St. Dunstan's Elementary School

1150 Magnolia Avenue

Millbrae, CA 94030

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 14, 2024

Our son has been attending St Dunstan since Kindergarten and is now in 6th grade. We cannot express enough how impressed we are with the school and the education he is receiving. The school offers a diverse and multicultural environment, which we believe is essential in today's society.One of the highlights of St Dunstan is the excellent curriculum they provide. Not only do they offer regular classes, but they also have advanced math and Spanish programs. This ensures that our child is being challenged academically and gaining valuable language skills.In addition to academics, St Dunstan also offers a wide range of sports activities such as baseball, basketball, volleyball, and track. This allows our students to stay active, develop teamwork skills, and explore their interests in a supportive environment.What truly sets St Dunstan apart is the remarkable learning environment they have created. The school instills strong values and promotes a healthy atmosphere for personal growth. We are grateful to see our son thriving and developing into a responsible young individual.Furthermore, St Dunstan offers an affordable aftercare program, which is immensely helpful for working parents like us. It gives us peace of mind that our child is well-cared for and allows us to balance our work and family responsibilities more effectively.Based on our experience, we highly recommend St Dunstan. It has been a joy to see our son blossom and excel in such a nurturing and diverse community. If you are looking for a school that prioritizes education, character development, and supports working families, St Dunstan should be at the top of your list.Jaime M
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2023

We have two kids at St. Dunstan and are very happy with the school. It has a diverse student body and strong down-to-earth community. The academic programming is strong and well rounded. Math is close to what I remember for middle school, but the science curriculum is tough. When I help my child with her science homework, I often have to read the lesson twice. The school draws students from Millbrae and nearby communities, exposing the students to the broader area, which I think is a positive. While Catholics make up the majority of the student body, a number of the students are non-Catholic - also a positive. It's great that out kids can be part of a community where the middle school kids are respectful and families are supportive. I should also mention that the school's administration and staff is very supportive. Their dedication to the school and their students shows.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2019

Our daughter graduated from St. Dunstan this past year. She had been at the school since Kindergarten and it has been a wonderful experience for the whole family.We believe she has received an excellent education. In the first grade it was determined that she had difficulty with reading and spelling. She worked with the resource teacher in a small group setting and by the 8th grade, she was reading far above her grade level and loved to read.The dedicated teachers, administration and staff are very caring and put in the extra effort to help the kids succeed. We loved being a part of this school community. Our daughter has moved on to high school now, but we will always fondly remember our St. Dunstan experience.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2019

We love the community and academics have proven to be effective. I have a Sophomore at Serrra and another graduating this year. My youngest is in 5th grade. We have seen great strategies for academic success with all our kids. We couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2018

My children are receiving a great education. Their testing scores are well above average. The parent community is very supportive. The kids care about each other and treat each other with kindness.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2016

I am giving this a neutral review until I can find out more info on something that has caused me concern.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2014

Our son started kindergarten at St. Dunstan last year, and we love it! The community has been so welcoming and the teachers and staff are outstanding. We've been very impressed with the communication, curriculum, community and small class sizes. We highly recommend St. Dunstan to anyone who is looking.
Submitted by other on July 08, 2013

Great school! I went here for 9 years and I was well prepared for high school. I was the student body president and am doing very well at a prestigious high school in san francisco. Your child can succeed through his/her motivation and will to learn. If they have that, then they will be set.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2013

This school lacks everything you want for your child! The Principal has no leadership. Academics are way below standards of other school. The textbooks and workbooks are so out dated.
Submitted by other on June 06, 2013

St. Dunstan's has really been a great choice for me. It's like a family, everyone knows everyone and the relationship between students and teachers are unlike any other. Teachers are always available for extra help, and the school and its staff take a great interest in helping you grow as a student. Academically it can be pretty challenging, but putting forth an effort is a sure way to insure you will get a lot out of your experiences. I feel totally prepared for High School and I thank St. Dunstan's for all the advises I've gotten from the counselors, and the education I've gotten from the teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2013

