St. Agnes School

3886 CHESTNUT AVE

Concord, CA 94519

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 13, 2024

The best educators and community I have met in life. My daughter has SLD and Speech Delay, so we had to pull her out of PUBLIC and find the best place for her. After suffering a lot in public school, we were so blessed to find the most Incredibly caring and community-oriented school.Educators and in general here the people look out for each other. They designed a modify personalized program for her needs and i just can't thank enough their effort because in four months here my daughter has archive so much more than 2 years in public school.
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2023

My kids graduated from St. Agnes many years ago. They were extremely well prepared academically and spiritually for high school, college, the working world, and the challenges of raising their own families. Catholic education at its best! I am still in contact with many current St. Agnes parents and I hear the same thing: a strong school community building future leaders.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2022

My son graduated from St. Agnes School in 2018. He struggled with ADHD and related disorders. His high school experience was very disjointed, as he attend a few different schools and programs. However, it was the education he received at St. Agnes, which gave him the skills and fortitude to keep going. I would personally like to acknowledge the Resource Center at this school, as it was the main teacher there, who has followed through with my son through his academic struggles. I would also like to acknowledge the administration for supporting the Resource Center, not to mention the love and caring ways, that shine at this school. I’m proud to say, that today my son graduated from high school, with the attention and passion that the Resource teacher has shown for our son. I’m not sure he would have made it through without her. She has motivated him to stay on track and attend junior college, with a plan of attending a four year university. She’s never given up on him and we are truly grateful for her passion and dedication she’s shown! Words cannot really express how we feel. I highly recommend St. Agnes School to parents who truly care about their child’s education and Christian atmosphere that this school offers.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2018

As a past student at St. Agnes, I have noticed that teachers favor "richer" (higher income) students over lower income students. For example, in my eighth grade year, my fellow classmates and I were accused of a terrible thing done in one of the bathrooms (I'm sure you can imagine). When the principal found the culprit, who turned out to be a higher income student, no punishment was given and no disciplinary action followed through. This just shows how much the school favors higher income students. Me coming from a middle class family, would've been suspended if not expelled if, God forbid, I did this.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2018

St. Agnes isn’t just a great school, it’s a close knit community! The administrators, teachers, parents, and students are all genuinely happy to be there, and together they create an amazing support network that helps each kid to thrive. One of our biggest concerns was whether or not the school could provide extra support for our son who has ADHD. We were pleased to learn that they have a special program for kids who need that extra help, and the program is run by trained and certified professionals experienced in special needs education. On the flip side, our daughter who was in an advanced program at her last school, finds the curriculum at St. Agnes challenging yet enjoyable.Probably the most impressive aspect of St. Agnes is its strong family ties. We see multiple generations of families who have graduated from the school and continue to attend church, support school events, and send their kids there. We have already started to form great friendships during our first year here, and we can see St. Agnes becoming an extension of our family in the years to come.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2018

My husband and I are both alumni of St Agnes, I will not disclose for how long, for the sake of self-preservation. We both knew it was important for our daughter to attend St. Agnes so she would be presented the experience and opportunities we had. The school is a hidden gem tucked away from main streets in Concord and is a safe, accessible and beautiful campus. The education and curriculum of the school are excellent and prepares the children to be independent, creative and resourceful thinkers. The school has excellent, caring teachers who are invested in seeing the children, succeed, and thrive while being respectful of their individuality and development. My child loves too read and gets upset when she has to miss school. The children learn the importance of being involved in the community, participating in drives, supporting those in need and visiting the elderly. There are 2 incredible school musicals in Winter and Spring led by our dynamic and fantastic music teacher, where children learn to play instruments, sing their hearts out and also learn the behind the scene production. We have great sports with basketball and track and field, where they learn accountability and how to work in a team. The church is very involved in helping the school and working with the children dedicating a Sunday children's mass with a children choir. Father Johnson has a strong presence in the school and is an advocate for the children’s positive experience at St. Agnes and Catholic education. The community is welcoming, supportive, fun and diverse; the parents are dedicated to the success of the children and the school hosting fun events to promote community. During these festivities, parents get to hang out while the children have fun and build relationships. The parents are passionate and committed to the school vision always placing the children first. The families here are friendly and inviting and if your child chooses to attend will find friends for a lifetime, parents, too. I can attest I still am very close with my friends from St. Agnes (it’s been more than 30 years)!Check out St. Agnes and see for yourself!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2017

