St. Andrew Elementary School

42 Chestnut Street

Pasadena, CA 91103

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 04, 2024

Terrible and disappointing school! My child will definitely not be returning! If you decide to enroll your child in this school, be prepared to experience classism, gossipy staff/parents, bullying and hypocrisy at its finest. The principal demonstrates favoritism towards the parents who actively donate large amount of money over the other parents! Furthermore, he shows little interest to the well-being of the kids ,and ,instead, focuses more on the MONEY that is brought to the school by the wealthy parents and/or donors. Unfortunately, the outstanding, well-prepared and highly educated teachers are now leaving, while the newer staff that remain are rude and unprofessional with the exception of maybe two! I’ve witnessed some of the younger teachers blatantly disrespect families and students by gossiping about them in social events, which is truly inappropriate and disappointing! Nevertheless, at one point the school used to have a school nurse and no longer does! The school also used to have school receptionists and now has students taking over their duties while front office staff take over as substitute teachers to cover for classes! There are definitely way better schools in the area, seek elsewhere if you are looking for a school with a good education and better social environment for your child! Also , don’t take my word for it ! Read other reviews on this school and do your own research!
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2022

2 minutes agoI heard about St. Andrew Elementary from an announcement made by Fr. Gonzalez. After a couple of years of wanting to remove my kids from public school, I was finally able to earlier this year. I am very pleased they were accepted in to this school. Although my kids have only attended for about 7 months, I noticed a big improvement in there academic achievements and self confidence. My kids now have a positive attitude towards their academics and the relationship they are creating with other students and teachers. My 7th grader enjoys her English class and tells me how Ms. Ortiz is a great teacher. Mr. Kim (principal) is consistently available to address any concern and has address my concerns in a respectful and quick manner. I appreciate all the staff at this school and highly recommend parents send their kids to St Andrew. There's a good teacher and parent engagement. Also, they have one of the best choir class instructed by Mr. Flahive.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2022

We have both of our kids at St. Andrew, one in 6th grade and the other in their ECE program (PK). My 6th grader struggled with distant learning during the pandemic and has come a long way since attending St. Andrew. Her home room teacher, Mr. Rodriguez (coach) and Mrs. Ortiz have really made an impact with her academically and socially. Ms. Sandy and Ms. Evelyn are my sons Pre K teachers and they are GREAT at what they do! He started at 3 years old and is now finishing the school year at 4 and reading. Every teacher is passionate about seeing their students succeed and they know the importance of getting the parents involved should an issue arise, and do it in a very respectful, approachable manner. Mr. Kim (Principal) is always present and knows all the kids. He is very engaged and supportive. The teachers are amazing, the curriculum is second to none and each child is treated with care. We are truly blessed to be a part of the St. Andrew community.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2022

I am just completing my first year on the faculty of St. Andrew School which is located on 42 Chestnut Street in Old Pasadena. Over the past year I have been able to observe a very well run school which has a fine, strong faculty with a supportive, well experienced, and very effective school principal. The students are respectful and friendly to one another and to their teachers. The presence of bullying is almost nonexistent and successful measures are taken when such behavior is detected. The student body and faculty are extremely diverse.Strong academic standards are maintained at St. Andrew and all students receive instruction in art and music. There are many extra curricular activities which include a variety of sports and choral activities. Plans are in the works to launch and develop a piano lab and a school orchestra.Although this is only my first year at St. Andrew, it is my thirty-seventh year in teaching and therefore I can make observations from a very wide career perspective. I find the pastor of St. Andrew Parish to be incredibly supportive of the school, and find the parents of the students to be highly educated and very active in the education of their children. There are excellent lines of communication between all parties. I look forward to working at St. Andrew School for years to come.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2022

I am going to be a graduate of St. Andrews and am going to Alverno Heights Academy. I have been at the for 7 years and I was well welcomed by my class and have welcomed new kids as well. For example one of my best friends was new to the school and me and my friends welcomed her in and we have never regretted it. The teachers and staff are super nice and willing to help every student. The teachers are fun to talk to and make learning fun for us kids. I couldn't be more proud that I have called this school home for as many years I have been there. I am also in the after-school program and that's where I meet most of my friends and had nice conversations with my teachers. I definitely recommend this school for new parents and kids who want a warm welcoming community and kind kids who are willing to make new friends.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2022

