St. Didacus Parish School

4630 34th Street

San Diego, CA 92116

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 19, 2023

We transferred to Saint Didacus late in the school year. We had a nightmarish bullying issue at a charter school, and I needed to pull my son out immediately. Saint Didacus welcomed us in with open arms, even though we aren't practicing Catholics. I personally had moved away from the church long ago, but Saint Didacus did not make our family feel excluded in any way. My son is thoroughly enjoying his religious studies and learning about Catholicism. It's opening him up to religion in a way his father and I hadn't provided. And no matter what your beliefs, anyone can benefit from learning how to be kind and compassionate to others, and to be of service to the community. That kind of education is what is lacking in public schools, in my personal experience. The school itself has a lot of character and soul because it has been in Normal Heights for decades and decades. There's an impressive library, an auditorium, a dedicated art room, a science lab, and a great outdoor field for play and exercise. The curriculum seems effective and challenging, and my son says it compares academically to his previous high-performing Charter school. Even though we haven't been there a full year, I can say the teachers at Saint Didacus are immensely kind and clearly care about the students, and the principal is wonderful and engaging. This is significantly different than our previous experience. Most importantly, I know my son is safe and happy when I drop him off in the morning,
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2021

We have been a part of the St. Didacus family since 1986. The key word is "family". Both my kids went through for the full 9 years K-8 and did amazing. They were fully prepared when they went on to St. Augustine and OLP. Then on to college where they both graduated Summa Cum Laude. The teachers were amazing. We did have our share of not so great Principals back in the 90's but things have improved since. Now we are starting a new generation of "Didakids" with my two granddaughters who at the present time are in Preschool and 1st grade. They also are flourishing and loving their time there. The staff is loving and caring and brings out the best in the kids that go there. Our kids didn't g to preschool but our granddaughters did and it has been the best introduction to this school. Miss Sophia and Miss Remy are so loving that they enjoyed going to school and did well. Academically, I am amazed at the stuff they have been doing in Kinder and 1st grade. The teachers just seem to make learning fun. I highly recommend this school to any family looking for a loving and very educational environment.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2021

This school has been an absolute life-saver during COVID. As far as my family is concerned, the staff are frontline heroes. During this unprecedented pandemic, they pivoted to distance learning with ease and got the kids back in the classroom in a safe, highly effective manner. My family is forever grateful and will sing the praises of St. Didacus school for life.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2021

My daughter was transitioned from SDUSD and now she is flourishing. We love the small class sizes and care that the teachers and staff take to education. They seek solutions to problems, which is the highest honor I can think of.
Submitted by other on February 23, 2021

We transitioned here this year from SDUSD and we love it. Our son is absolutely thriving under the small class sizes and great instruction. He is busy all day and really learning a lot. The teachers and staff are all so caring. My son loved Math before but the curriculum and instruction for Math has made him absolutely love it. The staff has been amazing about COVID guidelines and keeping the kids screened and protected. I love that they have real PE, Science, Music and Technology with a dedicated teacher so that they learn about transitioning as well and it breaks there day up. The level of prep and structure around the daily and weekly assignments is very organized. The kids here are all happy and the teachers are kind and caring.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2020

We moved both of our children to this school (Preschool & 2nd grade). It has been one of the best decisions we've ever made. The school staff from Secretary, Teachers to Principal are kind, professional, honest and full of enthusiasm. They are very organized and communicate well. Both of our children love going to school everyday.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2020

I have sent multiple children to this school over many years. When I enrolled my first child in Saint Didacus I can honestly say I was proud to send them here. Many years later, my youngest child is still attending the school and I no longer share this feeling of pride. I chose to send my children to a private catholic school because I believed that it was a place where they could have an open discussion about their faith, and have a slightly superior education to that of a public school. Over the past few years the school has been experiencing a steady decline in the quality of education and guidance they claim to offer their students. I believe this decline can be directly traced back to the leadership of the school. The key to a great school is open communication, but this is something that is desperately lacking from Saint Didacus. When you, as a parent of a student, have a problem regarding the school you should feel comfortable bringing up said problem with the principal, but I know many parents that have done so with no avail. Mrs. Dean, the current principal, is very defensive when presented with an issue, thus only allowing her what he wants to hear. This is not an efficient way to improve a school. The enrollment has been down for many years partly due to fewer parent enrolling their kids in private school, but more importantly the bad reputation the school has among parent and student alumni. The final straw that led me to leaving this review was their effort to combat this bad reputation. Instead of fixing the problems, they are now bribing the parents to leave a positive review in exchange for one service hour towards their required volunteer hours. My family and I are finished with this school, and I do not regret it at all. This is not an establishment fit to be teaching and guiding the youth in academics or religion.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2020

