St. Simon Elementary School

1840 Grant Road

Los Altos, CA 94024

23 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 31, 2024

I appreciate that they focus on the whole child to aim for balance. I like that they teach the importance of having a connection with God. They also encourage parent involvement and alot of the families get to know each other.
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2024

My older son (now in 6th grade) transferred to St Simon (from Bubb Elementary) in second grade. My younger son started at Little Saints Preschool PreK and is now in second grade. Prior to St Simon, we were the "never-private school" people. Having 2 kids at St Simon has completely changed our minds. Not only is it academically more rigorous/challenging; the Catholic values of being neighborly, helpful, respectful, etc. are incorporated in every aspect of the curriculum and reinforced daily by staff and administrators. Social Emotional Learning is reinforced throughout the day. There are MANY opportunities for students of all ages to volunteer/contribute to the community.Yesterday, while we're on vacation, my older son (12 years old) asked if my husband and him can volunteer together again, then was excited to find out that there's an opportunity coming up in January. This is just one of many examples that SSPS is fostering an environment where the students think of others, instead of themselves. Even though many families are well-off financially, there isn't a culture of competition and/or bragging/showing-off.There's also zero-tolerance for bullying. My son was threatened by a friend (not sure if it was a joke or not, and nothing bad happened), but the administrative staff and teachers took immediate action and ensured that my son felt safe at school (my son said his friend wasn't serious). My younger son was diagnosed with ADHD and other special needs and the SSPS staff was SUPER helpful in both providing accommodations for him in the classroom, as well as coordinating with an OT to come onsite to work with him twice a month. The accommodations makes his day at school much more smooth and enjoyable, and he absolutely LOVES school. I was raised Catholic but my husband is agnostic. Neither of us have found anything to be "overly religious." The values that are taught are the ones I ascribe to: be kind, be polite, be helpful, respect your teachers/parents, love your siblings and friends. My kids don't like the Mass but they are able to appreciate the value in sitting still and having the time to reflect (or daydream). The school + parish also offers wonderful activities throughout the year! There are BBQs, sporting events, and lots of other ways to be involved in the community. I used to do yard duty once a a week and really enjoy getting to know the kids in the lower grades. Highly recommend SSPS!
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2024

Great school and I have a comparison with the local public school, which is also top notch. It's greatest strength is the community feel and the diverse student population which draws from beyond the immediate area of Los Altos.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2024

All three of my children attended Saint Simon Parish school over the span of 14 years, from 2010 to 2024. Not only are the academics stellar —my children were very prepared for their high school careers at Saint Francis—but the community is extremely supportive and involved. From the Fall Parish Barbecue and auction parties to the Christmas program, Generation Days, Father Murray Basketball tournament, Catholic Schools Week festivities and parish celebrations; there are a lot of ways for adults, kids and families to come together at various points over the school year. And with two classes per grade, the kids never felt stagnant or bored socially. With a welcoming afterschool sports program and other offerings like art, band, choir, robotics, and vacation bible school; most kids find it easy to get involved. While there are no formal volunteer hours required, most families do like to plan, coach, lend a hand, or offer up unique skill sets to the various school and parish-wide events during the school year. This is definitely a school where you can root yourself and feel rest assured that your child is getting a stellar education while your family makes lifetime friendships and bonds. Saint Simon is the kind of school where you feel like your voice is heard and that you are a part of a family. Our time there was not without occasional challenges and teacher turnover, but these transitions and times were always handled with grace, compassion, and a firm plan to help students succeed. A Catholic education is special, and Saint Simon does a wonderful job of upholding its unique student learning expectations (SLE’s), setting goals for each child to be spiritual, academically prepared, inquisitive, neighborly, trustworthy, and strong. SSS is the kind of place where people return to volunteer, work, and stay engaged in the parish long after their children have moved on. On your first day of morning drop-off, you will realize what a special place it is when a seventh grader opens the car door for your child and greets you with a smile, telling you to have a nice day. In a world where manners and compassion have gone out the window in a lot of ways, you will find compassion, respect, and kindness reinforced on a daily basis at Saint Simon. And more importantly, I felt that each one of my children was seen and loved for who they are, for which I will forever be grateful to Saint Simon.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2024