When I came to pick up my 3-year-old I witnessed the teacher being impatient and angry toward the children. As my son was walking into line with another child, the teacher got into his face and loudly says "this is not okay" and yells at them to get in line. When it was my turn to pick him up he saw me and smiled and said "mommy!" And walked over to me, but was physically put back and told "you will not get up until I get you, now get up". His very first day, no "goodbye", no kindness, no loving patience, no sweetness whatsoever. If you want a preschool experience that leads to a happy child do not go here until someone has taught the teacher to teach with compassion, patience, and kindness.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2017

This is a Catholic school which operates in concert with the Catholic church on site, the Catholic diocese in Oakland, and ultimately under the heavenly father himself Pope Francis. There are a lot of moving parts and people involved, and traditions. This is both the beauty of the school and also it's challenge. It can only be as loving, smart, and committed to truth and respect.....as the institutions and people that control the walls in which it operates. Accept this and you'll be just fine. This school is not required to accept everyone, doesn't have to change for you or your child, and if your child doesn't fit in....you'll know early and often. Don't be offended....Catholic schools in general are known to be inflexible and rigid ....this is no exception. I guess only you would know as a parent if this school will enhance your childs self esteem or rob them of it. To be perfectly honest, I've seen both happen and the damage only occurs when the parent doesn't follow their gut soon enough. I've seen parents do some crazy things in an attempt to keep their kid here (hours of tutoring, questionable diagnoses).....this never ends well. There are many roads to success and DO NOT think that this school is the best road for your kid if it's plain and simply not. All I can say is that you'll know when you know. There are good and not so good teachers here...like at every school. There are issues like bullying, cheating, favoratism...like at every school. There are wonderful parents and annoying ones....like at every school. My point is simply...this isn't perfect for everyone. Best of luck to you in your decision.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2015

I remember it like it was yesterday…my daughter taking the Kindergarten entrance test as we were applying to St. Agnes School. We wanted our daughter to have a well-rounded educational experience which incorporated a sense of community, Catholic values and strong academics. As St. Agnes parishioners, we were so excited to apply to our Parish school! We hoped to be part of a Parish school where parents wanted to be involved and were excited about the school, and we believed St. Agnes was that school. Fast-forward and our daughter has just started the 6th grade and I can honestly tell you that St. Agnes School was the best decision for us. Parents partner with faculty to ensure our children succeed. My daughter is thriving academically and spiritually in this faith-filled community and has learned to help those less fortunate through service. We have made life-long friends who we consider family. If you are wondering if St. Agnes School is the right place for you, I wholeheartedly say YES IT IS and WELCOME!
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2015

Our family loves St. Agnes School! We have been a part of the school for around 10 years now with our oldest son having graduated and our youngest one newly starting. We re still so happy to be a part of such a wonderful community! Our children are surrounded by caring teachers, administrators, students, and volunteers. We are very excited to have our kids in such a positive learning environment. St. Agnes is a loving, welcoming, and supportive community and we are very much looking forward to continuing to be a part of such an amazing catholic and educational experience! We HIGHLY recommend St. Agnes School and encourage families to check out the School Open House at the end of January.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2014

I have been on this campus for almost 10 years with my children. New principal means new priorities. Those new priorities are not so much "my thing". I was drawn to the strong community life and warm environment 10 years ago. Now, the focus is more on discipline and academics....both of which are challenging to address with classes comprised of 35-40 students. The most efficient way to handle this many kids in a class is to treat them in a cookie cutter sort of way. This is fine but if you have one of those kids who refuse to be "cookie-cuttered" (either above the pack or lagging below) then this schools won't serve them well. Also, the school has adopted Common Core. So if you think you are coming here to escape that in public schools, you're not.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2013

One of the BEST kept secrets in Concord. I am not one to write reviews however feel the importance of doing so in this case. Our daughter started Kindergarten with Ms.Ghelfie & Ms. Maeda (reading/ mastering between 80-100 sight words to fractions as well as singing in 2/musicals thanks in part to the Musical Director, Mr. Hammerson) because of them she absolutey loves school. The curriculum is intensive with a loving & strong support from family/ faculty not to mention the level of education my daughter has received. Tuition cost is competitively fair to that of private schools in the east bay as well as Scholarships and Financial Aid options available.