St. Clare Elementary School

750 Washington Street

Santa Clara, CA 95050

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 29, 2021

As an alum and parent, I recommend St. Clare School. Still remembering my years at St. Clare motivated me to enroll my children. My eldest graduated a few years back and St. Clare's prepared her for success at NDSJ. My second is currently a kindergartener and has absolutely loved going back to school. I appreciate the precautions and protocols the school and staff has integrated to get our kids back to in person learning. This has made such a big difference for her academically and socially. What makes this school so special besides the academics is the true caring of the teachers and staff for our children to succeed.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2021

St. Clare School is a gem. Very down to earth and the most diverse community I could imagine. Every year cultures are celebrated in different ways and truly every family is treated with respect for faith and heritage and individual gifts. Teachers, families and administrators work terrifically hard to make distance learning be the best possible on any given day. We are grateful for all the school has been to our family, and specifically our children.
Submitted by parent on January 01, 2021

I have been part of the St. Clare community for over ten years and two children who have/are attending. The community is incredibly inclusive and supportive. Mrs. Mantecon started as the principal 3 years ago and she has brought so much leadership, vision and energy. She has breathed new life into the academic rigor, faith development and new ideas to strengthen the community and growth of our students. The administration, faculty and staff dedicate so much of themselves to make our children feel challenged, loved and seen. They have done an incredible job transitioning to distance learning and been very communicative in planning a safe return to school, offering options that work for the multitude of needs each family faces.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2020

This is our second year at St. Clare and we are loving every moment! Both of my children are enrolled and enjoy being a part of the St. Clare community. In the two years we have been a part of this community, we have seen the teachers, students, and staff live by their values day in and day out. As a parent, I know that my children are not only receiving one of the best educations but also learning how to be good students, stewards, and children of faith. We are not Catholic and while this was a not a requirement, I worried about my children being treated differently from the others. This is no longer a hesitation or worry of mine. My children have never been treated differently based on their Christian faith. The school and community is inclusive and diverse and this makes all the difference. It’s great to see children and families from diverse faith backgrounds coming together as a community to live out the mission of God. The Principal Mrs. Mantecon ensures that all children and families feel included, safe, and heard. She also lives out the values of a good steward. Our family was hit by the pandemic financially and St. Clare helped us with financial assistance. The children were able to continue their education without worrying how I was going to make it happen. If you are looking for a school that lives by their mission, values, and morals look no further, St. Clare is the school for you!My children are thriving at St. Clare and I cannot thank the teachers, staff, and community enough. I know I made the right choice for my children in enrolling them at St. Clare School.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2020

St. Clare is a great exceptional school because of its high academic standards and welcoming kind hearted staff and students. Wherein you are greeted with lots of smiling faces and respectful kids. They offer both in person and distance learning. We opted for my child to stay home for this year; St. Clare is able to provide seamlessly a home learning program that is well integrated with in person learning. The class schedule and workload makes us feel that my child is given the best possible education in these unprecedented times.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2020

We learned of St. Clare School through a couple of different friends while searching for a new school that could challenge our kids academically while nurturing their social-emotional skills. Not only does the school provide this, but also a community of teachers, staff and other families that let our kids know they are loved, cared for and that they belong. Our kids are thriving in both distance and in-person learning! The county’s COVID-19 safety protocols that has been implemented truly keep our kids safe and gives us a piece of mind. We highly recommend this school for both distance and in person learning. Also, the principal is an amazing leader and a great communicator--there has never been a time where we don't know what is happening or which way we are steering the boat!
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2020

St Clare School is dedicated to providing students with an empowering and rigorous learning environment that nurtures mutual respect. The results oriented curriculum is at the heart of the school within a diverse environment. All of this is delivered through knowledgeable, kind and caring staff. We are truly blessed to be part of an amazing community for the past 7 years now and we wouldn’t change it for anything. St Clare School truly demonstrates itself as a Silver Box school!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2020

This school has been such a blessing to our family! My family is so happy with the level of education, support and loving environment my girls are offered at this school. This has become even more relevant during these difficult times. The effort the school and staff have made to open in person at a date much earlier than other schools in our area shows the exemplary commitment they provide to those in their community. Our daughters are thriving and my husband and I know this was the best decision we could have made in choosing a school for them.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2020

We were referred to St. Clare by another family over 10 years ago and we have never looked back.Our 3 kids have attended St. Clare since they were in K and TK for our youngest. Two are now in 7th grade and 4th grade. Our oldest son graduated and last May and now attends Bellarmine along with many of his graduating classmates. The community has always been welcoming and many parents are involved in various school activities and events you cannot help but also be a part of. I appreciate so many aspects of our school: the diversity, the dedication of teachers, staff, and principal to the students, the academics, and a commitment to foster Christian values and service in the students.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2020

Before St Clare Elementary school, we enrolled our eldest to a different private school. We were referred to St Clare Elementary School by parents and even did catering events there. When our boys started school, we Immediately felt welcomed by the community and made long time friends. I would highly recommend this school to anyone wanting to place their child in private school.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2020

