York Catholic High School

601 E Springettsbury Ave

York, PA 17403

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

7-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 04, 2024

Both my children have loved their experience at York Catholic, both in Middle and High School. Overall, YC is academically challenging and provides a safe, supportive environment. Class sizes are small and there are many extracurricular activities available. There are high standards students are expected to adhere to and lots of family involvement. Excellent school. We are not Catholic but extremely happy with our choice to take our children out of the public school system for this very affordable private education.
Submitted by other on July 10, 2023

This school creates a hostile and unsafe learning environment. While some teachers are inspirational, intelligent, and enthusiastic, others allow their students to suffer and drown in work without helping when help has been requested. Although, the real issue lies within administration: the principal. The leader of this school is unable to set aside personal grudges, allowing these to interfere with fair and unbiased decision making. Unless a child of someone who is a large donor to the school, the environment is harsh and unfriendly. Some are punished for certain things, as others walk free due to their social rankings and donations they can offer the school. I do not recommend sending your child to this joke of an institution.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2022

it is difficult to even press 1 star for York Catholic, the Harrisburg Diocese needs to open its eyes to the happenings at this school. An administrative failure on all levels steaming from the Principal. Both the teachers and students deserve better.
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2022

I would not recommend this school on any level for any student unless there are major changes in leadership. Yes the school has raised millions of dollars to improve it's deplorable building conditions, but that is just for show. The current principal is a known bully and continues to get away with childish behaviors and a level of unprofessionalism that slumped to a new low this past academic year. If you are looking to have your child bullied in an archaic catholic school environment, along with a sub-par education, look no further, this is the school for you, otherwise you are better served at one of the many outstanding catholic schools in the surrounding areas that have thrived under quality leadership.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2022

York Catholic is in great need of a major administrative change. It is not a safe place for students physically, socially, or emotionally. The administration targets certain families and students creating a hostile, unsafe environment. Extreme punitive measures are handed down to a select group of students, while other students walk free for numerous reasons. When parents question the punitive measure or how they are calculated, they are met with unprofessional answers, a negative attitude, and an objection to any true restorative actions. The school’s rating is at an all-time low at 925 out of 1,139 nationally among catholic schools. The Diocese needs to act quickly and replace the underqualified administration and take the proper steps to restore York Catholic.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2022

York Catholic is entirely unprepared for a post Covid world. Be ware that the design intent of leadership is finely zeroed in on raising money for a failing and bankrupt Harrisburg archdiocese and the attention to education is minimal at best. In the past 3 years the current administration has allowed crime to rise, and the school rankings nationally trail off dramatically. In the Post Covid era, particular administrative training would lend itself to an environment that is nurturing and supportive of the immense emotional and mental strain of students-- there is no such safety net at York Catholic, and the leadership makes it clear that their rules are the law, however subjective they are in times of unrest. The disappointing reality you will face is that the public schools surrounding York Catholic offer a better college trajectory, with a 360 embrace of education, athletics, and community - even while paying a tuition with the aim of providing your children something better. York Catholic also has an imbalanced leadership structure where there is little attention to college prep, or student activities. Realize this means that from a lost lunch to an "infraction" every matter goes in front of the principal. Our goal through enrollment was to have a safe small environment however even in the past 6 months cars have been stolen and the building broken into all while enjoying a donated stadium where you can celebrate to the staccato of gun shots in the distance.What makes a Catholic school great needs to be found elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2022

If you look into the organization of York Catholic, you find a school steeped in legacy: a vision of a design of education that may have served generations before todays, and certainly before the introduction of technology, racial inequity, and the chronic impact of COVID on mental health. Administrative tenure can be positive, but when the major leadership is derived of this, opportunities for change, and improvement are thrown out to mystically focus on a period of time that's past, and also of a team whose sustainability is built on a "us versus them" mentality. The teaching staff within York Catholic is passionate to build a formative base of education and with this its easy to spotlight all the talent in teaching York Catholic has amassed. However when you are looking at a school as we did for our family, we came away with the need for balance, and here you will not find this. Balance is a combination of encouragement, emotional and physical safety, and an ethos of positivity. Schools are to spark curiosity, academic questioning coupled with growth through critical ages-- this is not possible as any deviation from conformity is quickly met with exacting punishment and a system of demerits that laughably students "collect" as if badges of sophomore pride and accomplishment. The stark difference between treatment of different children is not out of a desire to achieve equity, but out of fear of continued reprisal; and the empathy for families and even the community that has endured the financial and mental impact of COVID is soberingly cold. If your ambition is to build a legacy, and help design a better experience for your child and family, you are going to find an uphill journey where the oasis of change remains in the unattainable distance.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2022

I would not recommend this school. Teachers are great, leadership is poor.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2021

The principal at this school is very unprofessional and rude when dealing with parents and students. She takes things personally and micromanages to the 3rd degree. Her communication skills are subpar to say the least and teachers don't step up to do their jobs when parents are paying high tuition rates. Very disappointed with the lack of leadership here!
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2020

If you are searching for go a school that not only provides a top college level education but also an environment that promotes service, morals, catholic values, and a faculty that welcomes your fame with open arms.. that school is YC!
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2019

Though we live in a good school district we chose to send our daughter to Catholic school for both elementary and high school. And we never once regretted our decision. Not only did the challlenging academics prepare her for the rigors of college the schools instilled in her the values necessary to become a productive and valued member of the community. She went on to earn her Masters degree in Education and is now an elementary school teacher in an urban environment.
Submitted by other on March 20, 2018

York Catholic stands out in York county as the best school . Their faith based approach, along with their strong academics, family oriented has been a magnet for us. The school's high standards on character and charity towards others less fortunate are with out a doubt a place where loving attitude is shown throughout the neighborhood. York Catholic is a light for all schools to follow.
Submitted by student on May 28, 2017

York Catholic, while not the most accepting school, goes above and beyond in academics and prepping their students for college. I have cousins who graduated from central with 4.0's and complain about how difficult college is, whereas friends of mine who graduated from York Catholic with 3.5's say that college is a breeze compared to York Catholic. York Catholic's sports also have been very successful, and being a smaller school anyone can try out for any sport and at least make jv. For example I did tennis and soccer in 9th grade and cross country and track in 10th.
Submitted by other on April 21, 2017

This school has a serious bullying problem and they repeatedly protect the bullies.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2013

I am thrilled by the high academic standards set by York Catholic. At a time when other schools seem to be continually lowering their standards, YCHS has not lowered the bar. Teachers and staff support struggling students with after school tutoring and parent communication. My children are average learners but I feel as if they are constantly encouraged to give that extra effort and always take pride in their work. Thank you, York Catholic for enforcing the values my husband and I emphasize at home.