St. Bede The Venerable Elementary School

4524 Crown Avenue

La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

29 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 06, 2017

Our children are absolutely thriving at St Bede. Both the school and the Parish are great. We are blessed to be a part of this warm and nurturing Catholic environment.
Submitted by other on February 16, 2016

We feel so blessed to have found the St. Bede Community. We were initially referred to the school by a coworker of my husband's who is an alumni of St. Bede. We do not live in the La Canada area so we were not previously aware of Saint Bede the Venerable Parish and school. My husband's coworker said that St. Bede the Venerable School is “a quantum leap” above the schools we were initially touring. Knowing the source, a man who is a wonderful person and also a successful graduate of Loyola High School and Yale University, we felt compelled to further research his referral. It was one of the best things that we have done for our family. I am eternally grateful to be a part of this wonderful and welcoming community. We have found our home in this vibrant parish. The school is nothing short of exemplary. The faculty and the academics are top notch. The facilities are impeccable. Beyond all of that, my son is receiving what I believe to be one of the most important gifts that we can give him which is a religious education and a solid faith foundation so that he can grow to "act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.” With this gift I hope that he will live a truly fulfilled life and be strong enough to endure what life brings him.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2016

Our children attend St. Bede School and we are very happy with the education they are getting. We initially had our children in the Pasadena Unified School District but moved them to St. Bede last year. Considering we are new to the school, we do not feel it. We feel very welcomed and more importantly our children are very happy at St. Bede. PUSD has great schools but didn't offer what we were looking for. Our children are not only being challenged academically, they are learning the catholic faith. They are being taught values and character. With so many choices of schools, we feel blessed to be part of the St. Bede School community.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2016

I am not from SoCal, but my husband grew up here attending another local catholic school and top tier high school. When it came time to enroll our eldest child, we toured many private and catholic schools in the area. We could not be more happy with our choice to have joined the parish and enroll our children in St. Bede School. There is a strong focus on reading and writing. Kindergarten is full day. The technology is current and each student has access to iPads and computers in the classroom. The library is extensive with the accelerated reader program. Most of all, both of our kids are there now and are very happy. We have been impressed with the faculty and staff. They show caring and accessibility to the kids and parents. The school has a small community feel where most of the kids from K-8 know each other. We feel very lucky to have our children at St. Bede School with so many wonderful families.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2016

This school is wonderful and we absolutely love it. My kids are in the 6th and 3rd grade and St. Bede has exceeded every expectation my husband and I had. The faculty and staff are so knowledgeable, so accessible and so caring. The technology is amazing - every student has access to ipads and computers in the classroom. The science lab is pristine and state-of-art. More than anything else though, we have been impressed with the "character counts" program and the faith formation of the entire student body. The 8th grade graduates are completely prepared for high school, but even better is the fact that they are good people who make good decisions. We feel very lucky to have our children at St. Bede with so many other wonderful families.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2016

As a student at St. Bede in the 1980's I was very happy with my experience. I had a large Catholic Family and we all went on to our first choice High Schools. My husband (who is not from CA) and I had no hesitation to start our child in kinder at St. Bede. I lived out of the area for many years, but felt at home coming back. I love that Kindergarten is a full day and my son is doing great academically. He was a little wild when school started but the great staff has been able to get through and have gotten him on the right track. The after school programs offered are also great! The only downside is that the school does not offer a regular Spanish class, just an after school class. Is this school for everyone? No. Are there things I would change? Of course. But there is no perfect school out there, and for our family this is the best choice. As a Catholic I really appreciate that part of the curriculum and the faith that is brought into the lives of the students.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2016

I would give St. Bede 10 stars if I could as this is a fantastic school and parish. As the parent of a first grader, our experience has been special beyond words. The K and 1st grade teachers are exemplary and our child is growing academically and spiritually each and every day. I'm surprised by some of the comments in this thread and seriously questioning if they are referring to the same school. The teachers, administrators and families of St. Bede are amazing!
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2015

