East Columbus Elementary School

Cassingham is an exceptional school, academically and on every other dimension! Our family has moved multiple times and has been to multiple schools over the years for our kids, and Cassingham is far and away the best one. The teachers are phenomenal and it is amazing community. I have talked with other parents and nearby schools and they are surprised at the resources we have. We had to move for a year and my kids can't wait to get back to Bexley and their school. They miss the gym teacher (sadly, retiring after 20+ beloved years!), the art teacher, the music teacher, etc. The fact that this school gets 5/10 on GreatSchools.org only proves that GreatSchools.org has no idea what they are doing. I have zero faith in their methodology.

Maryland School has been wonderful for my family in so many ways—from the family breakfasts to the talent shows and other school events that bring everyone together. The teachers are amazing—so respectful, passionate, and genuinely dedicated to teaching. You can tell they’re doing this because it’s their purpose, not just a job.The community is great too. Most kids walk to school, and it’s common to see parents picking up their kids in golf carts—it gives the school such a friendly, small-town feel right in the middle of the city.As one of the few Black families in Bexley, we’ve felt welcomed and supported here. Maryland is truly a hidden gem, and we’re grateful to be part of this community.

Not safe watch the parents there is 2 women who yell as others children and curse at them and the school dose nothing.

I recommend this school to anyone and everyone who will listen. All four of my children go here. High school, middle and two elementary schoolers. My eldest two started here in kindergarten and never left, as well as my youngest. They excel exceptionally. Honor roll every quarter of every year as well as perfect attendance. My high schooler has been taking college courses since 9th grade as well as the honors English course. She is now in the 10th grade. We have been with this school since it was located on Livingston Ave. My oldest daughter was apart of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new location. These teachers and administrators have been here. They have watched my children grow since 5 years old. My daughter now 16 and my son 14. There are some new faces but they are just as dedicated. My preschooler is held to a standard of excellence while supported in her growth. My first grader is so bright, attending this school she's only going further while looking into more homework she can do. I will not say they are perfect because no one is. But I will say all of my children started here either in pre-k or kindergarten and I would not have it any other way.

I graduated from Saint Catharine's a couple years ago, and let me tell you, I had QUITE the experience with this school. First of all, let me say that my position of not liking this school comes from a good place. Education is incredibly important, even if it is being overlooked quite often by many organizations I will not name. That being said, I believe that this school fails miserably at educating it's students. Although, it is true that I learned a good deal about myself (not thanks to the school, but thanks to one of my close friends). All of the 'good' teachers quit recently because the ex-principal hired a teacher that almost all students reported a negative experience with (which is also WHY he was fired). This teacher swore at us under her breath, and was generally not fit for a teaching job. The student that go to this school are the worst kind of student: snobby children of the upper crust. For the first few years of my time at this school, the was a a teacher to help with special needs children, but he left the school, and was never replaced, leaving the special needs kids to need to fend for themselves. Most of the parents of students volunteered on the cafeteria, which was awful. The cafeteria was open for anyone to enter before and after school, and once I wasn't able to eat hot lunch because the lunch staff didn't prepare enough food. On that note, I'll move on to the safety issues, of which there were MANY. The gym doors didn't have locks until recently, leading a homeless person doing drugs and falling asleep in the gym. Everywhere, there are pipes exposed, with valves that ANYONE can turn to shut off the water to the WHOLE SCHOOL. Students brought in alcohol on multiple occasions, ANYONE is allowed on the playground during recess, including people who don't even go to the school, there are bomb threats, and many other issues. One of the worst things to happen during my time at Saint Catharine's happened my 8th grade year. One of the students in a lower grade sexually assaulted a very young student, and the school tried to cover it up (probably to avoid bad pr). I was also sexually assaulted by the 'popular guy's in our class, who was an absolute pervert, just like most of the guys who went to this school. On the topic of safety, the parish holds an annual 'Fun Fest' that gets shut down early EVERY YEAR because of violence and people being in possession of firearms. They never prepare for these things, and this ALWAYS HAPPENS.