West Utica Elementary School

My son has been going to this school since October 2023.Everyday he comes home and tells me he is getting bullied. Every time I try to address the issue, the school staff talks in circles or take their time getting in contact with me. They try to make it seem like it’s ONLY my child.They will NOT allow me to do a sit in on a classroom teaching either and requested one.Other parents have also said to me that the school is incompetent and negligent.

The principal is to worried about everyone liking him. I have watched bullying happen with no consequences. I have asked personally for certain things to be done to prevent further bullying, was told yes (keeping my child from going to recess), only for him to keep his word for a week and them to go back to being bullied at recess. When asked about certain services, he has no idea what was going on. The teachers take weeks to reply to issues, concerns, they are more worried about posting on social media to gain “likes” DURING SCHOOL HOURS (if they even decide to reply)! If I was that principal I would be absolutely EMBARRASSED by majority of the teachers that “work” there!

I like this school. My kids love to school.

I do remember the years that Wiley was thriving as stated by others. Today’s Wiley is much different. Yes, there are still some outstanding educators, but sadly Candace, the principal, has absolutely no business working with children, especially those with different learning needs and styles despite diagnoses. The growing diversity across UCS and the differentiation required is NOT being addressed by the current principal and some educators. They speak a good game to cover their behinds, but they have no grasp of reality and act as if they are still in the 1950s. If your child is a robot, then this school is for you. If your child and you live in the real world, you might want to think twice.

We love our Trinity Utica School family! The principal, teachers, and staff are wonderful and take time to get to know you and your family. One of the back to school events I love is Tell The Teacher More Day. Its where you have a one on one with your child's teacher for that year and just talk about your kid! What they are like personally and what they like in school and out of school. We talk about what motivates your child or distresses them and what goals they have for the year. It starts open communication with your child's teacher from day one. The curriculum is well-rounded and challenging. It balances core subjects with creative and critical thinking. They have a bible verse to memorize each week and each class leads chapel a few times a year. They not only get to share messages with their classmates, but it builds confidence and they feel a sense of responsibility and pride. They also love to use the microphones!

From my personal experience here at St. Lawrence, if anything, this school does NOT apply to being dedicated to “nurturing and celebrating a love for Jesus Christ and educating the whole child with academic excellence.” Firstly, I’d like to mention the staff. They are biased, so if your child doesn’t attend in athletics, hasn’t had relatives that have gone/go there (legacy privilege), or is a POC (person of color), good luck sending them here. Don’t get me starts on the nepotism! They don’t do much about bullying and their system is terrible. The farthest extent they will go to is to suspend the kid for just a day. They don’t care for the student’s mental health or well-being at all and will invalidate their feelings. So, if your kid has a mental illness or disorder, make sure to not send them here because they will get bullied and none of the staff care enough. They care more about dress code than bullying which is absolutely RIDICULOUS. A “too short” skirt could result in a detention. They do nothing about bullying (can’t stress it enough)! No matter how many pep rallies or how much encouragement they will give to speak up about it, once it is spoken of, it’s completely ignored. Most of the teachers don’t even teach well, especially when you get to middle school. Next, they are VERY money-hungry and have unreasonable pricing. As if the tuition wasn’t enough, you will have fees to pay such as for the Gala, Apple Fest, $1 per jeans days and field trips that every kid wants to be included in, and much more. Lastly, the kids in the school have no idea what a love for Jesus Christ is. I can’t even count the numerous times there has been scandals about kids who drink and vape at parties with other students invited, swearing in Mass in front of the altar, stealing, cheating, etc. To be honest, this is the perfect place for your child to attend if you want them to walk out with homework they’ll cry about (because once again, the teaching is awful), a million new insecurities, and a loss of their faith with God due to these brutal and terrible influences of children that are supposedly all “God-loving.” The religion is shoved down their throat to the point where they get sick of it because none of the actions in these students reflect Jesus. Please, for your own good, do NOT send your child to this school.