Marian Catholic High School

700 Ashland Avenue

Chicago Heights, IL 60411

19 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on June 16, 2024

Not challenging. Slow students slow everyone else down. Wanted to take Latin another year but they’re not teaching it next year.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2022

Marian Catholic has a President and teachers who actually care about our children. When compared to other private high schools in the area, tuition is comparable. What stands out at Marian is the sense of collaboration fostered by the teachers with the students. This has been an excellent environment for my student, and I am proud to be a Spartan family.
Submitted by student on October 30, 2021

If the tuition wasn’t so high, this school would get three stars or more. Unfortunately, you have to pay more than $12,000 for the same teachers and sports you would find in a public school. I would even add that the sports in a public school could offer more than in this school too. Since their losing more students each year, their losing more money and therefore hiring anyone they can find. These teachers are alumni that can’t even teach that well. For the standards and cost for a private school, that’s just unacceptable. To hire a new biology teacher that ends up showing slides, telling students to research answers for a paper on the web, and having such a low level of teaching for a high school biology class is not okay at all. Grades and challenging yourself in general is just very low in this school compared to many other public schools, something that is common in private schools. The driver’s ed class is horrible and - no surprise - a waste of money. Having a teacher that isn’t clueless and actually interacts with the students would greatly improve it. My biggest complaint comes with the office and the dean of women at this school. Their policies are just lazy and ran through. They make no effort to actually make a difference in students and instead put on a smile as if students’ problems don’t affect them. There’s no reason for a student to still be penalized against tardiness excused by their parents; they don’t even listen to the phone call. If you’re going to spend such a long time at school, maybe you should fit your job description and not constantly ignore what these students have to say. I would add that most of the teachers of this school are good and don’t deserve this one star. Overall this school needs lots of improvements to actually compare to other schools whose tuitions don’t even compare.
Submitted by student on September 03, 2021

My expirence at this school was not a great one. The staff are incredibly rude, especially the office ladies and women's dean. Parents I would recommend spending your money on a school that will properly show your child how to prepare for college because this school does not do it.
Submitted by other on March 19, 2020

If it wasn't for this school I would have never gone to college and gotten out of that garbage area.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

I feel that the teachers my daughter has had thus far have been very effective. I appreciate the course offerings, and how the courses prepare the students for college. The teachers encourage the students to be independent and take responsibility for their learning. My daughter is a junior, and has been very happy with her experiences academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2017

Excellent, as an alumni and as a parent.
Submitted by student on October 29, 2015

As a graduate from MCHS in 2013, I never felt anymore prepared for my future than when I stepped across the stage during graduation. I had the honor of being the student to many ingenious teachers at MCHS. The teachers and students create a very prosperous environment. Of course being the only private, college-prep high school, Marian is undoubtedly going to be expensive. Prospective parents and students need to realize that. With my Marian Catholic education, I will be God-willingly graduating with my Bachelor's Degree in Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I can say that I owe great appreciation to MCHS for allowing me the opportunity to have a successful, affluent future. To the many future students and parents of MCHS, I want to wish you the best years of education, inside and outside the classroom! MCHS was the best investment I've ever done! REMEMBER, QUALITY versus QUANTITY is KEY!
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

My daughter has had so many opportunities while playing in the band. Her level of academia is outstanding because of the expectations of the teachers and curriculum. There is no sub par expectation. If that's where you are in your desires and/ or abilities, then this is not the school for you. Elbow grease will be needed and you are expected to earn what you get. I'm glad I chose Marian and feel secure that this school has adequately prepared her for the next chapters in her life.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2014

Marian is great school for academics. My concern is the new administration. A lot of the seasoned experienced teachers have recently retired and we have a principal with no management experience. In addition, the school decided to rollout iPad e-textbooks. Parents had to cough up $700 for iPad with case, insurance, keyboard. $300+ in books. The school took on way too much rolling this out to the entire school - books not downloading, book provider who has horrible customer service, connectivity issues for kids at school. I feel terrible for the Seniors who had to buy the iPad in their last year. My kid is a Junior and I am none to happy about it. Voiced concerns to the school - and their response was the kids will use it in college. WRONG...niece is a freshman at Harvard - Windows Laptop required. If the administration is this out of touch....how will they lead the school???
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2014

There is a lot of great things at Marian Catholic and much I am a happy about. However, I am writing this review for potential band parents and students. The renonwed band program at MCHS has a lot to offer but be careful. If your son or daughter wants to expand their horizon and participate in sports, musicals or any other school activity they will be discouraged by the band leadership. If you have a kid that wants to do nothing but band...fine...go for it. The band program wields much power at the school. Don't believe band leadership when they say your kid can do sports or other fine arts activities. We volunteered countless hours in the band program and were treated like pariahs when our talented child wanted to do more than marching band. Whle they preach leadership and provide opportunites to lead they don't teach how to lead in difficult situations. The band is extremely talented and hats off to the dedicated students and parents. Since 25% of the student body is in band and the band has won state in their class for over 30 years, they wield far too much power at the school. My advice...stand up to the band leadership bullys!
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2014

After reading some of the negative reviews, I was surprised because they are the opposite of my daughter's opinion of MCHS. A dedicated student, she thrives on the high expectations of the teachers. Her GPA has remained 4.0 from the beginning. There may be some "bratty" students or those with "entitlement attitudes", as there are everywhere, but she also knows that the only thing anyone is entitled to is what they earn. Such "bratty" students are far outnumbered, and are only the focus of those who choose to focus on them. Moving on, for the motivated student who values academic achievement and strives to excel, MCHS is an excellent school. Students who are not so motivated may dislike the expectations and requirements. Fundraising? What private school doesn't have fundraisers? MCHS's fundraisers are about the same as any other private school, possibly lighter than some. Having met many of my daughter's friends, I like the students I know and find them warm, positive, focused, dedicated and supportive of one another. All in all, I love what MCHS offers my daughter and our family.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2013

