Immaculate High School

73 SOUTHERN BLVD

Danbury, CT 06810

14 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 05, 2024

Our family loves IHS! I have one recent grad who is doing great in college and 2 current students. All three are different with different strengths, but the school was a perfect fit for each. We are beyond happy with the academics and the school environment, and our kids are really enjoying their HS years!
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2024

Parents need to know how much this school will cost. To begin, it is 2-4x the annual cost of any local Catholic elementary school. So whatever you pay per year for 8th grade, tuition is at least 3x that amount. The uniforms are at least an additional $2k - there is only one company to get them from, and they are expensive (as in $40+ per item), low quality (clothes wear out fast), and extremely slow to ship, but they will charge you up front and then not ship uniform items for months. There are built-in fees for activities at the beginning of the year, but these do not cover much if anything, even though the school claims this. Clubs cost extra, sports cost extra, some classes have items you must purchase. On top of the $20+k you will need just to start the year, they will hit you up for more every chance they get. Every newsletter brings opportunities for fundraising. Buy donuts, pay for carwashes, sponsor a veteran flag, sponsor a hole and sign up to play in numerous golf tournaments, donate items or your business services for auctions, pay at least $25 per person to see your kid in any concert, talent show, play, or musical. Attend the annual gala, pay for a relaxed dress day, contribute to the staff luncheon, staff appreciation day, and staff enrichment. Donate to the year-end giving campaign, buy a raffle ticket, pay to attend parent association events. This begs the question, is the cost worth the benefit? They will woo you with the idea that investing in Immaculate now will make college cheaper later - but college will never be cheap, and parents of graduates are often disappointed in the results and end up spending five figures every year for eight years instead of four. After all is said and done, four years at Immaculate will cost over six figures. I'll admit I fell for the well-honed sell they make when courting prospective families, but after less than one year of getting relentlessly smacked with innumerable pleadings for more and more money, I can tell you this school is not worth what you will pay for it. Smaller class sizes, but teachers are for the most part unimpressive. Your child will have entitled bullies for peers and an indifferent administration that is too busy thinking up another fundraiser. This school is a lot of sparkle, and very little substance.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2024

There is a tremendous amount of bumming that goes on here. The administration brushes it all under the rug. The students are very unhappy here.
Submitted by other on December 12, 2023

I am a current student at Immaculate and can't wait to get out. I really thought I would love this school, they sold it as being one big happy family, but it's not, there's so much negative stuff about this place. The building is so uncomfortable, it gets SO hot in the summer it doesn’t even cool off over night and there’s no air conditioning anywhere, and we got early dismissal atn10:30 a bunch of days cause it is so hot, and it wasn’t worth that cause nobody can learn it was so hot, and then in winter it is freezing, there is reason you see all the kids wearing the sweatshirts all the time, cause it is so cold, like for what parents pay they could at least turn on some heat!!! And the uniforms were expensive but are thin, you need to dress in 3+ layers. Some of the teachers are super nice and care about every student, but others pick their favorites and don’t care to help if you aren’t one of them. I would ask for help and my teachers would say come see me after school when they are always supposed to be available but then the teacher wasn't there. My bus ride is long and I don’t live far from school but it doesn’t do the ride backward in the afternoon, it starts at the farthest point like it does in the morning, which doesn’t make any sense. The schedule is so confusing, we have TWELVE different possible schedules, 8 regular and 4 flex, and is so hard to keep track of. We only have 3 minutes between classes which isn’t enough time to go to the bathroom or even your locker. There are not enough electives to choose from and the ones they offer are nothing interesting. I wanted to take an extra class but am forced to take a study hall, why can’t I learn more if I want? They don’t even have a school library, just a common room with tables, what kind of school doesn’t have a library?? I like to read books but you won’t find any here. The food is ok but there aren’t many options, at least there are vending machines. A lot of kids are nice but then a lot are really really mean, the bullying here is way worse than my public middle school, and the chosen kids (athletes, pretty, big IHS families) get away with it with no consequence, and know they can so they are extra awful. They make us do community service which I agree with but they are always putting it in local news like they are just using us for free advertising, school sponsored service feels so exploitative. I would NOT recommend Immaculate, go to another school.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2023

