St Alphonsus School

504 Jackson Avenue

Ocean Springs, MS 39564

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on October 24, 2024

As a grandma i have full confidence in the new staff and the updating of the facility. Excepting children 6 wks to 12 year olds, help cover the ages for my grandchildren. It is a welcoming and engaging. You will smiles on their faces and the kids have fun and have a curriculum. Ask for a tour you wont' regret it. 563-323-3204
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2021

I think things will improve with the new principal. In the past few years with the previous administration, we have found lack of acceptance for learning differences or diversity, lack of acknowledgement for parent concerns, minimizing bullying behaviors and a general apathy toward putting the care and needs of the children first. Changing the toxic culture that was created there won’t happen overnight but I think in time it will get better.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2018

Our children have excelled in all areas in national testing. Wonderful Christian environment.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2018

I would never recommend this school to anyone. The principal is only interested in who the paying parent is in a divorced family. I have had to fight for rights for things at the school involving me and my child. If it was up to me my daughter would never step foot in this school EVER again!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2017

I am very proud of this school and would highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

I can not recommend this school because of poor management and lack of oversight concerning school funds. The school needs to be investigated as DMR was based on finances alone
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2013

Great School! I have 2 children at St. Alphonsus and would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a private school. Enjoy the ability to see my children to class and the family atmosphere. My children have loved all their teachers and I have as well. LOTS of fun events throughout the year! I believe you can make an appointment and check it out for yourself!
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2013

I can't say enough about the wonderful experience we have had at St. Alphonsus! When I send my child to school each day, I have the greatest sense of comfort knowing he is surrounded by faculty and staff who are passionate about providing a superior education and who are also teaching strong Christian morals in everything they do. My child amazes me everyday with his sweet spirit and knowledge of his faith. Parent involvement at St. Alphonsus is awesome. It truly feels like a family! This year there have been incredible fund raising events where the students and families have come together to make unforgettable memories! If you are considering this school, please go spend some time there. I feel so blessed to be part of the St. Alphonsus family!!
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2013

If you want your child to develop and learn in an academically advanced school, this is the one you want. It has a warm and familiar feeling where parents are involved and teachers know and love your child. This is the school environment that every child should have growing up.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2012

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SCHOOL! Has gone through some fantastic changes and is continuing to push the envelope with its academic curriculum. My 3 children usually fight me to stay for their aftercare program. The school is an older building but is very clean and has that nostalgic feel! Just want to put on my letterman sweater! Parent involvement is felt at every event... and I love to be able to enter the school and eat lunch with them whenever I want! Have had really great experiences with all their teachers! It really is the cutest school on the coast!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2011

Do not enroll your child here is you are on Active Duty and just transferred to South Mississippi. The school is much to be desired. The school to check on is NATIVITY in Biloxi. The ST. ALS offers very little in advance educations, physical activity, or the arts. The principal will not take any input and the School Board advisory does not listen to the parents.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2011

I can not reccomend this school or Pre-K to any parents or future parents. The school has a few excellent teachers but the administration is unsatisfactory at best. The school has not won any Academic or School Award in almost 10 yrs. The school cost continues to go up with not improvements to the ACADEMICS, PHYSICAL FITNESS, ARTS, SCIENCE or other basic education. It continues to develop little clicks where if you are not a part your child will and can suffer in his education
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2011

After reading your review a couple of times, I'm still not sure I understand, but I assume based on the "2 stars", it's a negative review. My question to you is, why are you so bitter??? I've had 3 kids go to St. Al's, with one still there, and it's wonderful! People who left last year are coming back, and new students are enrolling. Most impressive, however, is how full the younger classes are. One last thing, you're husband must be a Saint... God bless him....
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2010

This is truly a cry for help when someone has to put down another school to try to save what is obviously not going to be tollarated by the community. I'm sure the new teacheers are great, but they will in no way compare to the experience, strong catholic faith and wonderful committment not only to the school, but the church as well. Who teaches religion for all the non-catholic teachers? Isn't this part of why we send our children to catholic SCHOOLS? Was this ever a priority to the principal?
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2010

Changes were long overdue and although unpopular, they were needed. The remaining teachers are caring professionals who treat ALL children with RESPECT and are WILLING and ABLE to TEACH ALL children, regardless of their ability. The new teachers exhibit the same traits and have warm, friendly temperaments that children and parents are sure to like. This will make the classroom more engaging for students with nontraditional learning styles. Instead of sitting quietly in a desk completing worksheets, children are encouraged to actively participate in their lesson. The teachers and librarian are certified (some highly certified) and have a strong desire to learn and enhance their teaching skills. This is not a private school; it is a CATHOLIC school, rich in its heritage and support. The tuition and fees are high, but well worth the sacrifice. Our decision will be reaffirmed when all my children receive their diploma from the Bishop.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2010

In the Spring of 2010, parents paid a $325 registration fee per child, assuming things would not change all that much. However, the first year principal elected not to renew the contracts for over half of the teaching staff in late June (much too late for these teachers to find gainful employment elsewhere). Eight teachers whose contracts were not renewed had invested their lives into the school, working there for over 20 years. No evaluations were done on these experienced teachers nor explanations given of why their contracts were not renewed. Needless to say, parents became enraged with this decision and many of them forewent the registration fee when they realized they no longer wanted to be affiliated with St. Alphonsus. Enrollment appears to have declined rapidly for St. Alphonsus as they didn t expect so many families to leave after the decision. Do not recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2010

The reason so many (about a third to one half of the students) are leaving is that the school that ONCE produced those top graduates no longer exists. The TEACHERS that made those well prepared students year after year were dismissed without explanation. That action turned many lives upside down; we are choosing a more stable, caring and Christian environment for our children. Too much negativity at St. Al's--sad that it can all stem from one poorly chosen leader.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2010

If you are active duty military relocating to Ocean Springs and looking for the right full-time preschool for your child, let me recommend Sacred Heart over St. Alphonsus. When comparing apples to apples (the two school are similar enough both are Catholic private schools), you will find tuition is more affordable at Sacred Heart and the facilities are fantastic! Sacred Heart was recently completely renovated after hurricane Katrina only the outer facade is original. I was happy with St. Alphonsus until recently. While my children have attended PreK3 and PreK4 for three consecutive years at St. Alphonsus, I transferred them to Sacred Heart for the 2010 academic year. St. Alphonsus has never been the same since 2009 with the hiring of a new principal. You'll find many mixed reviews on this school because of the radical changes the school is currently undergoing. Experienced teachers with tenure are replaced easily there.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2010

St. Alphonsus remains a great Catholic School. Many rumores and incorrect information circulate the media, web and this site, but eighty percent of the children continue their Christian education with St. Alphonsus. Walk the halls and see the smiling faces, and you will make own decision. The school is about the children, not the parents.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2010

It is no longer a great school. The new principal fired most of the good teachers: 1. Ms. Sentel who had never had a bad evaluation in about 22 years. Her academic scores for her students were fantastic. Yet, she got fired anyway. 2. Ms. Atwater. Her academic scores were also fantastic. Yet, she got fired. 3. Ms. King quit due to the new principal and had been there 28 years. 4. Ms. Rebecca Young, the librarian who was also great. I could go on but you should get the point by now. This principal is out of control and a very poor manager. She never even gave the teachers a written evaluation despite the fact that this is required by the teacher handbook. I think the reason she didn't give them one is she knew these were excellent teachers.