Patrick Henry Middle School

What a gem! Exhausted by the shortcomings of the larger (local) school district led me here. Staff has been phenomenal, open, witty (which is a nice switch from transactional) and student-centered. Enrichment, extended daycare, etc...are facilitated/taught by people you WANT to leave your kid(s) with. If you want something other than a McSchool experience, tour this amazing place. You're welcome.

I wanted to take a moment to recognize a true hidden gem: St. Nicholas. Our family has had the pleasure of having all three of our children attend this school. Our love for St. Nicholas began about eight years ago when we enrolled our twin daughters at 18 months old, and continued six years later when their little brother joined them.What makes St. Nicholas exceptional starts first and foremost with its community—staff, teachers, and parents alike. Every single person is genuinely invested in the well-being of each child. This isn’t just something that’s talked about; it’s something that’s consistently demonstrated.The second major strength is academics. Even at the young age of 18 months, the activities the children engage in are intentionally designed to help them learn and grow. I especially appreciate the early introduction and consistent use of phonics. This foundation has truly helped our children develop strong vocabularies and reading skills.Now, as parents of elementary-aged children, we continue to see the benefits of St. Nicholas’s thoughtful academic approach. I greatly appreciate that the school does not over-index on technology as the primary teaching tool. Instead, children are taught essential foundational skills—such as writing, researching, and using glossaries and dictionaries—and then later use technology as a companion, not a substitute. To me, this approach is critical in developing strong critical-thinking skills, which will serve them well throughout life.I also value the principal’s leadership, particularly when navigating challenging situations involving student conflicts. Rather than stepping in to resolve issues single-handedly, she partners closely with teachers and empowers them to guide the resolution process. This gives teachers ownership and reinforces a consistent, thoughtful approach to conflict resolution.To round this out with areas for growth, I do wish the school had more playground equipment for younger children, or a slightly larger campus that could accommodate bigger play spaces, such as a field—especially for after-school sports. I would also love to see the return of emotional intelligence courses that were offered a few years ago. Lastly, while I wish there were an easier way for parents to have visibility into homework, I also respect the balance St. Nicholas strikes as children get older—encouraging responsibility, accountability, and natural consequences as part of their learning journey.

The school is truly a second home and family. The level of education is like no other. The school, staff, teachers and community are welcoming to all. Children are well rounded and receive a great deal of skill learning opportunities.