Cair Paravel Latin School

635 Southwest Clay Street

Topeka, KS 66606

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 21, 2023

If you are UBER conservative Christian and have a neurotypical child that is perfect, this is the place for them. Otherwise, don't expect any education for the money you are spending.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2022

Two of my children graduated from Cair Paravel. They were well prepared for college and for “the real world”. Both of them were very average students and are now quite successful. Cair Paravel provided a safe environment for my children. They never felt threatened or bullied. The faculty and staff care deeply about the success of each student-not just academic success, but they try to nurture students into becoming decent members of their community. After leaving public school where my children were passed on regardless of performance, we decided we wanted more for our children. At CPLS my very average children were educated. The teachers took the time to give extra help when needed. Does it accept lbgqt… no because CPLS is founded on Christian principles not world principles. The uniforms relieved a tremendous amount of pressure for my daughter who, in public school, felt pressured to dress a certain way just to be accepted. The uniforms made the social stigma of designer labels a non-issue and allowed students to focus on more important things. We’re my children expected to behave in an appropriate manner-absolutely. CPLS is concerned about the teaching of the whole child not just the academics. We felt cared about by the school community. My children hold Cair Paravel on such high regard that their own children now attend.
Submitted by other on July 02, 2022

Do not go to this school. It's gone downhill over the years, the teachers are horrible and creepy, and set you up for failure both academically and in the real world once graduated. The teachers don't even know their own rules and so you'll get detention for something you were told was okay, as well having the wrong shade of red shirt. Many teachers set kids up for failure, both with little warning of tests (ex: letting them know of the midterm the class before it), purposefully failing kids (throwing away assignments, refusing to put them in, marking wrong things they got correct, etc), or purposefully making tests too difficult and bragging about it, as well as adding things they said were not gonna be on the test. Teachers get away with a lot of things, no matter how much they're reported, and creepy teachers are still there today. Teaches you a lot about Ancient Rome, but almost nothing of the world today. I was forced in front of the class when I was feeling faint (I have a disability that causes me to faint), putting me in danger. Multiple teachers don't even know the subject they're teaching and are unable to help kids understand. Not a good school at all, traumatized me and everyone I know heavily. Do NOT go here, the 'Christian private school! So amazing!' is a coverup for a horrible, traumatizing school.
Submitted by other on September 24, 2021

Too much focus on how girls should act and prepare for being someone's wife. The dress code is particularly strict for girls and I was picked on for my skirt being a bit too short while the cheerleaders' skirts were way shorter and they didn't even have leggings like I did. To further enforce the gender stereotypes, for eighth grade graduation, boys are given a real sword while girls are given a crown, similar to the old fashioned, outdated purity balls. As far as the uniform goes, Sophia Trevino puts it best, “In school, they think that the boys are just drooling over our shoulders and our thighs,. They aren’t. They don’t care. And even if they do, that’s not our fault. That’s theirs.” If this school is Christian, boys need to be taught how to respect girl instead of girls having to accommodate everyone.
Submitted by other on September 24, 2021

I went here for five years and some of it was ok. If you care more about music and arts than math and science, it's an ok place for your kid. New staff don't really know what they're doing. Kids get a lot drilled into them they don't have a chance to develop their own sense of self or worldview, hence the feeling of being a mass-produced Christian. There is a lot of memorization of facts, verses, poems, etc. but not much of actual learning. This school feels like a bubble that will not prepare your child for the real world.
Submitted by other on September 23, 2021

Typical christian school. Almost everyone is white. Tuition is expensive. Lots of emphasis put on girls being ladylike and boys being manly. Don't allow lgbtq+. This is old fashioned. A lot of teachers are not even close to being experts in their subjects. A lot of friends and family work there. If you want your child to have a good education, don't send them here.
Submitted by other on May 04, 2021

This school taught me so many good things about the Bible and history and I thought they did a good job nailing that into the students heads, however they don’t focus on stuff in the outside world like daily essential things. It’s more of a sheltered school, I attended Cair Paravel kindergarten through seventh grade. I’m glad I left and now go to public school to get more of an outside knowledge and things that I will actually use in college and beyond.
Submitted by other on January 25, 2017