Overall, we have had a very positive experience, and love the environment and spirit of the school. The first thing you notice about St. Bede s is the atmosphere. The motto is act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God, and the students seem to really take it to heart. There are a lot of great kids and families, and strong parent volunteerism. We have three kids in the school and have been very happy. Homework loads can be heavy. Virtually 100% of students go on to a private high school in the area. Those schools are selective, and students need to be properly prepared to compete. Teachers are truly dedicated. That isn't to say that all teachers are perfect, some grades are better than others. St. Bede s is small with one class per grade (no choice of teacher). Children who leave the school usually do so due to parents' expectations that the school should accommodate every request they make. There is a sense of entitlement in some of the parents here not really the kids! Sometimes there just isn't a fit that just is what it is given that students will be in the same class with the same kids from K-8.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

Teachers not only cannot teach but worst, they take pride in punishing children in such a way that will even promote humiliation. These teachers need some child development education! Their policy is "My rules are the only rule and as long as you are in my classroom, you have to follow. I don't care what your parent(s) say!" Adhering to the teacher's classroom rules is not the issue, however, when it comes to humiliating a child thru these rules, that is a problem. Principals and Archdiocese needs to interview!
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2014

Suggestions are rebuffed with "maybe this school is not for your child." Horrible, unforgivable behavior by some teachers is unpunished. The lack of competitive technology is excused by the view that tech does not teach discipline or self-reliance. Students are left to learn how to live/behave with tech later than peers. iPads are not enough. The school needs online posting of assignments and grades, communication via email, electronic submission of homework, e-books, learning to communicate with video/online, etc. In-class instruction can be spent grading self-directed learning from homework. Many students do well when parents organize work for them. High school faculty report St Bede students have a poor reputation in science, writing, foreign language and arts/music. They do well with math, english and history. Some students were described as "beaten down." The lack of "fairness" or appeal for inappropriate teacher behavior instills a view that authority is illegitimate. The school rejects kids with physical or mental challenges from attending unless the diocese intervenes. Thank God for Bede's active parents and some awesome teachers. The Pasdena privates are much better.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2013

My first of 3 kids attended a local public elementary school which was a fine school but missing something for us. We experienced a loss of a close family member which reset the plan for our immediate family. We wanted to belong to a community and we wanted to share more of our faith with our children. We were lucky enough to find and get our kids admitted to St Bede's. We found everything we were looking for and more. I was surprised by how challenging the curriculum is and how well prepared the kids that attend St Bede's are for high school. They also have an excellent iPad program, state of the art computer lab, fantastic sports teams(volleyball, basketball, flag football, etc), scouts and much more I can't fit into this review. You can read these reviews but do yourself a favor and tour the school and talk with the staff. If your lucky enough to greet a student you can be sure they will have learned true character, say please and thank you and make an impression on you.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2013

Absolutely fantastic school, I have sent all of my kids there. Teachers and parents are great.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2013

Very mixed feelings about our child's experience here. The parents and families and church are fantastic. You can not find better catholic values or closer, friendlier neighbors anywhere. The administrators are ensconced in habit and repeatedly have been protected even though they have been told of very bad teacher behaviors. There is an outright refusal to use modern technology for grade and assignment tracking unlike over 95% of schools today...and the post-graduate real world. The emphasis is not on teaching, but instead on punishing students who do not keep up with self study or who make mistakes tracking homework assignments. We know,of physically challenged but able students the school attempted to reject, and a very wealthy family whose donations and efforts to improve the academics were rebuffed. Science, foreign language, extracurriculars -- ie band -- and third grade are particularly horrible per our post-grade standardized tests and how far behind our child was when put in a new school. Physically new building, but the bathrooms were disgusting. This is a place you go only if you value God, the friendships, and are OK with self-directed learning at early ages.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2013

