St Andrew Apostle School

11602 Kemp Mill Road

Silver Spring, MD 20902

9 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 19, 2023

I hate to write a bad review because when I came to this school I had high hopes. I starting at this school in 2021. The first year was fine during virtual learning .The second year things started to go downhill.They sat with me to tell me they thinkmy child should get tested. Not really much other info so I went to a pediatrician where the school and his doctor suggested to go to child find.I went immediately and got him tested they said he would not be eligible to get an IEP.So then I went to child link a few months later but because the school was not responsive fast enough I lost that opportunity because he aged out. So over the summer of 2022 I tried getting private help, but everyplace that was suggested to me by friends, county or pediatrician. They had a waiting list 6 months to a 1 1/2 years or not taking new patients. So now the new year has started. And very quickly the complaints started about my child. I felt like the school was very much against me and treating my child like an outsider and it definitely started to show. Every complaint they had of my child I took seriously .While the principal kept giving me very vague answers and saying we don’t know how to help your child if we don’t know what he has. So at this point the school is telling me I need a diagnosis. So I tried calling childrens and Kennedy krieger. Both had waiting lists for more than a year. All the while , I started noticing my son was showing signs of stress and anxiety. It was heartbreaking. I tried reassuring him tried giving him encouraging talks about what was going on. Finally I decided to go back to the county after begging them to please take on my child application for an iep for the 3rd time.They decided to proceed with the testing. I was finally told that my child had adhd with some attributes of autism. So finally I was relieved to get an answer and thought the school would be happy that he got a diagnosis. After all that’s what they wanted.So after I notified the principal of the report all she sent back to me was“ Thanks.Yes, I would like the reports.I want to help you find the best placement for him based on what they say his needs are. “ which I thought she meant was find the right placement at her school “very vague. Turns out she meant that he can’t come to school next year .This was 2 wks before school started.the principal said is was because his diagnosis.I asked for a letter of denial they conveniently left out the reason. ThePrincipal ghosted me. Smh
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2023

I had my older children in "good" Montgomery County public schools, and public schools do not compare to St. Andrew Apostle School. This is a small school where the principal knows every single student not only by name, but also their personality, challenges etc. Low teacher turnover speaks for itself -- teachers are happy to be there, and most teachers are fantastic. The principal is very dedicated and a skilled leader, which makes a huge difference. With low student/teacher ratios, any problem behaviors are dealt with, and teachers and principal are looking into creative solutions (not just punishments). Teachers and administration are very responsive to parents. School organizes many events and opportunities for school families to socialize outside of classroom (Fall carnival, trunk or treat, breakfast with Santa etc.) . Kids can participate in sports via CYO.
Submitted by teacher on June 11, 2020

Having worked in both private and public settings AND having had children in Catholic schools myself, I find ST. Andrew's to be a positive and caring environment. The teachers work hard to meet the students' needs and with little turnover in staff, the instruction is consistent and efficient. Resource is available to offer personal, kind, and caring help to those who need it. Lastly, the administration's goal is not be focused on fundraising so you will not feel the "nickel and diming" that can be a feature at some private schools. All are welcome here.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

the communication between teacher/admin to parents seems to be non-existent
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2019

St Andrew is a great school, and we proud to be part of this institution.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2018

This school is not your typical catholic school. The students are so mean and makes the environment hostile. Bullying is a ritual and nothing is really done. Teachers label students as early as kindergarten with be havioral or leaning disorders when the kids are not even diagnosed as such as if they are doctors or phychiatrist. Junior high students all use foul language must be due to the ernomous amount of homework and they all seem to be very stressed.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2014

St. Andrew is amazing! They really cater to households with working parents and have both before and after school programs. The Principal really cares about each student and is invested in making everyone successful. Over the last two years, St. Andrew has been working to upgrade its facility, technology and curriculum. They recently opened a early learning center and has programs for students 6 weeks of age through 8th grade. I really appreciate the community atmosphere and number of events outside of the school day.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

We are impressed with St. Andrew the Apostle. The school gave every child a chance to attend, if it does not work out, then they will let the parents know and go from there. This may be challenging for some parents but it shows that the school is willing to work with all levels of kids. It is not like "you have to be at this level to go here" attitude. It is more like "you have to make it if you want to go here". Maybe that is why they got 2 Blue Ribbon from Department of Education. The school website is a bit vintage though, not like the other private schools in the area. Hopefully they will redesign it some time.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2012

St. Andrew's is a wonderful school! We've been here for 6 yrs and have seen many positive changes. The principal is amazing and staff are very dedicated. They offer lots of after-school activities (e.g., band, choir, sports, art, science, robotics, chess, sewing). They have great science and computer labs, the latter of which features a TV studio from which the morning announcements are made. There are SMART boards in every classroom, the science lab, and library. They have a weather station and recently installed pollinator and vegetable gardens. In general, I have found that the teachers are strong and responsive to parental concerns and questions. The school follows the curriculum set out by the Archdiocese of Washington. The parents are very involved in the school and our Catholic faith is the foundation for everything. We are working to build a strong core in our children to prepare them for life. They attend Mass at least weekly and regular Reconciliation. I believe that this school can meet the needs of most families; however, they are not resourced for children with significant special needs or behavioral problems. There is a waiting list for most classes.