St Gregory The Great School

5343 Virginia Beach Boulevard

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on September 26, 2024

My relative was not treated right and cried daily over teachers and staff. He/she felt their voice wasn't heard and teachers held long grudges. They would get glared at constantly by staff. They expect high expectations and when you don't meet the requirements you are judged. There is very clear favoritism. Please save your money
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2022

I do not reccomend this school unless you plan to be on the basketball board or work there. It has been the worst middle school experience because of teachers and the basketball program. They are spiteful, selfish and rude. There are no other extra curricular although they claim to have them, they really do not. If part of the reason for sending your child to a private setting for the extra curricular do not. You will be most displeased. We have tried to get lacrosse, baseball, and soccer, but the Athletic Director just says, that there is no interest without even advertising in the weekly newsletter that is emailed because he really doesn't want to deal with it. The basketball program was most disheartening the way my child was treated. I honestly would not want anyone to go through what my son has experienced at this school. The most spiteful people I have ever known on the earth.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2021

There's been improvement with recent leadership change, though it still comes off as an elite members-only country club. Essentially, you either fit in, or you don't and faculty/staff are too close to the school to see this (or maybe that's how they want it?). Conscious and unconscious racial bias exists and displays itself throughout (parents, students, staff). A couple of years back, a 4th-grade student did an "I admire you" write-up about an individual who the SPLC identifies as a White Nationalist... they hung the expose up in the hallway with other student's classwork - (totally not joking). Multiple staff had to know who this person was. He was a popular alt-right social media personality at the time and many here are culturally and politically right-leaning. How open staff/parents/students are to self-examination and correction individually and institutionally remains to be seen. Where the school excels is through rigorous academics. St. Gregory the Great Catholic School has high educational expectations of students; if the kids are willing to do the work (and some grades are intense), they'll benefit and receive a quality education. The teachers have a strict and aggressive communication style, but it's needed due to the entitled attitudes of the children. Also, they are very hard-working teachers. If your children attend this school, they'll receive solid, old-fashioned schooling. Whether you or they fit in may be a different story. It's not the most inclusive environment, which may make for a stressful and lonely time for your child.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2021

I was not happy with this school. My son felt bullied on a constant basis and nothing was ever done about it. The teacher never communicated with us and I truly felt that my son would have performed better academically if he was back in public school. We will not be returning and I would not recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2021

Great in Academics. 5 stars for Elementary School. I rate a 3 for Middle because of lack of extra curricular activities for All students unless you are part of the clique. Teachers are great, but seems there are particular behind the scene staff who are given more power than their Educational Expertise.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2020

Honestly, the biggest waste of money in general, no or less on an educational experience. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. You'll get "yes"ed to death upon a tour, told the greatest things about the place (which is not reality), and once the school has your money, that's all that's really cared about.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2019

While the elementary school at St. Gregory's is still a little heavy on the homework, the middle school is, hands down, the best in town. Kids are given breathing room to grow socially, academically and spiritually. The faculty effectively prevents toxic cliques from forming among the students by continually mixing the students around in social situations, and also by ensuring that no two students have exactly the same schedule. Leadership opportunities abound for the kids, and often take the form of community service. The faculty is always available to meet or answer questions from students and / or parents, and seems happy to do so. Homework for the middle school is manageable, though the classes remain extremely challenging. The kids work hard, but are provided with the tools to succeed, and their accomplishments are celebrated appropriately. Because of these things, my kids' self-confidence has soared. In short, our family loves this school.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2018

Great so far only been there for two years
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

Definitely not the shiniest or flashiest school but their back to foundations approach is so solid that I finally feel like my kid is getting the education needed to compete in this world. We came from a VBCPS elementary and after trying to make public school work for over 3 years we finally threw in the towel. SGGS accepted us in with open arms and couldn't have been more positive. We are so much happier that my kid doesn't even mind the homework. Kid always says it was the best move EVER. :)
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2017

This is a difficult one for me because I had high hopes when placing my child here. My child has attended pre-k, Kindergarten and is now in 1st grade. My opinion is that the school has potential, but there are several issues that make me realize that I need to most likely place my child elsewhere in either 2nd or 3rd grade.First, the Pros:I like and appreciate the new principal of the school. I believe she cares about the school and it's students. Since she started, I've noticed an improvement in organization. She appears approachable and willing to listen. Because she is the new principle I believe she is still getting her sea legs and trying hard to manage what seems to be chaotic (to me). Hopefully, she will be able to make the changes the school needs.The Cons:1. The 1st grade classes are large. Too large for the students to obtain proper instruction. There are either 3 or 4 first grade classes (off the top of my head, I do not remember how many) and each class has 27 kids or more. Young children are not being taught at this age in such large classes. They are being herded like cattle and force fed information which is not teaching. The school seemed to be caught by surprise by the number of 1st grade students enrolling which seems odd due to the previous Kindergarten class sizes. While expanding the building may not have been feasible, adding trailers to their property and hiring another 1st grade teacher or two would have gone a long way in reducing class size. Because nothing has been stated in news letters about the upcoming 2nd grade school year, I worry that my child will be in a similar situation... essentially having a class that is too large in order for him/her to get proper instruction.2. Lack of solid, well placed school information. The school communicates with parents better than it did during the 2015/2016 school year, but it is still not good. There is too much information scattered and disseminated from a variety of sources which makes school life confusing. Busy parents need simple, straightforward info in one place.3. Teacher/staff approachability is lacking. I've personally found my child's first grade teacher authoritative and unapproachable. Much of the office staff is the same. There is little professionalism and it shows in both how they communicate. There is much tweeking that needs to be done.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2016

While my child's classroom experience has been ok, the facilities are very poorly run, and the aftercare program is simply bad. This year, my child is in a room that faces the exterior parking lot, rather than in the school proper. His teacher is nice and kind, but the classroom is dowdy, dark and drafty. During aftercare, there is little attention to the children and they are all dumped into the school cafeteria. My child comes home at least once a week, having been struck by another child likely due to lack of supervision and structured activities. On Friday nights, the cafeteria is converted into a Bingo hall (???) for the public. Players are allowed into the hall over an hour before aftercare ends--none of these people have security clearance to be there. The administration is less than responsive, and care more about running raffles and fundraising, rather than ensuring student safety. They clearly don't care about student retention either.
Submitted by other on December 07, 2015

I went to this school for 4 1/2 years (3rd-mid year 7th). If you do not fit their exact mold of an ideal student, you will not fit in. You will be bullied by both other students and teachers. Teachers and staff members are extremely rude and catty and will hold grudges. The curriculum is no different from public school, with the exception of religion class and heavily censored science classes. If you are a devout Catholic conservative family, then by all means, send your child here. If your child differs even slightly from that, spare them.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2013

We have been at this school since 2004. The staff members are really nice, and the standards of the school blew our minds. We have two boys in the school, one in 6th grade, and one in 1st grade.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2012

We have found a wonderful home at SGGS. Our daughter transferred to SGGS from a local public school three years ago. The teachers, parents , principal and staff have welcomed us in with open arms. The students made her feel comfortable the very first day. The academics are above and beyond what she received in public school. SGGS has given her the opportunity to thrive academically while keeping her grounded morally. We are blessed to be part this amazing school.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2012

SGGS is a wonderful Catholic school! Combining faith, academics, and service, the educators are modeling wonderful Catholic values while teaching our children important academic topics. They treat the students like they are their own children. The school is full of love with constant reminders of Jesus and what is really important in life. We have been there for 5 years. We highly recommend this GREAT school!