Charlottesville Catholic School

1205 Pen Park Road

Charlottesville, VA 22901

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 08, 2023

I have children of different ages in this school and while the teaching styles vary widely from one teacher to another, overall I believe they’re receiving very high quality education and performing better than they were in their prior schools. The school also offers a lot of side activities and events (many of them with a religious theme) which keep the day-to-day of the school more interesting in my pov. I think the management team works very hard to make sure everyone is learning, happy and safe. I occasionally dislike some of the rigidity and lack of outdoor learning opportunities, but aside from this, we have been impressed. Also the community around the school is very supportive and often meets outside of school as well.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2023

When I toured the school they painted a picture that they had staff that focuses on teaching to multiple learning levels through differentiation and this could not be farther from the truth. The rigor for my child is not there. I pulled him out of public school for this reason and I have been extremely disappointed. My child is definitely not getting what we are paying for. I had such high hopes and I have given it a few years, but it is not getting better. With the new administration, it seems to be getting worse.
Submitted by other on January 28, 2022

Honestly? Coming from a past student from CCS, if I have to be so blunt here, the school did not do well with some things, such as developing character or dealing with homework. It gave burden amounts of homework, and students who had learning disabilities often struggled to comprehend information, due to the given amounts of homework. I do admire the fact they're trying to push their students to excel and try better, but the fact that students often feel pressured is quite concerning, after hearing quite amount of stories from it. I would also say that gifted kids tend to get burnt out real fast and they're held back often because the school overlooks their abilities. Not to mention they're quite narrow minded when it comes to things. The teachers are close minded, they had made condescending remarks that exhibit some sexism and jokes that had hurt others in the past. Students who had graduated often feel like they had escaped some type of nightmare they'd endured for years, being highly affected by the environment. It does have its pros and cons but most importantly due to the fact it is declining because of the horrid systems and managements. It needs to realize that not every student will act the desired way they want for their graduates, people have different mindsets that varies on the person. Biased opinions and thoughts are obvious too, teachers mainly tend to use their biased thinking to say who is their favorite and least favorite student. People are better off choosing schools that aren't restrictive and allow their students to be free. It's a bunch of wasted potential to let your child to go to this school that is closed off and biased.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2021

CCS has lost numerous families and great teachers in recent years. Gifted students are held back and there is no suport for kids with special needs of any kind. Boys in particular can expect to be overly criticized and erroneously labeld as having behavioral or learning problems. The administration protects its own to a fault, allowing bad teachers to remain in spite of frequent complaints from parents. The school's reputation has steadily declined under the current leadership.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2019

I don't know if I am the exception or the normal, but I can say that there are two times of day that I am guaranteed to be happy: AM Carline and PM Carline. Knowing my child is in a safe, caring, rigorous environment is so reassuring in our choice of schools. We have seen her blossom at CCS and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow confidence as she grows academically.
Submitted by other on June 05, 2019

I have previously graduated CCS and I wanted to give it an honest review. It was a great education and had some really great teachers, but while it has a STEM area, science was always a joke at the school. Compared to the knowledge my friends in public school have, I basically know nothing. I think that the school still teaches great work ethic, but there are not many opportunities at this school. I think that troubled kids that have gone down the wrong path would find great discipline at this school, but if your child is older and seems to have goals and good work ethic already, I’d recommend another school. They don’t even have band or many options for students that need an slower paced curriculum. I also think that the social aspects of this school are terrible. While they pride themselves in having great students, I have had peers be rude to my parents and others for no consequences, as their families were big donors. I worked hard at the school, but it destroyed me to see people getting awards and recognition while they were undeserving and rude to me. I hated the way they tried to give assigned seating at lunch, when you already have assigned lunch tables in almost all of your classes. The people in the same grades would always sit together and ignore the younger or older peers anyway. I was a straight A student and I felt like I was being PUNISHED at lunch. This was not the worst thing, though. The worst thing is some of the staff, namely a certain vice principal. She was extremely biased and close towards the students that would worship the ground she walked on versus the children that worked hard. The students she was friends with now have NICOTINE ADDICTIONS, PARTY, and GOSSIP HEAVILY. Yet these children were the ones she spent extra time talking to and appreciating. It was disgusting and I hated this fact. I really enjoyed my elementary school experience, it was just my middle school experience that made me beg my parents to take me out of. I am now ten times happier at the public school I’m attending, I’m a straight A student, and I don’t have to deal with the fact that big donors basically took away opportunities from the deserving kids.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2018

we loved the first year we were there but the leadership has really gotten weak. we cannot wait to leave at the end of this year
Submitted by student on November 14, 2017

