St Joseph Catholic School

958 Epps Bridge Parkway

Athens, GA 30606

26 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 03, 2023

My daughter was at SJS for 2.5 years. I am Catholic and I thought this would be great for her during COVID. All was great at the beginning. We liked teachers and daughter progress this is until my daughter started experiencing anxiety and depression. She had a tough time of it, in a hospital for 2 weeks and had some difficulty with her medications. Because of her medications she got sick during class and also gained weight. The 6th graders (not all but many) took the opportunity to bully my child with pleasure (the definition of sadist). First just ignoring her during class, recess and any other events, then it got worse. We let the school know about this and how it was affecting my daughter anxiety and depression. Then we became aware of the name calling - fatty, stupid, vomiting noises and so on. This was done by 2-3 students while others just laughed or watched. While teachers and administration were fantastic in being flexible academically with my daughter's condition, the bullying continued for months. When we decided to home school because my daughter's anxiety and depression was only getting worse in this toxic environment, many in the class cheered when they heard my daughter was not returning. To put more salt in the wound, the week following they had an anti - bullying campaign with students at SJS. Students made promises not to bully - I think just lip service to the event. If this school was serious about a healthy environment and no tolerance for bullying it would:1) Train teachers and staff to identify victims and perpetrators2) Have a very strong anti-bullying policy3) Have a way to report bullying confidentially without retaliation from bullies4) Have yearly orientation with parents at beginning of each year on how to identify if their child is being bullied, the rights of child and parents to address, and what happens if the child is abusing others. I would like to see bully parents contacted.5) Counseling for the bully(s), class and the victim4) 3 strikes the bully(s) is gone if bullying behavior continues
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2020

Perfect for my granddaughter. The core qualities of kindness, respect for others and the ability to learn in a positive environment are evident.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2019

SJS is an amazing school that not only fosters children's intellect but also their emotional intelligence. They have outstanding teachers and administers who encourage a kind, loving and creative environment. They produce confident and resilient leaders who value serving others.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2019

We have had a great experience - skilled teachers, encouraging environment, and great activities.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2019

I would rate this school 5 star. This school live up to its mission and vision. SJS have produced many students who are leaders in the society on their own ways and continued to carry on the discipline and self-confidence they achieved while they were in school. At present time, students care compassionately for each other no matter what grade level they’re in. Community service is inculcated at young age and my son likes to serve in food bank. I don’t regret entrusting my sons’ education in this school because I am confident that they have a great foundation in facing and solving the real world challenges, and be successful in achieving their goals in life.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2019

The leadership at SJS has exceeded all of my expectations and have successfully created a culture of love, service, and Christian values. My pre-k son is greeted everyday by high fives and hugs from boys and girls in the upper classes including 1st through 8th grade. Not only does the staff care for the kids as if they were their own, they have created a culture where the kids genuinely care for each other. They are rewarded for being "happy, holy, and helpful". I couldn't ask for a better place for my son to grow and learn using the values Christ passed on to us all in the holy bible.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2019

We have been at St. Joe’s for 7 years and loved every minute of our time here!
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2018

Disappointing. For a faith based organization I would've expected better.
Submitted by student on April 02, 2018

The school has a great new principal (who has already been a faculty member for around 9 years) who knows and loves the students, and she is definitely making SJS great again! The middle school program was pretty bad last year, but we have new teachers for english, literature, and math who have made the middle school program 10 times better. The students love having teachers who they can talk to and students and teachers really get to know each other. Many of the students have been together since kindergarten but as soon as a new student enters a class, they'll fit right in and know everyone really well within a month.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2017

We couldn't be happier with the education and experience our son is getting at SJS! He has learned so much in his first grade year, and we are pleased with his reading and math abilities. It is a great facility with a wonderful staff, and we look forward to many more years in this school!
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2017

St. Joseph Catholic School is outstanding in every way. We have a strong administrator who truly cares about each employee and student and works diligently to ensure that everyone reaches his/her full potential. The staff is compassionate and caring and educates the "whole child" - mind, body and soul! I could not think of a better school in which to entrust the academic and spiritual development of my children.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2017

St. Joseph has been an amazing school for my son Jack. They truly focus on developing the whole child. The academics are top-notch with the new International Baccalaureate program and the servant leadership program teaches the children early on how to make meaningful contributions to the community and the world around them. The teachers and school leadership truly care about the children. Regularly I will get notes from my son's teacher sharing an achievement he has done for the day and often she is just as excited at his success as I am. The principal takes the time to get to know each student individually. The community of parents supporting the school is very friendly and welcoming. I highly encourage anyone looking for an outstanding private school in the Athens area to consider St. Joe!
Submitted by other on February 03, 2017

This school is such an amazing school for all ages! They welcomed me in with open arms and were there if I ever needed help.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2017

