Providence - St Mel School

119 South Central Park Avenue

Chicago, IL 60624

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 20, 2022

Terrible school. Just withdrew my 1st grader. It’s 10/20 and she still don’t have all of her text books or a gym uniform. They fired the teacher for speaking up about the questionable practices and policies the school has and didn’t inform parents until almost 72 hours later even though they knew they were firing her when they spoke to parents an hour before they did it. When I went to the school to speak to admin about who would be teaching my child and why they were moving in secrecy, I was told they didn’t know and could not enter the school and speak with the dean to find out. I then demanded that they go get my daughter out of the school since I did not know who she was in there with and was told no and had the door shut in my face. This is the most disrespectful and deceitful educational institution I have ever experienced. Do not send your children here if you care about their education and mental health. The school admin doesn’t care about either!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2018

10/10 at this time they do a good job
Submitted by student on November 29, 2017

This is my first year at Providence St. Mel and so far its been going pretty good. There is not a lot of homework depending on your courses, but the grading scale is a bit different then your normal grading scale. The teachers really care about you and your learning environment so its a small mass of students. The bullying policy has always been no exception and enforced 100%. But the school does not do enough fun activities and as an 8th grader they don't even have a retreat!! The school needs to do more fun things with the kids for the amount of tuition that we are paying and it needs to be upgraded because there are walls cracking, paint is peeling etc.
Submitted by other on September 30, 2017

I went to PSM for high school and it wasn't all it's cracked up to be. I have no issue with discipline, rules, structure and high expectations, however the school took it to an unnecessary level. As hard as we worked there was no fun. This school was run with a prison style structure and it did nothing but create sneaky teens. Everything teens were doing at other schools was done by PSM students. Im stating this because many parents were/are under the impression that if their child goes to a private school, the students will be angels. Whether the act was done in the school or outside the school and brought back to school, there was still an issue with how some students interacted with one another contrary to PSM's value system. This school played favoritism a lot, almost religiously. If you weren't considered cream of the crop/an investment, the principal wouldn't even speak to you. In continuation of favoritism, it was followed up by classism. One of the teachers would always make negative, racist toned comments about the neighboring schools in the area. Classism and elitism was followed up by colorism (via cheerleading team) and very subtle racism from some of the teachers. One male teacher would constantly lecture female students on the color bras that they were wearing. This is sexual harassment. Some may say he was "doing his job" but this is extremely uncomfortable and inappropriate towards teenage girls from an adult male. A few girls stated that their parents informed the dean and the principal but nothing was done and I believe the teacher is still at the school. PSM achieves their "100% college acceptance rate" is by kicking students out. Some leave due to financial issues (also a contributing factor) and some find new schools, but some would get kicked out for petty reasons. In regards to college acceptance some of the colleges we were advised to apply to were colleges that I believe had a relationship with the school. PSM boasts about representing elite academia, however it was all about consuming and repeating information, not processing it. It was more so about memorization and getting the grade instead of taking in information. is predominantly African American, the culture was barely celebrated and there was even a rule in the handbook that male students could not wear braids or locs (apart of AA culture). While the school is private and creates their own rules, this rule in specific undoubtedly echoes and copies the systemic practices of (hair) discrimination, classism, racism, and elitism historically and presently represented and practiced in certain spaces in corporate America. Much of PSM is hype, smoke and mirrors, and untruths. Lots of stress from students and staff due to lots of work and keeping up appearances.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2017

This is an awesome school as it adequately prepares you for college.
Submitted by other on January 05, 2016

This is my child's third & final year at PSM. The school is all hype running on glory from yesteryear. The facility does not abide by the same code of honor they hold students to; as I've been lied to by deans at the school on multiple occasions. The communication between faculty and parents is almost non existent, I literally have left 3 voicemails a month for one director SINCE SCHOOL STARTED IN AUGUST and have yet to get a return call or e-mail. The school will nickel & dime you to the very last and try to sell it as they are doing you a favor. I have compared PSM to other selective enrollment CPS schools and there is no difference in curriculum and in some cases CPS was ahead of PSM. Seriously, outside of offering a faith based education there are no differences to justify the amount of tuition charged. I've noticed from myself and fellow PSM parents that we all apply more pressure on our children to excel because we are spending so much money. I will admit that I enrolled my child into PSM because it was fairly easy and I had already missed selective enrollment deadlines. I can honestly say with the same amount of attention, pressure and listening ear your child will be accepted to 4yr universities and Ivy league colleges no matter what grammer/HS they attend. Bottom line do your research, plan ahead and reach out to other parents before enrolling at PSM. I guarantee there are other viable options out there besides this money pit.
Submitted by teacher on November 18, 2014