Parents, beware of the over-the-top marketing this school puts out, and understand that it does not deliver what it claims to. Bullying is a huge problem - the kids even bully the teachers - and the administration is either overwhelmed by it or just doesn't care. I admit I was sold on the "invest in IHS now to save on college tuition later" but my kid was gung ho on going to Immaculate and within the first two weeks of school was miserable here. They offer very few electives compared to any of the local public high schools. A lot of your tuition money is going to the bling they offer prospective students. The welcome packet included a disposable video screen of two minutes of students yelling "you're going to love it here" like seriously this is what parents are paying for?! The entrance exam is a joke, it is just another money maker to make the school appear selective. There is no real admission criteria other than your ability to pay and the financial aid is a lie as well. They sell the school as this loving tight community but it couldn't be farther from the truth, and there is very little diversity despite what the brochures look like. My kid's teacher was brought to tears by a freshman. Another kid got thrown into a window by another and ended up in the hospital. The academics are not rigorous at all, they are more interested in sports which gets more publicity which gets - you guessed it - more money. You'll pay an activities fee in September that purports to be all inclusive, but anything your kid wants to sign up for costs at least $50 - even some class mandated activities! Make no mistake, look at the extreme marketing tactics, and realize that this is a for-profit institution for the diocese to recoup money lost paying lawsuits, and that is all.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2023

Immaculate High School provided each of my 3 children a foundation for success in college, career and life. The personalized attention they received to help each reach their individual goals was outstanding. They felt like they were truly known. They are taught the values that our world is looking for along with the academic excellence and great sports and arts! It was worth every penny.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2023

This school has exceeded our expectations in every way. The academics are superb, and the teachers are so supportive and work so hard to make sure all students succeed. Smaller class sizes encourage thoughtful discussion and hands on learning. There are so many sports and clubs, there is something for everyone. Their arts program is excellent. And my wife and I love that our 2 children are having a wonderful high school experience and look forward to going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2020

My kids both graduated in recent years and this school was life-changing. Both are in college and pursuing different majors at 2 highly competitive colleges. Each says Immaculate made them more than well-prepared for college.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2020

I have to give the school a mixed review. They have gone through 4 principles in 4 years and our experience with teachers has gone from very good to very bad. Even the honors and AP courses do not have the quality of teachers that you would expect in a private school. The sports programs can be very clique and some coaches have been down right toxic. Bottom line, it comes down to the student and if I had to do it again I would not have sent my child to the school and saved $60k, not including all of the fundraising they hit you for.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2019

This school changed my children’s lives. I have had three kids go through and all three kids would tell you it really changed them for the better on all levels. They got into the colleges they wanted and have successfully gotten into the jobs after as well. They would credit many of it from what they learned and experienced at this school.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2017

The handful of good teachers I can name from Immaculate High School are sadly not enough to counterbalance the mediocrity of the school in general. It's a nice atmosphere for those who generally "fit in" or are willing to conform in order to "fit in". A sorry state for any school.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2015

I have one child at IHS and one who graduated last year. I cant say enough good things about this school! My children love (loved) it, the teachers are dedicated and strict, but very fair and always available for extra help if needed. My son who graduated last year is at a highly competitive college, and is doing fabulously, a big part due to what he learned at IHS.
Submitted by student on October 17, 2013

I graduated June 2013 and I have to say that Immaculate High School did a great job in preparing me for college. With the Honors and AP classes, I felt very prepared transitioning into college. The teachers are great and dedicated to helping students, and the small size makes it feel like a family. IHS is definitely a great place to send your kids if you want them to become well rounded students.
Submitted by other on August 27, 2011

I graduated Immaculate High in June of 2011 and I must say: I loved this school. The teachers were focused, innovative, and loved their work and were always willing to help the students whenever they needed it. The students are very friendly, save for a few. The sports were challenging and engaging and each student was given the same opportunity. This school prepared me for college and I wouldn't change a thing about it.