St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School

5692 North Kendall Drive

Coral Gables, FL 33156

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-5
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 07, 2025

It’s was a very hard and cruel experience! My son was expelled after six days of Summer Camp. He was three years and half, we just moved from NY to Miami. It was a difficult transition for him so he had a regression in potty training. They didn’t try to understand the situation, they didn’t try to be patient or have empathy for him. They just expelled him after 6 days of Summer Camp! I don’t know what religion values we can recognize in this action. One of the employees told me: “you will find a place that will understand your son situation”. Definitely a school that don’t understand real values, real empathy and real love for kids! Please put in perspective if it was your son. What would you do?
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2024

Our family had a horrible and traumatic experience in this school. Specially with the administration that came in new for the school year 2022-2023. The new Director (S.K.) hasn't had any previous experience with Lower Division schools and treats these innocent children as if they were teenagers. She needs to educate herself about the developing brains of these young children, and should step down before more people find out about her ongoing investigation with Child Services. Furthermore, there are a lot of teachers in this school that are not passionate about their jobs and about teaching. They DO NOT prepare their teachers and administration to deal with children with ADD and ADHD, or any little annoyance for that matter. Most of the teachers will be quick to complain if a child is annoying one day, or just needing some extra attention. Just like the most previous review on this platform, they DO NOT UNDERSTAND young children. As for the education and their curriculum, save yourself $30k++. My children are now in Public schools and are learning at a much faster pace and are in the Honor Roll!I highly advise anyone considering this school to NOT believe ANY of the "fluff" this school pretends to be. I highly recommend you do MORE research before applying to this school. As a matter of fact, the person reviewing the applications is not equipped for that job. She was a mother of students and somehow started working at the school, then got promoted to being the Director of Admissions. Moreover, I know of 3 amazing staff members leaving this school year because they have witnessed unethical behavior by the new Director but they are too scared to openly talk about it. As far as safety goes, I was in this school for over 5 years and never were cameras EVER placed on campus which is so irrational to me with all the money that goes into this school. There was an incident where an actual bum walked into the school and nobody noticed until he was on campus! I do not recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2023

It’s was a very hard and cruel experience! My son was expelled after six days of Summer Camp. He was three years and half, we just moved from NY to Miami. It was a difficult transition for him so he had a regression in potty training. They didn’t try to understand the situation, they didn’t try to be patient or have empathy for him. They just expelled him after 6 days of Summer Camp! I don’t know what religion values we can recognize in this action. One of the employees told me: “you will find a place that will understand your son situation”. Definitely a school that don’t understand real values, real empathy and real love for kids! Please put in perspective if it was your son. What would you do?
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2022

School has improved considerably in the last 3 years and now has an open mind and great community.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2018

We love St. Thomas, it is a warm, supportive, caring environment that academically challenges and supports the students, a community where students feel safe, and learn to be global citizens. Highly recommend!!
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2017

From the teachers to the administration to the parents, we find the school to be a wonderful and enriching environment for our children. At the same time, there is a sense of community that we did not feel at other schools.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2017

St. Thomas is a wonderful Community for children to be academically challenged and develop into kind & respectful global citizens. The Pre-School program is really; the families that make up the Community are amazing.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2017

Incredible leadership. Teachers with years of experience that care about their students. Academic rigor that prepare my kids for a rigorous middle school. Family atmosphere where you feel welcome. Facilities that go above and beyond - performing arts center, dedicated sports fields, art room, science room, etc.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2017

There is a lot of social bullying that takes place at STEPS. Make a note- if you don't drive a lambo or spring break in Europe, the kids will notice. It doesn't matter if you have the funds to do so, if your morals and lifestyle are different than the showy, throw your money around style, you won't fit in. By 3rd grade your kid will be excluded because the kids have already learned that showy-money is the only thing that matters in life. I've attended and been a parent at schools in Switzerland, Washington, DC, Boston- all private, all serving very wealthy populations, but I've never seen anything as ridiculous and mean-spirited as STEPS. After enduring the meanness of spirit from the kids for years, my child is now at another (more expensive, less conceited) school. He is incredibly happy and often comments on how mean kids were at STEPS. Stay away from this school.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2016

My grandson goes to this school and I am disappointed with the education he is receiving. He is exceptionally bright but is not being challenged or taught proper handwriting. I think the emphasis is on the social and religious and not academics. My granddaughter was going to attend this school but her parents chose to send her to another private school.
Submitted by other on March 15, 2016

I love St. Thomas and my children are excelling, both academically and socially. The teachers are exceptional. I feel lucky to be a part of this community.
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2015

Some good teachers but this was not the best experience for our child given the other options in the area.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2015

This is a truly excellent school with history and tradition. Lots of nice families and polite children. It has well established reputation and community recognition to ensure its students going to be accepted into good middle schools. It is a good place for your children to make life long friends at very young age.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2014

Both my daughter and son are very happy at this school. Every morning they are looking forward of going. Teachers are proactive with parents concerns. Classroom pictures and learning summary are posted weekly. Parents know their children's learning progress Dance program is also great.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2013

Very nurturing environment. Family focused. Parents very involved. Wonderful faculty and staff. Lots of sports and the arts, especially fantastic dance program. Good preparatory school for the next phase -- middle school. Great experience overall.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2012

The school excels at dance, PE, and pushing parents for donations. Education tended to suffer due to the amount of time spent on student social activities.