St. Nicholas School

9501 BALBOA BLVD

Los Angeles, CA 91325

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 30, 2023

We have been in this school for four years. All I can says is that we are extremely happy with the education, sport, religion. Etc, Etc.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2017

What I write here only represent my experience of Pre-k. I am so disappointed of this school and here is the reasons. 1. I tried to communicate with the teachers several times, however, none was efficient. The only answer is "He/She is doing good." to whatever questions I asked them and I can't even testify it b/c the little ones are too young to tell me what happened in school. Then I asked a "lie-tested “question- Does he/she eat the lunch at school? (I know this very clearly bc I pack the food every day and my kid barely eats nothing from his lunch box. However, even so, they will still tell you "He eats his lunch very good, he is a good eater." seriously? You called a kids who eats almost nothing from his lunch box a "good eater"?2. They won't let you eat your own snack and they provide junk snack to your toddlers. I was told they would provide 2 snacks a day, so I don't need to bring my own. Anyway, I brought some for my son on the first day and I told teacher to give to him. SURPRISINGLY, I found they were never been opened. OK, so what they offer to the kids are some very cheap cereals or crackers in a huge box, not fruit, not nutrition snacks. 3. Playground. I don't understand why they don't let the little ones play in the big open grass area when they actually have one. The little ones can only play in the fenced area, which is super small and horrible. I literally break into tears today seeing they packed 10-15 kids in the bike area (the same size as my kitchen), I see my son was pushing a toy shopping cart in the same circle over and over again with the sad looking on his face. At that moment, I know it's not right...they do this to prisoners or crazy people...not toddlers!!!!! It is just so wrong. 4. Academics, I don't really care too much about academic in preschool since my son knows all the ABCs and can count up to 20...but seriously, if you look at their daily schedule, it's only 15 minutes for Academics and they call it rigorous….5. Religion. The reason why we chose this school even we don't live in this area is the religion. We go to the church there and we expect they will teach my kid something about Christianity. NO. There is no prayers going in this school. My friend's kid goes to a non-religion school and they do prayers before lunch.
Submitted by other on April 24, 2016

We have been at St. Nicholas two years and have a first and third grader. We have been impressed with the academic rigor but even more so with the caring of the faculty and staff for our boys. There is a strong supportive environment that fosters learning and character development for the children of the school. Even though we are not Greek Orthodox, we immediately felt welcomed and included in the school community and our boys made friends quickly.
Submitted by principal on May 09, 2015

St. Nicholas School is now offering an enriching Toddler Program for children age 18 months to 36 months. Potty Training is a part of the daily schedule along with pre-language, early numeracy, physical education, music, art and movement. Our Summer Enrichment Program offers two sessions for Toddlers through 8th Grade. Session One has a rigorous academic focus, while Session Two is a fun-filled camp experience.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2014

Both of our kids have been going to St. Nicholas since pre K. They are now in 5th and 4th grade.Since day one, we have been so impressed with everyone's amazing level of support. The teaching staff is absolutely impressive! Principal Spraglin is a complete joy, she truly is a well added asset to Saint Nicholas. Academically both my children are well above there actual grade level, getting them well prepared for high school and beyond. The communication between parent and teacher is excellent, this was something that was very important to us. Saint Nicholas continues to strive in keeping up with the high level technology with the introduction of there new SMART BOARDS, the students love them. Physical education was also very important, and Mr. Gieger there Athletic Director is awesome. We are truly considerate and grateful for all that Saint Nicholas has provided for our children's education. Thank you. Best Regards, The Nunez Family
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2014

We are so thrilled to have our daughter attend St. Nicholas, and we know the education she is receiving will enable her to enroll into the best private high schools. The small classroom sizes offer our daughter more attention by the highly trained and loving teachers. The new Principal, is educated, bright, and highly motivated. Advanced technology, with Smart Boards in every classroom, and computer lab. Super Summer School Program, as well. The Parents are all very supportive. We feel our daughter is safe and taken care each day. There is a wonderful art program, amazing Greek language program, super after school program that assists the children with homework, and then they play either indoors or outdoors until 6pm, which is very helpful for my husband and me. I highly recommend St. Nicholas School.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2014

If you priorities in a choosing a school for your child are strong academics, a safe nurturing family environment , strong values based on faith, then St. Nicholas School is the right choice. I have had two children grow up from pre-K through 8th grade. They were both well prepared for private high school. Both my children loved their formative years at this school, and have made friendships that will last a life time. As ALL schools . They are striving to make improvements every year. With our wonderful new principle Mrs Spraglin, we have seen improvements happen this first year. Still the improvements needed are only minor as far as what the heart of this wonderful school represents to our family community. Both my children say that when they grow up and have a family, they want to send there children to St. Nicholas School. That says it all!
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2014

