St. Paschal Baylon Elementary School

154 East Janss Road

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

23 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 18, 2025

I am a parent of children currently going to Saint Paschal's and of one alumna. SPBS was a very welcomed breath of fresh air when we transferred from another school. They are very organized, the staff is kind to parents and supportive of students. Security is top-notch which was very important to our family. It is a genuinely sweet school. Outstanding athletics and a lot of resources. Fun community and parents.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2024

If your child is a square peg that fits in a square hole, then they should not have a problem. In fact, they will thrive in this environment. However, if your child needs any additional assistance (reading, math, iep, etc) please consider sending them somewhere else. The teaching methods are archaic and from 30 years ago. Training does not consider what the needs of the children are. Staff takes pride in the number of referrals that a child is given and are in fact told to do more. It reaches a point where the child no longer cares, and their self-confidence is extremely low.There is zero repercussion for bad behavior by teachers. If your child is labeled early on in their academic career at this school, you need to consider moving them. It will not get better.However, if your child is from one of the favored families, there will be no repercussions for bad behavior. Also, children of teachers are given special treatment. Both of these facts are widely known.I do not write this lightly and have vacillated on whether to post. However, knowing what this school has done to several children, I feel it is my duty to give my feedback. Everyone will have their own experience. I just ask that you do your due diligence when choosing a school for these formative years.
Submitted by other on March 31, 2024

As a former student who attended SPBS for nine years I would not recommend this school to anyone. At my time at SPBS, I received a subpar education especially in Math and Science. The school has not updated their curriculum in YEARS which causes its students to fall behind when they enter high school. You're better off sending your child to a public school and saving all that money and time as the school requires mandatory parental volunteering. Another issue that this school has is a severe lack of diversity and tolerance towards other cultures. The bullying and exclusion culture is quite prevalent and the faculty does little to nothing to prevent it from happening. I faced quite a lot of bullying especially in middle school at SPBS and it left me with self-esteem and confidence issues well after my time at St. Paschals. They are a so called "Catholic school" with the teachers often ignoring the tennents of Christianity. This school also has a toxic parent culture with teachers preferring kids whose parents are on PTSA or in the parish's Men's club. The Parish pastor and principal refuse to acknowledge the bullying issue in their school and often side with the offenders. I wouldn't wish any other child to face what I faced there.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2021

Our son was enrolled in another Catholic school in New Jersey that was honored as a Blue Ribbon school a couple years ago. When we relocated to the area, I did a lot of research on schools in the area. My conclusion was that Saint Paschal Baylon School has put a lot of effort in developing an environment for learning that is incomparable. SPBS prizes independent interests and emphasizes autonomy with its students. They teach students to be independent by expecting students to come to their teachers to resolve issues rather than going through the parents (6th grade). This really helps the kids learn to be accountable and be independent problem solvers. Teachers are encouraging, kind, supportive, empathic listeners. My son’s teachers know how to encourage each student individually, giving them the confidence to bloom in their own way, and in their own time. This is a school that will nurture the creative student, the bookish student, the energetic student, and the shy student, to blossom into independent, successful, and kind adults. Saint Paschal Baylon values empathy, caring, kindness, and good citizenship. The 8th graders are paired with 2nd graders. The 7th graders are paired with 1st graders. The 6th graders are paired with kindergarteners. The pairing is aimed at helping the younger kids have older kids to look up to, and for the older kids to role model for the younger kids. They conduct group activities in moderation and in small carefully managed groups of 2-6 students to work on in-class assignments, to participate in fun review games, and to learn consensus decision making as a team. The classrooms and hallways are clean and orderly. Saint Paschal Baylon School has extracurricular programs, like football, volleyball, basketball, swimming, guitar, piano. They have fun afterschool program that my son wants to go to. The staff for their afterschool program are helpful and kind, and make staying after school a treat for my son. SPBS has done a phenomenal job at hiring empathetic and talented faculty and staff, creating a sense of belonging for all its students, offering enrichment programs for the growing minds and bodies, building a safe environment for effective learning, and challenging students to set and exceed their individual goals. In my opinion, this school is a top contender for the National Blue Ribbon Schools designation, and you won’t regret sending your children here.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2019

Overall it is way better than many of the public schools. Mainly if you're looking for your child to have a faith based education, to be able to know more details about what goes on in their every day school life. This school definitely has several different things that will let you know where your child is at. Since it's a small school, you're more involved and connected with what's going on.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2018

Overall we are very pleased to have found this hidden gem in Thousand Oaks. It’s a small, amazing community that has welcomed us and we feel our children are receiving the best education possible.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2018

Decent school I guess, many areas for improvement.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2018

Our overall experience with SPBS has been a great one. We live in an area where the public schools are excellent. My husband and I are products of public education. We were planning for our children to attend the local public school when we decided to check out Saint Paschal since we had friends who's children go there. We went to the Open House and were impressed with the beauty of the school and met several welcoming families, teachers and staff. The turning point for us was all the extra curricular activities they include as part of the school's curriculum. We want well rounded children and it was very important for us that they several teachers who take part in our children's education. They have an art teacher, music teacher, Spanish teacher, PE teacher and an up to date computer lab! The field trips SPBS go on every year are an important part of the curriculum. Starting at Fifth grade they have several sports teams that the students can participate in. Since we started there have been several benefits that our children have gotten from SPBS that we didn't even know we were looking for from a school. The community. We all want our children to succeed. Every parent I have met there genuinely cares about each other's children and want what's best for them. Since starting SPBS we have had new families join our classes. We have a mentor program who assign you a family to help with any questions, support or needs you have throughout your first year. We are still very close with our mentor family that helped us our first year. Is SPBS the perfect school for everybody probably not. All schools have areas they need to work on. I will say it is a great school for our family and our children's needs. I strongly feel that SPBS is helping us raise Catholic, educated, and well rounded children. We are happy to be part of the SPBS community.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2018