After graduating from Cair Paravel, I felt very prepared for college. In fact, I found college easy compared to what I was accustomed to at CPLS. Just to clarify, I am in a STEM major and I have not had any problems. I have tackled math and science at the collegiate level with no issues. If anything I was over prepared by taking Calculus I at CPLS for concurrent credit. I am very blessed to have attended CPLS. The concurrent credits will allow me to graduate from college early. I cannot say enough good things about CPLS. This school has taught me how to think, how to defend my faith, and to love learning. CPLS has shown me the importance of the good, the true, the beautiful, and so much more. If you are on the fence, please do not hesitate to enroll your child. Education greatly shapes who a person is, and I can gladly say CPLS shapes them for the better.
Submitted by other on August 24, 2016

This school provided me with a wonderful foundation in the humanities, Latin, and Bible. However, it does not do well preparing students to engage with the "real world," in which most of the population isn't white and Christian. I also felt behind in some subjects like math and science when I entered college, although I excelled in English and history, etc.
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2015

Our sons have attended Cair Paravel Latin School since kindergarten. They are now a Freshman and Senior. Competitive sports, performing on stage from kindergarten and beyond in theater productions, opportunities to shine in choir, scholar's bowl and more are offered at CPLS. One of the highlights of CPLS are the yearly tours beginning in 5th grade. A love and appreciation for travel is nurtured as students, parents and teachers travel the country each spring. Oklahoma City, Washington D.C., New York, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, and St Louis are just a few of the cities they visit. Upon graduation, our sons will be well prepared for higher education and to take their place in the world. Critical thinking along with a strong Christian foundation will serve them well. It's more than a school, it's a way of life and service.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2014

We have two young kiddos (soon to be three) at CPLS. We are thrilled God led us here. CPLS really is a family. The brilliant faculty and staff encourage and shape students' minds with God at the center. The administration and board are diligent in their duties and great caretakers of this institution. They strive to make a great place even better. We couldn't ask for more. It can be a financial strain, but we are reminded daily that this investment pays huge dividends for life!
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

My 3 children attended Cair Paravel from kindergarten and graduated from high school a few years ago. Their education has served them well throughout college and into life. Their experiences at CPLS (travel, sports, musicals, dramas, etc.) and the breadth of their educational opportunities (art, music, literature, etc.) have made them very well-rounded. The teachers were almost universally compassionate, caring and helpful. They never "taught to a test" but the students always performed well. Faculty shared their lives and their faith and challenged my children's beliefs and as a result my children's faith is secure and rooted in the Savior alone. Yes, it was expensive. My husband is a blue-collar worker and the tuition required sacrifice, but it was completely worth every penny when I see the result of young adults with strong families, strong faith and a great education.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2014

We love Cair Paravel! The school is challenging academically. Teachers help students ponder questions and dissect materials that I didn't approach until college, and the kids rise to the expectations. CPLS graduates historically do very well in college because they have learned how to study, analyze, write and present ideas. The CPLS curriculum integrates God into every class. The school has one of the finest music and arts programs in the area. This improves their public speaking abilities, encourages their creativity and increases their self-confidence at an early age. One of my favorite things about this unique school are the tours. Beginning in 4th grade, each class goes on a fun, educational tour. See http://www.cpls.org/current-students/tours/ for more information about these trips. Your child will be challenged, encouraged and loved as a student at Cair Paravel Latin School (yes, they do learn Latin as part of a classical education. For more on what that means, go here: http://www.cpls.org/about/classical-education/). I encourage your family to come and walk the halls and you will feel the difference at CPLS.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2013

My two kids have been at CPLS since kindergarten and we have been extremely pleased with the faculty, staff and administrators. My wife and I made a conscience investment in our kids' education that will pay dividends for years to come. They will leave CPLS with a liberal arts education, will be able to think and learn how to master any subject or field, will be able to articulate and defend their position on any matter in writing and orally. The love and caring atmospehere at CPLS is first rate. Parent involvment is encouraged and we have loved walking through life together with other families at CPLS. We also love the wide range of sports offered as well as the arts. Most importantly we love how CPLS applies a Christian view in every subject taught and the classical approach to teaching our kids.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2013

Cair Paravel Latin School is an excellent school. My high school children have attended since Kindergarten and I feel they have received the best possible education. I know that they can write, speak and think on their own and that they will be well prepared for college. The teachers are excellent and truly care about your child. There are also many opportunities for them to participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports, drama, musicals, etc.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2013

Our three children have all attended Cair Paravel since kindergarten and they have each been academically challenged and personally encouraged by wonderful Christian faculty at every level. The school has been a blessing to our children. Years ago we weren't sure how we were going to afford it, but now we can't imagine a better way to invest in our family.