St Viator High School

1213 East Oakton Street

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by other on June 08, 2023

The finest educational experience bar none. Supportive and attentive teachers with high academic standards. However, your education does not stop with academics and includes social responsibility. All students give back to the community through participation in a variety of charitable causes. 100% of Saint Viator graduates go on to attend college, this includes special needs students. I am a proud alum!
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2023

My son is a senior and getting ready to graduate. It was his idea to attend Viator even though we have an excellent public school he’d attend. We felt the financial aid was generous although it does get lower every year regardless of income. Overall I have been very happy with this school. I disagree that there is no support. If you want it , it is there for you. The problem I see is some kids just doing utilize it. That’s only their own fault. I also don’t see bullying but sure it does exist as it does everywhere. My son is a respectful human and I owe some of that to this school. The school is highly respected by universities and I believe along with his high academics this school gets some credit for him being accepted into a very highly rated college. But, this is a very tough school academically. It Should be because we pay tuition. All of their classes are college level plus they have many AP and Honors. They continue to add more classes every year and continue to upgrade the building. They opened up a coffee shop within the school this year, will be adding two football fields next year and so much more. The school is beautiful and not run down like many public schools. Yes you pay for it, but along with a stellar education you also get to be part of a lifelong group of people and I love that it is faith based. Yes, there is favoritism. That is obvious. If your family is a big donor and the kid is in a sport, they will be treated as the best on the team even though they are terrible. I do wish they would change this. Just because the family donates time or money shouldn’t mean their kid should be treated better than they are. We parents as well as the kids see this and it is talked about all the time. It isn’t right. Money talks, but this everywhere. But, I sent my kid here so that he can have an awesome education and begin his future with the career he wants. This was a great place to start all of this and we have no regrets. He loves this school and has made lifelong friends and that is super important to him and us. Note to school: remember you have families who can’t afford to be high donors who also want to be a part of the extra curricular activities such as sports and they should be allowed to play. How can they be better if they don’t get a chance?? The principal should be more involved with this and have a talk with the coaches. It just isn’t a good look when it appears you have a “pay to play “ scheme going.
Submitted by other on February 23, 2023

I am a graduate of Sacred Heart of Mary which merged with St. Viator in 1988. My husband graduated from St. Viator. I have 2 brothers, one sister, 3 brothers in law, 2 children and one son in law who are graduates of SVHS. I currently serve on the Alumni Board. I am extremely impressed with the faculty and the education my husband and our children benefited from at SVHS. I have never seen “bullying “. But I have seen so many good things - AP courses and the Scanlon Learning Center for students who learn differently. I see teens helping others, STEM classes and programs which excel. I see a narrow student to teacher ratio with teachers who care. The public schools are great in this area. SVHS offers those intrinsic things whose value cannot be measured in dollars.
Submitted by other on June 20, 2022

I am a recent Viator alum who attended Saint Viator and liked my time there. I found my environment very academically challenging. If you want your student to be ready for college and prepared, send them here. They have various clubs, and I participated in a few sports and clubs during my time there. The teachers will show some grace but to a point. They treat us as college students, but this is the goal. The workload is a lot. Expect to have a lot of homework, but this will prepare you. The STEM program is excellent and is a great addition to your transcript/resume. The school is primarily Catholic, but even if you aren't, they won't care.Regarding the bullying comments, I would say that it's gone down significantly. But that's just my opinion. I still, although, personally have seen few kids being victims of racist comments, bullying, and unkind words. It makes me sick to the stomach that this is still happening. I hope the administration can make a permanent change, so all students feel seen, welcomed, loved, and heard. I don't discredit them, though. I think they have made some good changes within the past few years compared to the other comments I've read.The wraps at lunch and the fries were AMAZING. They have much better food options here than a public school. Your child will not starve here, and they will have the option to choose healthy/unhealthy options. Whatever they prefer. I think SVHS could improve more on their mental health resources. I think allowing students to take a few days off because of mental health should be allowed. No questions asked. Several public schools in my area do this already.Overall, Viator was a good school, and I believe it prepared me for college + beyond. I do recommend it. They still need to work on a few minor things, but I would say it's alright for a college prep school.
Submitted by student on May 03, 2019

Less than satisfactory due to all the reasons listed above
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2018

It was awful. We were put through a major salesman pitch to have none of it supported or delivered.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2018

My son has greatly benefitted academically, socially and spiritually from going to St. Viators. Teachers are passionate about giving teens the one on one attention they need to be prepared for college and all life’s challenges . They have a fantastic program for advanced students as well as those who need remedial help. They are Apple award winning IPAD learning school. Athletics are award winning and for all levels of students . They stress volunteer work and Christian service and also have a great fine arts program . Thru have a STEM certified program too.
Submitted by student on January 25, 2017

I attended this school and am now on track to be a neurosurgeon. My sister attended this school and is on track to be a dermatologist. We did not witness bullying and loved our teachers. The school is rigorous and the academics are tough. Both my sister and I attribute our success to St. Viator and St. Anne's (Barrington). St. Viator hands out a book "the 7 habits of highly effective people" that is literally how we are taught to behave and act. I didn't mind being drug tested (we didn't have alcohol testing when I went).
Submitted by other on January 27, 2016

