St Nicholas Cathedral

2200 West Rice Street

Chicago, IL 60622

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on July 21, 2014

I use to go to this school. (As a Student) (2008-2011) (Under the last principle). I must admit that it was fun to go to this school. I liked going to church every Friday and playing with friends.. I dislike the colors that they did infront of the school now .. The Lunch there wasnt the best ( I dont know about now) .. Recess wasnt fun because we didnt have a playground, all we did was run around on the streets.. The P.A teacher wasn't the best. My Parents had to pay A LOT of money each month for my education and I didnt learn anything from the teachers.. (I again there might be different teachers now)..
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2014

My child attends St. Nicholas and we ve seen many improvements this past year. Beyond the external changes that have revitalized the look of the school, they ve made internal changes, as well. The principal has an open door policy, holds a weekly meeting with parents and works with the parent ambassadors. The faculty and staff are engaged and focused on their students. Ms. Talaber, the 7th grade teacher, was just announced as a Golden Apple finalist. We re elated she's teaching the upper grades in science and math. Ms. Shay Shavocchi, our 1st grade teacher, won the Chicago Heroes of the Classroom award in 2013. We congratulate both of them. The afterschool tutoring for the students, the free toddler time for neighborhood families, a new drama club, and the school performances in multiple languages including Spanish are refreshing! I know that my child had benefited from attending this school, not only for her academic achievements (which had to be earned) but for the religious and leadership education, as well.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2014

This school has lost its focus this year. They were a great school up until this year. Last year they had a lot of great things and had a few great parents that worked their butts off to make it work. Now I don't see anything good in this school. They only offer one sport for the kids after school, and most other Catholic Schools have a lot of great sports. Only a few parents step up and help with this school and one who was very active is not even here anymore. I don't know if his family moved away but he was always trying to make money for the school. They had a car raffle last year were selling tickets for Bulls games, and this year they don't have anything. The parents are to blame for the reason this school is in such bad shape. We never know what is going on with this school. Now they are wanting to put us in a old building and rent out the new building to another school. Shame on all those people who attended this school and not giving back to the place that gave them a great education. I would think they would call up the former students and ask for donations but they don't. I know because I am former student and my kid goes their now. We are pulling out of here
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

I am a parent of a Pre-K student who started at the school this year. The staff is very caring and everyone has been very open, friendly and welcoming. There is a good focus on academics - my child does worksheets and art projects - and has improved at writing. St. Nicholas is reasonably priced, has an after school program, small class sizes, caring teachers and aides, well disciplined kids, quiet classrooms, a sense of community - what more can you ask for? I feel that my child is in good hands.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2014

I went to visit the school because I am looking for one for my son and the service was excellent!!! I had the opportunity to talk with some students and they are happy about the school!! I also had a conversation with a new parent from pre k and she said she is too happy with the way her daughter is developing. I have no doubt; I will bring my son to the school. By the way, I LOVE the color they have and the principal s office is OPEN to parents and students always. Here we go!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2014

Great school! Great teachers! Great parents! I don t know if this school did wrong in the past but as a new parent I recommend other parents to give their child the chance on being well educated in this catholic school. Thank you to the teachers and the new administration!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2014

This school used to be very good. All that remains now are small size classes and safety. If you expect getting decent education, be prepared to become frustrated by grade 6, and realize that your kid needs a tutor to keep up her/his grades in acceptable range. You might realize as well that your chils loses confidence and motivation since no matter how hard she/he works, grades are not likely to go up, but surely will go down. Bad semester grades in 6-8th grade students in school where the biggest classes is 13-14 students and smalles 7-8 students speak for themselves: it is highly unlikely that such a small group of students can't learn - it is more likely that teachers can't teach. Sure enough, if teacher explains new material for 5 minutes in the beginning of class, then gives assignment and plays with her phone or computer until the bell rings (from numerous observations of students of various grades throughout the years), what can be expected. Therefore, if you would like your child to get good education, look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2014

One of the best Catholics schools in the area. Reasonable tuition. Principal is committed to bring high quality education for students as well as the teachers are. Teachers: very professional and dedicated, devoted to educate students, always looking for different and fun ways to teach. Students in all levels are very happy. The colorful new look of the school is the reflection of the open, new and fresh relationship between new administration, parents, students and teacher, in fact, all of us were part of this transformation. If you want to know about the school, you are very welcome to be present in one of the every Monday s assembly and talk to the principal or one of us (parents) about the school. All parents in St Nicholas are happy with the school, otherwise we wouldn t have our kids here. So watch out for the bad reviews, they may not be parent!! ST NICKS ONE OF THE BEST CATHOLICS SCHOOLS IN THE AREA!
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2014

