Avon High School

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.