Avon East Elementary School

The whole experience at this school is let’s shut the parents out. We can’t be involved in anything inside the school. The school decides everything for the parents and kids. You aren’t even allowed in for the class parties. It’s all decided by the school. Who comes in, what the snacks are, what activities they do. The communication is little to none. They tell you the day before a day that we have a break coming up. You have to pay for all day kindergarten and I wonder where the money goes. This is what woke DEI policies gets you. They are lowering the standards for kindergartners. You don’t even have to know all of your letters to move on to first grade. As long as you know some your good. Education doesn’t come first in this district. It’s the agenda of the school board and maybe some learning mixed into it. The constant counselors coming around to talk to the kids about feelings is ridiculous. Let them figure it out. You won’t always be there to hold their hand. Run away from this school if you want a decent education for your child.

Prior to applying I spoke to the previous directress and the new one, teachers at multiple levels, admin, board members, and current families. I asked pointed questions about upholding state learning standards and how they help 20+ unique individuals meet their goals. Their answers were satisfactory so we applied. Unfortunately I feel we were misled. I have been working through Ohio’s learning standards from the government site this summer and have found huge gaps in my child’s knowledge. Children are routinely asked to repeat grades, teachers only informing families after it’s too late to course correct. Neurodivergence of any type is not acknowledged at this school and special needs families are dissuaded from applying. I have met five other families from MCS who had similar experiences. I never felt my child was unsafe at MCS. I love their focus on nature, ethnic diversity, and kindness. I think their sweet spot is preschool and they do that very well. It could also be a great fit for families who value unschooling or child-based education that isn’t academically rigorous. But families that intend on transferring to top performing public and private schools in the area should consider other options.

When I am asked why we send our children to St. Mary, the obvious initial reason is that reinforcement of our Catholic values and faith formation is important to our family. That being said, I cannot say enough about the curriculum and teachers that our children get to spend time with every day. I can vouch first-hand for any teacher, preschool through grade 8, and feel blessed every day by the team of teachers my children are lucky enough to have. It is obvious that they truly care for each and every one of their students. The STEM program is top-notch, and I am constantly amazed by what my children are learning not just from books, but experiences each and every day. They are learning not just to memorize facts and processes, but to think through challenges, collaborate with others, and problem-solve, developing skills that will be critical for life. I am so impressed by the unity of the junior high teachers working as a team, setting the tone for expectations from the start of the year and making sure that students will be better than prepared for ANY high school they choose. Our children love going there, and we love the high quality of education, small size, and close-knit family feel that we have not found anywhere else. I would not hesitate to recommend St. Mary to anyone looking for the best Catholic school in the area.

We transferred to Holy Trinity School this year from St. Raphael's in Bay Village. WOW -- we cannot tell you how impressed we are with Holy Trinity! Our daughter is advanced and working ahead of her grade level in many areas. Raphael's has no way to assist kids working ahead. Holy Trinity offers an enrichment program for kids working in early grades that focuses on STEM skills. They have an Eager Engineers program after school from grade one up that focuses on STEM & our daughter LOVES it. They have a 3D printer, neat science kits and every child in every room has a computer. They are one of only 50-some schools in the state recognized for their STEM dedication and achievements. All classrooms are air conditioned which is nice because it was very hard at Raphael's on hot days without a/c. The co-principals at Trinity are young and passionate about science and technology. They go out of their way to bring the latest and greatest technology and opportunities to the school from speakers to COSI mobile units coming to the school to seeking out ways to incorporate STEM lessons. They keep the school vibrant and fun. Trinity has been teaching Spanish from preschool on up for years. The lunch program serves great, fresh food daily -- not the diocese lunch program. The kids just seem a little nicer/fewer cliques here. The teachers seem a lot more approachable and communicative here. This is a FUN school! What other school has an all-school snowball fight at recess (with parents permission & change of clothes sent in), where it's the school vs. the co-principal?!! There are dress down and spirit wear days multiple days a month plus silly sock day, favorite character from a book dress down day and on and on. We feel at home at Trinity and we just never did at Raphael's. Other parents enfold you here & encourage your participation. It feels like a family -- everyone helps out. People erroneously assume that because Raphael's is larger and costs more, that it's better; that's simply not so. If you're considering both schools -- call Trinity and do a tour. Talk to the co-principals & other parents. Let your child attend for a day before they transfer like our daughter did. Compare apples to apples. We think you'll find Trinity as exceptional and refreshing as we do!

School looks for certain types of kids and doesn’t understand basic childhood development. Punishes children for typical developmentally appropriate behavior and induces unnecessary anxiety in parents.