St. James Elementary School

4625 Garnet Street

Torrance, CA 90503

13 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 26, 2024

The new principal is great and is taking the school in the right direction! It's a great vibe and the staff is amazing! My kids come home excited about their day and that makes me happy i chose the right and best school in Torrance! So grateful we are a part of the SJS Family! Go Pelicans! Keep up the great work!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2023

We have had a great experience here!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2023

We love Saint James!The principal, Ms. Maricich is amazing. She is hard working, knows every student and parent by name. The vice principal, Ms. Schiappa-Gobee is sweet and helpful. The entire office staff is fantastic. They always respond to any of my concerns or questions quickly and efficiently. The kindergarten teacher, Ms. Hughes, has two decades of experience and had just moved to CA this school year and we were lucky to get her when the previous kindergarten teacher suddenly quit a month or so into the school year. My child is having fun and learning so much. I know he is well taken care of at St James. It feels like an amazing community of teachers, staff, and families that choose to be there and want what is best for the kids and the school and will do what we can to constantly make it better. Overall, we are very happy with our decision to enroll our child here and we look forward to seeing our child grow here until 8th grade!
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2020

The new leadership is horrible. She only cares about money. Does nothing for the kids. There is no discipline. Kids can get away with bullying and being disrespectful. The teachers look miserable and many have left. I suggest looking at one of the other private schools nearby.
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2018

I love SJS. My two kids have gone to SJS and went on to Bishop Montgomery High School and to wonderful colleges. They learned so much at SJS, not just academics, but integrity, values, faith, and honesty. I am so thankful for the school, the teachers, staff, and principal. I know they would not be the wonderful people that they are if not for SJS. I read some of the reviews about the Principal and I completely disagree. She is an amazing principal who has done great things for the school. The teachers and staff stay there because of her leadership. The kids love her and she loves them. The parents who don't like her are the ones who don't get her to bend to their will. They expect her and the teachers and staff to do what they want because "they pay tuition". She does not do that. She does what is best for the school and the students. Also, I've had nothing but wonderful encounters with the secretary. She is always helpful and willing to answer any "silly" questions I might have. The welcoming office and principal is one of the reasons I sent my kids there. If you want a warm, welcoming Catholic school, go to SJS!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2017

St James is a wonderful school that is concerned not only with what our kids know, but also with who they become. There are no perfect schools, but St. James provides a quality education at a very reasonable price. SJS helps us raise curious learners. The school helps reinforce the values we strive to instill at home. And the school has sent my older children off wonderfully prepared for the rigors of high school. I would recommend SJS in a heartbeat.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2017

Our family was blessed to find SJS when we located to the South Bay. We have found the leadership and teachers to be wonderful partners in educating our 4 children and helping to maintain a community of faith and fun. SJ students have very high standardized test scores and graduating students test into honors classes at the local public schools and area private schools. For some SJ is not right fit for their families. It has been the perfect fit for ours.
Submitted by other on January 27, 2017

The principal ia available to everyone, especially the kids. I was shocked at how they go to her office to "visit" with her after school . When they saw me at the door, they automatically went out and told others who were arriving that Sister is with someone. When I left, they were so happy to go right back in. Amazing! I have never seen that at any school!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2017

Very disappointed with administration and their closemindedness. Front office secretary is extremely rude to anyone and everyone to the degree that many parents and visitors have complained. Concerns are only addressed if a solutions is proposed regardless of magnitude. School is very much stuck in the past and not willing to embrace change and opportunity that would surely benefit the students and school. There is no rotation of leadership and hence nothing changes. The same decision makers have been in place for as long as I know and every new idea, proposal and/or suggestion is shot down with little consideration or the burden is placed on the parent(s) with no school support. There is absolutely zero pastoral presence at this catholic school despite having been requested numerous times. Supplemental Education Foundation is a joke. Funding for the most part goes to Spanish, Art and Music with only pennies going to subjects that would actually help the children succeed in life. This will likely be our last year at this school unless some sign of change become obvious quickly.
Submitted by other on November 03, 2016

The principal, a nun, has been in her position for too long and is too inflexible. She may have been effective at one point, but she has since lost sight of the need for compassion and the adverse impact and damage negativity can have on students. Teachers, parents, and students are afraid to cross her, for fear of retribution, and the parish buries its head in the sand as to what is going on. The principal cares more about image than substance, and school programs are considered based on how they and/or their results will look and can be marketed more than for content. Please consider going elsewhere if you want your child(ren) to experience a true Catholic and/or enriching school experience.
Submitted by other on September 05, 2016

New to the school, but not to Catholic education. By far, St. James school has been very welcoming,, honest, and has committed school family. A breath of fresh air to say the least.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2014

I love Saint James School. All three of my children were blessed to have gone to SJS. They were so well prepared for high school! They have great memories of their time at SJS. The loved the teachers and their classmates.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2013

I cannot recommend this school. I have a long history with SJS, so I know the school well. The standard for academics is great, however the problem with kids being bullied leaves a black cloud over the school. The policy for bullying is NOT enforced! After meeting the parents of the bullies, I could clearly see why these kids are the way they are. Volunteering has been a very uncomfortable experience as well due to these very parents. This WILL be our last year!