St. Mary Elementary Catholic

1600 East Avenue R-4

Palmdale, CA 93550

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 15, 2023

As a new parent in the antelope valley coming from a different state. St. Mary's is one of the best schools in the area. With all the public school system changes, St. Mary's Catholic School is a gem hidden in the antelope valley area. It is a catholic school, but all are welcome. My daughter learns about other religions and their practices in St. Mary's religion class. It is a very humble school, but its principal, staff, and resources available provide and prepare students with a higher level of education. The principal at St.Mary's advocates constantly and creates connections for her student, such as counseling resources from outside the catholic universities that can help support students' mental health. They also participate in state decathlons and compete across the states with other catholic schools. It is a private school, and tuition payment is required; however, your money is well invested in your children's future. The staff is professional, and supporting St. Mary's Catholic School has been a positive change for me and my family. I have had the pleasure of meeting other parents who attended school St. Mary's, and now their kids are also attending. As a parent, St.Mary's Catholic School is an efficient, over-achieving education institute in the antelope valley.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2018

Kindergarten was amazing, from that point forward it became nothing but a money pit. A fee here a fee there, 3 tuition raises in 5 years. Enrollment fee increased. Which baffles me because you don’t un enroll your children every year so why do I have to pay the re enrollment fee every single year. By the time you’re done paying out service hours, enrollment fees, script fundraising etc you could be dealing with close to 8000 a year. For the quality of education that just isn’t worth it. I’d say you’re probably better better off at a public school. The morals and guidance that the religious side of the school I still in your child are fantastic but you can probably do that yourself. At fourth grade our son is just spinning his wheels. Teacher literally tell your kids they can’t step outside their comfort zone, you don’t win in life by just being average and this school doesn’t do enough to push these kids to blossom.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2016

The fact is that the bar set in the local area for good schools is appallingly low. St. Mary's meets that bar, but that doesn't make it satisfactory. We switched from public schools to St. Mary's a few years back and aside from the fact that the kids seem to be grasping their faith at a young age, this school has been a major disappointment. Things have especially taken a turn for the worse since the new principal took over this school year. We were frustrated last year about last minute communications and were surprised when this year it got worse - a lot worse. The new principal is inept, disorganized, and fails to communicate important information. She insists on micromanaging every aspect of the school; and the frustration amongst our kids' teachers is palpable when things get dropped or changed last minute because they were beyond the teacher's control. I will say that we've had mostly good experiences with the teachers. They are doing their best, but are overworked because there's up to 40 kids per class, and for the first part of the year they were also teaching art, music, and PE. For the money we're spending, this school is not worth it. There are systemic problems that stem from the top, and there doesn't seem to be any hope of that changing. We will not be back next year.
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2015

If I could give negative ratings I would. Terrible school culture/community alongside an inept and belligerent principal who insists that communication includes yelling. There is no accountability for the pervasive bullying at this school. The fact that there is a clear inability to control indiscriminate activities in the bathroom as well as other parts of the non-monitored facility and the fact that administration hire and employ child predators at said facility are not only cause for pause but should be investigated further by the states' school district.
Submitted by other on December 21, 2015

As a teacher, I cannot recommend this school because there have been times that students' learning is impeded due to unreasonable demands made that prevents that.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2012

I have had two children graduate from St. Mary's, with the educational benefit for my eldest child(10 plus years ago) being more than we as parents could have expected; however, the education of my second child (5 plus years ago) was not. The leadership has received since the Salesian Nuns left has been a severe detriment to the school. The admin. decisions have left the school with a less than favorable taste in the mouths of alumni & their parents. Mismanagement of funds, & hiring of less than qualified (though educated) teaching staff has further compounded the problem. If left to do it again, I would say no, the education may not be much better than a public school - but public doesn't charge tuition. Very disappointing to not be able to give a more positive review. This is not to say that some, rather than most, staff do not care about the students or their education - they do, but not being in a position to change things or convince the new administration of the need to address these concerns, their hands are tied, and that is a shame. Additionally, though they mean well, too much parent involvement has become a problem as well. Too many chiefs, and not enough indians.
Submitted by other on March 10, 2012

We had to bring in a whole dollar just to participate in Electronic toy day back in like 2nd grade. Plus, the uniforms were hot and itchy and the nun teacher was kind of mean....ohhh but i liked the chalkboard. i remember the art teacher got mad at me for using a light green crayon that looked yellow instead of a dark green crayon...i remember it got really got on the playground and the blacktop was squishy...i remember there were nice parents and kids and mean parents too...um....yeah i only went there for two years....but they were always like 'give us money give us money'...oh but i remember we "baptised" our stuffed animals that was cute i was a student here about 5 years ago.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2011

My daughter has been attending St Marys school since kinder, she's in the third grade now, and all I have to say is that I am so grateful that we have such an excellent catholic school here in the AV. I have found nothing but respect, hard work and dedication to the children, from both the staff and teachers. Sure our principal is loud, but she came to add a much needed boost of energy to the school and if you don't know how to follow simple rules as to where to cross in the parking lot for your own safety, maybe you don't belong at St. Marys.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2011

Great school !!! Both my boys go to St. Marys, this school is one of the best, there is a lot of extracurricular activities, the teachers are excellent and always involved. My kids love it here!! I do have to say it has been a strggle, but its well worth it. You go to the other schools in the area and I woulnt want my kids anywhere else but St. Marys. The way the world is now adays, strong moral character, values and strong ethics are what we can give our children and that is offered at St Marys. Priceless.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2011

This school is going down the drain! My son has attended there 3 years already, the first year, Kinder, was awesome but as you get to know the school better and the things that go on... well now I can't wait to get my child out of there! We pay so much money for a better education and I'm at the point right now where my husband and I feel they can get much more at a public school. We are currently looking to move out of the A.V. to a better neighborhood with bettter schools. St. Mary's got a new prinicipal this year and oh boy, she is a yeller!! Watch out, don't cross the parking lot where you're not suppose to or she will get in your face and yell at you!! Very rude and needs to know how to communicate better with parents... and if she can yell at us adults that way, what kind of respect might she have for our children! We're leaving St. Mary's School!!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2010

My two children attended their elementary school years at St. Mary's and I was so sad to leave the school/parish when we moved. I was so grateful to be able to volunteer in the classroom. I was so impressed by the involvement of the students in the Friday Mass and equally impressed by the teachers and staff on the weekend Mass. It was rich with academics, religion, and development of strong character. These were made even more evident when we moved to another parish where those lacked. After a visit during a graduation ceremony I was so pleased to see that although the old church no longer stands, a new building with the same strong characters are still there. I miss it immensely! My children are wonderful citizens due to their early exposure to this environment. God bless you all
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2007

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Submitted by student on January 20, 2007

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Submitted by parent on December 03, 2006

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Submitted by student on October 13, 2006

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