After years of hoping for improved student-teacher academics, as springboard into a successful high school, St. Bede failed. Look for other schools. It's too small, and teachers aren't punished for lousy, inferior work. A lot of parents volunteer (a parent "teaches" Writing), and lacks all qualifications and real-world writing experience. Parent volunteer teachers show favoritism. Spare your children from unfairness & improper start in education. Give them better than this "school with a playground of asphault."
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2013

I agree with the last poster who says that students should learn to manage for themselves -- they should learn to manage SCHOOLWORK for themselves. However, they should not be required to manage teachers who don't know how to teach! As a parent, you need to maintain a certain level of involvement in every activity your child is involved in. If not, abuse can happen. We've seen this in the Church. Parents should not send their children to school with a blind eye. As the last poster said "there is nothing wrong with personal accountability." Don't you think that statement should apply to the teachers & administrators too? Shouldn't they strive to improve themselves? When wrongs are pointed out by parents, is it best to respond with "parents should stay out of it & let their child figure it out"? Really? What is most important for children is to know that they are loved and cared for by their parents. This starts at birth & does not end when they enter middle school! Teachers at this school should stop pointing fingers and look inward to see where they have gone wrong. Look for ways to be better at your job. Leave moods at home and stay consistant in the classroom.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2013

After reading reviews, I feel compelled to respond. I find it amazing that parents are complaining that they are not able to manage their child's homework due to poor technology. As a parent, I am grateful that my children have had to manage for themselves. Just as learning to read is an essential skill for success, so is learning to figure out what is required. I have seen students who have been coddled in their elementary years only to have a rude awakening in high school or even later. There is nothing wrong with personal accountability, and this is something that is taught at this school. I have two children who have gone through this school and they are thriving with their workloads and performance at their high schools. I see their preparation compared to students coming from La Canada public schools as well as other Catholic schools and there can be no complaint about the school. It seems to me that some parents should take their complaints to a forum other than the internet if they are looking for change. As with other facets of life, there is no utopia.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2012

The teachers and staff at St. Bede really go the extra mile and the academic success of the students is the proof. The faculty has invested considerable time over the past year in their continuing professional development. In addition to the entire faculty taking religious certification classes, some have attended technology seminars and conferences, other attended workshops on the new Common Core Curriculum, and completed course work towards advanced degrees. Their commitment to continually advancing their expertise and instructional skills has greatly benefitted my children.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2012

As for technology to allow helicopter parents to monitor their child's every move, the school choses instead to teach students self-reliance, responsibility and has plenty of parent communication vehicles. For technology that matters they have new iPads for Kinders, new lap tops for every teacher, new wifi network, school wide microsoft software upgrades for classroom computers, Edmodo and google apps for 8th grade, and will have an upgraded computer lab next semester. As for teaching credentials being important, why doesn't Sidwell Friends where the President's daughters attend school require teaching credentials, or Polytechnic our locally renowned school require them? Because teaching credentials do not screen for excellent faculty, they are a bureacratic checklist. St. Bede and all Parochial schools have a rigorous criteria for hiring faculy, including prior teaching experience, religious education and commitment to students who can inspire learning. Credentialing is a public school obsession which has done little to improve these schools. St. Bede is a school full of wonderful people of faith giving their children the gift of a lifetime, a Catholic education.
Submitted by other on May 28, 2012

How fortunate we are to have a school of St. Bede caliber in this community. It is a nurturing place with a great and caring staff. They provide the tools necessary to be sucessful in their future academic and christian lives. Thank you St. Bedes for all that you do for our children.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2012

In any community, you will find supporters who will embrace all the resources a school offers along with detractors who are vocal. La Canada and its surrounding communities have excellent schools, public, private and parochial, at a variety of price points that unhappy parents should consider to ensure the best fit for their child and family. Bottom line, St. Bede prepares the students as demonstrated by this year's 8th grade class acceptances to high schools including Flintridge Prep, St. Francis, FSHA, Mayfield, Poly, and Loyola.