Madonna Del Sasso

20 Santa Teresa Way

Salinas, CA 93906

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 23, 2023

My son has been attending MDS since preschool and his and our family's experience has been fantastic. Academically he is doing great, he has had great teachers. The environment is small, and the student body is diverse, which we love. I recommend MDS to anyone who wants their child to be part of a kind yet academically inclined environment.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2023

I’m going to make this short and sweet. My daughter attended for six years. Her exact words “ A littlr less Jesus and a lot more math. My parents tried to give me an exemplary education, I appreciate that and see where their hearts were coming from. It would really help if maybe you cut religion and math in half maybe? You want to ask if you’ll get some math instructions. You’ll get rapped in the knuckles and sent in the back. TEACH JESUS AND ALL THE STORIES THAT ARE IMPORTANT…After MATH!: PLEASE :)
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2021

Whoever wrote the negative reviews obviously did not actively engage with the school, principal and teachers. My children have been and are very successful at this school and the ones who have graduated and now are at high school continue to be successful. Call the school and ask them if this is true: I recently found out that the last three valedictorians/salutatorians for Notre Dame High School have all been girls who have graduated from Madonna Del Sasso. The boys who go on to Palma also maintain high honors. Even when Covid hit, there was very little downtime before the school went to virtual learning. The 2020-2021 school year was handle extremely well and the school opened as soon as it was allowed to by our health department. Teachers WANTED to go back to the classroom and teach. They DIDN'T want virtual learning. Students continued with all their classes during the entire Covid shutdown. Students were made accountable for attendance and homework.
Submitted by other on May 22, 2020

Unsatisfied. Disappointed. Saddened. Deceived. Before, During, After Covid-19.
Submitted by other on October 20, 2019

Reiterating my previous comment, I would never recommend anyone send their child here.
Submitted by other on September 04, 2019

-10 is below the lowest ratings. How can this school be accredited when such things have been going on. This is a disservice to families and students.
Submitted by other on January 26, 2019

MDS School is a prestigeous institution. However, the current principal 2018-2019 has failed this school by ignoring the middle school. Students have difficulty in math, science and English lit. The current teachers hired by the principal for these subjects may have the proper degree and license yet lack the skill to teach according to the students' needs and interests in today's technology filled classroom. The principal has great advertising and PR for the school yet is unable to attain the distinguishing characteristics of the school's reputation. Therefore, MDS School requires a new direction and leadership and new graduate teachers that have energy and respectful interests in the students needs in middle school where it is vital to have the technological knowledge and desire to go to high school and beyond.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2018

This is a very safe school, with people of compassion, caring, with willingness to offer help for the betterment of the students. The Principal, Mr. Angel Rivera, always exudes with enthusiasm and energy in starting and ending the day right with his love and dedication for the school. The teaching team is dedicated in their calling and fun to associate with. The administrative support are accommodating, understanding and helpful. Students progress year after year not only in academics but most of all in their spiritual journey as they stay active in supporting Vincent de Paul charitable ministry and remain close under the guidance and inspiration of our Catholic priests and deacons at Madonna del Sasso Catholic Church. This is an exceptional school, indeed!!!
Submitted by parent on August 31, 2017

My child loves Madonna Del Sasso school and so do we! Teachers go above and beyond to teach children morals, religious values and beliefs, and respect and manners. This place is great. Worth the investment for your child's education! They have a great edu system and teachers really help your kids excel and comprehend beyond their grade level. Mrs Rita at pre school is the best, she is an angel & loves all of her students.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

My child has been attending Madonna del Sasso for several years and although I have seen it go through many changes; overall it has proven to provide a safe and academically superb education over other Salinas schools. Our current Principal is willing to work with parents who speak up and voice their concerns.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

Our family has attended MDS for many years. As you can see from previous ratings our school has had its ups and downs. Our old principal was great and served many great years in the beginning but towards the end of his service it was apparent that he was lacking the interest in improving our school. Our new principal is just starting his second year. He did receive a lot of criticism for how he handled his first year. He has started this year on the right foot. He has brought back our music program, Spanish in grades 1-8, smart boards for our classrooms, new textbooks ( which were very outdated), and is improving the safety of our campus. All of the things that I think the previous principal should have never taken away. I think MDS is on the right path to becoming the great school it once was.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

I love the family atmosphere in this school, it is very different from the other school my child has attended. I read some of the reviews about the new principal but I happen to see, not only think, that he is doing a great job for this only being his second year. I can see the campus and curricular improvements . One of the new changes i am really excited about is the common course standards that are being implemented in the classrooms. i made some research and found that this a positive improvement to our school. The teachers are great. They make it so easy to communicate with them and I always get a response. I have to admit that at one point a couple of years ago I wasn't sure if I would let my child continue at MDS but with these huge and positive changes I have seen here, i am confident my child is getting a great education.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2013

Madonna is not a good school anymore. Theres is chaos everywhere. My greatest concern is that the quality of instruction is very poor. Teachers are not held to high standards, nor do they use good instructional strategies. A better choice for elementary school is York or Catalina. At least they care about stretching students mentally
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

Worst year I've ever had at Madonna. The principal seems clueless about what is going on. The teachers are allowed to do whatever the want. Discipline in the middle school is very weak. I never get responses to my email concerns. My child cannot wait until the end of the year. We are leaving MDS.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2013

Curriculum is very weak. The principal does not know how to make a decision. Teachers are not highly qualified. Middle School is a disaster. Not a recommended school
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2013

MDS has Excellent teachers in the lower and intermediate grades ( grades Pre K through 5). The teachers in grades 6 through 8 are inferior. You can expect hours of homework based on meaningless worksheet activities. Teachers are very old fashioned in the way they teach. They lack current professional development. A good place if you want your kids safe from the problems of Salinas. A mediocre school for students in grades 6-8
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2013

I am so disappointed with Madonna del Sasso School. The new principal allows the teachers to do whatever they want..... Parents viewpoints are not considered. Low level curriculum. Smart students are disregarded. Drill and kill. It's a nightmare. Who would pay for this sort of education? Bad, bad, bad
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2012

Read the reviews from last year and before. All of that is changing. They have a new principal who is a disaster. He is trying to change this once great school into a joke. He comes from public schools and doesn't understand the culture and has no respect for anyone who tries to tell him. The kids think he's strange. He demands kids squat at the sound of the bell to show their mechanical compliance. This guy has go to go. I don't know how the teachers put up with his craziness
Submitted by other on March 11, 2011

I think Madonna is a good school but to my new school i go to Madonna isn't really good compared to my new school. The school i go to now it International school of Monterey which is a charter school and its with the international school all over the world.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2011

I was VERY impressed with the Kindergarten and First grade teacher. But the second grade teacher is a nightmare. She likes to nitpick and nothing is ever done to her specifications. During school hours the entrance to the school is locked and you have to ring a buzzer and go to the office, which I Iike, nobody can just walk into the school off the street and access the classrooms.