I am a parent, and my previous post was taken off of this site. This was not my doing, and I'm wondering if members of the administration at Catholic East are trying to get rid of the honest posts that parents like me are posting. This is a public forum, and we are allowed to speak our opinions about the school, both positive and negative. I am seriously considering pulling my child, as I have read about a serious shift in staffing. I do not want my child taught by inexperienced teachers with little to no classroom management experience. Also, with what I am hearing on the playground at Holy Rosary, I am not sure how I feel about the principal not being available.
—Submitted by a parent

I have noticed that only the Holy Rosary campus parents have any thing positive to say...hmmmm. I agree with both of the recent posts...we have lost wonderful teachers because of horrible conditions and Gail Kraig is always MIA. The joke is if you are kicked out of any other school - we will take you at Catholic East.....quantity not quality. What a shame.
—Submitted by a parent

Alarming teacher turnover rate. 80% fired, forced out, or leaving due to demoralization over last three years. Comments from teachers being censored on this site as well.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son is in the kindergarten program and I am beyond thankful we found this school!! Last year he complained almost daily about disliking preschool which I found so disheartening because they just play, sleep & eat; it had me worried to say the least. But Catholic East has changed everything; he constantly talks about school and how much he loves it, he loves their church, has so many stories he's excited to share with me every day, gets excited to do his homework and sometimes even begs me to let him stay at Kids Campus when I pick him up after work because he enjoys the ladies who take care of him so much!! His teacher, Mrs. Balistreri, is amazing and has already helped Cameron significantly to overcome his shyness and to participate in group activities. The principal, Mrs. Gail Kraig, is also really great; she runs a very structured school and has chosen her staff very carefully! Every person on the staff is very friendly and professional and seem to love their work and the school. They are diligent about communcating with parents & really allow me to feel connected! Words can't explain how happy I am that we lucked out and found the best elementary school possible!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Catholic East Elementary has been a great choice for my children. The teachers are nurturing and friendly. The environment is positive and challenging. My girls are only 4, yet they know the names of many students in all grade levels. The older students are "buddies" with the younger students which really creates a community. The school also offers affordable before and after school care (with certified teachers). I could not be happier with Catholic East.
—Submitted by a parent

My daugher attends CEE and we love all that the school has to offer. The school is very diversed, and offers all grades (including K4/K5) the experience of foreign language, gym, art, music, guidance, and after school clubs and events. All families are involved in some shape or form in helping the school, and it is a very family oriented school. We love the school class sizes are small, the programs are challenging, and the school holds great values.
—Submitted by a parent

Catholic East is more than we could have hoped for our children. It is a true, diverse community which children can feel safe to learn and grow in. Small class sizes and 'specials' including Spanish, Music, Computer, Gym and Art begin in K4. All is a school where every staff member knows every child!
—Submitted by a parent

I think CEE is a great school. It is very diverse and has great teachers and a forward looking principal. Though the buildings are old, the students and the parents bring much to the school. Parents are very friendly and involved, very supportive of the school. There are various clubs after school that the students can participate in such as art, reading groups, etc. I cannot recommend the school highly enough. Come visit, ask questions and feel the spirit.
—Submitted by a parent

We are the proud parents of 3 Catholic East grads. Two have graduated from high school as NHS Honor Roll students and our 3rd is an NHS Senior. Our oldest graduated from college in spring with honors, and the second is right behind her. But, the best thing about Catholic East is not the high level of acedemic instruction, which could be matched elsewhere. The best thing is that it is the perfect place to prepare your children for the real world. It is a safe place that functions as a village with shared values and faith to help you raise your child as people of faith who don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk. It is Catholic with a big C and a little c. It is not only ethnically diverse, but , even more rare, it's economically diverse. Our children are comfortable with anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I are the parents of two children in the primary grades at Catholic East. We couldn't be more pleased with our experience so far. Our children have had the benefit of truly outstanding teachers. We have been so impressed with their ability to take four-year-old children and mold them into young students: inquisitive, responsive, and respectful of each other and their teachers. I chaperoned a field trip (the students have one every month)to Betty Brinn a few weeks ago, and was a little aprehensive that it might be kind of crazy (as it can be with my own kids!). I came away from that experience with renewed appreciation of the atmosphere of CEE -- it is filled with really nice kids, and really nice families. It has a great, cohesive and stable staff, superb academics (critical to us), a small diverse student body, all of which also reflectitsCatholicmission.
—Submitted by a parent

The August 2005 parent review implied CEE combines its older classes. At this point, the 6th and 7th grades are combined due to small enrollment in the 7th grade. Once this 7th grade class graduates next year, CEE will return to single classes once again. This was a temporary solution not a standard practice. As a parent of 3 children at CEE, I'm impressed with the enthusiasm of our teachers. They are a close knit faculty that seem to truly enjoy being at CEE. In addition to basic subjects, our children get instruction in Spanish, computers, art and phy.ed. They also participate in a citizenship program that covers different moral character traits such as honesty, problem solving, friendship and responsibility. My experience is that CEE is committed to shaping the whole child - intellectually, physically, spiritually and morally. It is a wonderfully diverse community and a true treasure.
—Submitted by Sarah Parlier, a parent

I beleive Catholic East offers great environment for learning, character building as well having strong Catholic values. The children at this school tend to be secure and confident which comes from having faith. Small school with parents and teachers who care.
—Submitted by Ricardo Trinidad, a parent

Mr. Patterson the Principal is really trying to make a difference. Unfortunately it is the lack of teachers, and students which make this school such a dismal learning environment. The fifth and sixth grades have been put together making it harder for the fifth graders who have now advanced into a tougher grade without the knowledge. The seventh and eight are also combined and very often children are getting left behind in a subject because they are learning with students that are a year ahead. There is a very friendly atmosphere and parent involvement in the school, and the children truley seem to enjoy it. The teachers however, especially for the older grades, seem less than enthused to be teaching. The extracurricular activities are a joke.
—Submitted by a parent