St Raphael Elementary School

525 Dover Center Road

Bay Village, OH 44140

13 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 15, 2022

The teachers are very caring and get to know your child and the student that they have the potential to be -- I have two children there and have had a very positive experience.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2021

I attended this school in the 70s. I couldn't wait to leave. The teachers varied in how they acted. There was a priest, Father Martin, who gave me a ride home one day. He took my hand and asked, with a creepy sardonic smile if I liked to hold hands. Thankfully he dropped me off soon after. One of the other priests brought him into our class the next day and Martin was grilling us about Bible verses. Soon after that Martin was transferred. I'm sure he did horrid things to children that may have been reported, or not. I'm not surprised to hear about the bullying that is still happening there.
Submitted by other on July 07, 2020

I genuinely consider my time at this school to be traumatic. I myself experienced bullying for years and had a teacher who interacted with myself and other young girls inappropriately while attending and after graduation. I also know many people who have directly experienced racism from other students.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2013

I have children still attending St. Raphael and some that have graduated. I can not say enough wonderful things about this school. My children were VERY well prepared for catholic high schools. Even though there are some grades that have teachers that are stronger than others, overall the K-8 experience is fantastic. Teachers are always willing to meet and discuss how to help your child succeed. Administration is open to comments and suggestions if parents are willing to voice their opinion. i highly recommend this school. I think it's the best catholic school on the west side.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2013

My children are currently attending St. Raphael School and I am always amazed at how caring all the teachers are. The one time I had a concern it was handled professionally and kindly. The teachers my children have had were always available to talk with me about any concern or question I had. All of my childrens teachers have made themselves available when my children needed a little extra help. I looked at other schools and I felt they did not come close to what St. Raphael had to offer. I do not understand a past comment about not teaching the children keyboarding skills(type). They are taught those things, but if a child does not practice at home their keyboarding skills will be lacking. The computer teachers website has a link for keyboarding drills among other things. St. Raphael has been a great place for my children to learn and grow in their faith.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2013

My four children all attended St. Raphael School and all have done great in high school. St. Raphael did an excellent job of preparing them. They developed good study habits, organizational skills and learned responsibility.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2013

I sent all of my children through this school and I regret it terribly. I guess I just thought it was this way at all schools. The teachers are uncaring and mean. They do not try to help or connect with the kids. I feel the kids in the school are very cliquey. It is especially bad for girls. This is my last year with children there and I am so glad to be out. More and more families are saying yes lately. The kids are just mean to each other. One big problem is that the principal. pastor and vice principal ALWAYS stick up for there school and will not do anything to help you if there is a problem with a teacher or students. They are useless in these situations.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2013

Most projects, including the mandatory science fair, are done with so much parent involvement, (and often require it b/c the assignments are not age appropriate), that the projects should really have the parents' names on them. For other projects, I felt I received the grade instead of my child. Making comments to the principal on how I "worked very hard on this." got no response, concern etc. That should be a red flag to a principal. The kindergarten classes have beaten up on each other during outdoor play while the teachers pay no attention. The kids do not learn to type adequately until years after they need to, (unless the school expects parents to type all the projects up to 7th grade), nor do they know how to navigate a Word or Power Point program so they can do a project on their own. This school has added daily stress to my family's lives when I believe school experience should enhance a family's life. Some truly wonderful teachers there are limited by either excessive class size or out-dated approaches and the need to plow ahead no matter the cost. I rate the school low due to excessive parental involvement necessary for kids to excel. WE KIDS AND PARENTS NEED A BREAK
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2012

Both of my daughters graduated from St. Raphael School and they excelled in high school because of the preparation they received at SRS. Both of my girls felt that they were extremely prepared in math, english, and spanish. They entered high school taking Honors Spanish II and Honors Spanish III. Best school in the diocese, in my opinion!
Submitted by other on October 14, 2011

The school and curriculum is absolutely horrendous. If your child is in any way gifted either a Montessori school or the public school system will be your best bet. This school is not for anyone who excels beyond the norms due to the fact that they will think you are doing your child's work for them. This process is most prevalent during the mandatory Science Fair. Also, know that if you or your child decides to work ahead in a class, there is a good chance your books will be confiscated (personal experience). The "religion" classes are taught by teachers who actually think God is a big guy in the sky instead of developing and integrating critical thinking with respect to religion and philosophy. Further, if you send your child here, do not expect him or her to have any type of decent background in science or mathematics. I would definitely recommend enrolling your child in a Montessori school, if he or she happens to be gifted and/or learn better through individual exploration, or the public school system.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2009

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Submitted by parent on June 26, 2009

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Submitted by student on June 02, 2009

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