St Joseph Elementary School

2846 44TH ST

Queens, NY 11103

14 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 12, 2024

I’m an alumni and my son recently graduated. I was passionate about having him attend St. Joseph’s because of the positive impact it had on my life. All these years later, I can look back and truly appreciate what I learned there, the important values of discipline, personal responsibility, faith and care for others. All have positively improved my life at work and in community. I also walked away with a group of friends that I’ve maintained all these years later. The community St. Joseph’s creates for its students and parents is one of inclusion, acceptance and support. My son similarly experienced a positive learning environment with dedicated teachers, a variety of classes that included yoga & meditation, music, dance, making lifelong friends and excelled in his academics, resulting in a full scholarship to high school. It would not have been possible if it weren’t for the safe environment the school provides, allowing him to flourish in many areas. They also have a Faith in Action initiative where children take part in projects like writing letters to Veterans thanking them for their service, to children in hospitals providing encouragement and get well wishes, to elderly to brighten their days. The children learn that they can each make a difference in their communities by these simple acts of kindness and care. A Catholic school education is vital to the well-being of children and encourages the development of well-rounded individuals who care about the community around them. The discipline and respect a Catholic school education teaches is something all members of our society will benefit from, regardless of religious belief or culture. I highly recommend this school - it is a positive place to help any child grow into their full potential!
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2024

st. Joseph is a wonderful learning environment. The teachers are all well rounded and teach the kids how to be responsible and respectful. A lot of the kids graduate with scholarships to wonderful high schools and strive to do well and go to exceptional collages. It’s collaborative energy and work load is sufficient and on spot. We love st joes and are very grateful for everything they have done for our children.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

Every person's experience is their own, however, for me the prior reviews are the exception. Schools are not a one size fits all, you have to find what works for your family and I respect that of the others.I attended catholic school my whole education and my children have as well. What I care about is the community and values that have been instilled in them from 3 years old through their teens. My children are safe at school with guidelines to follow, teachers and staff who watch for them, parents who will step in to help them and security at every turn. I feel the environment has given them a foundation that they will build on for their entire lives. During covid there were struggles for our city, but our children had the knowledge and resources of technology to get them up a running from home within days. Our faculty worked tirelessly to get the children back in class as quickly as possible. It also taught our children resilience and not to use excuses not to bounce back. I am happy that regardless of religious affiliation all students are welcome and all students are taught spiritual awareness and respect aligned with their beliefs. Regarding education, the classes are small and the teacher student ratio is great. My child was prepared both emotionally and academically for high school. I do feel we can always improve and be pushed more academically and know the school will work to align themselves with the current standards.I am extremely happy with our new principal and admire her dedication to growing the school and encouraging parent participation.Regarding the cost, yes it is a commitment but well worth it. I see plenty of parents willing to spend for travel sports nowadays and not education. We can all be guilty of spending on indulgences and not thinking of the cost but the return on spending on their education so young is far greater.Every organization has positives and negatives. We can either be part of the problem or the solution. The Catholic schools need the community's support to continue and Astoria is full of great people/businesses that can help to keep the area like a neighborhood. I am encouraged daily by the outpouring of support and generosity from our parents and community.People who are happy with the school do not think to write reviews but there are plenty of us. Reach out to the school, ask to speak with parents, visit for a day.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2024

Saint Joseph Catholic Academy has taught my children to be obedient, respectful, and well mannered. I have ONLY had positive experiences at the academy. I believe the teachers and staff are caring, firm and understanding. The new principal is trying her best to recuperate the school & I believe she will. Receiving Catholic education truly is a gift and I only want the best for my children so I wouldn’t choose another Academy for my kids.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2024

