Vega

Our experience with SFX spans two school years: 2024–2025 and 2025–2026.In our first year, we had a largely positive experience overall, though the principal at the time was minimally engaged and not visible on campus. We had no direct interaction with her.In our second year, we were excited about both a seasoned Kindergarten teacher and the arrival of a new principal, Dr. Nicdao. She quickly brought energy, structure, and visible improvements to the school. She built relationships with students, parents, and staff, maintained a regular presence on campus, and communicated consistently through weekly updates. Her commitment to the students and school community was clear, and we were impressed by the progress made in a short time.However, 5 days after registration closed at SFX, the parish priest sent an email announcing that Dr. Nicdao would not be returning. Approximately 60 families showed up the next morning wanting answers. Why was she being terminated? What did she not accomplish? What were they looking for in a new principal? He could not/would not provide any answers.Through independent conversations, some with the archdiocese, parents learned that the school had been placed on PROBATION by WASC, the accrediting body for private schools, during the 2024–2025 school year due to gaps in education and teacher development. This information had not been broadly communicated to families.Parents reached out to Dr. Nicdao and she willingly provided the information on the areas of improvement and the steps she was already taking and sent an email in April recapping the current status to the entire school community. Who will carry this forward upon her departure? If the school does not rectify the issues during the probationary period, accreditation can be lost. Many families quickly began to see the writing on the walls and applied to other schools, public, private, and Catholic. At this time 40-50 families will not be returning to SFX prioritizing transparency, stability, and confidence in the school’s long-term direction.There are additional concerns not outlined here, but I encourage prospective families to ask questions about financial management and teacher qualifications, including how the school ensures those requirements are met.