St. Raymond School

As a parent, I always envisioned a nurturing environment for my child—one that promotes inclusivity and fairness. Unfortunately, my experience at Sacred Heart School has been anything but that.From the moment we enrolled, it became clear that there is a disturbing culture of favoritism and elitism that permeates this institution. My child was routinely singled out by teachers and staff, facing undue scrutiny and harsh discipline for even the most minor infractions. In stark contrast, peers from wealthier families seemed to operate with impunity, escaping consequences for behavior that would surely have landed my child in the principal's office.The environment at Sacred Heart is not only punitive but also toxic. The blatant hazing that my child endured at the hands of both staff and students is alarming. Instead of fostering a supportive community, the school has created an atmosphere where wealth and status dictate who gets punished and who gets a free pass. It’s disheartening to witness this kind of injustice in an educational setting that claims to uphold values of respect and compassion.As parents, we expect our children to be treated fairly and with dignity, regardless of their background. Unfortunately, Sacred Heart has failed miserably in this regard. If you are considering this school, I urge you to think twice. No child should have to endure the humiliation and distress that mine faced in what is supposed to be a safe and nurturing environment.In short, Sacred Heart has a long way to go in fostering true equity and compassion within its walls. Until then, I cannot recommend this institution to any parent seeking a supportive educational experience for their child.

I would not recommend sending your student here. They preach sportsmanship then at athletic games acts shamefully as a student population in the stands, the worst we have ever seen on a scale of low-income public to private preparatory.

What I wish I knew about PBS (after 1 year)We’ve been at PBS for a year, and I often get questions from friends considering the school. These were the same questions I had, so I’m sharing what I’ve learned.1. Is PBS academically heavy?No, PBS is not focused on worksheets, drills, or tests. The goal is to spark a love of learning while offering real challenge.There’s an excellent math specialist who came from Nueva (friends at Nueva said she was their favorite teacher). She works in classrooms weekly and leads parent-child math sessions. I’ve seen kids build the belief that they can do hard things, that everyone can be a “math kid,” and that there are multiple ways to solve problems. For parents wondering about math differentiation, kids are also grouped by level (~3–4 groups), so they’re appropriately challenged.2. Is PBS an SEL school?Yes, but not through a formal curriculum. Unlike schools with defined frameworks (e.g. Woodland uses Yale SEL, Synapse uses HEART), PBS’s SEL is embedded in the culture. Kids learn through daily interactions with highly attuned teachers who notice how they’re feeling and respond with care.There are also powerful moments of modeling, for example, a member of the school's leadership team once shared openly, “I’m a crier. I’ve cried at work.” That shows kids it’s okay to feel, to feel sad, to express their truth, even at school.This kind of SEL is hard to codify, it comes from hiring deeply attuned people, which is much harder to replicate, than applying an SEL framework.3. Does the community feel exclusive?No, the opposite.This was one of my biggest concerns going in, given the location near Sand Hill Road. But the community is very diverse, across culture, background, economic status, family structure, and professions. Because of that diversity, you don’t feel singled out-you find people you connect with. In younger grades, the whole class is often invited to birthday parties.5. Is there bullying? There was a known situation in 2022 that the school addressed. Like any school, there are kids with big energy. What I’ve been impressed by is how teachers handle those moments, with skill, calm, and kindness. Again, it comes back to having attuned, capable teachers.Bottom linePBS does not optimize for tests or follow a SEL framework. It’s about creating an environment, with amazing people, where kids grow into the best version of themselves. After a year, I can confidently say: that approach works.