St Helena School

2050 BENEDICT AVE

The Bronx, NY 10462

12 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 24, 2024

My daughter has attended St. Helena Elementary school since PK3. She is now entering 7th grade. I couldn’t be happier with the school, staff and my daughter’s achievements. The classes are only one per grade which is helpful. I love the intimacy of the classes as this helps with concentration and individuality. She is not just another student but rather a part of each class. 6th grade has been the most successful yet. The teacher, Mrs. Torres, has a can do, no nonsense approach with the utmost understanding. This isn’t a playground but an academically geared environment with room for fun. This was the most organized year so far. I only wish they had parenting classes for the self centered narrow minded parents that forget that this experience is about our children and our children only. Some could stand to use etiquette and manners, teach their children how to behave accordingly and perhaps refrain from overexposing their children. IT STARTS AT HOME! Thank you St. Helena!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2024

Last year my family and I were impacted by school closures. While we were devastated by the news, we knew we had to be proactive in finding the right school. For us that meant a school that placed high value on academics and enrichment activities. Additionally, it meant a school that felt like an extension of home. Well, St Helena did not disappoint. Administration and staff always treated my children with kindness and respect. My children's excitement to attend school speaks volume about their satisfaction. While I worked with various teachers, my interactions with the 6th grade teacher stand out. Whenever I had any concerns, or needed clarification, she was always an email away - providing prompt responses. My child talks about having fun in class. He adds that she could be stern and had high expectations for them, but I wouldn't want anything less from my child's educator. With her teaching methods, style and inclusion of parents, it's no wonder my child had such a successful school year.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2024

My child just finished 6th grade and I agree with the review below. Unfortunately my child’s school closed down last year, so we had to find another school for him to attend. We visited a few schools but after seeing the beautiful seventh grade classroom (which is also the math class) on a tour, my son and I decided to go to St Helena’s for 6th grade. While in this school, he had a rough year and complained about the other middle school teachers. The only reason he liked St Helena was to go to math class everyday. Growing up, math was always his worst subject in school, but the math teacher here was patient and taught him in ways so that he finally could understand. I’m amazed at how much he learned in one year and as a parent, I’m so grateful to see his confidence in math go up!! The math teacher always spent extra hours tutoring and even teaching parents who reached out to her. Additionally, she’s such a good role model because she is a POC, and usually we only see white males/females teaching math. This is good for the students to see, especially in a minority-filled neighborhood. The math teacher was extremely kind and always smiling. She had such a love and warmth about her and students know they are safe around her. Too bad the same can’t be said about the other teachers who just yell and scream all the time. The students all say the 6th grade teacher is the absolute worst and the 8th grade teacher is a straight up witch whose only nice to students who suck up to her. My son was thinking about leaving the school because it was a rough year for him (with the exception of math class). But since the math teacher is the 7th grade homeroom teacher, he wants to stay. Now I’m hearing that this teacher is moving to a new grade. I hope not because if she’s not my son’s teacher, we will take him out of the school! Can someone from St Helena please confirm if this is true or not???
Submitted by other on June 12, 2023

This is a hard review to write because the school has A LOT of bad but also some good. The administrator doesn't seem to be in charge and the real boss seems to be a tyrant teacher. Most of the teachers look dull, bored, and not interested in their jobs at all. The students see this so they are not motivated to do their best. I am appalled by some teachers' behaviors. I wont say names, but the principal really needs to take charge and let them know its not acceptable. In the upper grades, there are teachers who constantly yell and scream at the students. They berate and belittle the students. How do you think students feel having to come to school knowing that sometime in the school day they will get yelled at or hear yelling in their classroom? Its ridiculous. Students also feel scared to give their opinions or ask questions because they fear being yelled at. How is that for a young man or woman's confidence? Schools should be a second home for students where they can express themselves, not somewhere they fear giving their opinions. Teachers also do not teach well. Giving tons of work and reading verbatim from textbooks is not real teaching! But the constant yelling is insane! This is an everyday occurrence and it needs to stop.Now the good. Again, I will not say names but there is a new math and science teacher. This teacher is excellent and uses so many different methods and activities that help students learn. The teacher is patient and kind and always smiling. The parents and students know this teacher loves teaching and this teacher really helps the students to learn. My child does not stop talking about this new teacher all day and all night. My child looks forward to going to school because of excitement to go to math class. Any teacher who makes students love math must be great!!!! The other teachers should take a look and use this teacher as an example of how to teach! Then the school would actually be good!I gave 4 stars overall because the math teacher has made my child love math and going to school. If not for that teacher, I would give the school 2 stars.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2017

My daughter has been attending St Helena since she is 3 years old and will be graduating in 2018. Like all things in life nothing is perfect. There is room for improvement in all things. With that being said ....Our experience as a family over the last 10 years been wonderful!!! We have had positive relationships with all her teachers and never had/have a problem reaching Mr. Meller (principal). My bottom line is, it's not the responsibility of St Helena (or any school) to raise my child, that's my responsibility. Yes, we all have certain expectations from the school administration, especially when you are paying tuition, but we as parents need to be doing our part at home also.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2017

Excellent Learning, children develop well here. Only issue they give an excessive amount of books to take home each night.
Submitted by other on May 30, 2014

Some of the teachers are awesome but one particular teacher just doesn't get us students. She yells at you if you ask a question to someone. complains a lot when you need to use the bathroom. she claims we only use the bathroom during her class which is ridiculous and not true. we just ate breakfast and our food just disgusted.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

School would get 5 stars if the tyrant second grade teacher would come to her senses and realize that her excessive disciplinary action's are not warranted for minor fractions such as missing signatures.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2013

The second grade teacher need not to be teaching that grade. It seems she does not understand children that age. I agree with the other comment she is a dictator. The Principle needs to evaluate her teaching skill and do something about it.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

My children have been enrolled in St. Helena for a few years. It is one of the few schools in the area (if not the only) which offers full day 3 year old, Pre-k and kindergarten. Since enrolling my kids, I have become disappointed and am now looking to remove them. The good is that the teachers are available & reachable. Also unlike other private schools, it is affordable & although encouraged, fundraising is not mandatory. There is a breakfast & after school program which for working parents is a plus. However, the school has room for improvement. Music & language is not offered. Also, the afterschool program is run by teens who (with the exception of a couple) are immature. The program itself is unorganized. Also parent involvement is scarce & not encouraged. With the exception of only 1 teacher during the years, I have been generally pleased with the staff. Yet, the prinicipal is unapproachable. I find him to be more comfortable around the children than with the adults. Most importantly the class sizes are too large (some have close to 40) & the work is not challenging enough. I fear that St. H does not have the environment to properly prepare my children for high school.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

I think St Helena's school has a great academic program. Unfortunately the class size is to large (35+ children). When we first enrolled, there were two classes per grade. Then there were teacher layoffs and now there is one grade per class. The children had to suffer with the over crowdiness. There is only one math/science teacher for 6th - 8th grades. The principal has a open door policy, which is great and the teachers are available for early morning discussions. The guidance counselors and the Title 1 teachers are very supportive and offer great assistance. The afterschool program offers late pick up until 6:30, unfortunately there is not much guidance as the teen age counselors sit among themselves and don't interact with the kids. There needs to be more educational structure and adult supervision. (Homework assistance, roboitics team, math, reading or science clubs would be great) Also, there is no PTA where the parents could volunteer and assist with these programs.
Submitted by other on December 20, 2011

This school is a dissapointment . Really do not send your kids here.It is way to strict . If you want to see them happy send them somewhere else. They will have enough of it the first week .