Marian Catholic High School is an excellent education and as I read the comments of students and parents it seems that the ones complaining are mainly complaining because they don't understand living a life with high expectations. Don't send your kid here if you want mediocrity. This is a school dedicated to excellence. Every student gets out of Marian exactly what they put into it. If you don't like the FEW students who may be perceived as being "bratty" or "lord of the manner" then look to the hundred of other students who don't fit this description. Marian produces leaders in the community. Marian students come out with writing skills that far exceed any high school in the area. No one can make your child feel inferior. Teach your children to be leaders and not that they need to be protected or removed in order to be accepted. Marian has a difficult admission process unlike local private schools and it is certainly not a test of placement. My husband and I both went to Marian. My daughter graduated last year and I currently have 2 children attending Marian. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who wants a challenging quality education not a life of mediocrity.
Submitted by student on October 29, 2013

Marian is not what it used to be. Recently, it has become all about money and not focusing enough on the care of the students who go there. You get in more trouble for not turning in calendar money than being disrespectful to one another. Yes, Marian has an excellent academic program and prep for college but good morals should be taught along with that. Also the admission process is not difficult. I know plenty of people who did not pass the original entrance exam but went to summer school to be accepted. My hard work on the exam didn't even matter because everyone else just went to summer school and got put into B classes. It was that easy. (Another way Marian focuses on retrieving money). Plenty of other schools have high expectations AND warm, respectful communities. In the perspective of a leader and an honors student, If you want your child to be unhappy and in an environment that pushes you down instead of lifting you up, send him or her to Marian.
Submitted by student on December 20, 2012

Excellent school that demands respect from the students. Hey is you give it one star than you do not belong to be in the elite school that this is. 9K ya thats alot, but Marian does NOT collect taxes, it has to be self sufficient to pay the teachers, insurance and upkeep. I would rather have an actual College Prep school any day to a public school who only cares IF you want to go to college. At MCHS the question is WHAT college are you going to! I found the staff caring, if you say they are not, you did not belong here!
Submitted by other on April 24, 2012

Marian is outrageous. They have you raise all of this money for nothing. The teachers there are never satisfied. To be honest both I and my parents are disappointed but its the same at all catholic schools. Marian's staff only care about the money and thats the reason why alot of kids are leaving I wouldnt want my parents paying all of that money and the school really isnt that good. I must say there are some good teachers but not alot. Marian is a greedy school who only cares about taking your money like really is $500 for summer school caused for I would rather take it during the year and save that. Marian needs to get better on academics and stop worrying about discipline.
Submitted by student on April 21, 2012

Marian IS NOT THE BEST SCHOOL!!! Maybe in the past it was, but I just don't see it. Almost every teacher I have is not satisfied with my work, and I can honestly say that I work very hard. I regret transferring here because my old school was also a Catholic school, and I felt more secure there because my GPA was a 4.0 all four quarters. When I transferred, the highest i got was a 3.5, but right now I have a 2.9. I don't like that we have to get drug tested either because I don't see any other school doing that. Maybe transferring wasn't such a good idea because I am feeling left out since I am not smart anymore. My old school also offered scholarships, and I was about to get one, plus I was going to get all honors! Then I transferred, and I get no scholarship what so ever and A classes instead. I really did not like this one bit. Another thing I don't like is that we are obligated to sell calendars for $25 each. I can get a free calendar at a store. If we don't sell any, then we cannot graduate. There are still some things I like how its coed. My old school was all guys. It is closer to my home, and I don't have to get up at 5am to go to school anymore. But I'm not fully satisfied.
Submitted by student on December 30, 2011

Marian DOES NOT deserve the reputation that it has. maybe a few years ago but now it does not. education is decent but you can get the same thing at HF or Crete and a better experience without paying 9k, actually its more than that. all Marian is about is money. you have to pay 9k for tuition, 300$ for registration, 25$ a polo, plus slacks, plus dress shoes, plus school supplies, plus lunch, plus locker fee, plus books, ($500+) plus a mandatory fundraiser fee. FUNDRAISER?? you get enough funds! all that money for nothing! there is no air conditioning and the computers were ALWAYS broken. the education is not that great, the kids are very snobby, ignorant and immature. so much so that you couldn't even enjoy the experience. my whole freshman year there was a waste and I'm sooooo glad i transferred. i feel sorry for the students that are forced to be there. parents keep your money and use that to invest in college cuz this is a TOTAL waste. I am ECSTATIC that i left. the only thing i liked about this school was the lunch. a lot of my friends left as well and we are enjoying our high school experiences now. i was excited to go to marian at first but i left very VERY disappointed.
Submitted by student on November 28, 2011

I am an African American graduate of MCHS in 2010 and i am now in college. This is an excellent school to send your children to. While there, of course I didn't recognize what MC was doing for me. But as senior year approached and my matriculation through college, i became extremely appreciative of everything the school had to offer. As a student, the expectations are extremely high, and its up to you to strive for your best. If you don't do so, then you will have a miserable experience. The classes and the variety of teaching styles really prepare for you college. Many club and sports teams are offered that wouldn't be offered at your local public school. It is an extremely safe environment to send your children to. Diversity is steady increasing every year as well. To conclude, mchs prepares you for the real world and college. All the "ISSUES" posted by previous viewers are the same "ISSUES' one will face in the real world and college. No school will be 100% perfect. Therefore i strongly recommend you to send your child to mchs. This is coming from a student who spent the first 2yrs on probation for behavior & finally got his act together JR. year. IM STILL GRATEFUL