First of all, I know it says that I am a current student. I'm not, I graduated from CCS last year and there wasn't an option for former student. CCS is such a great school! Most of my favorite memories with my friends were made there. The only problem I have with the school is the lunch program. There is assigned seating so forget about sitting next to your best friend. I am a high school student now and I just recently graduated from CCS. I really miss the closeness between students and staff that CCS provides. I miss not going into Ms. M's classroom and reading children's books for the whole class period, I miss my math class with Mr. Dill and all the funny things he would tell us and the goofy nicknames he made for some of my classmates; and finally, I miss going to see the music teacher, Mr. B, and just hanging out with him and my friends. He is basically like a tall kid which makes him a great teacher and easy to get along with. I actually almost miss the uniforms. I honestly never thought that I would say that, I remember being in 3rd grade and counting down the days until I graduated and didn't have to wear a uniform again. I admit I like not having to pick out what I am going to wear every day and just already knowing what to wear every day(even though I couldn't stand the thought of wearing the same thing every day) Just don't tell my mom I said that, there would be a whole lot of "I told you so" and "now don't you appreciate it" My older sister, who graduated 5 years ago would probably tell me something along the lines of "didn't I TELL you that you would miss the uniforms? I know you hated them while you had to wear them, believe me so did I, but I told you that you will appreciate them when you graduate. I was there too, so I know." It would probably be a lot longer, but you get the picture. CCS is developing friends that we will have forever. My best friends that I made in kindergarten are still my best friends today. Every time our school is off one day, we go to CCS to visit our teachers because we miss the closeness we had at CCS and the wonderful memories experiences it gave us.
Submitted by other on September 19, 2017

CCS is a fantastic private school that offers an excellent rigorous education. They have wonderful experienced teachers. More importantly than that, the student climate is exactly what one wants for ones child. The children are incredibly respectful, and kind to one another. There is NO BULLYING. It truly is not tolerated at all. This is reason enough to choose this school.
Submitted by other on May 02, 2017

This is an excellent Catholic School! It is academically rigorous, faith filled, community serving, safe and loving institution where our children are thriving and becoming prepared for high school.Academics, Faith Formation and Community Service are stressed at every turn. Also, the school administration, especially the Principal(s), and teachers are unbelievably hardworking, dedicated, faith filled, and talented community servants.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2017

This is our first year. What a great year. We love this community. The people are welcoming and our children are excelling. We switched from STAB and the value for your money is in this school! Academically they are such strong school. We are very happy. My children are learning about service to others and helping themselves at the same time. Thank You Charlottesville Catholic School!
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2015

Charlottesville Catholic School! Great school, great teachers, successful students. What more can I say! VERY proud mom.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2015

We have been THRILLED with Charlottesville Catholic School. The community of parents is wonderful, teachers are fantastic and the environment is enriching and nurturing. We switched from public and have been absolutely thrilled. My children are thriving more then ever!
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2012

We have been a part of the CCS community for seven years now and all of three children have had a great experience here. I feel that each of them of have been challenged academically and have thrived, each at their own level. The teachers have been wonderful and really take an interest in each child, helping to make them successful. It is a wonderful faith filled education that teaches about respect and values. The fine arts department is amazing... there are lots of opportunities for children to experience a little bit of everything, whether its singing, participating in a musical, athletics, learning new technologies or getting involved in some various after school clubs (DI, Boy/Girl Scouts, etc). CCS has been instrumental in reinforcing the values we are teaching at home and we are thankful for the opportunities and lessons they are learning. We feel that it is well worth the commute and investment for their future.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2012

CCS provides an excellent academic program grounded in strong Catholic teachings. My children are happy, safe and academically challenged.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2012

Charlottesville catholic school is atrocious. The teachers are sexist against the boys and constantly look for reasons to get my son in trouble. Ever since he joined, his grades have been falling and he has hit rock bottom. ever since he came to the school, he has been depressed and angry more than ever and we have had to spend countless dollars on psychologist visits and brain training programs. The only parents that are involved are the over protective super rich parents that have no idea how to handle kids. Honestly newmexico public schools would be a better option.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2012

Charlottesville Catholic School has been a fabulous school to raise, educate and help my children mature into responsible students and caring individuals. The teachers are amazing, highly dedicated to the success of each student, and care deeply about them. They are very responsive to parent concerns and will partner readily to help parents find ways for their children to succeed. The children care for one another, take pride in knowing every student in the school, and the such a small, close-knit environment fosters a sense of security and trust that allows the children to thrive. The middle school is particularly supportive as teachers often have students for several consecutive years and get to know them well. In addition, study skills and learning how to write are highly emphasized such that children learn how to learn. I have 2 graduate who have left well-prepared for high school, they have a strong sense of their responsibilites as good students, and they are well-grounded in what is most important in life.