This is not a school where you send your child to learn . Teachers are mean to students and instead of helping them they put them down. when I as a parent walk into the school I feel uncomfortable because they are not welcoming at all. What hypocrites they are !!! They are a catholic school and yet they show no love or compassion to children.
Submitted by other on May 31, 2017

St. Paschal Baylon is an excellent school! I feel so blessed that my three children had the opportunity to grow and flourish in such a positive, loving, and faith-filled community. My children found a home away from home, and I felt secure knowing their needs were being met by the dedicated faculty and staff. In addition, my children were prepared for the rigorous academic demands of a college preparatory high school. I can't say enough positive things about St. Paschal Baylon. If I had to do it all over again, I would not hesitate to make the same choice and send my children to SPBS!
Submitted by other on May 31, 2017

I cannot understand the two most recent comments about our fantastic and faith-filled school. Saint Paschal Baylon School is filled with dedicated, experienced and quality teachers...along with a very competent, passionate, and long term principal. They all work very hard to make sure each individual student is acclimated, treated with respect and challenged to be the best they can be-at whatever level they may be at. Parents collaborate with the school in all areas. My children have never experienced "bullying" nor have I. My children have grown in their confidence and self-esteem while attending Saint Paschal Baylon School. I am thrilled with our experience in this school, and I recommend it highly.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2017

I disagree with previous comment that there is a lot of parental bullying and exclusion. I have been a parent at St. Paschal Baylon School for 13 years and involved prior to that with family that went to the school. I was welcomed with open arms when my child entered kindergarten and it only got better after that. I was involved with fundraising for the school, worked in the classroom and supported the school in whatever way I could to make it the best experience for not only my child but for our family. I never experienced exclusion as a parent or was my child's emotional well being damaged by the school. SPBS is a great school!
Submitted by other on May 05, 2017

There is a lot of parental bullying and exclusion. Some of the meanest mothers I have met. They form groups and encourage exclusion. It can really tear down a child's emotional well being. Not a welcoming environment at all.Academically, really disappointing as well.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2017

When I drop my kids off at school I feel a sense of security. A beautiful community where it is rare that you have not met the other families. My children are not numbers, and staff truly cares for them.My children are there because God is there, because they can ask questions about their faith and it is welcomed. God exists in our family's life, though it is a sacrifice for us to have our children attend this school it is worth every penny to us to know that God as subject is not taboo. Teachers are amazing, 40 kids to some calasses but there are aids in every class, resource center and a peer math tudoing which has helped make my son's math grade improve . Some teachers devide the class up 1/2 goes to computers, music or art while the other 1/2 stays for Spanish and then they switch. If your child needs help you are sure to find out by teacher reaching out, or one calling and requesting a meeting with teacher, I've never had the problem. Grades come home continuously, as a parent I can't see how you can't see your child is having issues in school. Log on to grade link and check your kids grades. The school is not trying to produce robots as recently posted, however they are big on respect for you teachers, following instructions, planning and executing. I back my kids teachers up and they back me up it really is a village. This school is not for people who think there children are perfect... word to the faint of heart no child is perfect, and this school will make sure to tell you just by checking your child's folder what type of day they had. So if you want a kind, well educated child SPBS is for you. Peace.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2017

While there are some great teachers and the sense of community is quite wonderful, I have to say that the administration leaves a lot to be desired. God forbid, literally, your child has any learning issues and can't function as a robot in a classroom of 40+ students. Of course, they won't tell you they can't help you or they want you to leave. Oh no, that would be too easy. Instead they will create an environment so uncomfortable for you & your child that you will choose to leave. Never in my life have I ever experienced a less "Christian" environment.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2015

Love our school! So happy we decided to leave our neighborhood school. Have to say we had some catching up to do. My son was a good 6-8 months behind of his classmates. Spbs is no joke, the academics are superb. With the help of my sons teacher, and some outside help he is right where he should be. A day doesn't go by that I'm not thankful for children being part of such a beautiful school and community.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2015

We love the academics, the teachers, the Catholic faith formation, the sense of community and the family activities. The principal is amazing, and this is a very well run school-it's the full package!
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2014

My child goes to this school and as far as academics goes I don't think they are better than the other private schools around. Their Math program is of sub standard level. I see my friends kids who go to public school doing way advanced math than my child. The Language art and reading program is good.The student to teacher ratio is really high. Even having an aide does not help. The religion, discipline and uniform part is good. The teachers are not always helpful. Try asking them something and it's all your child's fault. The kids are nice to each other and friendly. I think the active involvement of the parents in their children's education is what is making this school popular. If it were not for us parents then this school would have been like any other school.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2013

We love SPBS. Loving excited passionate teachers, principle, and staff. So happy to have joined such a wonderful community. The school is one class per grade so your child is not just a number, everyone knows who your child is and that is so comforting. Great parent involment that you can't help but get to know the families in the community. I get a feeling of peace when I see my child off to school, I know they will learn and be cared for as individuals. Elementary classes may seem crowded however a full time teachers aid is preset and super involved ratio is still better than public.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2013

Both of my sons attended SPBS and they absolutely loved it. The teachers are excellent but the principal makes all the difference. The school is very well organized and all the parents are involved in their children's education. If you have the means, get your child in that school. Your kid will thank you for it. My sons have said so many times. Also, the school has very high academic standards. The accelerated math and english classes are excellent. And the school has great, family friendly atmosphere.