St Joseph School

The fundamental issue with this school lies in its “open school concept.” It operates under the assumption that every child will naturally adapt to a completely open learning environment—with no walls between classrooms and constant noise distractions. This is simply not true.My child struggled immensely in this setting. When I submitted an official evaluation report highlighting these concerns, I was not taken seriously. My child himself voiced how overwhelming the environment was, particularly the constant noise, and was told to “try harder.” This response left him deeply frustrated and led him to internalize the belief that something was wrong with him.Eventually, things escalated to school refusal. Instead of exploring how the school environment might be contributing to the issue, the social worker suggested we consider enrolling him in a specialized institution for school refusal. At no point was there real acknowledgment that the noise and lack of structure were a problem, despite these clearly being major contributors to his distress. The open school layout—with no walls and overlapping auditory distractions—is incredibly difficult for many children, especially those with sensory sensitivities or attention challenges. Yet this was completely dismissed by the school.To make matters worse, the district offers no reasonable pathways for families seeking a school transfer. The process is convoluted and unsupportive, leaving families stuck and children unsupported.Ultimately, I had to make the difficult decision to leave the district altogether. We moved to another district where my child’s needs were immediately recognized and the right supports—including IEP accommodations—were put in place without delay. The difference has been night and day.I do not recommend this school—ever—especially for children with ADHD, sensory processing differences, or any child who may need 504 or IEP accommodations. If your child thrives in a calm, structured, and supportive environment, this is absolutely not the place for them.

Families who are still considering this school should think carefully before enrolling. What we witnessed is: if a child does not perfectly fit the school’s expectations, meaningful support can be very limited! Rather than working with families to help a child succeed, we were told our child might be better off attending another school. That is incredibly disappointing from an institution that should be committed to helping every student grow and learn. Schools should support children who need guidance or a different approach—not make families feel like their child doesn’t belong. Overall our experience was deeply frustrating and disheartening.

Been a part of this school community for 9 years. Cannot say enough great things about the dedicated teachers and admin. Excellent public school.