It's a wonderful academic school, family oriented with committed teachers. Best of all, the students love their school.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2014

This school is a hidden gem. My children both love the school; we have an award winning public school in our neighborhood but have chosen this school because of the positive environment - we were hooked after sending our children to the preschool and haven't left since. Academically, my children were reading before their cousins of the same age and overall, they seem very challenged (sometimes a little over-challenged, but I would rather have this scenario than less stimuli). Overall, I can't say enough about the student body that attends this school - everyone seems so nice and pleasant and happy (especially my children). It is a small school environment - small classrooms, which I love.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2014

St Nicholas is a great school. The staff members are experienced teachers who genuinely care about their student's development. There is a strong emphasis on academics, technology, and character development. Many of the children who attend are actually children of alumni, and with all of the options for schools today perhaps that is the best testament to the fact that St. Nicholas School is doing something right in the upbringing and education of our children.
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2013

Both my kids have graduated from this school. Great education in a small nurturing environment .
Submitted by other on July 13, 2013

The worst. Greek teacher is terrible and I barely got computer time... Glad I left...
Submitted by other on July 06, 2013

I recently toured St. Nicholas School during the Greek Festival and found myself drawn to the friendly, open, and gracious community that welcomed my friend and I with open arms. I have been a school principal about 20 miles from here, and I am always delighted when St. Nicholas grads register for enrollment in our high school program, because they have all been academically prepared, with a great work ethic. Several have done well in our academic program as well. This parochial school consistently fosters sharp students. I am a fan!
Submitted by other on June 16, 2013

If you want your child to be well-rounded, friendly, curious and tolerant, then I would avoid St. Nicholas. Many, if not most of the parents are members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and are very cliquish. Staff and parents are not friendly or welcoming. School work - well, let's just say, the same material was probably taught thirty years ago by the same teachers in the exact same way. There is no innovation, there is no vision, no creativity, which explains why the school enrollment has dropped significantly in the last few years.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2013

NEW PARENTS BEWARE! PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS, for St. N s relatively high tuition does NOT, in our opinion, give children the competitive education you are promised. If we had the chance to do it again, here are some of the questions we would ask before considering St. N s elementary and/or middle school: Which teachers are currently credentialed? How many hours of continuing education do they receive each month? How often do children go to the computer lab and what is taught? What is the condition of the school? [Take a look at the bathrooms.] What are the expectations if my child is a non-Greek speaker? [Mandatory Greek is taught by grade-level NOT by knowledge level; the teacher does NOT individualize.] Are there other languages taught? Where do kids play at recess and lunch? [The parking lot-no basketball hoops but gravel and uneven ground.] Is there a nurse on campus? Are there after school sports; how are kids transported? Why does enrollment continue to decline? Why does school start later than other schools? Is the principal responsive to parents concerns? Are there any current parents on the St. N's School Board, and how do complaints reach the board?
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2013

Listen up all you young parents!!! St.Nicholas School is THE BEST school in the world! How do I know this??? Our son spent 10 wonderful years there. He took everything he learned from St. Nicholas and went on to one of the best high schools in the valley and is now finishing his last year at UC Davis pre-med with a double major! Then on to Med School! I give so much credit to St. Nicholas School....why? That was his strong foundation to excellent study habits, discipline and well roundedness that he would take with him forever. He learned in a safe, loving faithful community with excellent educators and wonderful clergymen. To this very day he stays connected to the strong roots of his first school that gave him his amazing start for his exciting future. We as a family, feel so blessed and so lucky to have had this experience!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2012

I have always been impressed with the students at St. Nicholas and their polite and respectful manners. The school promotes high academic achievement, but also fosters a sense of community and caring. Your child will get an excellent, well rounded education built upon a solid foundation of character and moral development. Classroom size is typically small, and each child is known and lovingly nurtured by the administration and teaching staff.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2011

We love Saint Nicholas. My son and daughter both attend and we plan on sending them until they graduate from the eight grade. There are not many people or places that my husband and I entrust our children to, but we are 100% comfortable while we are away from them all day because we trust this establishment so much. We entrust the teachers, the staff, and our phenomenal priests with influencing their minds, their spirituality, and their physical well being. I could not imagine raising my children/family without this wonderful Saint Nicholas family.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2010

This year I had the honor to be the St. Nicholas Booster Club President. I can tell you from personal experience, the teachers and staff are amazing. Not only do my two sons attend, My husband is an alum. My son and his father had the same 3rd grade teacher! They teach the whole child- not just a great education, but these students have a greater understanding of what it is to be a well rounded person who is not only given a great education, but is taught how to give back to their community as well - a rarity in todays world! The only negative about St. Nicholas is that it doesn't teach high-school.