St Bernadette School

1313 83rd Street

Brooklyn, NY 11228

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 02, 2023

Its been years since I pulled my son out of this school and we are still dealing with the trauma he experienced at only 2.5 years old. The teacher was simply unexperienced and overwhelmed. My child did not feel loved. Not sure what the expectations are for preschool but their classroom rules were extremely severe. I was sent snippy notes and ridiculous things- my kid drooled or left crumbs! The teacher was not meant for that grade. Due to her own lack of capability she resorted to threats about my son getting evaluated. If your child is not cookie cutter - do not go here! Here’s the update, my son now age 6 is being assessed for a gifted and talented program. She couldn’t have been more wrong or useless. Horrible teacher and horrible human being. Surprising for a nun!
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2022

Yes it’s a tough school but the level of learning is unmatched. We compared the stuff our kid was learning with equal grades from public schools all over Brooklyn and it was a joke. They are a full grade ahead. We have never donated a dollar and are not involved with the school in any way besides sending our kids there and we couldn’t be happier with the academics, morals and discipline. When kids graduate from here l, they are all Ivy League ready. The networking between st Bernadette and other great highschool private institutions is the best. All kids that graduate from here receive academic grants to the school of they’re choice. For all the parents complaining about the harshness of the teachers and cliques, they are just complaining to much and can’t bare the rigor.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2020

First, they year we spent here was one of the most stressful of my life. I had a knot in my stomach every day when my kids came home over what they were going to tell me. It's just a difficult thing when you know your kids are not getting the education they need in a solid environment and are being mistreated. This was time of regret for me because I allowed it to go on all because we would've lost the thousands we paid in tuition and fees. But I was wrong, I should have pulled them out sooner, and I deeply regret it. I don't even have the satisfaction of saying, well at least they got a good education that year, because the class just went very slowly through the curriculum, but at the same time there were so much repetitive homework assigned. There were a lot of useless rules like girls are not allowed to wear any jewelry, not even stud post earrings, to gym...and if they did, they were punished. What a double standard! I would get very nasty notes from the teacher if I gave my child a snack that the teacher didn't like for whatever reason. I have gotten snippy notes for not handing in signed permission slips for this or that, when I never received one in the first place. After I took them out, I found out about other instances where my children, my youngest in particular, was repeatedly told they were wrong or even punished in cases where they weren't. It was heartbreaking, but I also know that if I would have addressed it with the teacher or principal, it would have just made it worse. Bottom line, I should have pulled them out much sooner and just forgotten about the money. I am very regretful about that and hope this and other reviews on this page (which I stupidly didn't read before registering my kids) will prevent someone else from making the same mistake.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2018

My child attended for a short time but we left because education needed to be bumped up & teachers don’t really push the kids. Parents are cliquish and not very open to others. Not the friendliest, warmest environment for little ones.
Submitted by other on December 04, 2017

Great school, teachers, staff and principal. Loving, friendly environment. Tons of Parent involvement. Up to date Tech.
Submitted by teacher on September 18, 2017

St. Bernadette is a GREAT School. Children feel safe and achieve here. 2 STEM Labs. 1 to 1 Chromebooks in upper grades. Chromebook and iPad Carts in halls for class use. My kids love it.
Submitted by other on May 22, 2017

St. Bernadette is really stepping up their use of technology. There are class sets of iPads, Chromebooks, and Chromebook Touches for the younger kids. All students in grades 6-8 have their own Chromebook. They have a brand new science lab for grades 6-8 that is loaded with equipment and every room has a smart board.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2017

Principal is fake and rudeTerrible facilities. Leaky roof, technology lacking. Many teachers cold and unable to even fake a smile. My kids hate it
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2015

If you are a hardworking, nice family...this is definitely not the place for you. RUN! Honestly, catholic school is catholic school. This school is nothing but hype. The good teachers have all gone, the blue ribbon has faded and the education has fallen below its neighborhood counterparts. The principal and clerical staff are uncaring, rude and treat you as though you work for them. These people set the bar and this trickles down to the children and the parents. The tone of the school is harsh. The only members of the school community that get respect are the parents that donate time and most importantly, money.... And their children benefit from that by getting high grades, spots on student council, scholarships and valedictorian. It's not what you know but who you know here. I feel guilty everyday that I allowed my child to attend this school. If this review could help just one person make an informed decision, then I will feel accomplished. If you have doubts....go on a tour of the school...you will get to see the nastiness first hand.....
Submitted by other on March 02, 2015

Want to keep your family away from uneeded stress? Good. Then don't send you children to St.Bernadette. Not only do they rule with an iton fist like it's a dictatorship, but whenever you do wrong, you are crucified for it. No matter how small, they find some way to make it seem like you committed a crime. Save your money and go to another school. It's all based upon money. The more you give, the better the treatment. Simple as that. "5 Solid Minutes."- Sr.Shirlee
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2015

