Holy Cross Catholic School

2300 Main Street

Batavia, IL 60510

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on June 02, 2021

For those who write that they think there is too much religion at this school. HELLOOOO! It's a Catholic School. If you want something different go somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2021

Holy Cross is a Catholic paradise; the community is actually Catholic in practice where children are taught the proper methods of practicing the faith, provided opportunities to grow in grace and allowed time for spiritual reflection while learning in a positive environment. Having been part of the parish since 2005 and having children at the school for 7 years, our family is much closer to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit because of the priests filled with the Holy Spirit and the teaching staff alike. We have moved to other states and returned, no one else has daily mass and adoration abundance at the grade school level. If you care about your child’s soul, spiritual growth, educational prowess and want those in your family to reach sainthood, this is the school for you. If you’re looking for someone who agrees and kowtows with worldly evils, go to a different school.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2021

My child is well prepared, academically and spiritually, for her future!She was nurtured, loved, and taught well. The academics are superior the other Catholic school in the area, where her siblings went, and from where she transferred. The priests were in the school daily. Her faith, and understanding of the Catholic Church, grew exponentially at HCCS. I wish I could give 100 stars!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2021

Holy Cross has been a breath of fresh air in these difficult times of unrest. Having a safe place to raise our children with biblical teachings and a focus on creating a life long relationship with God is such a blessing. We are so grateful for the dedication and investment in the children by our religious leadership, staff and teachers. We are grateful for taking the narrow path, especially in the hard times. The academics at Holy Cross are challenging, while being taught in a nurturing manner. Our children are thriving and will be very prepared for their future in high school and college. Thank you Holy Cross for being our church and school home! We highly highly recommend this school to any families seeking faith based learning.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2021

The school and staff are amazing. They go out of their way to help students when they need it and are always there to answer any questions or concerns the parents have. As far as the other reviewers, all of the “what’s to expect” is outlined VERY detailed in a contract each parent must sign before allowing their child to attend. They outline what’s expected as far as church type things and what not. So the people saying it’s unrealistic not sure what you expect when signing up for a Catholic school.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2021

This school has been a very nurturing and quality institution over the years. Sadly, the pastor, Father James Parker, has brought about very negative changes over these past few years. As mentioned by several other reviewers, radical religiosity is the new rule. Fr Parker is authoritarian. He refuses to communicate with parents who voice concerns, actively pushes families out of the parish for asking questions or expressing an opinion different than his. Many teachers have been pushed out for these same reasons. At one point, Father Parker abruptly dismissed the former principal with no cause and hired a religious radical to the post. That principal lasted a month or two before so many parents objected and the principal resigned. One side of US politics are routinely preached by Father Parker and again, he refuses to engage in dialogue with anyone with a different point of view. A former local priest who spent time at Holy Cross described Father Parker by saying that "with Father Parker, you are either with him or against him."A once thriving school attached to a growing parish is not riddled with discontent and many families have left and are waiting our Father Parker's reassignment before considering a return. This is a very unfortunate reality and exemplifies many of the problems brough about by religious extremism. Recommendation - Avoid at all costs until the pastor is reassigned.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2020

We are very happy with the education for the younger children at Holy Cross because they are surrounded by nurturing teachers that provide a wonderful education. The test scores continue to show that. This is not the case in the 7th/8th grade classrooms. The teachers are too busy gossiping and worrying about their workload instead of teaching. Father Parker & the religion teacher are so extreme they are turning children and parents away from the church. They push their extreme religious views on the children and think protesting at Planned Parenthood is a great experience. Children spend too much time at church, in adoration and saying the rosary instead of focusing on important subjects like Math, English and Science. Holy Cross was a great school, but over the last 2 years it has drastically changed and not in a good way.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2019

