Roanoke Catholic School

621 North Jefferson Street

Roanoke, VA 24016

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on August 23, 2021

I attended public school for grades K-3, Roanoke Catholic for 4th grade (still not sure why the change), then returned to public schools for grades 5-12. My single year at Roanoke Catholic was, hands down, the most traumatic year of my life. For a school based on Catholic values, many of its students and faculty/ administration have no problem with performing/ allowing various "disturbing/sinful" actions, including, but not limited to: lying, swearing/ sailor talk (this was where I first learned many of the various "four letter words"), and bullying (i.e., not following the so-called "treat others as you want to be treated" concept).Approximately midway through the year, I was told by one of the (many) school bullies that I had received "silent lunch". Unfortunately, I believed said student and had to sit it out at the "silent lunch table" while having to look at his signature evil smirk the whole time (was never able to get revenge).... whatever happened to "though shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor"? Many staff also took pride in "intimidating students via sailor talk".... even going to extents to directly ask students "are you afraid of me" (I'll admit I answered "yes" on more than one occasion).For those who state that Roanoke Catholic teaches morality and character.... morals are learned at home, not where your child(ren) attend school. If you want them to get a solid education... cross this school off your list!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2021

This is a honest review…..As a parent of two former students and a practicing Catholic, this school has changed drastically over the past few years (not in a positive way). There are a few caring teachers that will go beyond to help your child succeed. These few teachers are top notch, the positive review ends here. Administration is poorly ran, the head principal is inconsistent with just about everything. High turn over with teachers and also students. The school is catered to a certain “high achieving-parents as teachers” group. A few teachers should not be teaching, period. I believe the only reason they are still there, is because their children are students. Very poor communication with teachers and slow response time answering emails/phone calls from staff and teachers. There may not be SOL testing, but standardized testing does occur, along with exams; this happens several times a year. LOTS of homework, parents complain- nothing has ever been done. The school principal will tell you what you want to hear, just to ease the tension. Many teachers and students have left this school over the past few years, this is not cost or covid related. There are more dedicated schools in the area to tour. I really wanted my children to be apart of this school and graduate, we worked hard for this school to work for us. However, after being in a different school for a couple years, I question why we wasted our time and money(no financial assistance) at this school.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2020

We sent our son to Roanoke Catholic after experiencing Botetourt County schools. After seven years at Catholic, we are thrilled with the education he has received and the quality of the character of the staff and administration. The teachers are hard working and set high expectations for the students, while being supportive in helping students meet their goals. As non-Catholics, we initially had some concerns, but these were quickly dispelled by the welcoming nature of the school, and the school encourages critical thinking. Again, we are simply thrilled by what Catholic has offered and have recommended the school to friends and family.
Submitted by other on August 30, 2019

I was a student here and honestly the religion classes are a joke and their idea of quality education just means piling on the homework.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2019

Our daughter is in her second year at Roanoke Catholic and we could not be happier! As a former public school teacher, I am very impressed with the curriculum, faculty, administration, and support staff. We begin each day with a warm greeting from an administrator and I feel that my daughter's teacher truly cares about her emotional, academic, and religious eduction. If you are eager to escape the public school world of SOL testing and the unfortunate lack of moral education, I suggest that you give the main office a call for a tour. You won't be disappointed!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2018

Not a faithfully Catholic institution. Example - they perform Michael Jackson and Ed Sheeran songs for choir. They also got caught up in the whole school walkout day for the parkland shooting, without consulting or getting feedback from parents. I would have expected this from a secular school, but not a Catholic institution. My 8th grader is not old enough to evaluate an issue as complex as that and participate in it politically. Academics are merely adequate for the area of Roanoke. My kids came from another Catholic school and were not at all challenged by Roanoke Catholic. The school seems to compensate for their academic weakness by giving lots of homework. They even give homework to Kindergartners - again, something that secular schools do to make them look like they are actually accomplishing something, but accomplishes nothing. They also tend to rely on technology to make themselves look like they are on top of their game - except the technology is poorly supported and unreliable. They would be better off just sticking to helping kids mastering actual academic skills. The students on average are not interested in the Faith, keep challenging the most basic tenants of the faith, and the high schoolers curse and swear like sailors. This school gets an F. Planning and communication are terrible. If you are a faithful orthodox Catholic, don't waste your time.
Submitted by other on August 16, 2016

These reviews seem to feature mostly overly emotional non-fact based and reality oriented review. These are of almost ZERO value to anyone considering the educational value of the school, or at least SHOULD be. By reading them all you might get something of a view of the "bitter" folks who have departed and also a few who have excelled, but that is not something I would use to judge when educating my children.
Submitted by other on August 31, 2015

I attended this school from Grade 6 to 12. Amazing, warm & loving environment. My classes were small and the teachers were very attentive. Every person in my graduating class attended and graduated college and many have gone on to higher degrees. Proud to say that I went to this school and wish I still lived in Roanoke so I could send my daughter here, too.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2013

Strong academics, strong ethical training and a departure from the "teach to the test" necessity in other schools. Independent thinking and participation is encouraged. RCS is a safe, loving envirionment with caring staff and administration.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

I do not understand the 1 and 2 star ratings on here. Roanoke Catholic is not a snobby school. I speak from experience, I am a current parent here. There has never been a time when I felt I was being treated poorly by staff, students or parents. The students and staff are very respectful as are other parents. Before going by what anyone says, just go see for yourself. My children are happy here and have made great friends. It is nice knowing I send my children to a school in which other parents are like minded, having strong morals and values. Not only do my children go here, but my husband all his siblings and my father and all his siblings graduated from here. All of whom graduated college, and went on to get masters degrees. They were all very well prepared for college and life after.
Submitted by other on February 19, 2013

I have seen my grandsons grow and blossom since they have been attending Roanoke Catholic School. The one star review are unfounded and I don't understand. A wonderful school and my grandsons are proof that this is a great school.