Eastmoor

I would rate this school a 1

Let me tell you about Columbus Montessori Education Center—this place is something special. From the moment our daughter walked through those doors, I knew she was in a space that would nurture her mind, her heart, and her potential. It’s not just a school; it’s a community where every child is seen, valued, and inspired to shine.The teachers? Incredible. They’re patient, kind, and deeply committed to each child’s growth. They don’t just teach—they empower. They encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence, meeting each child where they are and helping them soar. The environment? It’s warm, bright, and full of opportunities for discovery. Every corner of the school invites learning and exploration, and the outdoor spaces give kids room to move, play, and grow strong—not just in body, but in spirit.At CMEC, my daughter learned to think for herself, to embrace challenges, and to lead with compassion and determination. When the time came for my daughter to move on to middle school she transitioned beautifully to a traditional classroom. She was able to walk into a new school, classroom and lunchroom with confidence introducing herself to peers and teachers alike. CMEC is a place that shapes not just great students, but great people. If you want your child in a school that’s building the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and doers, this is it. My daughter is thriving, and that’s the kind of education every child deserves.

I graduated from Saint Catharine's a couple years ago, and let me tell you, I had QUITE the experience with this school. First of all, let me say that my position of not liking this school comes from a good place. Education is incredibly important, even if it is being overlooked quite often by many organizations I will not name. That being said, I believe that this school fails miserably at educating it's students. Although, it is true that I learned a good deal about myself (not thanks to the school, but thanks to one of my close friends). All of the 'good' teachers quit recently because the ex-principal hired a teacher that almost all students reported a negative experience with (which is also WHY he was fired). This teacher swore at us under her breath, and was generally not fit for a teaching job. The student that go to this school are the worst kind of student: snobby children of the upper crust. For the first few years of my time at this school, the was a a teacher to help with special needs children, but he left the school, and was never replaced, leaving the special needs kids to need to fend for themselves. Most of the parents of students volunteered on the cafeteria, which was awful. The cafeteria was open for anyone to enter before and after school, and once I wasn't able to eat hot lunch because the lunch staff didn't prepare enough food. On that note, I'll move on to the safety issues, of which there were MANY. The gym doors didn't have locks until recently, leading a homeless person doing drugs and falling asleep in the gym. Everywhere, there are pipes exposed, with valves that ANYONE can turn to shut off the water to the WHOLE SCHOOL. Students brought in alcohol on multiple occasions, ANYONE is allowed on the playground during recess, including people who don't even go to the school, there are bomb threats, and many other issues. One of the worst things to happen during my time at Saint Catharine's happened my 8th grade year. One of the students in a lower grade sexually assaulted a very young student, and the school tried to cover it up (probably to avoid bad pr). I was also sexually assaulted by the 'popular guy's in our class, who was an absolute pervert, just like most of the guys who went to this school. On the topic of safety, the parish holds an annual 'Fun Fest' that gets shut down early EVERY YEAR because of violence and people being in possession of firearms. They never prepare for these things, and this ALWAYS HAPPENS.