I have been simply amazed at the level of professionalism, passion and process at Providence St. Mel. To be able to create an environment where students can learn, achieve, have fun and be safe is outstanding. The academics, performing and fine arts, athletics, clubs and activities all come together in a magical way. I've seen so many students blossom in this historic, globally competitive school. It's an honor to be associated with this wonderful institution that instills discipline, confidence and excellence.
Submitted by other on October 31, 2014

Sounds like PSM is a GREAT school that is quite frankly, weeding out the "sub-standard element." The minute PSM lowers the bar, is minute they become just another poor performing Chicago school. In order to keep the standard, you MUST be serious and understand the goal of PSM. Being that I didn't grow up in Illinois but now live in West Garfield Park, I can certainly understand why so many people take issue with PSM. It's not about the having the privilege to say "your child attends a great school." It's about maintaining a standard the in order to obtain a world class education from this school. And to not be average. The way I see it, many of your kids can't cut it and same for the parents. PSM just isn't for you. It's purely lack of discipline on your part! If you want the very best education for your child, then you need to meet their standards. They WILL NOT lower the bar to yours. The complainers I'm reading about cannot cut the mustard! Pick another school.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2014

My opinion; PSM needs an overhaul. There are too many outdated staff members stuck in their old traditional ways. Time to usher in a new Era. My child has been there since the third grade; currently in the eight. I have paid about $50,000 over 5 years; not to mentioned fees and unsold raffle tickets over the course. The school now is refusing to let my child attend classes because we refuse to sign a behavior contract that would be part of a permanent file. I was threatened with if you don't sign this paper your child would not be allowed in this school. My child has been out of school since 10/27/2014. Not allowed to turn in homework or nothing; but they screams how important it is for the child to have an education. I called again today to ask at least let my child go to class while the grown ups deal with the issues; I was pelted with sign the contract because I'm not changing my policies for you or nobody else. I replied show me where in your policy that it states that a child has to be under a behavior contract. It's nowhere in the booklet. These are seasoned administrative acting like children; sign this if you want your child back in school. Sign this or else.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2014

Providence St. Mel staff is very unprofessional, rude and uncaring. I have had the displeasure of having to endure them on several occasions. No one cares about the student or the parents concerns. I will not allow my child to return to that school in the fall. Why spend your money in a place where you or your child is unhappy in? There are too many other schools to seek. This is not the only school that colleges and universities accept students from. You can always get a great education elsewhere. Providence St. Mel is a lot of hype. They don't even follow their own handbook but will badger the students with practically memorizing it. Please look elsewhere for your child. I will tell everyone I meet about the treatment my child and myself have received from this place. PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT FIRST!!!
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2014

This is what I stated it my comments early that this school does not follow there own admission statement. I just stress to the parents that read Greatschools to research this school.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2014

It was my first year at Providence St Mel I have found that after 103 days of my grandchild being in attendance this is not a school I would recommend for a biracial child. I was denied to use the washroom in the school that was not too bad considering the safety of the students. Today I picked up my Grandson who is in PK at Providence St Mel as my grandson and I walked to the car he told me he had to go number 2 ( He had to go bad) I turned to go back into the school spoke to the PK teacher who instructed me to go and talk to security. The Dean of student refused to allow my grandchild who is four year old and a student of the school to go to the washroom. It was against the rules. I felt discriminated against at this school. They call themselves teaching the word of God! Wow this was morally wrong. How could you deny a 4 year old student the washroom? If you are not Black or African American please do not send your child to this school. They have no sense of respect for human nature. My grandson will no longer be taught by faculty members in a school with no respect or morality. They need to follow and read their mission statement and follow it.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2014

I'm sorry to see the negative comments that people have put on here. I am a graduate of PSM and I wouldn't send my children anywhere else. The fines and rules are all to help children to learn to be productive in a professional environment. The hard and heavy workloads are to prepare children for college. If you can make it through PSM , college is literally a piece of cake....they're graduates don't just get accepted to colleges (anybody can go to college), 65% of their graduates get accepted to Tier 1, Ivy League colleges.....with scholarship I might add. Whats wrong with paying a little extra now if its going to save you a LOT later. I recommend this hidden gem to anybody that wants to garuntee a wonderful future for their children.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2014