I am an alumni and who would have thought my own children would also be attending this gem of a school in Santa Clara?! St. Clare has been a great experience for our 4 children (aged 5 - 12).The academic curriculum is challenging and incorporates traditional learning methods along with innovative & technological approaches. St. Clare, a Catholic Christian community (but welcomes all!), is also deeply invested in nurturing the whole child: academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally. Teachers and administrators are invested in creating confident, productive members of our community, who respect and celebrate the diversity among us, and who are kind-hearted, generous beings, in a world that sure needs it. Amid the COVID pandemic, St. Clare has rolled out and executed a safe in-person learning environment with absolute adherence to our County Public Health Dept.'s guidelines. Both in-person students and students learning remotely from home are experiencing their robust curriculum together, and finding ways to stay connected socially as well. We are pleased with the wonderful and diverse community of families we have become a part of and are confident our children will be well-prepared for whatever High School we choose... and beyond!
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2020

St. Clare School is a wonderful place for children academically, emotionally and spiritually. The community of parents and teachers are very diverse - culturally, religiously and financially. Not everyone is Catholic, but everyone does care about their children's education and making sure they are raised in a safe place where they learn to care about and value one another. I have a child who has already graduated from St. Clare and another still in the school, and both have been St. Clare students since they were in Kindergarten. I couldn't be more pleased with the level of learning - my oldest was fully prepared for a college preparatory high school - and the way the teachers and faculty pay attention to each child and what they need. The communication between faculty and parents is excellent - you know you will always be heard. The school also offers financial assistance programs so if you want to join the St. Clare Family, they will work with you to make it happen. There are also programs after school to help inspire learning and creativity, including robotics and math. And St. Clare makes sure students understand the ties to the Catholic Faith and how we are called to be good people and servants to one another. I am proud to be part of the St. Clare Family!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2020

I have an 8th Grader and a 6th Grader at St. Clare-both have attended since Kindergarten. We feel so fortunate to have found this small school. First and foremost, the kids and families feel KNOWN at school. My kids have felt an important sense of belonging and welcome within this tight-knit community. Over the 9 years that my children have attended, there have been consistent efforts within the school towards improved teaching methods, parent communication, etc. The academics have always been strong, and "extras" such as sports, art, and after school clubs have been supported by parent volunteers. The location next to the park, library, and the SCU campus, more than makes up for the small campus size. As a private Catholic school, there are expectations for kindness, respect, and compassion that match my families values. During Virtual Learning, and now with in-person classes beginning, the school was responsive, safe, communicative, flexible, and a leader when it comes to implementing new Covid protocols/procedures. We are so grateful to our St. Clare teachers and staff who really go the extra mile for the families.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2019

best school ever - I have two kids in St. Clare and would recommend the school to anyone, even if you're not Catholic.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2015

Great experience with the teachers as evidenced by the behavior of our middle schooler- he loves getting up and going to school, takes pride in learning and finishing his homework. (opposite of what was happening in his previous public school in Los Gatos). This is all a result of the positive interaction he receives every day from each of his teachers. The teachers are enthusiastic, caring and amazingly able to instill curiosity for learning in our child.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2015

An amazing parent community as well as an up to date curriculum. As an example, a few Tech-minded parents put together an after school STEM club. Whenever I get a chance to be at school, I am impressed by what I see going on there. We are happy with our choice.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2015

I have two kids at St Clare and our family has found it to be an excellent choice! The administration strives towards continued betterment of the school and providing a wholesome, nurturing environment for the children. The teachers have high expectations, but are also fun-loving and kind. The community is exceptionally diverse, and very active with many opportunities for parent involvement. The academics are strong with many "extras" such as art and Spanish instruction, but not so much as to place undo stress on young learners. I find that the silver box philosophy has helped reinforce our family's values of respect and compassion for others. The campus is situated in an ideal location, offering ease and safety of pick-up and drop-off, while also being adjacent to the library, park, and University which provide further resources.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2015

St. Clare is the ideal school if you value an excellent education, fair and caring teachers and staff, safe school grounds, along with a down to earth, involved community of families. Our daughter loves her school!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2013

Yes, the 2012-13 school year was filled with ups and downs, an emotional roller coaster for many. I have to say though that as a parent of two children attending St. Clare, I wouldn't have them at any other school. There are so many positives... financially stable, the diversity of children and teachers, supportive and committed parents, teachers, staff and administrators., and of course, the silver box philosophy. And top this off with the addition of several outstanding new teachers and para-educators this year (and over the past few years) - we love it and cannot imagine our children being anywhere else! Yes, a few bumps in the road over the past few years, but I really believe we are heading in the right direction. I'm so thankful to have a place where my children are learning, they're in a safe and supportive environment, and our family feels part of a connected community.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2013

We've been a member family of St. Clare for several years, but have made the difficult decision to move our kids to another school. We originally chose St. Clare based on the strength of its community of faculty and families. The overwhelmingly positive, welcoming nature was a clear differentiator in our selection. Unfortunately, the past several years have seen the community become fractured and divided. This is due to the principal of the school. She was a great educator, but has failed to lead the school effectively. The academic programs are suffering, especially in the middle school. The extra curricular science, athletic, and art offerings are woefully under supported by the administration. Concerned families attempted to partner with the principal to address the issues, but with no success. St. Clare used to be a wonderful place and will be again, but it will take a true leader to improve the academic, athletic, and artistic programs. St. Clare needs a committed communicator who takes the time to understand the concerns, diagnose the issues, and partner to fix. I look forward to seeing St. Clare return to glory. For the time being, I recommend looking into other schools.