This school does an excellent job of promoting a well rounded student, from academics, to social well being, to sports, to teambuilding and more. It is the type of school that nurtures the quintessential "whole child". While schools that nurture the "whole child" used to be quite common 30 years ago, today they are fewer and far between - which makes this school even more of a gem. A student can almost always find something to excel at here, because there are so many offerings. For students that like academics, the school provides some support for advanced math, spelling and geography bees, talent shows, and more. For students that like sports, the school offers a wide range of sports, including flag football, soccer, basketball, and more. Moreover, unlike other Silicon Valley schools that apply pressure on a student to succeed, which often pits students against each other and generates animosity, this school fosters an environment where students work with each other, regardless of skill level, so that all students feel appreciated and needed. This naturally generates an environment where nearly all students are friendly with one another as opposed to trying to compete with one another. Overall, this school is a hidden gem and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants their child to grow up as a good human being, with respect and love for their parents, and who will be a productive member of society.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2023

My child has attended St. Simon for 4 years and she s had the best experience. The staff and the administration really invests in each student and challenges them to grow to be their best selves. So many amazing resources like Band, STEM labs, library, music and art to name a few. St. Simon is a safe and authentic community that we have been proud to be a part of.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2021

My youngest child transferred to St. Simon as a 4th grader from a local public school in the fall of 2020. I felt that our former School District's goals and core values no longer aligned with how I wanted to educate and raise my children. When the County issued the shelter-in-place order in March 2020, I was disappointed by the response of our School District. I learned from friends that St. Simon Parish School implemented a remote learning system within a week. In the summer of 2020, I contacted Mrs. Theresa Clark, Admissions Director, and she guided me through the process. My family was given an in-person tour and Theresa was available and responsive every step of the way, which showed me that the school believes in the importance of positive communication. St. Simon's ability to transition quickly and smoothly into remote learning shows that the school administration and faculty are guided by strong leadership. The enrollment process was smooth. My child was placed in Mrs. Tina Rogers's class and the class started out with live-remote classes but transitioned into in-person learning by November. Everything has seemed organized and deliberate. I have been so pleased by my child's growth during this school year. Test scores are not everything but they are a good data-point. My child's STAR math results have shown exponential improvement and her writing/grammar are also improving. As a transfer family, we definitely noticed that the homework amount increased (from none to A LOT). My child has had to figure out time management, organizational strategies, and other executive functions that are so necessary in high school and beyond. My older son was reluctant to transfer last fall from his public middle school, but because our family had a successful year at St. Simon, he will be transferring this fall 2021. Our family is Catholic and so our value system aligns with the school. I have not heard about any bullying and I hope I never do. I will say that there is no school without flaws. My older children started out in the public school system and by my 3rd child I was able to determine that it was not the right fit for my family. We have had to make some lifestyle changes and tighten our spending to make it work but the difference I have seen in my 4th grader's academic development has been worth it. I definitely would recommend St. Simon Parish School.
Submitted by other on January 27, 2021

The actual school is fine, a 4/5, but the children there are horrible. Bullying is a big problem, especially if you are not white. They say they teach about social values and compassion, but the children don’t use those skills in the real world when interacting with their peers. This is not the school’s fault. It’s just that the community is toxic. I also would not recommend for non catholics. In my experience it just feels like they’re showing catholicism down your throat, and after going there, I have just resented Catholicism even more. The teachers, they are mostly fine, but I will talk about one teacher in specific that was a problem. I’m not sure if they are still there at the school or not. But, they had a clear bias for girls. Whenever girls talked in class, they were “chatty” and needed to quiet down. But whenever boys talked in class, they were “disruptive” and needed time alone in the hallway. Also, academic wise I feel that they hold you back. I went ahead of math, and finished the workbook for the year, in half the time, and got scolded for going ahead.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2019