I came to St. Andrew looking for a place to call home since our last school had closed due to low enrollment. My two daughters (one was entering 7th grade and the other was entering 5th) had been at their other school since Kindergarten. When meeting Mr. Kim, he immediately made us feel welcomed and enthusiastic about the future ahead. He made my daughters feel excited to start at a new school and gave them hopes as to what they can accomplish and achieve at SAS. We started August 2020, during distance learning. I was impressed on how the faculty made great efforts to make the school day a "normal" and engaging as possible. My daughters had class every day including PE, Art, and Spanish. What was most impressive was how the teachers made an effort to get to know my daughters, make them feel included, and genuinely cared about how they were doing in their new school environment. My oldest daughter had difficulty making friends and fitting in, which was worrisome as a parent. During parent conference I expressed those concerns with her teachers. My daughter, also for the first time struggled in her academics due to the shift in curriculum from her old school to St. Andrew. All of her teachers, especially Mrs. Ortiz, took my daughter under her wing and helped facilitate friendships between my daughter and some girls in her class. They also took the time to support my daughter, as she got adjusted academically to her new school. By the time my oldest went to "in-person" learning, she was feeling much more confident and included because of the care and watch of her teachers. At the end of the year, my daughter earned the "Monsignor Tobias English Scholarship", which was voted unanimously by her teachers. This scholarship helped pay tuition for her 8th grade year, but most importantly, it gave her the boost she needed after a challenging year. Fast forward to today, she was accepted into the Catholic high school of her choice with Honors acceptance. The high school letter stated that she was one of the top scorers of the High School Placement Test at the school and granted her a $2,000 scholarship for it. I'm very proud of my daughter for all the challenges she has overcome, but she didn't do it alone. She had wonderful teachers supporting, caring, and rooting for her. The education and emotional support St. Andrew has given my daughters, in the short time we've been here ,is more than I can ever ask.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2020

Fantastic!! The community of students and teachers is of the highest integrity and provides a nurturing yet firm approach to learning. My child feels safe and is excited to return to school after breaks. She loves her teachers and friends. The families have a strong bond and diversity at the school is high.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2018

Excellent they make you feel like you are part of a community, everyone is nice and welcoming. This group of staff and parents likes to have fun. If you are looking for a school where you can feel like you belong this is it. Our child learned so much in one year.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2018

I rate St. Andrew School 5 stars. The staff and priests are amazing. My daughter has been attending for 4 years and couldn’t be happier.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2018

I have been so impressed with the leadership, teachers, students, and community at St. Andrew Catholic School. It has been a blessing to my son and to our family. My son is thriving and being challenged academically on a daily basis. They have wonderful enrichment opportunities and most importantly the teachers care for their students and go above and beyond! I am so excited for my son to have the 4th grade teacher next year. I hear she is AMAZING! If you are looking for a GREAT Catholic school in the Pasadena area, I highly recommend SAS. Don't just take my word for it, come by for a tour with the Principal. ALL are welcome! Go Tigers!
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2018

Terrible! Do not enroll your child at this school! The Principal and leadership staff are mainly concern with fundraising efforts. They will avoid parents if they have issues they want to discuss. The teachers are bullies to the kids, if the child does not "fit" the norm, they will make sure to let the child know he/she is not welcome. Academics fall short, and are spotty at best.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2015

Went to school here myself and ended up being behind academically, fast forward 15 years and we find my step daughter in this school. My husband having known my struggle in this school he met with the Principle Dr. F (gone now) he assures our daughter will have the attention she needs and have programs to help her do well, so we gave it the benefit of the doubt and let her attend. I have to say after 4 years her mother finally see's why we did not want her to attend here and is pulling her out come the new year (tuition is paid in full) , this school is fine and dandy if you have a child that doesn't not need much teaching or does well with just a text book but I highly recommend you look else where if your child needs more academic help. The church is still our family church but beware with the promises that the staff tells, our daughter almost flunked 2nd grade because after a year of her teacher telling us she's doing well she tells us one month before class ends that she is severely behind. Thank you!!Great school if you want your child knowing all stories of Christ and not her decimals or long division.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

Lets face it you have so many choices in Pasadena when it comes to private schools, both religious and non. We toured all of them, some of them twice but once we met Dr. F on our third time around we found the decision to send our son here an easy one, he touched on everything that we had felt was lacking. The teachers are really dialed in to their students and we love that the older kids make an effort to say hello to the young ones, everyone knows each other and looks out for each other as well. Like in any school there is always room for improvement but we like where St. A is going, parents need to speak up and become more involved if they want to see changes. Both the teachers and Dr. F are open to hear from us.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2013

We are very pleased with St. Andrew School. My son has done very well there, and he is very happy. We looked into some of the other private schools in the area and we felt St. Andrew offered the warm, familiar environment that we were looking for when he entered kindergarten. His teachers have all been great. We have a new principal this year, and even though we loved the previous principal, Dr. Foersch is doing a superb job and making a few needed improvements. The kids are also really nice to each other, I had never seen that before (even in my own elementary school days!), and I am still surprised whenever I see this...the older kids treat the younger ones so nicely. This is a very special place.
Submitted by other on December 05, 2012

This school has brought me out of my shell since third grade with loving teachers, amazing academics and values and morals instilled in everyone starting in T-K! I love this school so much and will always owe all my great accomplishments to it! People that haven't visited the school in a year or two are amazed at the changes and improvements and I know Dr F is making this school a better place! I highly recommend it!