St Philip Neri School

3031 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10468

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on June 04, 2024

I am so glad we are nearing the end of this school. This has been a horrible school year. When new administration came in they forgot about us as people and school community. Some Middle school kids have been caught smoking in the bathroom, there’s been an infestation of maggots and roaches in the 7 th grade classroom desks. Like seriously I don’t want to take that home with me. We didn’t have not one lockdown or fire drill, this year -not cool. We are supposed to be safe. My parents send me to catholic school to be safe. Any concerns brought up by parents or students were just brushed under the rug and ignored. The new principal accused kids in the middle school of being untrustworthy and search them like they are criminals. She hasn’t even gotten to know us. She came to our class like 2 or 3 times out of the entire year. The 7 th grade teacher didn’t teach us Nothinggggg !!! We fell behind and are not prepared in Social Studies and Science when it’s time to go to high school. Worst teacher EVER!!!! He should not have been there the whole school year. All the new admins worry about is the money and testing us in MAP nonstop like we are Guinea pigs. How do they give us the MAP exam after doing the state exams!!! Makes no sense and talk about the additional stress we deal with when don’t have the necessary knowledge to even takes parts of the MAP exam. Some of the teachers are wonderful, minus the bad ones. It’s sad to see such a beautiful school community go downhill in less than a year of change.
Submitted by other on July 21, 2022

I graduated in 2020. I miss my school and the teachers. I remember everyone greeting us and just being there for us. We unfortunately were the class that had a virtual graduation due to Covid, but the principal and teachers in middle school made the graduation so special for us and memorable. I love visiting the school and really enjoy volunteering at the school. Wish they made a high school so I could still attend.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2022

My children love this school. Never had any issues, and if I had a concern or question, they were always there to answer. St. Philip Neri had such a great response in handling CoVid when it first hit us in Winter of 2020, when students were given the option of remote learning or in person learning in 2020-2021, and this past year 2021-2022 when every student returned in person. Teachers and administration really buckled down on what the students were missing and took the time to reteach skills to help them move on to their grade level skills. They sanitized constantly and were thorough with the routine of sanitizing materials used frequently. One of my children, who is in the primary division, was dealing with anxiety because the pandemic really brought fear to her world, but the staff was so good. Every morning, the principal and other staff members would greet the children arriving, and when my child or another child had an emotional morning, the principal would sit with them at the altar to talk, did a few breathing exercises then they received the V.I.P treatment of being escorted upstairs by the principal, which I absolutely appreciated and so did the children. This really helped bring ease to the start of their day. My oldest needed support with math, and he expressed his excitement on understanding the topic of percentages, he even taught me. SPN is such a great school and appreciate all that they do to keep our children safe, and motivated to excel. I took my children out of one local Catholic School due to many concerns I had with the academics, safety concerns, and enrichment was limited. They did not allow my children to grow their talents even when they went to art class or music class. My spouse and I were not happy at the old school , and we decided to enroll them at St. Philip Neri. I was so happy that they ran lock down drills, and fire drills to help the children prepare for safety evacuations. They offer support to guide you through the IESP process and offer support to families needed assistance with no hesitation. We don't regret our decision on changing the school one bit! Our children love their school and we look forward to the new school year.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2022

St. Philip Neri has been a so supportive of my child and family. I remember when my eldest graduated from the school in 2016 and I was not happy at all, but when the new principal came to the school, wow what a great breath of fresh air. The new principal has invested a lot thus far in school, and really has changed the school culture. All of the classrooms and the building get repainted each summer ( I've witnessed it myself visiting the school). The staff is very kind and welcoming to the me and to the families I have seen them deal with. Even when they get a rush in the office, they provide each person with support. I have visited some other Catholic schools in the area and I am so glad my child is at this school. And I have to give the SPN staff kudos because even when a parent has come to the school disrespectful in public, they remained professional at all times, and de-escalated the situation as best as they could. It saddens me that people who do not get their way, have to trash talk something so good. I have had so many conversation with other parents waiting for their children and they also shared what they love about the school. And can we talk about dedication and truly caring about their students: Even when there was a flood, administration relocated all of the students affected into extra classrooms so they were ready for school the next day and literally didn't skip a beat to their focus of learning. That act alone just shows how much they care for their students and the families. One of my favorite things is that I love to see the students run to school in the morning waving hello to staff and the parents sharing conversation with the staff members. This school is a second family and my youngest who just finished PreK loved it! My child will be continuing in the Fall as a Kindergartener and my friend's children will be attending Second and Third grade.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

My child attended this school for PRE-K, and I had really enjoyed the experience so decided to keep my child in the school for Kindergarten, what a HUGE mistake. Tuition is expensive, administration is completely lost and not helpful, my child is extremely behind and the services he needed weren't provided until I reached out and made the arrangements myself, the school is a complete JOKE. I really thought investing for my child's education here was going to be a success but I see I was wrong. Don't waste your time - find an alternative, you will thank me! Your child will not succeed here.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2022