PSM is all about there money. I'm a parent of four I sent three of my kids there for 5yrs. Without any assistance .PSM give the kid so much homework it makes me think what are they being thought in classes.I had to honor roll students ever marking period. Some of the teachers are very sweet and there for the kids and some of the new teacher's don't know what they are doing. I moved my kids to a new school and the tuition is half of what I was paying at PSM. My kids have so many great things happening for them at there new school .My daughter new principal wants her to attend St. Ignatius or Fenwick High School. She's attends Rush University Program which teaches Math and Science. PSM is not the only good school out there parents please do your reach before sending your to any school. My kids dreams will never stop because they stop going to PSM .My kids are on there way to becoming a Great Doctor, Scientist and a Engineer. Thank you! PSM for waking me up to see you for who you are really are.
Submitted by teacher on November 15, 2013

I worked at this school for a number of years. I left only because I moved out of the area. Had I stayed nearby I would have enjoyed a long and happy career there. The teachers and administration are truly incredible and work tirelessly to provide the very best education for each child each day. In class experiences are engaging and challenging. Proper school behavior is expected so that children are able to learn effectively, but having been a part of the system for many years I can say that this is typically appreciated by parents and students. I have seen many happy learning climates in my years there. I have worked in other environments and can honestly say that this school is definitely distinctive. The students achieve more academically and there are less behavior issues that would hinder learning than your typical school. Work, plan, build, and dream!
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2013

PSM is good at sending all of their students on to 4 year universities basically because they weed out all of the non conformers. The front office is unorganized. When you call there to speak to someone often times they don't answer the phone. I have experienced bad attitudes with the staff...the only people that seem to be friendly are those in the admission office. They take the fun out of school...my child does not have friendships outside of school with any of the kids in the classroom. They don't support an environment where parents are more involved with things going on in the school like a PTA. Very limited to non-existing after school activities for kids in the lower school. So if you are a single parent that has to work for a living good luck, even though they tell you when you enroll that they're working on an after school program. This year all lower school kids were REQUIRED to have an IPad to use in school, they didn't offer any type of discount programs to help pay for it like most schools. and then found out that they would only be downloading one APP on the IPad...what a waste of $400....oh and you can't download anything else on the IPad.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2013

I have had so many negative encounters with staff members here. They are rude and unprofessional. This is all the way up to the president and principle. If you have a teacher conference that runs over time and miss another, they fine you. If a teacher conference with another parent runs over time and you miss yours, they fine you. That sound fair to you? The ciriculum is just ok, not much different from the one my kid had at a charter school before she went here. The teachers are nice, but the staff is awful.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2013

If I had a smart kid who was African American and was entering high school, I would prefer a more diverse school setting since PSM gives test to enter. CPS selective enrollment also send their kids to college without tuition and diversity. Walter Payton, Westinghouse, Jones and Whitney Young would be better options than PSM.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2013

My son attended this school for one semester. based on his entrance exam he did pretty good but when it came to assigning his classes they were over the top and to hard, he was always according to them getting fines for his uniform and I know for a fact that he was dressed in full uniform everyday because I took him to school everyday and made sure he was dressed accordingly but none the less they always seem to find a reason he was out of uniform. Every month I would go in and pay his tuition, well it's been 6m of paying tuition and I get a call to come pick up my son for of unpaid fines and find out according to them that I have been paying the wrong tuition for all those months and they blamed it on me.and now they want me to pay for something I had no control over!! I don't work in the office!! now they are holding his transcripts hostage because I refuse to pay for their mistakes, when trying to talk to them they are very arrogant and look down on you like you're less then them. my son has been out of school since Jan. and they don't care because its all about the money for them. Now my son's education is suffering.. They are very messy and tacky, YOUR NOT RIGHT ALL THE TIME!!
Submitted by other on March 24, 2013

It is so difficult to read the comments about fines! Stop whining already! To explain, if you were caught eating candy or gum, you were fined a dollar or two (can't remember). If you had five tardies, you were fined and the amount increased with every five tardies. You were also fined for stepping on the grass. Teach your kids some discipline and respect. Stop eating while a teacher is teaching you. Get up early enough to get to school on time. This just may keep you from getting fired when you get a job! Respect your environment and keep the neighborhood looking nice by not stepping on the grass. I think parents do their kids a disservice when they act like the rules are "ridiculous." Yes, I am a proud PSM graduate, now an attorney and I attribute much of my success to PSM. I learned there that hard work, discipline and preparation pays off...If you want your kid to succeed, this place is a great start...