St. Patrick School

87 Marsh Drive

Carlisle, PA 17015

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 16, 2023

Horrible education for any grade!! We had our daughter there in the 6th grade and it was the worst experience for my kid. All the school cares about is the money and not what’s best for the child. We move back to our hometown in NC and now my daughter is in Honors with straight A’s. Received a better education in the schools she’s been in since 7th grade. Her teacher at the time with this school didn’t even have a degree in teaching! If that shows you how they run.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2022

Great experience so far at this school
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2018

The new administration is better than the last, but the woman at the desk is HORRIBLE, extremely fake only being nice and polite to a select few families, and makes it so you don’t even want to deal with her. The lunch menu is blah, the portions are small, and it is very repetitious. Bullying is handled by peer mediation with any real consequences rarely being given. The curriculum is fair, better than the public schools, but projects are few, homework is light, vocabulary lists are non existent and the teacher(this year at least) loses everything and is very unorganized. The foreign language is very basic, with homework never being given. What is really irritating this year is a fundraiser in which kids that donate get more color choices in a “color run” along with extra dress down days which will easily distinguish the differences in social status to the school, parents, and even the children which is totally unacceptable and I cannot believe is an oversight. If you get financial aid to attend this school, but can’t compete with the money that some of these families have, it will be easily noticible and they will act accordingly.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2017

Cliques, poor communication but values are instilled. If you don't run with the volunteers/SAHMs who make this school their lives, you don't get treated the same way and neither do your children. Is that worth the pricey tuition??
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2016

Overall, I'm not sure the school is worth the tuition. Lots that needs worked on or changed yet I don't foresee that happening anytime soon.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2016

We pulled our 3 kids from the school mid year. A few of the teachers are great but there are several that are horrible. The principal keeps saying he's going to retire but doesn't and it seems like he's just there for show. They do NOT enforce their anti bullying philosophy!! There are may classes that have major bullying issues that the principal ignores even when parents bring it to his attention. Academically the school is ok. Ine of our daughters was bored and when we tried to address this with the teacher, she ignored our emails. After meeting with the principal he told us "she should learn to wait for others to catch up." That is never a good response from a principal!!! We immediately took all of our kids out!
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2015

I was pretty disappointed in this school since it was so highly touted as being Blue Ribbon quality. KB kindergarten teacher had a poor disposition regarding patience and overall politeness all year long, and I see it continuing even now. The teacher lacked at being able to identify physical, learning, or behavior disabilities in children, even when prompted repeatedly by parents or family members to identify and investigate concerns, and is quick to place blame on a child instead with no offering of guidance counseling, or remedial help. It is up to a parent to inquire or initiate that on their own, and you can't do it if you don't know about it. Two children were held back in kindergarten KB for school year ending 2015 due lack of problem identification early on and implementation of remedies with inclusion of parent involvement. Discipline in kindergarten is structured by isolation of the child in a visible way for the class to view, which results in esteem problems and confidence issues, or at least in one situation it did. I attend Mass with my daughter and witness several teachers having a serious case of the nasties on a daily basis, both kindergarten teachers and one with over dyed red hair. The principal, although a nice man, seems to kind of bumble through his job. I think he thinks if he ignores a problem, it will resolve itself. Rarely responding to parent concerns, even if it is a nail that is sticking out of a tunnel play structure on the playground for a child to hit her head on. It's still there, three and a half years later. The Financial secretary does not respond to emails and is eternally late in updating information with regards to tuition questions, things just wind up mysteriously "corrected" on accounts. Our first grade teacher Mrs. Sullivan was wonderful, my daugther's in second grade this year and is happy with her teacher, the school secretary is wonderful, the school receptionist is wonderful, the nurse is wonderful, but is not there everyday. If your child has a peanut allergy or asthma, and no one is there who can administer an Epi-Pen or help with an inhaler, that's a potential fatal problem. If you think your child has a physical impairment, or allergy, learning or behavior disability, this school is not for you or your child. If not, read the other reviews and enroll after kindergarten.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2015

St Pats is an awesome school. It is a Blue Ribbon school with the best staff and teachers! Wonderful curriculum and extra-curricular activities (math counts, quiz bowl, soccer, robotics (FLL), basketball, track, drama, technology club, buildology, chess, etc! Small class, great families, and wonderful parish make for a well rounded safe community for families and children. Very welcoming for military families and plenty of opportunities for volunteering and getting integrated into the St Pats family!! Absolute best choice in Carlisle!!
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2014

Welcoming of relocating families We recently relocated to Carlisle and enrolled our children at St. Pat's. Over and over again, our choice is reaffirmed. The school does a great job integrating new families into the community. The school organizes group events and also does one-on-one outreach for new families. Our children's transition was much easier because of the support. We like that St. Pat's does not run a ton of fundraisers. At our childrens' former school, there was a new fundraiser every month. Parental volunteer time was largely devoted to managing selling products. At St. Pat's, parents' volunteer time is devoted primarily to supporting extracurricular programs. There are a many extracucrricular activities at St. Pat's - - volleyball, Buildology (an engineering/building club), choir, basketball, Quiz Bowl, yearbook, track, chess club . . . . We have also found the principal and the teachers to be receptive and proactive about addressing any issues. One of our children was teased by another student. Our child's teacher and the principal immediately - and I mean immediately - addressed the issue.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2014

