St Patrick School

1001 Charles H Orndorf Drive

Brighton, MI 48116

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 21, 2024

St. Patrick School in Brighton, MI. My wife and I both went to private catholic schools and had high hopes when sending our son to St. Patrick. Unfortunately, the school turned out to be a major disappointment! The teachers were all pretty good, but the administration is absolutely terrible! Our son was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, and the administration offered NO help or support. They relied on the Brighton School District to do their "special education" testing. Brighton couldn't even spell my son’s name correctly throughout the report; and more importantly, they scored their own test INCORRECTLY! The St. Patrick Special Education Coordinator didn't even know how to read the special education reports prepared by Brighton Schools, and she didn't even know what a Lexile score is, I had to educate her and explain it to her. My son started at St. Patrick in kindergarten and stayed through 5th grade. According to his Lexile scores at the end of 4th grade, he was reading at a 1st grade level, and the school was unwilling to help. In a one-on-one meeting with the Special Education Coordinator and Vice Principal in the early spring of 5th to discuss my son's situation, they promised us the world and then didn't deliver on any of it. They flat-out lied to our faces about the accommodations they would put in place to help support our son's education. We exchanged emails with the administration after our meeting and they were downright rude in their responses. If your child needs any special care or attention, THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL FOR YOU! We were told repeatedly that they "do not have the in-house resources to help." I really do believe the administration at this school just sat by and watched my son struggle while doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help. All this was going on while I had paid almost $40,000 in tuition for my son's education. We are not the only family that has had this experience with St. Patrick. We know of another family that just pulled their kids for the same exact reasons.My experience with this school can be summed up in just a few words...DISAPPOINTING and LIES!
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2020

Terrible experience last year after the previous principle and vicePrinciple left. Under the leadership of Paul Dull, the school was a disaster. Teachers worked in fear, students with disabilities were treated horrible. It was a very traumatic experience for my son. I Would not recommend. Also, now that my child is at a public school I realized that the academics are no different in difficulty compare to the district schools. To be honest my child is challenged more at the school he attends and the teachers are more up to date and qualified.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2018

This school is exemplary. The students are performing at a high level and the teachers and staff are so warm and loving. It's a wonderful environment if you want your child to have a smaller class size with accelerated learning, individual attention, and to have a strong moral code within the school .
Submitted by other on July 01, 2016

Parents moved into teaching positions-quals are unknown. Low presence of principal. Ad hoc enforcement of school policies. 5th and above- excessive swearing and bussers indulge in mean spirited gossip. Christian values do not translate. Great website this year. Streamlined wkly msgs with important dates are big improvement.
Submitted by other on February 18, 2016

The staff and students at St Patrick School are very kind and welcoming. You can tell the teachers truly care about the my daughters education. I would recommend St Patricks School to any friend or family member!
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2015

All of our children who attended St Patrick School left St Patrick School prepared for high school and beyond. I highly recommend the staff, teachers and education available at St Patrick School.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2015

I would say that St. Pat's School is much more than a top-notch education. It is a family and a community in which reverence, respect and responsibility are not just buzz words, but a way of life. The staff is tremendous and the environment is second to none. It is a great investment in your child's future!
Submitted by other on December 16, 2013

As an alumnus from Saint Pat's who entered college this past year, I have to say that St. Pat's really shaped me into the person I am today. I can successfully say that their faculty at the school & parish have given me many good examples to look up to. Their superior education is something to be appreciated, and because of them, I continue to have a strong faith life. High School and College definitely give opportunities to give in to peer pressure, but because of St. Pat's, I have the confidence to be able to say no. Many of my peers who I went to school with throughout 8 years of saint pats and 4 years of high school have gone on to attend U of M, Michigan State, Yale, etc. Saint Pats has shaped thousands of young students into the fine young men and women they are today. I can whole-heartedly say that Saint Patrick School has made me a better person, and I will carry the reverence, respect and responsibility that the school has taught me with dignity.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2013

My daughter has grown spiritually & educational at this school since we have enrolled her. They have taken the time to help her with the extra help she has needed since she is a little behind without making her feel like she is less than the superior. Her self-esteem was never damaged or discussed in ANY WAY to make her feel inferior. My son that needs the constant discipline we have been looking for to stay on task because he is an intelligent child got exactly what he needed at St. Pats with the understanding that they need to be working on their soul & have concern toward family, community & God as the big picture. If you have parental involvement at home as enforcement w/ what they are learning in school & taking them to church like you should be and doing your job as a parent - it will turn out as a positive experience all around!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2013