St Bernadette is a wonderful school. My son loves to go to school every single day. The teachers and faculty are dedicated to teaching the students both academics and good values. It is one big happy family and I'm so glad we are a part of St. Bernadette School! I couldn't have picked a better school for my children.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

St. Bernadette is a wonderful and loving environment for my children to learn in. The teachers always make time for children, either before or after school for help. St. Bernadette has many activities & clubs that my children enjoy, including band, confectionery and sports clubs. They have Gym, Technology, Italian, Art & Music classes. The sisters and faculty help to instill faith discipline & morals in my children. I would highly recommend St. Bernadette School
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2014

I chose St. Bernadette school for my children because of its academics. Which once, was a challenging, "blue ribbon" school has now turned into a sad display of nepotism. Sr. Joan has hired family members of school secretaries, parents of students and friends of parents. Some of these teachers are so bad and there is nothing Sr Joan does about it because they are all friends and family memebers of workers and students. It has become an unethical instituition and children are suffering for it, unless of course you are a donator to the school, then you get special treatment. Scores on standardized testing have dropped. On top of the declined academics, there is a lot of bullying in the school, which is handled poorly. Socially, the clickiness, is over the top here. I agree with all of the previous negative posts. On top of all this, for the money you pay in tuition, your voice is never heard. Sr. Joan will always take the side of her sub par staff, right or wrong.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2014

I had four children in St. Bernadette's. Since my children have left the school they have never been happier. It is as if they have been released from prison. Sr. Joan is a terrible principal. She and here cohorts are a miserable bunch. They seem to feel that the more fear they instill the better the education. Creating an environment of tension and rigidity stifles a child's ability to think creatively. The only time you will ever see a child smile at St. Bernadette's is at dismissal. The secretary and many of the teachers wear constant scowl's upon their faces. Sr. Joan lacks compassion and is extremely cold to students and families. It seems to be painful for her to smile. There is no room in society for such a hypocritical institution as the Catholic School. St Bernadette's epitomizes this failure. The principal and facility utilize a stressful learning environment to create a culture of neurotic students and parents. I say to parents who are thinking about sending their children here -don't and to those who have children attending the school- leave. Your children will thank you every day, mine do.
Submitted by other on April 11, 2014

I've been going to this school for a long time, and most of the people seem nice and normal. MOST OF THE PEOPLE. The class I'm in has a big drama problem, and I won't be surprised if other classes do. Some people in my class that you think are nice, are actually back-stabbing, tattle-tale jerks.The moms at this school are HUGE stage moms, and a lot of them live through their child. Their kids are usually in a dance competition team, the best player on a sports team or good at a after-school activity. Otherwise, the academics are great and have helped me a lot, and I got first honors for the full year last year because of the teachers at this school, even though some are very mean or strict. If you want your kid to get a good education and you are catholic, send your child here, but complaints about drama, teachers, and nuns.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2013

it is a good school if you want to keep your children with "their own kind" no diversity and the learning is subpar. It is good if you like to isolate your kids from the "real world"
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

STUCK-UP MOB WIVES WITH SPOILED KIDS!! IF YOU DONATE EXTRA $$ THE SCHOOL WILL TREAT YOU BETTER.
Submitted by other on May 15, 2013

My parents decided to enroll me in St. Bernadette for Grades 6-8 and was one of the best decisions they have ever made. This school provided me with the fundamentals needed to excel in High School, College and the workforce.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2013

Best move we ever made was to pull our child out of this school. Too many children go in the school each morning crying, all grade levels. Too many parents standing on the corners with nothing better to do then talk about the scool. Labeled Saint Harvard by the Principal, who loves to manlipulate statistics and bad moth other schools. The Home School Associatiion, is an in your face snoot squad for the most part, hand picked by the Principal.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2012

My wife and pulled our sons out of public school and could not be happier with St. Bernadette. Discipline, rigor and responsibility are not just words here, as they often are in the public schools. The teachers and the administration teach these values every day. My kids are much happier and much better off here. Now, a word about some of the reviews below. It's unfair and silly to claim that parents send their children to St. Bernadette to "hide" them from the diversity of the local schools, whatever that means. There is no way the reviewer could possibly know that. If your son or daughter is properly and broadly educated, they will be able to interact with and respect all people, and respect is something St. Bernadette teaches every day. The complaints about cliques (yes, that's how it's spelled) and rude parents are anecdotal and are no basis to condemn an entire school. Besides, the most important thing is that children are in a safe and tolerant environment and receiving a great foundation for a lifetime of learning, and that s precisely what St. Bernadette provides.