My son started in the 6th grade and just completed his first year. We couldn't be happier with the school.The environment is warm and inviting. Students are well mannered, a direct reflection of the school. I am very happy with the academics as that is our #1 priority. We were pleasantly surprised as to how quickly our son adjusted, made very good friends and met many parents. If a child is happy, he/she will learn. It's a small school and they do the best to allocate funds to meet all students' needs.A good education is certainly never free. While there is no school band, we supplement by instrument lessons outside of school. I look forward to 7th and 8th grade.My nephew was accepted at the two college prep schools he applied for.I have learned that students that leave St Dunstan are well prepared for High School and are usually placed in honors and advance Math, Science and English classes. One of the key reasons we moved our son is that the school provides advanced math for students that are ready for the challenge.The sports is low key and everyone is encourage to participate. These facts makes the school 5 star.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2013

they haven't had a music program in 6 yrs. Sports program may not be there next year.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2013

This Catholic School is great! They teach spanish, chess, music and cheeleadering and computer class. Teachers are the best! They have grandparents Day too! And Daycare for children. St.Dunstan is a very good School.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2013

This is an AMAZING school.What a great community! I LOVE St. Dunstan School. I love the administration, the staff, the after school program, the intramural sports program, the PTA and the kids! Dr. Colville, the principal for the last 9 years, is a wonderful and great principal! He goes above and beyond every day dedicating his time to student needs. Many principals sit in their offices or spend their time at meetings offsite all day, but this principal is out on the playground keeping it safe at recess, resolving conflicts and encouraging solutions throughout the day, supporting teachers and parents. At many events he is always the first come who arrive and help setting up and left with the last crews. I have never encountered a principal more dedicated to his school and its students. He reacted to the tragedy at Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT proactively. Only 1 entrance to the school and visitors need to ring a bell, in order to get in, they installed a few security cameras, they have lock down policy, school staff have walkie talkie to communicate with each other in case something bad happen (hopefully they don t have to use them). I feel that my son is in a very safe environment.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2013

I could not be any happier with my experience at St. Dunstan's. The school provides a wonderful community, a top notch education and an awesome sports program. The teachers are very good across the board and they are great with the kids. My son just loves going to school every day. He's constantly challenged and I'm very happy with the education he's receiving. St. Dunstan graduates consistently attend the top high schools in the area and from what I've heard they adjust quite well based on the preparation they've received. As a previous reviewer mentioned, unfortunately there are a few loud-mouthed parents with too much time on their hands who enjoy looking for drama -- but thankfully they weed themselves out eventually. And good riddance! The overwhelming majority of parents are fantastic and really make this school a special place. Overall, I highly recommend St. Dunstan's!
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2013

St. Dunstan school has a very down to earth community. The families work hard to maintain a friendly, comfortable environment for the children. There is no pretentious feel at St. Dunstan, like other Catholic schools do on the Peninsula. Unlike the previous review, the teachers do care about the students and work hard to instill work ethic and kindness. Dr. Colville is a thoughtful, hard working principal who takes on lots of duties without ever complaining. People who have problems outside their child's educational lives shouldn't take them out on the school and its teachers. My kids have always felt safe and welcome at St. Dunstan.
Submitted by other on February 28, 2013

I am very surprised by the negative comments posted. Our experience with the school has been very positive. I was especially surprised by the comment posted about the vice-principal . Our children loved her as a teacher and still do. Our family always found her to truly care about her students. She showed dedication to teaching and an interest in our children. She also had a great sense of humor in and out of the classroom. Unfortunately, it seems that often parents become hyper-sensitive, hence the befitting phrase, "helicopter parents." . Boy, I do not think I would want to be a teacher today!
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2012

My child has been at this school for a couple of years. She is happy with her friends and teachers thus far. I am not happy with the huge class sizes they are allowing. I pay for a private education with decent ratios and I feel like the school is lacking in some areas. The principle is nice but needs to take some issues more seriously. The minimum days are too much. Overall a good school but needs improvement especially with mismanaged tuition money.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2012

We've been here for a few years and there is great parent involvement. Our kids and friends are all thriving and are pretty happy.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2012

Although we had some good experiences at this school, there was not real learning going on, especially in math. A few of the teachers in the lower school are very unprofessional and spend teaching time talking on the cell phone and speak rudely to the students. The curriculum is stale and there are no academic standards being followed or met. The IOWA testing they do is never used to improve teaching and learning which is the whole reason to evaluate. Fundraising is a huge focus and the students win more praise and prizes for earning money for the school than for doing well academically. The principal is a nice guy but I assume under too much pressure to keep the school financially fit. Not enough time in the classroom making sure the teachers are doing their jobs and keeping the curriculum up to date. Public schools are better!