St Maria Goretti Elementary School

5405 Flad Avenue

Madison, WI 53711

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 24, 2024

Pros: involved families, nice building, some wonderful teachers but several are leaving after this year so hard to say what following year will beCons: lackluster curriculum (star360 scores dropped dramatically for our students after switching to a classical curriculum), teachers don’t stay, families don’t stay, principal lacking in leadership skills and basic communication, weak policies, lack of resources in assisting students with learning needs, overall supervision of students, principal doesn’t anticipate needs and is often dismissive when concerns arise
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2024

Severe decline in quality of education following the recent 'purge' propagated by the new administration and diocese. Less and less time is devoted to academic pursuits in school in favor of observing conservative religious dogma rife with misogyny. The new principal's priority is putting on a 5-day-a-week Sunday School. Many teachers here now do not even have teaching degrees. Enrollment declined from 450 to 85 in one year, and more families are now exiting because their kids are not learning anything.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2024

Eight of my children attended SMG over many years beginning in 1981. And I am happy that we now have three grandchildren getting the same quality education in a safe, welcoming, and religious environment. SMG has always been and will always be a great place to send your children.A few years ago, the well-loved and long-time Pastor of SMG retired and was replaced by a younger Priest in his first Pastoral assignment. Many parishioners and parents of students who especially loved our former Pastor were unable to accept changes at the Parish and the School. The advent of COVID-19 further exacerbated tensions on how to deal with the pandemic. The school courageously decided to keep our doors open to students despite many complaints and thank goodness they did. So many schools went remote and children suffered greatly. Our SMG kids stayed strong and healthy.A greater emphasis has been placed on the religious development of the children than in previous years under the former Pastor. Some parents were not happy with this more traditional direction as many were either not Catholic or lukewarm in their Faith. In the end, many went to either public schools or other Madison Catholic schools. Unfortunately, many were very vocal in their unhappiness and expressed it in unwarranted, negative reviews. I hope to have more grandchildren enjoy all the great things SMG can offer and look forward to seeing them grow in their faith and education.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2023

I tried to think of any of these that I could give a better review, but there wasn't one. This previously great school was overtaken by extremists who decimated everything that was great about the school. At the end our child was sobbing every morning before going to school because the environment was so toxic. It was also so sad to see a complete turnover in all the staff who had devoted so much of their lives to the school. Not one single employee remains at the school from its peak.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2023

My children have loved their experience at St. Maria Goretti School. Coming from another school, they found SMG to be a warm, welcoming, and safe place to be. The school has high academic standards, while also instilling moral values and kindness among its students. The teachers are excellent, care about their students, and push them to excel. We have also been happy with the principal and find him enthusiastic and committed to each student’s success. He has kept old school traditions, while also bringing in new ones that the children enjoy participating in. SMG has been a great choice for my children.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2023

The leadership of the staff to be witnesses to a love of learning and also a love of their faith has been one of the important factors in enrolling our children at St Maria Goretti. The school also has access to sports (basketball, volleyball, track, etc.), community events and fun school traditions which make their school days extra special. This year's *Catholic Schools Week* was especially fun for the kids! Thank you!
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2023

The school went through some changes last year and that’s why the reviews are so polarized. It was previously more of a private school than a Catholic school and the changes to make it more true to the Catholic faith were hard on people, which was sad. Our family had just started at Goretti and it was a tough year. But I do think the school is going in a positive direction. I’m particularly encouraged at how the students get along with one another, as I remember a lot of bullying and gossiping and unkindness in my school growing up. The students are all really good to each other and this has been huge for my first grader who is easily intimidated by bigger kids. A fifth grader said bye to him by his name the other day and “see you Monday buddy!” And it just about melted my heart and his. I’m really loving this place.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2022

My children love coming to school each day. The teachers are very loving and nurturing, which is critical to their development. They each share something with me every day about their learning--in all subjects (math, PE, art, religion, science). The former staff and families that left due to disagreements with the new administration made for a *very* interesting school year last year, but now that they left the waters have calmed and it's a very peaceful environment. The intensity that some families went to sink the ship was sad to witness (as is illustrated by their 1-star reviews), but it is only through Christ's grace they will feel His love and be comforted.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2022

A wonderful Catholic school with a wonderful faculty that is true to their Catholic faith. This is one of the very few Catholic schools in the area that truly lives out it’s mission by keeping Christ in all things. They also have a wonderful new music program that centers it’s education on literacy and not just performance. Religious education is GREAT!
Submitted by other on July 12, 2022

