St Joseph Elementary School

529 Madison Street

Lockport, IL 60441

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 26, 2022

Welcome to the new SJS! We love the new administration and teachers! They have been wonderful and my kids actually enjoy going to school. We have been very happy with the curriculum and the smaller class sizes allow for individual attention if needed. My children have enjoyed all the sports offered throughout the year (cross country, basketball, volleyball, and coed volleyball). There is a very active parents club, who provide fun activities throughout the year. We came to the school for the education, but the community of families adds to the reason we have stayed. We have made life long friends at SJS.
Submitted by other on November 25, 2021

The Principal, Co-Principal and staff are doing a great job!!!! The kids and families are very lucky to have all of you and wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday!!! Thank you!!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2021

The parent community is what has held this school together. The awards that have been given to the administration (best principal, best pastor) are simply that…for them, nothing for the kids. No hot lunch program, no up to date water filtration systems, brown water that comes out of the faucets, no playground, and the list goes on.
Submitted by other on June 07, 2021

Parents beware. The administration at this school has been hiring UNLICENSED teachers for the last 17 years and the Joliet Diocese has been allowing this. All of qualified and licensed teachers from Pre-K to 8th grade are not returning for the 2021-2022 school year which in itself speaks volumes.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2020

Love! Love ! Love! Best decision we ever made!
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2020

Making the decision to come to SJS was the BEST decision we made as parents 12 years ago and still stick by our decision. My kids are smart, respectful, kind, and compassionate. This school has helped them to be who they are today. We absolutely LOVE SJS!
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2020

I never thought we were going to be sending our children to catholic school, and thanks to St. Joseph, we thank God that we made that decision. This has been the best experience for us as parents as well for m children.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2020

Excellent! It wasn’t a decision we planned on making, but six years in, we know it’s the best decision we could have made. The community at SJS is amazing. The teachers and principal are wonderful and truly care about the children. We live in a great public school district but never regret our decision with SJS.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2019

Don’t tolerate a broken system. Most importantly don’t let them break your child. It’s not worth the the “faith-based” education.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2019

My daughter has been a part of SJS since starting in the 3yr old preschool Program. As a current 1st grader, she has grown academically, emotionally and spiritually. This school provides an environment of kindness, love, and faith, as well as an exceptionally educational STEM and general studies curriculum. We are so happy that we have chosen St Joseph School.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2017

My 3 daughters all went here and we had a wonderful experience. SJS is a Blue Ribbon school with award-winning teachers and principals. It's actually incredible they have won some of the recent national awards being so small... but they did. :)
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2015

Great staff and great parents make this school a perennial top tier institution in Lockport
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2015

St. Joseph School is a tremendous school focused on quality academics, the Catholic Faith, and supported by a caring parish community. The kids of SJS are disciplined and respectful. In our experience our children are receiving attentive and effective teaching from a terrific staff of teachers. We trust that our children are receiving a solid foundation for future learning at SJS.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2015

If you are looking for a school that will help your child become a solid contributor to society, this is definitely the school for you. Respect for others but, more importantly, for oneself is a top priority by the principal and all staff. I have 3 graduates and one current student, and my children are stronger, more confident, and extremely successful in college and high school. I believe their start at SJS is a huge contributing factor. While the academics at SJS are top-notch, the faith-filled atmosphere is one main thing that has kept us in this community for so many years.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2015

Beware! Looking into the school, you may see a very calm school atmosphere, but as you reach the older grades, there is more drama. My child was bullied by another student, and told a teacher. The principal then called my child into her office, and began to yell at her, so loud that other students could hear down the hall. My child came out of school that day in tears. She told me what happened and I immediately confronted the principal. She tried to tell me that my child was lying and that she needed help. This episode was about halfway through the school year. Towards the end of the year, my child wanted to move up in math, but the principal would not let my child even take the test. She claimed that she would fail and had no chance, even though my child had scored quite high on the math portion if standardized testing. What normal person does that? Needless to say, we immediately left the school that year. Unless you are going to kiss up to the principal, there is no chance of a good future their for your child. It will brainwash them and give them a twisted idea of what "Christian" values are. If you want a great education for your child I suggest a different school in the area. Don't let the blue ribbon fool you. God bless
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

If the overall goal is to give your child an excellent Catholic education and prepare them for college, then St. Joseph School is a perfect fit.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2014

I have a graduate from St. Joseph school who is well on his way to success! Jr High at St Joseph was the time to build on the foundation built in K-4th. I took a moment to let the staff do their job and take the time to listen to what they had to say. When I did this, I created an avenue that opened communication between my child and I. As some children begin to feel the natural struggle and fear that any Jr. High student feels, an open communication and respect for the staff, led to my child being excited to tackle Jr. High vs. fear it. The teachers really do their homework to prepare your child for highschool while encouraging your child to learn responsibility, time management and be confident in a society that challenges our children in numerous ways.The Principal continues to stay on top of everchanging standards of curriculum and technology. The Jr High staff believes that your child can succeed! My child has expressed to me that they felt that the involvement of parent volunteers and a Principal that was hands on, was one aspect that made him call St. Joseph his second home. There is compassion, discipline and academic success all under one roof at St. Joseph School.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2013

We had 3 girls go through St Joe's and couldn't have been happier. From the education to the extra curricular and sports, our daughters loved every minute. They went to public high schools and were well ahead of the curve because of the preparation they were given at St Joe's.
Submitted by other on October 26, 2013

Exercise caution when deciding to send your child here. If your son or daughter is young, in grades 1-4, you probably won't experience much of an issue. Later, or if your child is in the junior high, get ready for a storm. Students, parents, and even staff have been harassed, for lack of a better term, for exercising their First Amendment right in disagreeing with the principal on certain issues, for speaking out, and for freely thinking. Whole classes have been punished for the actions of a few. As the majority of you will probably not kiss up to the principal, I suggest you look at St. Dennis or another grade school. It would preserve your sanity in the long run. There are, or at least, have been, dedicated teachers. But the principal is a large factor that must be considered. -Class of 2011 Alumni
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2013

School has high standards for both students and parents. Great academics, encompassed spiritual learning, tough policy on bullying, tight family community, and beautiful gym. Principal is very personable and involved; I think that s her nature. Some feel she is overbearing. we like the detail. She partners with parents to make the school and the students a success inside and outside the classroom. I do think she takes the school to very high levels, and that s why my kids are there! Some downers, tuition is high, compared to other schools, lots of attached fees - go up every year. The school tech lab is old, 90 s look and feel. some lower grades had 36 students to 1 teacher and 1 aid. this is high. The school library (in a basement hallway) has ancient books. Books brought home are usually old, faded, and very dusty. However, my kids brought back books at their level of advanced reading. I applaud this. Overall, compared to other high achieving schools, St. Joe s stands very tall. One of the best decision I have made.