I retrieved my children from this school after only two months of attendance. I found the teachers to be incompetent in so many levels, from intellectual to educational to basic sense of empathy. The infrastructure of the building is decaying and they are not investing in improvements. They've had a broken window in the 2nd floor for years now. Also, the unpainted hallways, the old rooms, the unsanitary floors and cabinets, old desks and chairs and the bathrooms - the smell alone is enough to make you vomit. Once inside the building I felt as if I went back to the 18th century. Do not invest in your children's education here. It is absolutely not worth it and your child will not have a good experience here.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2019

I’m happy I didn’t move my children out of the school. I’m glad the negative teachers are gone because they did not help my child grow. I appreciate the hard work the teachers are doing this year to give our children a happier environment and support they need. The new principal truly has helped shape the school.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2018

My experience was sad and disappointing. I took my child out in the middle of the school year he was found to be behind academically. I do not recommend this school for children under 8 years old.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2017

This has to be the worst school in the Bronx or close to it. The principle is rude and obnoxious and does not like to be asked questions or challenged. She condones bad teacher behavior and allows teachers to belittle children in classes in front of other children. All they want is money yet parents see no rewards for their children as far as extra curricular activities and trips for the children. Please do your self a favor, and if you love you child do not trust them with these teachers and principle. They will expell your child if you address any concern.
Submitted by other on February 09, 2017

This school has gone bad to worse. The principal is not approachable. No communication is made in regards to reaching out to parents about issues. Gym class is ridiculous. After school programs are basically a daycare center. Teachers should be helping students with homework instead of allowing students to run around. Please invest your money into another school because you would be highly disappointed with this school.
Submitted by other on August 08, 2014

Horrible school. I can't even express that enough. The only good teacher they have there is Mr. Seuipal and Ms. Suarez, I heard Ms. Suarez is gone, and Seuipal is still there, he was tuff on everyone, but everyone passed and did well with him. They deserve to work elsewhere anywhere. The extracurricular activities suck and there's a very small amount of children there.
Submitted by other on June 24, 2014

St. Philip Neri is not the best school around and has very few good teachers. The technology teacher is fine my child never complains about him in fact she says he is one of the few good teachers in that school besides: Mark Sieupaul, Annie Rivers, Jessica Bitz, Jennifar Amos, and Lorraine Oritz.Iam happy teachers like them are in that school they made it worth sending my child there for the last 6 1/2 years
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2014

I have a prek child in this school. I am very disappointed with the school. When I first toured the school there was an older experienced pre k teacher. When my child started The lady had retired. Now as stated on another review. The children do not go out even though the school have a back yard. As far as I can tell they play and sleep for an hour and fifteen mins each day. It is not a prek as in "School" is more like pre k as in DAYCARE. "Gym" is inside they only take the children out when is time to go.my child is happy I have no complaints in that regard, but which child is not happy with friends and play time? Academically they do not do and will not challenge your chils. They will take care of the children, give them a few activities and thats it. If your child shows ability to do more they will not challenge him/her. If So we have childrlearning to count to 20 and the abc's that's it. That's what is required and that s what they will do. I am pulling my child out as soon as the year is over. I believe those early years are the most important in a child's life and St. Philip Neri unfortunately does not have the same believe.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2014

pre school school unexpectedly closes due to ongoing boiler repairs janitor is always in the classroom like if he was a one of the pre k teachers its just odd ..the kids are sorounded by four walls no windows blinds are shut ...kids are not let out to play outside
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2013

I have two children attending this school and I am not happy with the school. There is gym and technology class which might as well be non existent because my children come home telling me that he does nothing with them, plays on he phone during gym. As for technology class they don't learn anything in this class except how to play games on the computer because that's all they do while he once again plays games on his phone. They don't do anything really except complain that they don't want to go on field trips, help with dances or any fund raisers, they don't even do field day, they want to get payed for every minute of their time. They complain about parents not wanting to volunteer and help out around the school but really who would want to with the attitudes of the teachers and principal which are NOT welcoming. Plus if you do volunteer to help you give a inch they want to take a mile but do not know how show their gratitude but ask for more. PLEASE GET A REAL GYM AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHER because the one that is there is the teacher for both class but not even doing a proper job. Not One last thing just because the staff denies bullying is going on in the school WAKE UP IT IS.
Submitted by other on August 03, 2013

I was a student here and could not wait until I graduated. I can not stress how horrible this school is. Some teachers are good and some teachers are horrible. I found most of them are completely unorganized and don't bother teaching students correctly. I have lost count of how many times teachers used their phones or chatted with other talkative students. I remember my fifth grade teacher stopping the middle of a lesson to answer a question that one of my extroverted peers had asked. Answering a question is completely fine but dropping the whole lesson to answer the question AND TO CHAT WITH A STUDENT AS IF SHE WAS A FRIEND is just terrible. Most teachers are quite harsh and give unfair punishments. As a former student, you may think I'll be a tad biased but I had never received punishment or one of the teachers' famous yelling storms but only observed other troublemakers. The principle useless. She has done little to nothing for the improvement of that school. There are no field trips at all and we rarely had events. The school is disgusting and hot in the summer. Myself and many friends have found ourself fainting. They have AC but they are bloody useless. There are huge bugs.