St. Francis Xavier

808 Linden Avenue

Wilmette, IL 60091

13 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 16, 2025

We were warned but chose to ignore. Don’t walk, RUN away from this school and environment for your child and family. They learn nothing. You and they will be surrounded by snobby, insecure and jealous women who are all worried about advancing their and their child’s social status. While the town is picturesque, the school and people living in it are truly horrible. I would never, ever, recommend this school for anybody. Did I mention most families are not practicing Catholics? None even try to espouse Christian values in how they live. It’s an unbelievable no for us. Don’t say you weren’t warned!
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2024

I believe there are some very good teachers here and the leadership seems to care and do the right thing. I feel that my children are physically safe here and getting a good education. I feel that the school administrators and teachers care about my child. Not all, but over 50% of the children that we have had experience with at this school are terribly spoiled, entitled and bullys. Many families here have 4, 5 and 6 kids and grew up in the area. With so many kids, it is impossible to keep an eye on your child or make sure they are acting with the "Christian values" they are supposed to learn here. We have found that the worst kids are those of the families with the most kids and care most about social status themselves. Some of the kids here are socially dangerous and have no sense of right or wrong and when these issues are disclosed to parents, nothing is done. Social media abuse is rampant amongst the students. There really is no way to change an ingrained culture that doesn't want to change. Highly recommend going somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2024

Wrote previous review, but just to clarify, why 3 stars? In my experience, under a different leadership, the school was not more forthcoming with student benchmark data. In the public schools, they recognize that it's a parents right to have access to it. If you child is high, you really don't have to worry about it. If your child is low, having the conversation in 2nd grade or 4th grade is way too late. Also, for 20+ years my family flipped burgers and grilled steaks for the many SFX families that are Westmoreland members. Our family was good enough to make meals, but not good enough for my daughter to sit next to them at the lunch table. Gutted, sad, wishing that the world was a better place in 2023. Do better SFX!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2024

This school is a horrific excuse for upholding Christian values. Those are non existent! It’s a check the box for families wanting to look good and look like they’re getting their kid the sacraments…all for show. The parents are HORRENDOUS!!!!! Cannot stress this enough. Clicks, backstabbing, jealousy, two-faced Moms all trying to climb the social ladder in that small little town. It’s truly a joke! And all those Moms are raising kids that are truly mean! This school is the definition of a toxic environment. Did I mention the academics? These kids are far far behind the public school. Go here ONLY if you’re a super insecure wannabe Mom who drinks like a fish and is ready to party. It’s what the school is all about.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2023

After 8+ years at this school I can honestly say I would not recommend for new families. Considering it is a Catholic school, they do not hold up basic Christian values. If you’re in search of a parent community that is basically frat/sorority 2.0, then this is your place. If you’re a graduate of Notre Dame, then this is your place. If you want to send your kids to a school so you can say your kids go to “private”school, then this is your place. If you want your child to attend a school for THEIR benefit, look elsewhere. We wish we had left years ago. Bullying is an issue. Disrespectful children is an issue. Children who bully not being appropriately reprimanded is an issue. If you are a family that didn’t grow up in Wilmette, or don’t throw your money at the school, you will be treated differently. The head of the parish only knows your name if there are dollar signs behind it. As parents who both attended Catholic schools, we hoped and expected far better for our children. We are saddened they missed out on the true Catholic community they so deserved.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2022

This school is all show and nothing to show for it. Parents are unwelcoming, pretentious snobs who are raising kids that are little bullies themselves. Horrific academics - tons of parties for parents all centered around a toxic culture of drinking, judgment and cliques amongst the mothers and fathers. Passed my child on to the next grade level with no mastery of concepts. This school was absolutely the biggest waste of money and a horrific toxic culture we are beyond happy to be free from. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere for the Catholic environment and education you’re seeking for your child(ren) and family.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2018

SFX is an amazing place, and I am so grateful we have chosen to send our children there! Teachers and administrators are very accessible to us. They make all students to feel important members of the SFX "family". SFX does a beautiful job making new families feel welcome. The preschool through 8th grade environment creates so many opportunities for student leadership, community building, and service. There are so many benefits to having students age 3 through 8th grade on one campus. Students display respectful and kind behavior both in school and outside of school. The school also does a terrific job of differentiating and offering support services such as Reading Specialists, Speech Therapy, Full-time School Nurse, Social Work, Technology Specialist, and they hope to have OT support soon.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

Although there are some positives about this school, and it's in a nice area, there are many problems with this school, and we had to take our children elsewhere. There is a real problem with bullying in some grades, the teachers and administration do not adequately address this (often because the bullies are the children of big donors!) nor is there a general culture of character and respect cultivated among the children (obviously partly parents fault, but the school doesn't do much to counteract it.) I agree that a lot of kids like going to school there - they just try to make it all fun all the time, tons of technology, candy, games, movies, constant time out of the classroom for author visits and other activities and no serious focus on academics or raising thoughtful kids. In fact, it seems most above average kids leave the school after a couple years of no enrichment. The school is so focused on increasing enrollment and a massive expansion which won't be filled once parents really get a sense of what's going on here. Most parents seem to not take an active interest in what is going on there and just assume all is well and the teachers know what they are doing, when, in reality, there are a lot of problems. Also, I know it is difficult to retain quality teachers at such low salaries, but there are a few that really shouldn't be there. They honestly seem to use their classrooms as their personal therapy sessions, by talking about themselves all day long. Some kids get through entire school years learning very little. Better leadership in this regard would be helpful. I wish this school the best and hope that they can address their problems.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2016

my kids like this school more than I ever liked any school. I'm not sure what is going on in that regard (free candy maybe?) but it's impressive. and they love their classmates too. I can see how some might see the parents as cliqueish but it should not be surprising..it is a private school on the ns. if you make an effort to break the ice almost all are very friendly. older kids take math classes at new trier if they are ahead of the game which is important.only gripe I have is there seems to be waaaay too much emphasis on tech. ipads smartboards etc. but maybe I'm a Luddite.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2015

This school has changed significantly over the last few years, and not for the better. The new administration is inexperienced and the school no longer has a family-friendly feel to it. They are exclusively focused on increasing enrollment thus the school is bursting at the seams and does not meet the needs of the students. This is definitely no longer a place for children who are above or below average at all. It's too late for us to change, but very sadly I can no longer recommend this school to anyone. There are a few exceptional teachers, as there are anywhere, but there are also several teachers who lack the knowledge and the maturity to teach and a lack of leadership to guide them to becoming better teachers. The curriculum also seems to be significantly behind where the public school is. A few families have transferred out recently and have found that their children are really far behind at the local public schools.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

St. Francis Xavier has been a life saver for us. Excellent teachers, excellent administration, and great kids. Our son has been provided in-class differentiation to keep him interested and focused, allowing him to move ahead of the class at his own pace, and out-of-class differentiation in mathematics where he is so far ahead he could not be accommodated in class. Our daughter has received plenty of focus time in her classroom to help her with reading and attention span. Overall, I can't speak highly enough of St. Francis Xavier, and would unconditionally recommend it to any parent!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2012

SFX provides an intentional combination of academics and values, preparing our children to be compassionate leaders. SFX is one of only 50 private schools across the nation to win a Blue Ribbon School Award in 2012. We love St. Francis!
Submitted by other on July 08, 2011

I am A former student of SFX and I loved the school. I feel the school challenged me and they helped me achieve the best of my abilities. The teachers actually care about each individual student and help everyone's different learning styles. I also though we had the perfect amount of kids in each class. Never more than 15, it made it easy to learn. I loved SFX