As a parent, I highly recommend St Nicholas Cathedral School. It is one of the most affordable Catholic schools in the area. The teachers are very professional; they motivate students to learn and be better every day. Discipline is something that many parents confused, educating with discipline is no abuse, and it is a right way to prepare them for their future. My son has being in St Nicks since pre K3. Now he is in Kindergarten and I am amazed of how fast he has learned! He loves math, since and reading/writing; he loves the school and his teacher; he loves doing his homework too, he is always talking about the things he is learning. I love the way he prays for all his classmates. As parents, we feel part of a big family where we can say this is our school. We are also invited to be a parent ambassador where we volunteer if we are able, we give ideas, opinions, and we are informed about school news. They have financial aid for these families that qualifies. We are too happy to do this investment for the better of our son s future.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2014

This school meets all the needs that we require from a parochial institution. We chose St. Nicholas for the following reasons: 1. The teachers are very highly dedicated; 2. Excellent track record in placing students with top-ranked public and private Chicago schools; 3. Smaller class size allows for more teacher/student interaction; 4. Active parental participation; 5. Commitment to Catholic and Christian values; 6. Extremely reasonable tuition rates, in fact, probably too low given the quality of the education; 7. Competitive sports programs (e.g., girl's volleyball). While the school is not "perfect" and could use improvements in select areas, we see continued efforts by the newly appointed principal and administration to further create even a stronger learning environment. We have no regrets to sending our child to this school and unequivocally recommend it.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2014

Nobody is perfect and there is no perfect school. St. Nickolas is safe and the discipline is established. But that is all. In the upper grades half of the students are getting "D" in Math. The new principal's accomplishments are purple, blue, yellow,and lime walls all over the school. Many parents from the lower grades were so upset with the new management that they called the meeting and protested against the improvements. The "P" grade was secretly introduced, and nobody told parents in advance about the changes.The principal claims that school is moving towards the excellence in education. I believe, that "P" represents only 50 % which obviously is not an excellence. If you are looking for the colorful walls, don't mind "P" and agree on "D" - You are welcome
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

Very easy to recommend...St. Nicholas School is the best value in town, without any doubt. The proof? My child is now attending the #1 ranked high school in the City and received top test scores. The smaller class size has helped my child get more attention from VERY caring teachers. The children also get along very well and stay friends after leaving the school. The location is convenient. Strengths of the school include language, reading, writing, math and teachers' personal attention to the students. Also, having a Catholic education was paramount to our choosing the school. I can easily give the school a five star rating and have another child attending the school today as further proof of our satisfaction. God bless the teachers, parents and children. Thank you!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

School is really great! Safe and friendly environment. I was surprised to see negative comments. Teachers are great and kids are in a good care. New principal is doing an excellent work! My kids love school very much though they have a lot of homework. I look forward to new language classes. Kids behave always very well. One priest told me once that he can see the difference between behavior of kids from public school and our school. Its not easy for our family to pay tuition but we never considered other option. May be this school need some improvement in certain fields but nobody can find the absolutely perfect place to study for their kids in Chicago. I highly recommend this school to all parents!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

St. Nicholas School has been wonderful to my children! The teachers are highly qualified, passionate about what they do, and dedicated to the learning of each child. There have been some really great changes this year focusing on strengthening an already solid academic program. Our new principal, Dr. Susan Kurland is amazing!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2012

stay away from this school, whey gona treat ur kid by who u are, the favorites are choosen for sure, ask urself why is only 120kids in such a good school?
Submitted by other on February 27, 2011

I went to St. Nicholas Cathedral School for 8 years, and there are bad and good things about this school. Good: it is small, uniforms, practice of religion, and learning of different languages. Bad: teachers do not find a good connection with the students, preparation to high school was not that good, favorites are chosen, not extra curriculum activities such as sports, band, clubs, the "physical education" is NOT physical education, when I got to high school it was very difficult the first year. Before you send your child here, see to it that you really like it.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2010

The St. Nicholas family is truly unique. We are a small yet very successful Catholic school that is showing so much progress and is trying to enhance the opportunities for the students. A new Summer program is to start in 2010, the school is working with the community and the Environmental Protection Agency to build its Green Initiative to make sure the school and environment is healthy and safe. Please visit the website for more success stories about the stides that are being made every day.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2010

I urge parents to check out the St. Nicholas website. So many new and exciting initiatives are being implemented to give our children an well rounded education. Besides a rigorus academic program, an amazing volleyball program, NAEYC accredited Early Education Program, New upcoming Summer program and a unique opportunity for a cultral experiance for your children, St. Nicholas is a healthy and safe school. The schools administration, parents and students are working toward making St. Nicholas 'Green'.