I love this school and I'm shocked by these previous reviews! My Son has been with this school since Kindergarten and now he is in 5th grade without any incidents in 6 years?? Mrs. Alaimo is the new principal and not only is she compassionate about the students & staff but the surrounding community as well. Covid was a challenge for all of us, and now that it's almost over, we have never had so many affordable events and the parents were not charged full price to chaperone field trips this year.I believe that it takes a village to raise our children to know God and to instill Christian character qualities such as compassion, truth and perseverance. I also believe that behavior starts at home. What I admire most about this school are the relationships I have made with the staff and the Home School Association parents. It is our partnership and commitment to all our children, that has made this school, your best choice, in Astoria.
Submitted by other on February 14, 2024

Graduated this school last year. Money-hungry school. Fees are expensive but they don't spend the money to better the academy. Parents over-pay for the trips and events just for the school to use old equipment and display it as a fun day. They don't care about the students' mental health. Kids are always saying bad words and the staff doesn't even do anything about it. A few of my friends transferred to this school but they went back after only 1 year. The school counsellor is terrible. She does not care about how the child really feels plus she used to work at a public school. I don't understand this academy is referred to as a private school. The teachers are constantly yelling at students. The Christmas show is utter torture for the students. They dread it. The students are constantly missing special subjects due to various reasons. One of the teachers is constantly screaming at kids and sometimes even making them cry. The recess is not good either. The students don't have a playground and they have a 25 minute recess in the school parking lot. Crazy how the school can afford a big coffee machine for the principal's private office but cannot afford to get the bathroom cleaned. The girls' bathroom is disgusting and the toilets don't flush unless you flush 3-4 times. When you tell the teachers, they tell you to use a different stall. Overall, the school needs to better the physical and mental environment for students.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2022

Teachers are subpar at best. Homework assignments are not rigorous and yes the teachers have been there too long and need to refresh them. Also, too expensive compared to other private schools in Queens.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2022

No communication between parents and teachers. 2 teachers have nasty attitudes and made my child cry more than once. And the principle, pre- k director doesn't care at all. Everything swept under the rug. Intimidating a child doesn't bring strong character.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2018

This used to be a good school, but it is stuck in time, the principal doesn’t have any leadership, the people that work with him have been there for decades without offering new ideas, no innovation, not trying to improve the facilities. They take the kids outside to play on the street during the break... and they call themselves a private school! Come on...
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2018

Flat out terrible, teaching is subpar, most of the teachers have been there for decades and are clearly phoning it in. Guidance counseling operation at the school is inept beyond words. A bullied child will be pulled from classes and instructed on coping skills - the child/ren behaving inappropriately will have no such consequences. Effectively, your child will be encouraged to deal better with 100% inappropriate behavior.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2018

Does not have the level of Academics that most parents are looking for. The teacher do not have proper training.The school does not have proper facilities, it does not even have a playground, the kids are taken to the street if there is somebody to watch them, if not they will have to sit at the lunch room (basement) and be quiet.
Submitted by other on December 15, 2014

*not Catholic (This comment was sent by the previous submitter of St. Joseph's Elementary review)
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

I used to like this school this past 2 years, my older son was there for nursery and Pre-K. Unfortunately we had a very bad experience with our second one since his 1st day of school. He has to be in nursery this year in St. Jo' but the nursery teacher judge him not able to be in school since he spent his FIRST day crying and asking for mommy! What do you excpect from a little boy who is not even 3 years old in his first day of school! She asked me to keep him home until she will judge him able to come back! and she got so upset when I said no. We had 2 tough weeks, the principal didn't even want to talk about this. And I learned from other parents how rude she could be with kids who don't fit. In this school, they are just looking for the easy way and don't care about the kids. Like other parents said teachers are unprofessional, at least the nursery teacher. Parents are left feeling something is wrong with their child. If you care about your kids don't send them there at least not for nursery.
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2013

My kid goes to St. Joseph's summer camp and to my disbelief kids are allowed to bring all kinds of electronics to Camp and play. What kind of school allows and encourages kids to play on their DS, I phone or I pad during what should be fun and interactive summer camp? Shouldn't teachers and camp leaders teach kids to be social and interactive? Totally dissapointed.