Espiritu Santo Catholic School

2405 Philippe Parkway

Safety Harbor, FL 34695

8 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 19, 2023

Initially I really loved this school. The community is fantastic and I enjoyed all of the parental involvement. Year 2 here and we are struggling with a lot of bullying amongst the children. They don’t have an effective plan to handle bullying except basic concepts that are really ineffective in changing behavior. I’ve also been concerned about the quality of teaching now as well. The qualifications for teachers is not regulated. My child does the same worksheets every week and states he’s bored because he already learned how to do that already. I feel like they aren’t addressing individual children’s growth and tailoring their learning to that. His scores have shown he has not improved since the beginning of the school year, he has remained stagnant in learning even though he is above average. Overall, I think the school is average and I’m just concerned it’s not at a private school level.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2022

My child has been at this school for 5 years and it has been an amazing experience. The teachers show compassion and you can feel how much they care about these students. The entire staff encourages parent involvement and strives to help each child reach their potential. The administrative staff is OUTSTANDING. Communication is consistent with both positive and constructive feedback. Nurse Garza and the guidance counselor have been tremendous in helping my daughter through a rough patch (related to family, not school). The support provided to not only her, but to our entire family, made a remarkable difference. We have never once dealt with any type of bullying. This school goes above and beyond to help parents in raising thoughtful, caring individuals. The faculty and staff should be applauded for their efforts in helping our children develop the confidence they need to embrace the teenage years. This school is wonderful.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2021

Horrible administration. Terribly unkind teachers and staff. Horrible!! DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE!!! This was the worst experience for all of my kids, as well as us parents. Unkind attitude. Horrible bullying....at every stage and age. Administration does not appreciate the sacrifice parents make as the customer. Principal would be better fit working in a prison or juvenile camp. Cruel and has no understanding of the kindness and patience needed and expressed in the Catholic faith. They have no idea what to do with boys when they enter middle school. HORRIBLE!!!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2017

We had an good experience at this school at the elementary level. Most of the teachers are excellent and care deeply about their students. Ever since my daughters entered middle-school it has been one disappointing experience after another. While some aspects of their academics are strong, others are very weak. The principal seems more concerned with developing novel programs, which repeatedly prove ineffective, than providing a solid foundation in academics. My middle-school child is currently taking two classes with 36 students in the class, so small classes can not be guaranteed. I would recommend this school for elementary grades but am sad to say I regret sending my children there for middle-school.
Submitted by other on May 09, 2017

My children have attended ESCS for over a decade. Their education, at ESCS, has been first rate. In fact, all three of my children have been recognized through the Duke Tip program for outstanding scores on standardized testing. (They scored in the top 5% (in the country) in Language Arts, Science/Social Studies, and Math Computation.) This would not have been possible without the AMAZING teachers at this school. My oldest was even in "on-level classes" here, yet he still excelled tremendously...and continues to do so! (He recently found out that he scored in the Top 5% in the nation on the LA section of the PSAT and he's been recognized for his academic success in all Honors/AP classes in high school.) It's ALL because of the SUPER STRONG LA Department at ESCS. The teachers are outstanding! It's not just my children. Whereas local public/private school have a small handful of students recognized by the Duke Talent Identification Program, Espiritu Santo Catholic School consistently has at least a third (if not half) of the entire class make it. The students also excel in local high school admissions test (this year's class had a 100% testing-acceptance to Jesuit), local IB programs and several have been recognized as National Merit Scholars. The academic foundation, established at ESCS, is truly incomparable to others Bay area schools. Combined with a top-notch Drama department, successful competitive Math-Teams, incredibly strong athletics, and dedicated parental volunteers, ESCS is simply outstanding. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2015

In our family's 8 years at this school we have experienced ESCS as vibrant, warm, welcoming and faith-filled environment for our children. We have found the administration to be open and approachable. The teachers are outstanding and most of them hold advanced degrees. When my children have needed extra help in subjects, the school has proactively provided it. The community feeling at this school is phenomenal. They have robust offering of art, music, sports and after school activities. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2014

Think twice before attending ESCS. It is a beautiful building but what is inside is something far from beauty. Poor education, poor administration, and dinosaurs in the upper level grades who need to move on. The education is below average. Ask to see the schools math test scores. If your child can learn by teaching himself/herself then this may be the school for you. In middle school the students copy notes off the board, do worksheets and read to themselves. Then take a test. Great parental involvement since it is expected or you must pay. Class sizes have become the best part of this school. There was a time when there was a waiting list. Not anymore. They can not fill the classes and they would max out to 30 if they could. Don't waste your money. Do your research. Look very carefully into the administration of the school. Very poorly run. Bullying is tolerated. You may not ask Admin any questions. Your money speaks the loudest. Over 100 families have left in the past few years. Ask how the enrollment has been over the past ten years. Proceed with caution. They need your money and will tell you anything you want to hear. Hope this helps ...it's the truth.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2014

Terrible school! Stay far far away and save your children from bullying, poor teachers and lower academics than public school. The administration will blame your child for being bullied and never even mention the incidents to the other child's parents. Money is the number one motivator for the faculty to treat a child well. The academics are poor and after transferring to a public school, we learned how very behind in many subjects this school was. Run away, run very fast!