Toxic environment for students and staff. A previously strong school now a breeding ground for radical Catholic extremists. What a shame to see what father Mike built as a beacon of love and acceptance has turned into a breeding ground of division.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2022

Great school, highly recommend , very good education
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2022

Don’t send your children to this school. It used to be amazing with caring, loving, talented staff but the new leadership has ruined what once was. 3/4 of the students have left and all but 2 staff members that were there prior to the new leadership.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2022

We had such a wonderful experience with this school until Father Emerson became pastor. His Traditionalist mindset removed the signature sense of joy which previously defined the school. We left In the fall of 2021. The pastor’s hire of a similarly minded Traditionalist principal put the school on a rapid demise where 80 % of the students and over 90% of the staff fled. The poor students never knew if their friend sitting next to them on Friday would be there the following Monday. The same instability existed as to who there teacher would be from week to week. Though the problems initiated in religious philosophy, the Principal had similar problems in leading faculty in his past public school position. Publicly available records demonstrate he was under corrective action. My positive teaching assessment refers to the longtime faculty who taught my children. All of them are gone now.There is absolutely nothing left of the school’s institutional memory.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2022

This school was amazing prior to the new priest and principal. They let all amazing teachers go for inexperienced and inept teachers. I would urge you not to send your child here.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2022

It is a shame to see the direction the school is headed in. After being a part of the SMG community for many years, it is hard to watch what is going on. The primary issues stem from new leadership at the administrative level. Unfortunately, the community has now shifted towards a more traditional and antiquated approach that challenges common sense. After watching many staff and faculty leave, I am worried to see where the future lies. The school has become a breeding ground for divisive and exclusive ethos which challenges what an inclusive Catholic education should look like. Many of the critical and honest reviews of SMG have been taken down across the internet to create a disoriented image of the school. If you want to read what the school has evolved to, just do a simple Google search.
Submitted by student on June 17, 2022

It feels like he principle just doesn't care anymore. Like he doesn't even care that over 300 people left he school be cause of HIM. And as a student myself, it really damages my mental health, knowing that I'm never going to see my friends again, and the only time i would, is if we hung out or if were going to the same high school. Which is only 2 out of my whole friend group. And in preschool, I thought I was going to go though every grades with my best friends, but now that will never happen. It was just so sad leaving my friends on the last day. Please try your best to avoid this school. I really don't want them to go through what I had to go through. And it was absolutely devastating to leave the teachers that I knew and loved since the day I talked to them or someone told me about them. I will never forget everyone that was there for me and everyone who cared about me. And it's the fact that I have to walk into that school seeing none of my friends waiting there to greet me after a long summer. I know I've already said this but it's absolutely devastating. And to think I've none the people that I know and care about for either 1-8 years. I just wish he never became principle. And I absolutely adore the teachers here that taught me through my 2 years of middle school with them, and its been an absolute blast, I'm definitely going to miss them. Again, please avoid this school. </3
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2022

Used to be amazing, however the men recently in charge have no willingness to continue engaging with the community and instead of fostering both academic and Catholic rigor as before, now feels righteous and judgemental and paternalistic. Pulling our kids had been a grieving process, given how much support we would have once given to this place. Its not just us, enrollment has literally dropped by over 300 kids. New curriculums, “teachers” with no teaching background (hired instead based on perceived character of faith) & departures of teachers with decades of experience/commitment to the kids shouldn’t be ignored. It’s new approach may work for some, but do lots of research to know exactly what (and how) things are being taught.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2022

The principal, under the guidance of the parish priest, has destroyed a long vibrant school community. The principal completely lacks leadership skills. Over 30 staff members will not be returning for the ‘22-‘23 school year leaving the school with three staff members. As mentioned in an earlier post student enrollment has dropped from 450 (+) with waiting lists to maybe 75 Max for fall. Student programs and supports will likely be reduced due to lack of funding. The principal has stated that he has no interest in changing the curriculum when he was hired one year ago. He is now doing just that by adopting Nashville Dominicans’ Virtues in practice. Principal and priest lack transparency, honesty, & integrity. It has been so sad to watch the destruction of our once vibrant community. Absolutely avoid this school.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2022

My kids have thrived at St. Maria Goretti. It is such a great community as a parent, and my kids love the school. They have great resources available to all students, whether exceling, or needing a little extra help. I can't say enough great things about our experience there.
Submitted by other on June 05, 2022

The principal and priest have not put the childrens best interests first this past year. The school has gone from 450 k-8 to MAYBE 75 max for next year. They have watched hundreds leave with no care in the world. So your research.