Excellent. The best we've found in the area and a great place for Catholic and non Catholic education. You can schedule tours just about any time to see for yourself and have your children come in and "shadow" a student to see what it's life for yourself.
Submitted by other on October 09, 2019

I would say that Saint Simon's provided me with the capacity to go into high school feeling prepared for the future. I made some of my very best friends there and the memories I have from Saint Simon's, from the Father Murray to D.C., will always be special to me.
Submitted by student on April 05, 2019

I would rate it a 2/5. When I was younger, I loved St. Simon. But in middle school, there was clear bullying. If you are white, you won’t be bullied. But if you’re minority, this school is toxic. The teachers are also bad. One teacher will keep your stuff if you accidentally leave it in the classroom and refuse to give it back to you. Also, they show clear favoritism often. Some of them don’t have a knowledge of the subject they are teaching. Please do not attend this school. It is a toxic environment for your children.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2018

Our sons have been thriving both academically and socially since transferring to St. Simon school nearly four years ago. The community lends itself to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment lead by top notch staff and personnel who really care about the success of their students. The available resources, robust staff and individuated instruction set this school apart from the others. It really feels like an extended family here and we couldn’t be happier with our choice.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2018

"Whole child, whole family", that's what St Simon School is to our family. I have 3 children attending St Simon, all started from Kindergarten. This school has small classes, exceptional teachers and a diverse curriculum. Not only are my children challenged in all academics, they are enriched in art, music and faith. All the students from Kinder to 8th grade interact together in our monthly service learning ie. feeding the homeless or raising funds for the rain forest. What a great learning experience! As a family we all feel part of this special school community. My children love it and we have made life long friends. The kindness and generosity is overwhelming in this community. St Simon is a great choice for elementary through middle school.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2018

A wonderful caring community of teachers, parents and students. Would not think to send my children elsewhere,
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2018

We live in Los Altos and have access to top ranked public schools. We chose to send our children to St. Simon so that they could have the best education possible and develop wonderful character at the same time.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2018

We are extremely happy with our choice to send our three children to St. Simon's. They have made great friends and enjoy learning. We have found an amazing community who is supportive and helpful. I can't say enough good things about the community - our children are growing up in a village at St. Simon's.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2018

St. Simon is not just a great school, it's a great community that prepares students for success in high school and in life. Our children are developing socially, academically and spiritually at St. Simon. The teachers use engaging assignments like escape rooms that encourage the students to collaborate, innovate and achieve their best in a motivating way. In addition to academics, St. Simon provides opportunities for students to participate in service and social justice activities as a "family" with a representative from each grade. The eighth graders learn to become leaders and the younger grades are supported by older students.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2018

Visiting this school was one of the most the most bizarre experiences I have ever had. The principal was nowhere to be seen, so I was forced to deal with the vice principal. I have no idea how this woman was hired. She acted completely clueless and disingenuous. The few teachers I met were immature, rude, and/or unpleasant. One was downright vile. I won’t mention names because unlike them, I have class. I cannot fathom why anyone would send their child here.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2018

I have one high schooler who graduated from St. Simon. He is doing great in high school thanks to fantastic preparation received at St. Simon. He placed in the highest possible math, science and English honors courses and received "A"s in all of them. Further more, he has not received even one disciplinary warning. St. Simon is an excellent school, but it is not for everybody. It is suitable for students whose family understands the importance of self discipline, respect and hard work. All religions are welcome and those I have met are very happy.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2016

My children enjoy the school, teachers and after school activities. My wife and I like that they are really challenged academically and they are gaining a great foundation for successful academic achievement at the high school level. There is nice community of parents here that get involved in different activities and we also like that they instill a positive sense of faith and community as well, so, we feel like we have some really well- rounded children.