When I made the difficult decision to stop homeschooling after 8 years and transition my kids to school, I researched, visited, etc. myriad local options. My family ultimately decided to send my two oldest to St. Joseph Catholic Parish School. I now have four kids at the school, including a middle schooler, and they have all thrived at SJS. There are myriad reasons why I would recommend the school. To name a few: I love how the school supplements what I teach at home (e.g., values, a strong work ethic, etc.) and that character - not just academics - is critically important. Honestly when I was researching schooling options, I was far more concerned with the emotional health of my children than worrying about whether they were on the track as gradeschoolers to be admitted to Harvard. Thankfully, I've been extremely satisfied in the emotional, academic, and spiritual departments. SJS is a nice school with nice, kind kids from different walks of life. I have seen no evidence of chronic, unresolved bullying, and the new principal doesn't tolerate unkind behavior. My oldest is in middle school and somehow has completely avoided the girl drama I was warned about. She, along with her siblings, are so happy, learning, playing sports at the school, participating in extracurricular pursuits like choir and Battle of the Books, and completing hands-on projects independently (which SJS lauds). The teachers care and listen to your concerns. My kids are doing great on standardized tests but more importantly, they're learning the incredible value of being kind and thinking of others before themselves. I also desired a school that would inspire my kids' innate creativity, not crush it with piles of busy work and hours of homework. I want to raise kids who love to read and see that the book itself is the reward - not a reading grade or a shiny star sticker. All of this has come to fruition at SJS. If you're looking for a safe, nurturing school that emphasizes service while teaching kids how to think (more than just what to think) and includes plenty of hands-on learning, SJS is the place for your family. We're Catholic, but SJS isn't just for Catholics. It's for anyone looking for a strong, holistic education for their children.
Submitted by other on November 07, 2016

This school has so much to offer! SJS is a hidden gem of a school with a great, positive learning environment. Academics are extremely strong and very competitive among other Athens private schools. My children attended here and developed very strong academics and were extremely prepared for high school. I give SJS the credit for preparing them well!
Submitted by other on April 07, 2015

Middle school teachers do NOT ignore bullying! I loved teaching at SJS; my own children attended there and loved it. There are many activities for students. Teachers care about the students, academically and as individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. Students are accepting and go out of their way to include all students. It is a safe, caring environment. A strong principal can make a difference in a school, public or private. Since I have taught in both, I can verify this from my years of teaching. SJS is a good place!
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2013

I am disappointed with the direction the school has taken this year in middle school. The teachers and administration are focused on handing out demerits. This seems to go against the PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) system explained on the school's website. If your child struggles with self-control this is not the school for you.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

For some reason unknown, other than wanting to keep up with the other private schools in Athens, they build a new school. Since doing so, lost SEVERAL students, raised tuition, no more sibling discounts and lost teachers. Lots of teachers. Some of those teachers up there should be let go. Things need to be better organized and priorities met. There are so many bad reviews. A lot of those speak of bullying. YES, there really is bullying going on in a supposed "Christian" school where you believe your children should be safer and treated with love. When it's brought to the attention of a teacher, they say the children should "tattle" on the child and then go on to say "that is just how children are." WHAT??Well, there is also ADULT bullying at this school. And if you have more money or social standing, you get to run the show. The academics are terrible. Not challenging at all. Every one knows it. No one says anything. Always, always, always asking for money. Not a day goes by that they don't. Go to mass there and listen to the priest ask for yet MORE money. Every single week. This school is going downhill very quickly. Unsure if it'll be around much longer.
Submitted by other on August 25, 2013

I have been going to St. Joseph's school for seven years now. I didn't really enjoy fifth grade, but the teachers were nice and even though their was some unusual circumstanced drama involving Google Drive, everyone really felt like a family in the class. I appreciate how fourth grade and up can participate in the geography and spelling bee, and how middle school can participate in an Oratorical contest. And even though their is some (verbal) bullying, kids WILL be kids. You really can't find one school that has no bullies. And newcomers feel welcomed - everyone in my class says hi to the new kids, smiles, and eats with them. They actually want someone exciting and new to come to school with them. This is my first year in the middle school program, and I'm so far very happy with it. The coach is just as nice as the last PE coach, we are learning a lot, all the teachers are kind, and the kids are very enthusiastic. SJS is a great school to send your children to.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2013

My daughter went to school here for the past six years, and is planning to go to middle school here. This school is outstanding with wonderful, supportive teachers (especially the former third grade teacher). Although the middle school has gotten poor reviews, my daughter states that she's on the same floor as the middle school and it looks pretty good. Some of the students can be a little loud and undisciplined, but they are great friends of hers. She loved last year and is loving this year as well, as many of her favorite activities are available at Saint Joseph. We highly recommend you to send your child to the elementary school, and maybe the middle school if you enjoy it as much as we did.