St Patrick's is a 5 star Blue Ribbon School and has proved it over and over again. The number of opportunities available to the students is second to none. My sixth grade boy played on the school basketball and track team, he participated in the history club, the chess club, math counts competition, geography bee, spelling bee, and quiz bowl and still had time to get straight A's. His writing and math skills (advance math classes) have also improved dramatically. He has no problems pulling together quality book reports or other writing assignments. We are a military family and this is his 4th school and it has easily been his best experience. Our two daughter's (2nd and 5th grades) have had similar experiences. The faculty and principle have all been very inviting and friendly and really go out of the way to teach and take care of your children. The school families have been great and made us feel comfortable immediately. Doesn't matter if you are Catholic or not this is an all around great school.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

I am shocked that there are not more negative comments about this school. There is another private Christian school right around the corner that isn't as big or estheticly nice (because the building is much older) but is a far better school! My children are well behaved straight A students. They were miserable at St Pats because the bullying & disruption in class was never taken care of & continues to be an issue. If you are not Catholic or donate a lot of money to the school you & your children will not be treated very well. In my opinion the principal is the root of all the problems and he perpetuates the cliquish attitude of the parents. He reminds me of a used car salesman, remember that all that glitters is NOT gold!
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2014

Our child has been attending Saint Patrick's for 4 years already and we couldn't be happier. Every year we have great teachers and there are always an abundance of parent volunteers at all the grades. The school was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School and continues to be great every year.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2013

Our boys have been attending Saint Patrick School in Carlisle since they were in Pre-K and they are now in third grade. The education and overall experience they have received so far at St. Pats has been consistently excellent due in large part to the dedicated, well-trained teaching staff, a caring, compassionate principal and a group of actively involved parent volunteers. These important elements, together with a strong, faith-based curriculum, make St. Pats the ideal learning environment for me and my children. And, more importantly, both of my boys look forward to going to school everyday!! :)
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2013

Saint Patrick School is providing our sons with a top-notch education in a Christian setting. They are being educated by a team of dedicated, high-quality teachers who care very much about their students and their learning experience. The teachers and principal are attentive to needs as they arise, and provide timely communication or responses to our questions or concerns. Additionally, our children benefit from the foreign language, music, art, library and extracurricular activities offered at the school. It is so rewarding to hear my oldest son thank us for sending him to Saint Patrick School, and he realizes, "I'm lucky to go to such a good school".
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2013

As a military family, we have seen our share of both good and bad schools (mixture of private and public). We are so happy with our decision to send our kids to St. Pat's. The academics are fantastic, the environment is warm, and our kids are happy. We were welcomed to St. Pat's long before school started and the students, faculty, and other parents have made this place feel like a family. I would highly recommend this school to any parent looking for a rigorous curriculum taught by loving teachers.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2012

My kids attended this school for a year. I am doubt I will send them back. My daughter had a terrible experience in Kindergarten. I had no idea there could be so much drama. The school allows bullying and refuses to admit when it is happening. I have met with them on several occassions to discuss it, and it is like talking to a brick wall. As far as the parents go, it is very clickish, a lot of snobbery. Unfortunately if you are a mom that actually works for a living you will be excluded most likely from the "click". They want your money but they don't treat your child with respect if they think your child is anything but completely perfect. My kids have learned a lot this year, and I think the K teacher was a good teacher skill wise, but very moody and intolerant. Something a K teacher should NOT be. Most of the older kids are very helpful with the younger kids. A big part of the problem is the principal. If he identifies a child as a problem for any reason, he and the teacher will ride the child all year. I have seem them allow behavior from their favorite families that would never be tolerated with anyone else. Not impressed. Probably leaving.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2012

Our family couldn't be happier with the teachers and staff of Saint Patrick School. We intend to continue to send both our children through Saint Pats through their 8th grade year. Saint Pats is strong academically, offers a robust portfolio of athletic opportunities, and helps foster caring and compassionate young people through their Catholic focus. We love this school!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2012

great principal, challenging teachers that care, students eager to learn from great families make this a wonderful learning environment for your child. Our 3 kids have thrived and grown tremendously not only academically, but as people.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2012

Our children have attended Saint Patrick School for 8 years now; beginning in Pre-k. This school offers the best of all things: solid academics, robust athletic opportunities, fantastic extracurriculars, all in a Christ-centered environment.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2012

Our son started St. Pat's in K. We couldn't be happier with the atmosphere and education. My son has made many friends and loves going to school there. He is challenged with the curriculum and the teachers are always willing to go the extra mile. Kathy and Cindy in the Office are gems. They are always there for the parents and greet us withe a smile! We do not have any family here in Carlisle and everyone, from our Principal, office staff, teachers and even our maintenance crew play a very special part in my son's life. You can't go wrong by sending your child to St. Pat's. I highly recommend it!