St. Benedict Elementary

2 Pleasant Street

Natick, MA 01760

14 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on February 25, 2024

Having a learning based disability St.Benedicts did flawlessly with navigating it and setting me up for success for the future. I owe my professional and religious life to St.Benedicts.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2022

We have had two kids enrolled since 2019, and they absolutely love the school. The teachers and staff are fantastic and the kids love them. We also very much appreciate the personal attention each one of the kids receives. I saw some negative reviews on this channel but really can not understand from where they are coming. Maybe it was the old administration, but I have to say that so far the school has been awesome. I don't have anything to complain about and will have my other kids enrolled here in the coming years.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2018

What a wonderful school! SBE has been so great for my children. It must have one of the strongest curriculums in the area. It is an independent school education at a very affordable tuition.
Submitted by other on July 24, 2015

Having worked at St. Benedict Elementary School this past year, when I came across this page in the course of my new position, I thought I would comment because I believe in the mission of this school and want it to be fairly represented. It was a very challenging year at the school for the faculty and staff, as the sophomore year of any organization can be. Yet, I look forward to seeing the fruits of the many changes that have taken place recently. I have met the new Head of School and I am impressed with his understanding of and dedication to the mission of this school as well as his commitment to Classical Education. He seems to be a man of deep faith and integrity. I think he and his new faculty will be wonderful educators who will work to provide the students with an amazing classical education that is invaluable in this current world. Students at SBE are learning how to learn, how to think and how to express themselves, while also learning who they are as children of God. The goals this school aspires to are lofty and worthwhile.In short, this school is poised to really move to the next level of providing a wonderful education for the children. While my personal situation required me to seek other employment, I am excited to see how things unfold at St. Benedict Elementary over the course of the next year.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2015

As an elementary educator and a parent, I have found our experience this past year at SBE to be one filled with strength and possibility for my children. I have seen them grow both academically and spiritually. My 2nd grader would regale me with stories of Ancient Greece, while my kindergartner would rehearse for a presentation to her class on the Antarctic explorer, Robert Falcon Scott. Between the rich curriculum and the small class size, my children received instruction and support that guided them in their academic success. Spiritually, the children have grown with the seamless integration of their Catholic faith into their school day. We have made many wonderful new friends and are very much looking forward to the coming school year under the leadership of our new head of school, Jay Boren.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2015

Families looking to enroll their children here need to know the truth: 5 out of 6 teachers and all other staff besides board members resigned at the end of the year. One well loved teacher unexpectedly resigned 3/4 of the way through the year and was forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement so that she can't tell anyone what happened to make her resign before the end of the year. The Board President is very decpetive and has deep pockets, so don't expect the truth from her. No sane parent should send his/her children to a school where 95% of the faculty/staff have washed their hands of the poor management of this school.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2015

As parents of 3 SBE students we have been extremely pleased with the education our children are receiving. They LOVE going to school each day and are flourishing academically and developing virtue. The curriculum is amazing and SBE provides constant opportunities to develop artistically and as leaders. Things have not been perfect with families and faculty deciding that this scrappy and dynamic non-parochial school is not for them. The complaints I've heard are the challenges of any pioneering enterprise. The small class sizes are an issue for some but we view that as an asset. That probably won't be the case for much longer as this school continues to grow. For a school in only their second year things have gone smoothly. This is a great credit to the founding Headmistress and impressive school board. We are excited about new Headmaster the school has recently announced, as he will help develop the faculty and reinforce SBE's Classical mission. We look forward to being a part of the future of SBE and the strong community of families who want their children grow in intellect and virtue.
Submitted by teacher on April 28, 2015