If you are a practicing Catholic who cares about your child receiving a high quality faith formation and top notch education, you have come to the right place. Holy Cross is that school and more. It is a community of caring educators and families lead by an exemplary, faith-filled pastor and dedicated academic administration who go above and beyond for each and every student, each and every day. Parents are considered partners in the educational and spiritual development of their children. There is a very strong home school association and a wealth of opportunity for students/families to participate in diverse extracurricular activities designed to enhance academic, as well as athletic development. Students who graduate from Holy Cross are rigorously prepared to not only meet the academic challenges of high school, but be highly successful there. Even more importantly by the time Holy Cross students move on to high school, they do so having received the spiritual guidance and formation in virtue to act with moral fortitude when faced with the many temptations of the young adult world. Should they fall short, as we all do at times, they have the tools to get back up and keep going. They are prepared to be true Crusaders for Christ in our society today.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2019

Radical religiosity has affected quality at Holy Cross. Many of the good teachers have either left or have been forced to leave. The Priest in charge has total control with the Principal either unable or unwilling to disagree. The 8th grade field trips for the school year 2019-2020 consist of a trip to Planned Parenthood to protest and pray the Rosary; and, a religious pilgrimage to Wisconsin. Parental concern is either dismissed or undermined. In my experience, Holy Cross is becoming more and more fanatical and cultish. It is a shame. Holy Cross once was a wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

The teachers are very caring and attentive to individual students needs. The academic outcomes are strong. However, be ready for a borderline radical religiosity from the priest in charge. Acquiring statues, forcing personal prayer preferences and injecting all sorts of weird devotional stuff in to each day is paramount. Service and making a difference in the lives of others is never talked about by leadership. Politics and political opinions are also pushed by the priest in charge. Too bad as the school has been strong...
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2018

My children love Holy Cross and are headed to phenomenal high schools because of their education at Holy Cross
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2018

Holy Cross is an excellent faith-based Catholic school for Pre-School to 8th Grade students. Our children have been in attendance at the School since they were 2 years old. They are now in Middle School. Holy Cross prepares their students very well for future attendance at the local Catholic High Schools as evidenced by the strong percentage of high entrance exam scores as well as the large percentage of past graduates who are on the Honor Rolls of the local Catholic High Schools. We believe our children are receiving the best grade school & middle school education available in Kane County.
Submitted by other on December 19, 2016

Holy Cross has been an outstanding choice for my Middle School son. They have a great team of caring and attentive faculty and administration. Class sizes are small and resource aides help out also. Curriculum is differentiated for all levels of learners. There are a lot of clubs and choices for sports and non-sports minded kids. My son joined Advanced Band, Choir and Drama Club and is thoroughly enjoying each of them. Holy Cross hits the right balance of solid academics and excellent faculty. the principal is engaged, caring and easily accessible when needed and is responsive to concerns when appropriate. The Pastor and Asst Pastor are accessible to students and help teach curriculum n various subjects for special topics. The daily mas and faith based learning provide an excellent structure for middle schoolers. Office staff does a great job of keeping parents up to date electronically with happenings and events. Overall, a very welcoming school.
Submitted by other on August 01, 2016

Solid academics at the elementary level. Very poor in administrative area. Communications are not timely and the administrative function is very disorganized. Also very old school in school culture with very weak regard for two parent working families.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2015

Holy Cross offers a good education and is more challenging than public schools. The trouble is a small group of parents that are ruining the school with their bullying tactics of the administration. Administers have to make tough decisions that may not always be popular but may be in the best interest of the school. A group of families, mostly stay at home moms with too much time on their hands, feel that each decision made by administers should be approved by them. As the school tries to grow, special consideration for these families and their children cannot continue. Rules need to be applied and enforced consistently to all. I would also question the judgement of those in charge that decided to dismiss the prinicipal one week before Catholic Schools Week. In two years, HC has lost one beloved priest and had one arrested on indecent exposure charges. A stable figure is needed. Instead it was decided to dismiss the prinicipal of 7 years. The education is decent, but give this school time to see if a strong leader will emerge that can control the parents or if these parents will take charge and continue to run this school into the ground.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2014

My child has attended this school from the day it opened in 2009. After some rough patches (like any new school) things have really fallen into place well. Great teachers that care about the students. Mass every single morning - which might seem like 'overkill'....but it's a Catholic school -- what better way to start the day? They offer several sports, band and after school care. Uniforms are great and they do alot of fun activities with the students. I'd strongly recommend Holy Cross as an excellent Catholic school.