St Augustine Elementary School

195 7th Street Northwest

Barberton, OH 44203

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on February 21, 2025

As a current staff member at St. Augustine, I see firsthand how much the leadership team, teachers, and support staff truly care about the students. Mrs. Howski, our principal, puts her heart into making decisions that prioritize student success, safety, and a positive learning environment. She works hard to bring structure and accountability to the school, which isn’t always easy, but is necessary for growth.One of the biggest strengths of this school is the dedicated student support system. Ms. Anna, our counselor, is here every day, working with students to help them navigate challenges and develop confidence. She is deeply committed to their well-being, and the kids love her. Mr. Cherry, our Student Support Specialist, focuses on ensuring students feel safe and respected while maintaining a positive school culture. The teaching staff is full of passionate educators who work tirelessly to provide quality instruction and meaningful learning experiences.I’ve seen some reviews questioning staff changes, but change isn’t always a bad thing. Not everyone who leaves a school is meant to stay, and sometimes, transitions allow for stronger, more committed teams to step in. The team we have now is focused on building a strong, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.Beyond academics, St. Augustine offers clubs, special events, and activities that celebrate diversity and character development. For example, Black History Month is honored in a meaningful way, with lessons and activities that go beyond surface-level recognition.If you are looking for a school where your child will be supported, challenged, and surrounded by people who genuinely care, I highly recommend St. Augustine. No school is perfect, but I see real effort every day to create a safe, welcoming, and academically enriching environment for all students.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

My friend sent me this link to leave a review about my experience at the school, because they don’t post the real experience. My kids are no longer enrolled. My experience was like walking on 110 degrees concrete in Las Vegas! Very painful. Where to start….Howski- not sure where to begin. I called her about kids picking on my daughter. She hung up on me because of my “tone” so I went up to the school to meet and she came to the door and said I will not let you in. She was scared and threaten to call the police. By the way this is the principal… what a great principal and leader of the school. So if she is acting like that how do you think the staff is.. think on that..Vice principal- not an idea what’s going on, talks great to your face, but then turns around and does nothing about anything. Also not very school appropriate. My kids said they would hear him talking on his phone while he is supposed to be supervising recess. Has his favorites. That is just the short version. I called the diocese and if anyone else had this issues they do should call and complain.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

I can’t recommend this school! There priorities are all messed up. Howski- when I call never has any answers. Discipline is a mess, no one seems to have an answer. The vice principal is clueless. The secretary is rude and the principal doesn’t have a clue on anything. I’ve called and called and they all run me around circles. I’m also not the only one that has reported this. I see the comments below. Sure they pray, but they don’t actually follow up on what they preach! Also comment below better than APS!! Yaa right! It’s the same if not worse because no one knows what’s going on or ever sees what is going on! Best way to describe- Charter School where they pretend to be Catholic! I highly do not recommend!
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

Much different and better school than when my kids started three years ago. Then, I would not recommend. Improvements are huge. Kids are happy and so am i.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

My child just started attending this year after attending Akron Public Schools for years. This is a whole different experience. The teachers care and the kids are respectful. Prayer is a big part of the school and the children learn about God daily. I am so happy I found out about hthis school!
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2025

That school needs a whole new staff and administrators. No clue how to run a school. I wouldn’t be shocked if they are not certified or went to school to be a teacher or administrator…The current administration doesn’t call you back etc and is never wrong. Won’t listen. It’s there way no matter what. Also rude and worry about the wrong thing like sports etc.
Submitted by other on November 26, 2024

As a formal teacher at this school, I would NEVER recommend sending a child to this school…. The new administration is so overwhelmed & doesn’t have a clue of what they are doing. She has non-qualified people working in that building. So many educated teachers left there at the end of the school year that actually cared for the students & did their best under the circumstances…. Very disappointing
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2024

Do not recommend this school! The new Principal does not care for the students. She is not a good leader and is very poor at communication and organization events… It’s only the 2nd week for cool and the bullying is waaaay too much! The kids cuss and are disrespectful and no consequences… As long as the new principal is around I will not recommend the school! Do not send your kids. It is no better than APS!
Submitted by teacher on August 22, 2024

As a former teacher here, I want to first say the school did have some staff that truly cared for the kids and the school. A lot left after this year because of the Principal and “Student Support Specialist”. I do not believer either them are qualified. I was never observed by the Principal. Btw I am a young teacher. She would tell me how I’m doing everyone wrong with no support. Now the Student Support Specialist is on the “Admin Team” no degree btw. He made me cry multiple times and would yell at me. Tough environment for learning. Zero support from those two. It was never their fault. I can’t recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2024

I would highly not recommend this school. The current Principal and Student support specialist are not helpful at all. They do not take issues serious and say they will “handle it” or the other line is that’s “ children being children” They are both not qualified to be school leaders… If you are looking for qualified educators and a Catholic education St Augustine is not the place to send you kids.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2024

My children returned to this parish to include God in their everyday school work and social life… Parents that do not believe this is an awesome school and provides challenges for kids to accept and handle should tell you a lot of where their upbringing is. Akron public school district learning paths are further behind st Augustine’s and I realized this after my kids transferred out of St. Augustine’s because my child was expelled for fighting ( as he should have been) as a parent it was hard to fathom sending them to a public school… I asked for returning the next following year and by the grace of god he was accepted back. I praised God then and continue each day that moves forward. If you don’t like rules and do not care if your children have to have structure then a private Christian school is not for you… maybe at that point you need a charter school to start at the basis of respect and discipline before going to St. Augustine’s. Private schools take in a lot of broken children from horrible broken homes and these are the ones that wouldn’t recommend this school… to be a privileged child to be accepted that means hold the standards the school and Parish expects out of your children as well as the parents. If your ignorance is bliss…. This school will not be for your children as Jill maybe so as the years move forward after following the footsteps of the blissfully ignorance of their parents. ST AUGUSTINES is not the old catholic school standards and racism is never an issue as other private catholic schools are.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2023

All the teachers here are awful here please do not go here you'd be thinking you would be getting something for this high tuition cost. Also the principal Mrs. Howski is an awful leader here what ever you do not send your kids here.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2023

I just enrolled my kids! I was greeted with open arms by the school lunch man! The administration was great with helping me enroll while school secretary was out of town! Everyone was so friendly! I can’t wait to send my girls there! They are so excited! I have heard nothing but good things from my friends! Highly recommend! My sisters kids love it there!
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2023

To whom it may concern, If you are a parent in Akron public and wanting a safe school for your kids to learn and get your child ready for private HS, St Augustine is the place! My son has now been there for awhile, the school made the right staff changes this summer and I have seen the difference this summer already and can’t wait to see the results! The staff they have now truly care for the kids! They are building a family atmosphere! I love it! They challenge my child in sports and the classroom!
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2023

The school has continued to get better throughout my time there.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2022

This school has gone so insanely wrong it’s unreal I can’t believe how bad it’s got
Submitted by other on November 05, 2022

This is an Ed-Choice school gone bad…The administration is overwhelmed by constant behavioral issues all day - every day. Students are ‘sent home’ on a daily basis and the Administration cannot seem to get a handle on maintaining a peaceful environment. There is a police officer that sits in a chair and orders kids back into the classroom….Think Andy Griffith. There is very little additional support offered to help students who are struggling academically or emotionally such as school counselors or psychologists or Title I. I would not recommend this school.
Submitted by other on March 31, 2022

I love how diverse the school is and how they are making changes to build something great for the now and the future. Looking forward to see whats next for St. Augustine.
Submitted by other on October 30, 2015

Things have changed. :( The majority of students who go on to public high schools are placed in remedial classes.