Our first priority at St. Benedict Elementary is that our students receive a top flight, classical education in the Catholic tradition. Our parent survey this year indicated that our wonderful parent community is happy, on the whole, with the unique education they have received--a curriculum designed by the founding Headmistress, members of our Board and Advisory Board, drawing on the wealth of experience of other NAPCIS schools, and brought to life beautifully by our teachers. We are proud to announce that our 5th and 6th graders have been accepted at some of the finest Catholic schools in the area (see website). But with any new school, especially one with such noble aspirations, there are growing pains. We invite those with concerns to speak with our Headmistress or a Board member, so that we may make better the areas where we have fallen short. We are pleased to announce the hiring of a new Headmaster, Mr. James Boren. The Board is enthusiastic about the long-term prospects of the school under his leadership, together with returning faculty and the talented new faculty and staff that have already committed to joining us next year. SBE Board of Trustees
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2015

Beware! This school is run by poor administration. The faculty have been great, but the headmistress and board are very deceitful. If I knew at the beginning of the year what I know now, I would have never sent my children here. Thankfully, they have received a fine education thanks only to the wonderful faculty that work hard despite very poor treatment by those running the school. If you are looking to enroll your child here, I recommend that you speak to current faculty and/or the local community. Appearances matter far more to the school administration than does the dignity of humans (ie. faculty, staff, and scholarship families).
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2014

As a current St. Benedict Parent, I can report that my children have never attended a school more focused on cultivating both their intellectual and spiritual growth. If a child is eager to be challenged and is poised to learn, SBE will assure that they are given multiple opportunities to reach their God-given potential. For example, one of my children is working 2 years above grade level in mathematics. Very few schools offer this sort of individualization. The school community is a welcoming one with wonderful families committed to a partnership with the school to foster their children's moral and academic development. On top of all that, it is a joyous environment in a bright and attractive building! Perhaps small class sizes and a faith-filled environment aren't for everyone, but my children and I couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

The faculty, administration and Head of School at this school are outstanding. Their passion and love for what they do and for their students is very palpable. They are extremely accessible and responsive. The curriculum, books and homework are impressive. The students seem very happy. I have seen consistent growth academically in my child and a passion for learning that is both wonderful and rewarding. This school is a beautiful jewel and I would enthusiastically recommend it to any parent who wants a strong academic education for their child in a joyful and loving environment.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

I recommend this school wholeheartedly and without reservation. I have several children who attend the school and they (we!) couldn't be happier. The teachers are outstanding--they care for each child so much and challenge each individually to do their very best. They inspire them to treat each other with kindness and thoughtfulness. The curriculum is very interesting for my children, pushing them in areas (grammar and geography) our old school did not seem to care much about. One of my children has begun to take a new interest in math and really work to better herself. She did not like math at all before coming here. I am impressed with how happy the children seem when I volunteer at lunch duty. The Head of School is really amazing. You can tell she has very high expectations of the children, always greeting each child with warmth and even playfulness.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

My daughter attends school at St. Benedict Elementary, and we couldn't be happier. From the Head of School, to the teachers, to the parents, who are always helping in one way or another. My daughter is getting an amazing education and has made some wonderful friends. The Head of School is passionate about the school and about making it a loving, wonderful place for the children to learn and grow in their faith. She is always available to answer any questions we have had. Seeing the classical curriculum at work has been great! We love St. Benedict Elementary!
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2014

My children attended in their inaugural year (2013-2014), and by the end of that year more than half of the original students had left. First, the leadership of the school is markedly inexperienced and uneducated on how to run a school. Their knowledge of Classical Curriculum sounds convincing, but they don't have much hands-on experience themselves and the many "advisors" they point to are not really involved in day-to-day direction in the classrooms. Second, I saw children, parents, and teachers mistreated on numerous occasions. They have little desire to accommodate learning differences, and struggled to deal with or understand the behavior issues of children. Third, the quality of the education didn't meet our expectations. Fourth, the culture of the school is terrible, with the Head of School at the heart of this. Nothing was transparent, parents weren't made to feel welcome and their concerns weren't answered. The Head of School often promised one thing and did another. All in all, I would not recommend this school until significant leadership changes are made.