Nativity Catholic School K-8

1250 Laurel Street

Menlo Park, CA 94025

30 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 20, 2025

The only bullies who exist at Nativity are the teachers and admin staff. This weekend we spoke to two separate families that have since pulled their children from this awful place. They don't remove poor teachers, they move them around.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2024

This our second year at Nativity, and I am beyond happy with our choice. Although we bought a house in the East Bay, leaving Nativity is simply not an option for us.Here are a few reasons why I am very pleased with the school:- The families are highly involved. I was amazed to find a community where other parents share the same values.- My son is very happy. He has never complained about his friends or teachers, and he enjoys playing with his peers.- We are very satisfied with the curriculum. Our son has shown significant improvement.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2023

Worst school in the area, No support for students who need learning assistance. Want students to be perfect . Principal could care less about teaching extremely high, unrealistic standards for kids of such a young age. Clearly, more concerned about test scores vs supporting healthy minds. Our student is incredibly stressed and principal retort "it's a private school, get used to it." How godly.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2020

Nativity is a wonderful school that has a really strong parent community. There is some pressure to be involved in this community so if a parent is not committed to help whether it's volunteering or monetarily, we would not recommend. If you're able to commit, you and your child will love the school. Everyone from parents to school staff is quite down to earth. Teachers are warm and caring and the administration is approachable. We are pleased we picked this school for our child. We have no doubt Nativity will prepare our child for high school.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2019

Great school, strong community. Kids feel safe but also learn to be good part of a bigger community.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2019

Overall, the school is good but it could be great! There is definitely room for improvement from teacher consistency to academics.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2019

We've been very satisfied with Nativity for our 3 children. We feel at home here with both the teachers and the other parents and have really appreciated the community of parents that support and help one another at every turn. We also appreciate that the teachers and parents at Nativity share our goal of educating the whole child and instilling empathy and humanity in our collective community of kids.
Submitted by other on May 24, 2018

Absolutely soul-crushing. We have left the school and left with very bad feelings.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2017

I am rating this school as good, not great, only because we have been there for only a year. But so far, things have been pretty great. Parents are really nice, there is a warm atmosphere there. The principal knows all the students by name, which to me is amazing and very personable. Students are generally well-behaved. I am impressed at how my child has advanced in reading here. I don't think my child would have learned as much nor have thrived as well at another local public school. Compared to public school, it was night and day as far as ability of students, behavior, and the challenging curriculum. I love the tree lot, and talking to parents and families of students who don't even attend anymore but come to the tree lot to support the school. Even they had great things to say, even if they recently graduated. I do feel that my student had some problems adjusting at first. They aren't allowed to play "tag," and they sort of award tattling behavior, which sends kids into a tailspin to get others in trouble. They get points off, and since the teacher needs to choose whom to believe, some students get punished unnecessarily. So I think that rewarding good behavior does need to improve, instead of rewarding tattle telling. But this should subside with age I hope and improve as well. They have music, Spanish, PE, and art classes. Most schools have done away with music class, so I'm happy they have this. We look forward to more years at Nativity.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2015

Nativity school has been not just an amazing school but also a community for our family. Our kids are well rounded caring children learning catholic values who will be well prepared for high school and beyond. The teachers are outstanding as well as the principle. She genuinely cares for the school, families and children and it shows.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2015

A wonderful school with an amazing community! From the administration to the teachers to the families. Couldn't ask for a better setting for my children. Most students continue with their Catholic education at Bellarmine, St. Francis, Serra, Notre Dame and Mercy. They are very prepared for the next step.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2015

Nativity is an exceptional school with high quality teachers, caring and capable administrators, and wonderful families and kids. I have sent two children through Nativity and I will be very sorry to say goodbye to this community when my youngest graduates. There are too many good teachers to list but the science and advanced math teacher in the upper grades is particularly skilled.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2015

I have two children here and this is honestly one of the best schools we have been at. The community is warm and loving and welcoming to students. The academics especially the advanced math/science are amazing. Last year, one class got to dissect pig hearts and eyes - how cool is that? We love this school!
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2013

Nativity has been a wonderful school for us. Our son has struggled with reading and Nativity was quick to act with their wonderful resource program. Since entering the program his reading has dramatically improved. The discipline is strict however very fair. The families are loving, caring, and diverse. It is a great community that pulls together especially with their Christmas Tree lot and annual carnival. They also have a wonderful men's club which helps with just about everything the school needs. Also, all teachers have master degrees and the school has an incredible focus on technology. We are very happy at this school.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2013

Nativity School has been great for us for the past 6 years. Three of our children are there. We started in First Grade at Nativity, our kids were welcomed by the other kids, the teacher, and the community. What makes this school unique besides the excellent academic level, is the community of parents and families and the caring environment the faculty and staff demonstrate everyday with our children.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2013

I love that my child is at Nativity. He comes home happy and wakes up ready to take on another day. He loves religion and I feel blessed knowing my child is excited about his learning enviroment. I like knowing that I can go to the teacher and my child's needs (as well as my concerns) will ALL be met without any criticism. The Principal is such a wonderful asset to the school and will go out of her way to show you that she cares. The parent involvement.... who wouldn't want to be part of their children's success. I work full time and a single mom, but I still manage to make time to show my child that his best interest is always my best interest.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2013

The reason I am posting this review is that someone gave one star in an earlier review of this school. If my daughter went to Stanford or Harvard and someone gave one star to those schools - I would not feel a need to react and try to give my view. My daughter enjoyed going to Nativity from K to 3rd grade. Everything from the very beginning was enjoyable experience for her and for us the parents. The teachers were fantastic, the other parents are very involved in school activities and volunteer beyond expected duties. We have developed friendships with many families. Whatever frustration made the person who gave one star to this school - it is an exception. And it probably looked as horrible that it had to grade the school so harshly in all categories. But if we try to give an objective grade based on academic performance, behavior, quality of teaching, campus activities - I would give it five stars in all categories.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2013

Our family is blessed to have found Nativity School and the Nativity parish and community. I am astounded by the love and commitment of the faculty and parents involved with this school. I have no worries for my two boys for the next 8 years. I encourage all young parents who need a great place for your children to learn and grow up in the Catholic community to come and visit Nativity School.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2013

Nativity has been a blessing for our family. We have a first and third grader at Nativity school after attending a neighboring school and a brief public school experience. Nativity by far has been the best choice for our family. They are academically sound and have the latest technology. The environment is nurturing, cohesive and well organized . The principal and staff are amazing and foster an environment of open communication. The principal sits down with every child in her school and reviews their report cards with them. She is present in every classroom and is a great resource to her teachers. The students are taught how to be good friends and responsible citizens. We have several students who have transfered into the school after negative social experiences at neighboring schools and after my families positive experience with Nativity I can understand why. Nativity is a great school academically and socially and we feel blessed to have this experience for our children.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2013

We have two children at Nativity and have such an amazing experience. The staff is warm, friendly, and most of all caring towards all the students. I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the school and see first hand what a great well rounded education my children are getting. They are learning wonderful values, gaining life long friendships and are so happy. This is an amazing community and our family feels blessed everyday to be party of it.