St.Pats does NOT represents a Christian environment that your child can grow and succeed in. Bullying is ignored and not taken seriously. Teachers are very immature and have bad attitudes.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2012

Time to look elsewhere. Any staff behavior not cosidered to be criminal is accepted. Cronyism rules. The bullying issues are out of control, to be expected when the staff bullies students and other staff. Do not expect Christian values to be modeled by the staff, for they are "Catholic" in only being able to say that they are for job security.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2012

Extremely poor leadership. The school has a principal that is unwilling to work through issues with parents. No exceptions she does not deal with conflict sadly.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2012

We made the switch this year from public school to St. Pat's and I have to say it was the best move. From day one the admins as well as students and teachers have been more supportive than anything we encountered in our last school. The communication has been outstanding. We were looking for a school that not only would give my child a great education, but one where we would feel like we belonged, and we found it here! I could just go on and on about how great this school is! If you are looking for a great Catholic school, I highly recommend St. Pat's. It is a bit on the pricey side but well worth the money.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2011

I have watched my son grow into a great young man. The teachers are caring and show positive direction. It will be hard to leave this school, teachers and staff. They truly care about everyone from the parents to the youngest sibling. All I can say is Thank you for your positive influence.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2011

We tried public schools for our kids because we initially could not get them all into St. Pat's and it does not compare to the experience my kids have had at St. Pat's. Not a day goes by where I am not grateful that we made the switch. The staff really cares about each and every student and that starts with the dedicated prinicpal all the way done to the janitors. The environment is one that not only fosters a strong academic environment, but one that allows every student to reach their full potential as good christian people. The financial sacrifice that we are making as a family is small in comparison to the satisfaction that we have in watching our children thrive in a positive environment with friends I know they will have for a lifetime. Thank God there exists a school that actually takes into account the entire student and holds them accountable with reference, respect and responsibilty in the forefront of all they do. Can't imagine how anyone could ever say anything negative about that. Keep up the good work St. Pat's!
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2011

We are very happy at St. Pat's. The staff and parent community has been very helpful and supportive. Having a child with a medical condition, there has always been support for our child. Staff is consistently going above and beyond what they are required to do as a private school to make this a safe, healthy and successful environment for our child. We also find that the Christian leadership by the teachers makes for a peaceful setting to learn and grow. We feel very lucky that St. Pat's has been so welcoming and that we were able to find this alternative to public school for our child.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2011

We have been apart of St. Patrick School for the past eleven years. We are extremely pleased with not only the academic education our children have received but also the witness to their faith they have been apart of. The staff of St. Patrick School will go out of their way to help a child be successful. I am thankful for the opportunity to have our children be at this school - we are truly blessed.
Submitted by other on September 03, 2011

I believe that God's message, of teaching our children to be Jesus for one another is a huge part of what Catholic school is all about. I found that to be absolutely true at St. Pat's. If we are true Christian's we should be following that example. Our action's speak louder than words and one day we will all be accountable. Hopefully God will tell us we did a good job and that He's proud of us. God bless....
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2011

Bigger does NOT always mean better! St. Patrick in Brighton was an immense disappointment, to say the least. I will even go so far as to declare it to be a poisonous environment for both children and parents. Well-intentioned Catholic parents who wish to raise their children to be well-intentioned Catholics of strong intelligence, character, and faith should prayerfully seek another school. Thankfully, we are blessed to have excellent Catholic school alternatives in the area. We recently transferred our child out and our only regret is that we did not do it sooner. At first glance, the themes of "Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility" look and sound great. But if you experience this school for yourself and make careful observations, you will soon recognize that none of these are of any real importance within those walls. Hopefully, for the sake of the children that remain, this will change in the very near future.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2011

Although I don't think my child's experience was the norm. I believe any parent considering this school should know about it. My son was continually bullied at St. Pats. The staff did not take it seriously and finally I pulled my son from the school. I truly believe my son was ignored because the bully's family donated more money then we did. The effects of bullying should not be taken lightly. Unless you are planning on donating large amounts of money; you're child is a risk. Think about it seriously before you you are in a situation and your child is having panic attaks; etc.