I have two sons that have attended St. Didacus. My Eldest son graduated from St. Didacus and is extremely prepared for high school. The school offers advance math for 6th-8rd students who test into it; because of this my son was able to take Integrated II as a freshman. My youngest is currently still attending. I can tell you that the teachers really care that their students succeed in their studies and work hard to prepare them for high school. The community at St. Didacus is very involved and welcoming to all. I'm very happy with the choice we made to send our children to this school. The small class size, teacher's enthusiasm for teaching, and the welcoming community has really made a positive impact on my children's education.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2020

This community and these families are the best!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2020

For about 17 years it was great. The last 5 were really tough. My three older children told me to move the others without question. My wife and I decieded the school was to important to leave so we tried to make a difference. We are still loyal to the school, parents, teachers and kids and will do all we can do to help. But currently we are actually pretty happy that we are no longer there. My kids are better off and that is most important.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2020

Amazing school with amazing staff. I am happy to be here .
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2019

Love St. Didacus. Have two other private Catholic schools within 5 miles of our house, not to mention a top public school a mile away, yet we drive an extra 12 miles every day so our daughters can attend this school.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2018

Excellent. Our oldest son entered the preschool at St. Didacus January of 1994 and our youngest is now in eighth grade. All eight of our children have attended and benefited from the consistantly high academic standards and the warm, Catholic family atmosphere from the teachers, the families, and the parish.
Submitted by teacher on May 08, 2018

In my short time at this school, I have seen dynamic Catholic education, great teaching, daily learning, high moral character development, strong academic standards, a safe environment, collegiality, tremendous parent involvement, extra-curricular activities galore, and an environment that radiates the love of Jesus Christ every single day. I am proud to be a part of this community, and I believe the students and parents also feel this way. I hope that you will visit this school. The moment that you arrive, you will be greeted and made to feel welcome by our secretary and our staff members. The students that you see will be courteous and respectful of each other. You will also notice a happy and productive environment. Please take the time to visit this amazing school.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2018

My husband and I visited many Catholic schools , the minute we walked in the doors of St.Didacus we just knew that this school would be the place that would help us form Christ like children, with high moral values, integrity, and a love for learning. St .Didacus exceeded our expectations. Thank you!
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2018

I wish we had pulled out several years ago but we kept hoping to would get better. My son does like it here and will not be happy when we pull out but I don't see any way to continue here. If you are considering this school please talk to other parents before committing. I do not recommend this school at all.
Submitted by other on January 27, 2017

I attended this school from preschool to 7th grade. The fundamental education that I received was crucial to who I am today. The friendships I made here are strong till this day. Almost every teacher was very understanding and supportive in every situation. I can admit the principal that was hired after mrs. lacosta had to leave was the worst thing that could've happened to the school but before her I could sincerely say BEST SCHOOL EVER
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2017

The past three years have been terrible. The most recent principal has made this school a wreck. I finally admit that I have to get my kids out of the school. When I saw what other schools are doing and the technology and other teaching tool they have and the quality of teachers at other schools I realized I was doing my kids a disservice by keeping them at St Didacus.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2017

This school is out-dated, out-of-touch and dilapidated. The teachers and principal are disconnected from students, parents and today's educational needs. The principal is almost impossible to reach and in denial that her ship is sinking. Things are so bad students are leaving during the middle of the school year.You know there are serious problems at this school when the principal sends this message home to parents on December 6, 2016:Please note: Parents having any concerns about the school - curriculum, staff, programs;policies, etc. are kindly requested to contact the classroom teachers and/or the principal. Theschool is aware of a few parents contacting other schools for possible mid-year transfers andparents talking among themselves regarding their concerns. Unfortunately, most of thescuttlebutt (gossip), on the part of a small group of parents, that has been brought to theschool's attention is negative in nature. St. Didacus Parish School has a strong reputation ofbeing a great school which it is. As principal, I am available for parents - my door is alwaysopen.
Submitted by other on December 03, 2016

The principal, staff and parents all work together to bring out the best in everyone. There is truly a team spirit and it works!! The principal's door is always open for questions, concerns or suggestions.