-K 3, 5 days a week. Small class size enables the teachers to help or challenge when needed. Children can all write their names, and this week my child came home talking about the solar system, the water cycle ('precipitation' and 'evaporation') and counting by 10's. In Kindergarten I have heard the teacher discussing 3 branches of government, parts of speech and subjects that my older child was not taught in Klein ISD until ~2nd grade. The staff are so friendly. We have visited other Catholic schools in the area and encountered rude receptionisits & admissions personnel, but this never happens at Northwoods. My child walks down the hall and is greeted by name. There is an exciting PE teacher and music program. Even lowest grades have art class.Kids pray before meals, attend chapel, mass and are taught religion. Parents are involved, regularly bringing projects, attending mass and volunteering. I work full time and I have never been pressured into doing more than I can. There is a uniform trade program that helps save on back to school costs. Negatives: Tuition is higher than avg, no discount for 2nd child, no gifted and talented.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know where some of the "worst" reviews are coming from but they're way off the mark. As to tuition, my wife and I thoroughly scrutinized the area Catholic schools and found NCS's tuition to be about median - a bit more expensive than some, a bit less expensive than others. As to whether the kids are "behind" other schools or "ahead" in terms of their curriculum, that's highly debatable. I'm sure there are probably a few very wealthy schools with the wherewithal to provide the "latest" and "newest" everything. Telling a prospective parent to put their kid(s) in a public school instead is as wrong as it is spiteful. Cy Fair and Klein schools are horrendous. Tomball schools are getting that way. How do I know? I live in Tomball, I graduated from Cy Fair schools and my wife works in NW area high school who sees, first hand, the "results" of the area public schools. My kids absolutely love school and the teachers are first-rate. The faculty know each and every student by name. The environment is safe, secure and cheerful. Yeah, there are a few things I'd like to see introduced but I can't see my kids going any to any other school.
—Submitted by a parent

This was our first year at Northwoods and our children had a great year. My oldest child finally received the challenge that he didn't get in public school. We'd like to see improvements in technology but overall a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

My large family has moved many times and has been enrolled in a dozen schools over the years, across the country and internationally. Northwoods is a stand out! Teachers and students are treated with respect and given support for individuality. The full-time presence of priests and consecrated has exceedingly enriched my child's education, and my own as a parent. There is so much offered for the entire family!
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods Catholic is a most amazing school! From my experience and speaking with parents outside NCS, I know our academics are beyond those of other schools. Parents who are not involved in their children's homework & academic success do so at the detriment of their child. The school where parents drop off & pick up their children & do nothing outside of school to propel their child's academic career, exists only in fairy tales! Our Faith Formation is unbeatable! I do not know of any other Catholic school that has 24/7 access to a Legion of Priests and Brothers and 11 Consecrated Women! That, my fiends, is more that worth the cost of admission! God Bless NCS! You are obviously favored by God - why else would the devil be so active!
—Submitted by a parent

Northwoods is a FANTASTIC school both for my child and my entire family! We have been very pleased with the academic, human and spiritual formation that my child has received. I have a background in education/teaching and have been very impressed with the rigorous academics and the support teachers receive from the administration. The school is in transition - for the GOOD! This year weekly bulletin updates along with a new website have helped keep everyone informed. This school is on the right track and we are proud to be part of it!!
—Submitted by a parent

I would agree with the previous posting. Each year has progressively become worse. My child has been at Northwoods since kindergarten. We trusted Northwoods with my child but after this year, I m considering transferring my child to another school.
—Submitted by a parent

It saddens me to say this, but this school has really disappointed us. We're entering our 4th year in the school and each year it has become worse. Some of the textbooks are over 15 years old. The lower levels do a fantastic job teaching the kids, but once you hit middle school it goes downhill fast. It's by far the most expensive Catholic School in the area and not worth the price you pay. I'm not sure who said this school compares, price-wise, to other private schools in the area but they are way off the mark. I'm really hoping they turn things around because we can't stomach spending $8000 for this education.
—Submitted by a parent

What an awesome Catholic School! One of two strictly private Catholic pre K-8th grade school's (not affiliated with a parish) and the only gender separate school in Houston and surrounding areas. The academics, we've experienced, are far beyond our expectations and the integral formation is incredible. Price is in line with that of other private schools in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

I couldn't disagree more with bad review on curriculum. We placed our child in Northwoods Catholic while we were waiting on the completion of our neighborhood school in The Woodlands. He completed a year there before construction was completed. The year our child was at Northwoods, he was challenged and very happy. Now our child is in our neighborhood school, not only did he repeat much of what he already learned at Northwoods- he is an honor roll student. One of my neighbors was in the exact same situation as us- enrolled at Northwoods while waiting for the neighborhood school to open. Their child is now testing for gifted. I would recommend Northwoods Catholic School to anyone searching for a Catholic education. The religious formation is excellent and the curriculum is challenging and age-appropriate.
—Submitted by a parent

I would agree with the previous posting. Academics are NOT top notch. In fact, that are at public school level or below in some cases. Some grade levels did not have their books until months into the 1st semester. It has become a "little mexico" school where Spanish is spoken throughout the school all the time. Many classes have a 'community' of sorts of spanish speaking only students. The teachers don't know what they are saying and don't know if they are copying each other's papers. It's a beautiful campus but the academics do not matchup with the cost of tuition.
—Submitted by a parent

NCS promised a curriculum that would have the children one year ahead, NOT at all the truth. In fact, it would be more accurate to advertise, one year behind leaving our children below average! Children are only being introduced to different aspects in each subject, failing to comprehend what they are being taught. I agree with a previous posting and "Don't be fooled by the building and the PR" We trusted Northwoods with our children so I say 'SHAME ON YOU NCS, SHAME ON YOU!!"
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 8th grade and has been at Northwoods since kindergarten. Not only has he been consistantly challenged with an academically accelerated curriculum, he has grown in his relationship with Christ and developed a moral interior compass with a definite sense of right and wrong. My husband and I appreciate that the school supports what we teach at home.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in Northwoods Catholic School since Pre-K3. He is finishing his Kindergarten year May 2007. I knew his level of education was excellent when one of his math homework problems was to 'color all the congruent rectangles blue.' I asked if he knew what 'congruent' was and he responded, 'same size and same shape.' WOW! When he goes to school I know he is safe, that he feels secure and loved by teachers and administrators and that Christ is ever-present. My son is truly getting well formed at this school. It's worth every penny!
—Submitted by E. Derr, a parent

Not the best school I took my kids to. The discipline was good, but the arts program and athletics did not seem too developed. Also, Spanish was not allowed to be spoken(unless lunch), so that dropped my rating of this school overall.
—Submitted by a parent

We were very pleased with our kindergarden experiene at Northwoods. The kids did more homework than I did in high school. The parents didn't like it but the kids rose to the occassion. They seemed to have pushed themselves a little to soon financially, but we had good teachers and a great, well thought-out curriculum. This is a school that knows its mission and takes it seriously. Can't say that about many others.
—Submitted by a parent

At first this school appeared too good to be true. I kept waiting and waiting byt the fact is it is great. Safe, disciplined, educationally rigorous but most of all - charitable. My kids have never been so happy. This school is very Catholic but in a very healthy way and is loyal to the Pope but at the same time it is not traditionalist in any way, and the religious and moral formation aspects have had a wonderful effect on my kids. Of course, it is not perfect, but I cannot recommend this school highly enough.
—Submitted by George Danforth, a parent