Steele Elementary School

I truly cannot say enough incredible things about this school—it is something special. We feel unbelievably fortunate to have Mrs. Atencio as our principal. She is the kind of leader who sets the tone for everything: inspiring, uplifting, and deeply respected. Her positive energy is contagious, and you can feel the admiration her staff has for her the moment you walk through the doors. She has played a huge role in shaping this school into the vibrant, thriving community it is today.One of the standout aspects of Columbia is its arts-integrated approach to learning. It’s been a game changer for my children—keeping them engaged, excited, and genuinely connected to what they’re learning. We’ve been lucky to experience some truly exceptional teachers, including those recognized for outstanding classroom excellence, and it shows in every interaction.The “specials” teachers are absolutely phenomenal. From PE to Dance/Theater to Music and Art, each one brings something unique and inspiring. My kids absolutely adore them, and that says everything.What has impressed me most is the growth I’ve seen in my children, especially in math and reading. Their progress has been remarkable, and it’s a direct reflection of the dedication, passion, and talent of this staff.We feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a warm, inspiring, and high-quality school community. Columbia isn’t just a school—it’s a place where kids truly thrive.

My child was enrolled in Queen Palmer and was a part of the Special Ed program. In my experience the Peras absolutely know what they are doing 10/10. However, I felt as though the school was based off performance more than anything else. There was a timer where I was told by the principal my child would be better off in a school for kids like them. The IEP meetings were long, and the principal never attended but they had a lot to say when it came to disciplining my special needs child. Long story short the school is aimed towards children who are up to grade level and beyond if you are looking into a school for your special little one, I don't recommend them.

Taylor Elementary is an outstanding school when it comes to teaching and instruction. The classroom teachers are dedicated, skilled, and truly invested in their students' success. They create engaging lessons, provide strong academic support, and foster a positive learning environment. Because of their hard work and commitment, I would give this school a high rating for its overall instruction.However, I have been extremely disappointed with the special education team. Unfortunately, my child’s needs were not adequately met, and he was significantly underserviced. The lack of proper support and resources in this area has been frustrating and concerning. Every child deserves the help they need to thrive, and in this regard, the school fell short.If Taylor Elementary strengthens its special education program, it would truly be an exceptional school for all students.

My daughter attended pre-K here last year, and overall, it was a wonderful first school experience for her. She absolutely loved her teachers and genuinely enjoyed her school days. As parents, we appreciated the flexibility in scheduling — whether full week or partial, full days or half days — which made it easy to find what worked best for our family.As parishioners, we also love being part of the larger parish community and look forward to becoming more involved in the years ahead.I did remove one star, specifically for the pre-K program, as there were a few areas that gave us some concern. The school offers both Montessori and Classical tracks, but we never clearly saw a distinction between the two, nor did we receive an explanation of the Montessori curriculum or practices beyond “circle time” and independent activities. Additionally, we were surprised by the quality of screen time used in class — while we signed a waiver for occasional viewing, we were not aware that shows like Cocomelon would be part of it, especially given its reputation for being overly stimulating and addictive for young children. Lastly, snacks were a bit of a concern. Since they were community-provided, we understand the teachers had limited control, but our daughter often mentioned donuts, cookies, and other high-sugar treats as well as lots of artificial food dyes, which we try to minimize at home due to ADHD tendencies. These points may seem minor, but they are things we hope can improve over time.Overall, we’re happy with our experience and plan to continue our daughter’s education here. With the recent rebrand and new leadership, we’re excited about the growth and positive changes ahead!