Viola L. Sickles Elementary School

Have have 2 kids at this school, both started in the PreK program and we have been very happy with the education they receive, and the creativity they foster through the arts at the school. My children are the value of contributing to their community through class projects for character education and are growing so much from their experience. Friendly parents and teachers who communicate well. Great school!

Incredibly inclusive environment. Teachers are the best. Truly the most incredible elementary school

Our experience at Saint James Elementary has been deeply unsatisfactory due to a lack of full-time counseling services, neglect of student voices, attempts to push conservative and republican views onto students, and the invalidation of religious beliefs based on political views. This school claims that they are big on anti-bullying, but the amount of times the students had been told by staff to “just ignore the bullying” is unbelievable. These concerning issues have left us disappointed and concerned. We hope that our feedback will prompt the school administration to address these shortcomings promptly and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

The curriculum succeeds beyond its mission for teachers to provide,"...individualized instruction for every student." I state this because the class structure enables teachers to interact with the students more as mentors. Teachers spend more time with each individual; no child is just another student in this regard. In the post-COVID Era world, parents will readily see the benefit of personal instruction students receive from Holy Cross Academy, as this type of teaching can accommodate each student's intellectual strengths. The school's vision is about fostering the utmost intellectual quality in each child. HCA has several veteran teachers that understand HCA's school environment, and they know the nuances of being a student there. I was taught by several of the teachers that still work there now. They have all impacted my intellectual life in the most positive ways. They are always updating their knowledge about what each generation needs to succeed. Of course, the newer teachers are doing a terrific job adding to HCA's relevance in Music, Athletics, Mathematics, World Languages, etc. The HCA Preschool will provide your child with the utmost love and care needed at their age. Many activities revolve around crafts and field trips for the children to experience the world. From Kindergarten to 4th Grade, your child will continue to grow intellectually. For the 5th-8th grade classes, HCA’s teachers will progressively prepare each student for High School level academics. Not only this, but the teachers will help prepare them for top-tier High Schools in Monmouth County. Many alumni of Holy Cross Academy go on to attend schools such as High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Christian Brothers Academy, Trinity Hall, Red Bank Catholic High School, etc. Overall, I highly recommend this school to any parents looking for the best educational experience for their children.