St Peter Catholic School

421 New York Avenue West

Deland, FL 32720

10 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 01, 2023

My kids attended in 2021-22. My older son was bullied, and the school leadership and teachers did nothing to help, and didn't even seem to know how to approach the situation. My younger son did full-day preK, and the second half of the day was "nap time" and watching Disney movies, with no further learning after the morning kids left. When we discovered one of our kids was neurodivergent, the counselor refused to recommend any area occupational therapists or mental health professionals because they didn't want it to come back on them if we had a bad experience with a provider. They have no staff equipped to deal with special needs on site, nor do their teachers seem to have any training in how to work with neurodivergent kids. In short, save your money. We've had a fantastic experience at our local public elementary school, and I wish we'd never even considered sending them to St. Peter's.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2022

Can you believe this school teaches by draconian rules. The principal calls you in to conference and already has her mind set about what will be done. Middle school teachers claim they are preparing students for high school when very little of their methodology is aligned with a high school way of teaching. If your child struggles in any subject, he/she is blamed for being lazy. This school knows nothing of a tiered learning curriculum and expects students to come into a grade level already have mastered that year's curriculum. What are the teachers for then? Nepotism at its best here.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2022

It depends where your child is in the “pecking order”. If you have a child that is sweet, shy, caring and doesn’t want to hurt people this is not the school for you. If you have a child that has a strong personality and possibly is a bully they will do fine.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2021

My daughter went there for six years. My family have chosen that school with hopes that because it's a private school and we pay tuition ,they will take more interest in teaching our child and all the good reviews we have read. The first time my daughter went to pre-k she could read a simple structure sentences and she knew some of multiplication table, she could write small words, I have spent a lot of time with her to prepare her for school thinking that they would continue to help her to improve. What a disappointment that was. on the first day she came home with a printout of a huge elephant they were coloring all day long. They did nothing to help my kid when I addressed the problem with the guidance counselor, teachers and the principal ,they told me that everybody will be taught on the same level. So all that progress I did with my child did not matter. I've tried giving extra books for her to study when she was in class if she was done with her current work, because of how advanced she was , they through them out. All that progress was lost. But I kept with faith, as they've promised it would change . The secretaries in the office know nothing every time you call to ask a question they direct you to the parent portal. The bully system, is a sham nothing is done no one follows up only a notes are written when you bring a complaint but your child still gets hit my kids lunches were taken away from her by bullies with the teachers sitting next to her , they didn't even pay attention. The class sizes as advertised were a lie, the teachers are not accredited with the state at all they have are certificates, many times someone's grandmother was watching the children, their music program consisted only of sitting quiet and listening to records. There are too many problems to list here. Basically , all they care is about money without money your child will not even get food and they will send you a note about it. They like sending notes. If they go on a trip you have no choice, otherwise your kid will not get a 100 as if it was a test, and their release form is something else. They grade you if you go to church , so that's automatic 100 as well. So by the time it's said and done it seems like your kid is learning something all the learning is how not to trust or listen to you as a parent. The teachers are left to their own devices no one is monitoring what they do in classroom. The whole experience left my child scarred for life.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2019

I am amazed -- this school is preparing my children for lifelong learning. I really appreciate the discipline and character development activities.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2017

Everyone who is in contact with my son works hard to aid him in becoming successful. I am very pleased with the school.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2017

My two children went through St Peters and I can say they learned faith, service to others and sympathy. Academics are of high priority as well as utilizing new STEM projects, technology and trying to allow for differences in learning abilities. I believe a school is what you make it as a student and parent. If as a parent you are on top of your child and communicating with them, any concerns can be addressed at that time. I have found the teachers to be open to conversation and I do feel my children were safe while at the school. A bomb threat last year was taken very seriously and the entire school performed admirably. All in all, I am happy with the school although not perfect, however being in touch with your children helps to alleviate problems they might have at school.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2017

In response to other comments, there is no "perfect" school. It's unfortunate that some may feel they have had a bad experience at St. Peter but I have been involved with this school for 18 + years and both my children have attended preschool through 8th grade and it is a school with heart and compassion. You cannot always judge a book by it's cover, yes sometimes the outer appearance of the school needs work but the inside is what matters. You cannot base your decision on what others say. You must find out for yourself. I love St. Peter Catholic School it's a great place to learn and grow in a Christ centered environment, but don't take my word find out for yourself.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2017

My child went to this school as a middle schooler for 3 years. It was the worst educational experience of his entire life. Even years later he talks about his terrible years at this school. The teachers were incredibly unqualified for their positions. My child had to witness a teacher throw a calculator across the room in frustration once. Students were served with degrading punishments for trivial misconduct. My son, who is a well rounded student, on several occasions was forced to do humiliating punishments for things his classmates did. Several times his class was forced to sing alone during the morning prayer in front of the school and be humiliated because they simply "didn't sing loud enough with everyone else". I'm now hearing about this million dollar gym they're building and I can't help but laugh. That money should go towards paying for janitors (instead of making the kids clean up after lunch), new floors (that aren't just coated with more ugly paint every 3 months), and lockers for the middle schoolers! I spoke with the principle many many times about all the flaws I saw and he would brush me off every time. I have so many more complaints about this school. All in all, save your child from a horrible schooling experience, and save your money! This school is not worth it. I feel terrible for my son who has to look back on his middle schools. Don't make the same mistake as I did by sending your child here.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2015

My child forgot the ABCs after starting here, he learned with me at 3 yrs. old. Kids go unsupervised, forced to use restroom together in same stall, but taught to turn to the corner while other is going, when they DO use the bathroom...kids were peeing and defecating in pants on a daily bases, mine weekly he was 5, and was fully trained by 1 and a half. They refused to call me and would take him to the clinic bathroom, pull his pants down & rinse him off. I would've never known if I hadn't seen the remaining feces left on his body & shoes, at home. I questioned, all was denied, principal sided with teachers & sarcastically informed me that they are not daycare & don't wash kids. The list goes on, but my son did a 180 after I pulled him out, it's down right abuse. There were injuries and nose bleeds not reported,I had to notice myself. They are good at looking good. I know that kids he went there with either pulled out half way or didn't return the next year. Honestly, I'll never forgive myself for listening to teachers at first, not my kid. He suffered so, I had no idea. How poorly I was treated, especially by secretaries, is nothing like what he went through.