St Raphael Elementary School

516 High Street

Medford, MA 02155

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 03, 2023

St. Raphaels has overall been a great experience for our child who is in Junior High. There are a lot of great after school programs (sports and academics) that students can take advantage of. They also have four dances (more like parties) a year and other fun social events, and there are educational Washington DC and NYC trips available for students to take part in. In the Junior High academic program, there is one teacher for grades 6,7,8 per subject. This can be a great thing if the teacher is an excellent teacher, which matches my perception for the bulk of the Junior High teachers. The kids seem to have a hard time learning from the math teacher but the school seems to be working on ways to make this better. If you are considering sending your child to this school, find a parent to talk to about their child’s experience with the math teacher. A good number of parents end up getting outside tutoring for math, which can add up quickly in terms of a family’s education budget. Overall, the teachers and staff are caring and devoted to the mission of the school.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2018

This is the best school around. People care, the curriculum is challenging and the teachers truly prepare students for high school and beyond.
Submitted by other on August 22, 2018

It was fine . I made many friends and I am now prepared to enter high school with the help of Ms. Gately and Ms. Fiedler-Ross, our Dean of Academics. Students could be crude, but overall they were tolerable and I did have a group of many friends. We read many good books and that's why we won the 2018 Malden Catholic Quiz Bowl.The school treated me very well for the 10 years I spent in their care. I highly appreciate the new math curriculum for the middle school because the old one was trash. The science curriculum does need updating but I'm in honors sciences so I can't complain. Thank you, Saint Ray's, for giving me a home for ten straight years. And for not expelling me. - Kat Keen, 2018 Graduate
Submitted by other on August 22, 2018

Great school, many good kids and great staff
Submitted by other on December 26, 2016

I was not impressed with this school for my child. There is a reason why there is a large banner on the front lawn begging for students (for the current year). From what I hear from transferring families, the academics are subpar to the Medford Public Schools and there was a bullying issue that the newer principal was slow to address at St. Rays last year. If you are really interested in a catholic education in Medford, St. Joe's is an option.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2015

My oldest son is in his second year at this wonderful school. After attending St Clement School in Medford for pre-school prior to attending St Rays, my husband and j were reluctant to continue with Catholic Schools. However, after visiting St Rays and observing the environment: the students, teachers and community we felt really good about enrolling our son. Our intention was to switch him to public schools the following academic year. After a wonderful experience during our first year we have since enrolled our youngest child in Pre-K and are planning to keep our kids here at the school until 8th grade. Being a part of this school and this community has been a wonderful experience for our kids and out family.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2015

My son and I love St Raphael's . It is the best Catholic K-8 school in all of Medford, in fact all of MA. Sending my son to this school is the best thing to ever happen to us.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2015

I have been fortunate to be a part of the Saint Raphael School Community for the past 10 years. I say community because it is so much more than a school, it is a warm and welcoming place for families and children, parental involvement is encouraged and welcomed. The children not only receive a wonderful education, with new technology including SmartBoards in all the classrooms, iPad use in all grades, including 1:1 iPads in the middle school, but the small class sizes allow for individual attention. The teachers are caring and professional, the staff is devoted, from the full time nurse to the lunches made on site, the school offers a nurturing environment. They truly strive to educate the whole child, academically, socially and spiritually. By participating in service projects, the children learn about giving back, and good manners are taught, modeled and expected. The graduates are well prepared for high school. not only academically, but have learned to be well behaved and respectful of others. Their are so many extracurricular activities for the kids, and wonderful family social events, which promote the community connection.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2015

My three children graduated from Saint Raphael School. Each received a wonderful education. What I felt was most important was that they graduated with a confident sense of self and were ready to go to high school with not only academic excellence, but with manners, study skills and compassion toward others. Saint Raphael School provided a community for each child to mature academically and spiritually.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2014

Saint Raphael is a great school that lives its mission and always puts the needs of students first.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2014

My children have been attending this school for over three years and I am underwhelmed by the teachers and the current principal. Despite the small school and class sizes I have found that there is very little teaching that happens. The bulk of my kids class and homework are worksheets that lack consistent learning models to set them up for success for the current school year and beyond. As for the principal, every time I turn around he is asking for donations and recommendations to bring in new students. I can't bring myself to do either because I have not seen improvements in the school as a result of the constant soliciting of funds. Luckily my kids will be moving on to a school next year that will make them more well rounded and academically proficient than SRS has offered to date. Your dollars would be better served on finding a nice home in a great school district instead of investing your money on tuition here. The one shining light of the whole school is Mrs.Manning, the office admin. She not only has a smile on her face every day but she makes sure that the needs of kids and parents are met every day.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2014

We have two children at this school and have had such a great experience. The teachers are so helpful, they truly care about the kids and their education. Many after school activities to chose from...sports, crafts, drama, to name a few. We love the community feel of this school.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2014

My children have been going here for 4 years. We travel 13 miles each way to go here since we like it so much. Class sizes are small. Teachers are dedicated. All classrooms have Smartboards and students use iPads at least once a week (middle school students have individual iPads used daily). The parents are involved and the sense of community in the school is comforting - they offer lots of community building events throughout the year so you really get to know all the wonderful families. The preschool is also much more affordable than any other local preschool in the surrounding towns. Very happy we found St. Rae's.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

I Love this school for my children. Obviously, the negative post are written by the same person, and from all I have seen are false. the comments about the priests are completely untrue. The staff at this school are kind and caring. My children love going to this schools and are receiving a far superior education then they were when I had them in public school.. by far, the BEST investment you can make in our child's education!
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2014

In regard to last two posts.why was it a disappointment and how did it not meet ur expectations? My son has been attending for two years and i have not heard of any priest having any significant role in the students education. As for soliciting, they barely lay a glove on u compared to other schools .
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2014

Too funny, I see that there hasn't been a review since 2009 and then in 24 hours, two disgruntled parents. I too, agree with the previous parent complaint; however, I have more to add. This school sends home pamphlets in the folders of the children teaching kindness, compassion, etc., which is hilarious when the priest at the school can be so cruel. You are left wondering why you have paid for such hypocrisy and ponder if you would have been better off to throw your money in the Charles than contribute to such dysfunction. Medford actually has public schools that are a more consistent and a safer bet than this institution. Send your child to public and donate to a wonderful cause.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2014

I wouldn't recommend this school. It didn't meet expectations-quite a disappointment and constantly soliciting money.