St Monica School

530 West Kilgore Road

Kalamazoo, MI 49008

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 22, 2024

Community, family, amazing staff, and a wonderful education makes St. Monica School an easy choice. There are inherent values, manners, and kindness taught daily that will allow children to excel for years to come. St. Monicas School is truly a blessing!If you are at all considering St. Monica School, I encourage you to give them a quick call and talk with them for a bit. The feeling of community will be understood right away!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2024

I am so happy we chose to invest in private schooling. My son is well cared for, both spiritually and intellectually. This school encourages parent/grandparent involvement which is a relief after being banned from entering public schools for two years during covid.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2018

I am so proud of St Monica our 3 grandchildren Cullen, Delaney & Brynn attend this school. I do not worry about their safety, you have to be buzzed in and then sign in. I know God is protecting them but every time I drop the kids off or pick them up I do not need to worry I know thy are safe. Such an awesome staff, very friendly and always go out of there way. Thank you all and God bless
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2015

Our son started at St. Monicas after having a horrible experience in the Portage Public school system. He began in second grade and loves every minute of going to school. The teachers are involved and encouraging and the families are welcoming and involved. We couldn't be happier and have said that every penny we spend to send our son to St. Monicas is completely worth it! It is a warm, caring and academically challenging environment we didn't experience in the public school system.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2014

Unfortunately the St. Monica's of 10 years, where academics blended with Catholicism, is gone. Note the enrolment decline in the last 10 years of over 100 students, despite the addition of a pre-school. The administration has continually downgraded the academics to a point where other local schools, and certainly other schools in bigger areas far exceed St. Monica's. Note how Math classes are taught and that there is no completion of a Language Year 1, becasue the Spanish program is taught 1 day per week. If you are considering St. Monica's you need to delve into the school's test scores. Though they have eliminated standardized testing to provide comparisons, MEAP results show the weakness of the school. If you want an academically strong Catholic school you need to consider St A's, which we originally excluded because of the downtown campus. But it performs far better than St. Monica's, primarily because it's Principal believed in academics. St. Monica's principal believes in multiple masses per week, multiple prayers per day and not in rigorous academic preparation. It's sad to say that St. Monica's has declined so significantly but we don't see signs of change from CSGK
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2014

We have had children at St. Monica School for the past 14 years. Each has graduated happy, healthy, and well prepared for high school. The current group of teachers, administrators, and staff are professional and effective in their role, and among the best we have experienced. What we like best about the current administration is the same thing that may have prompted some of the negative feedback on this site. We appreciate that the school is not run by a few verbal parents, whose opinions may or may not be in the best interest of the larger student body. The current administration works to implement principles of best practice in education, even when unpopular or misunderstood by parents. We have trusted the teachers and administrators to do what they were educated to do - create an environment for learning and teach our children - and we have not been let down.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2013

St. Monica educates the whole person and solicits parent to be an active member of their child's faith development and academic success. Mrs. Reits is a principal that makes decisions based on principles and not on who's the loudest wheel. She'll listen, but doesn't jump an every suggestion that is put forth. This may come across as a turn off. I think she's very courageous. I have three children enrolled in the school and they very at their academic abilities. They are happy to be there and love their school community.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2013

Not happy, not impressed. Poor academics can not be glossed over by a veneer of "strong Catholic identity". An administration that fails to communicate with parents can not be fixed through cronyism. Complete program overhauls that are not vetted by parents result in families who are fed up and choose alternative schools. Lumping 3, 4, and 5 year olds together does not necessarily prepare them for the challenges of kindergarten and first grade. Be aware - should you choose to spend your hard earned money here it will be assumed that you are happy with the status quo even if you aren't. You will be kept in the dark regarding program, curriculum, staff, and teacher changes as it isn't any of your business. Just keep signing those checks!!
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2013

St. Monica School has been a wonderful environment for our children to grow academically and spiritually. The teachers are wonderful and the school creates a safe supportive environment for all children to achieve. In light of other reviews regarding administrative leadership; I only say that administartors change over time. What doesn't change is the opportunity afforded by catholic schools to provide an academically challenging environment within the context of learning and practicing Christian values and Catholic teachings. This freedom to learn and practice your faith helps direct the course of so many students' lives towards becoming caring, Christian adults who will have been prepared to have a positive and profound impact in their own families and in our society. I would and do recommend St. Monica School and all the Catholic Schools in the Kalamazoo area to everyone. Thank you for this opportunity.
Submitted by other on March 01, 2012

the administration is awful they wont take care of any problems they're zero tolerance for bullying is so the staff doesn't have to decide who was defending themselves and who was the attacker they are both just automatically in trouble i would choose a public school over this school is because the only thing you lose is being able to express you faith you gain extracurricular activities and a chance to get a better education
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2011

The mission and public credo/marketing of the school is absolutely wonderful. As a catholic it appeals to my family. The teachers are proficient and the many of them work very hard to be good educators to the students. The parents and families are exceptional. However, there is a great deal to be desired in terms of administration and the overall operation and leadership. There is an overall stoic feeling to the environment.