My daughter is a junior at St Viator. Until she came to Viator as a freshman, she was in all public schools. There are many positives and a few negatives about private vs public and I can speak fairly since we have experienced both. Academically, St Viator is preparing her for the challenges of college and beyond. Since day one it has been serious academics. I absolutely DO NOT feel my daughter is just another student in class. If you take the time to meet the teacher then you will see they are making a genuine connection with the students because they want to see them succeed. We are NOT a family who donates to the school, either.I don't agree with kids getting bullied. I do believe it happens here and the school must follow through with complaints. Kids will be kids but it doesn't mean they should get away with being a bully. We have not seen that problem. Quite the opposite. We have seen that the rules have been strictly enforced! Though students may complain, as parents, we are very thankful that the kids are made to follow the rules. That is the biggest difference between public vs private in our experience. At all schools there are rude & spoiled kids regardless of what your tuition/tax dollar bill is providing. I agree students at St Viator should be expected to set a higher standard e.i. love of humanity towards one another. We have experienced just that with my daughters LARGE group of friends and their friends and so on. Racism is wrong in any form. I agree that it would be challenging to enter any school as an international student. There definitely seems to be a divide of students at Viator BUT I don't think it is without some blame of the international student. If you keep to yourself how can you fairly say you were not accepted. You have to try. St Viator is an excellent school not just academically & spiritually but thanks to the Deans and The Father our kids are being held accountable for their daily decisions which are paving the road to the rest of their lives.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2015

The students at this school are terrible and mean. Didn't realize it until I met students from schools around the area and Saint Viator is known as the school where "mean, psycho brats" go to school. Good school academically, but not worth the money when public schools in the area are just as good, if not better. Bullying is extremely common and some students at this school are just plain sick. Yes, bullying is a common problem at any school, but very magnified at Saint Viator. Not a very holy place if you ask me with all of those extra dollars for religion classes. It doesn't seem to be rubbing off...
Submitted by student on March 08, 2015

There are pros and cons at every school and it is the same way for St. Viator high school. They have drug testing and alcohol test throughout the school year so it is a good thing parents know what their kids involve with. however, from a perspective of a student, most kids at this school are mean and have terrible manners towards each other. The nice ones are genuinely nice and the rest are ridiculously rude and racist, too. I have experienced racist behaviors while attending this school. I would not send my kids to this school nor recommend anyone I know to send their kids there since spending tons of money to go here and face those racists is not worth it no matter how good the education or the great discipline they have to offer.
Submitted by student on December 06, 2014

I agree with those people, Im an international student too. There are so many mean people and some racist. The principle is really mean, teachers are mean, very few clubs and activities. Don't waste your money, If i'm a parent, I would definitely send my kid to public school.
Submitted by student on November 23, 2014

I am an international student who is currently enrolling in this school. This school is a catholic school which does not practices the Bible and there are bullies. I have faced cyber bullying myself and have faced racism in this 21st century. Their punishment for the cyber-bullying was nothing. I guess it was because this person's mom or dad was pretty rich and famous among the faculty. If you want your kid to be successful send them to public schools. The only thing I liked from this school was the size of the school so it was not that noisy.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2014

I don't agree with the above comments of bullying. I also must say that kids who struggle academically get FAR better one on one than ANY public school. This is mainly because the student teacher ratio is far better than any public school. I don't think there's a school in America that has zero bullying. My son saw first hand how bad it was in the public schools, and he has said since being at Viator he's seen next to no bullying. All in all, with Viator, I believe my kids are getting a better education and the school reinforces the faith based morals and values we have for our children. That's one thing you will never see happen at public schools
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

Education is adequate, however not worth the tuition. I also agree that there is a lot of bullying going on here. Administration ignores it mostly, especially if the students parents are big donors. We took our kids out of here, because we realized that if we have to spend this much money on tuition for average education, they might as well be in public school. I am happy to report that they are on honor roll, just as they were in Viator ' s , but without the bullying. My advice: save your money for a good university.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2013

Good school academically, but you'll get a good education at public school as well since private school isn't necessary in the Chicago suburbs as it would be in the inner city. Agree with the comment below about this being a good school for your young adult if they're of average or above average intelligence, but not so much if they have special needs. Public schools do have better services for a student who struggles in some areas. Mostly good teachers, and some good kids, but unfortunately there is a lot of bullying. There are plenty of nasty, spoiled, and mean students who are unkind to other students and do not respect teachers. I'm sure this happens at other schools, but I feel it is far worse at St. Viator. The school relies on donations from parents, so many times, a blind eye is turned. There is a strong sense of entitlement amongst students that they can do whatever they want and get away with it. That is my only complaint about this school is that some of the students and their awful behavior really take away from the overall fine quality of this school.
Submitted by other on October 17, 2013

I, along with many family members, attended this school in the 90s and can attest to it having been a comparatively excellent college prep high school. If we measure a school not only by its test scores, but on the pupils' long-term achievement, we must say that it's a fine school. The vast majority of my former classmates are successful professionals who have begun the next chapter of adult life, many with families, some, like myself, without. Viator's AP track of studies was oftentimes as or more difficult than courses taken as a college undergrad, yet I can't speak to the teachers for the average track.yes, the religion focus went against logical thought , but hey, as an adult i 'm agnostic and haven't felt the need to enroll myself in therapy as a result of my high school teachers or admin. I'd say my experience was overall positive.