Thoreau Park Elementary School

A 1*** and ,I'm sorry, but that is on a GOOD Day ! I have had nothing but problems from William Cullen Bryant, that I REALLY did think about home-schooling my grandson, but I thought about giving my grandson a chance to make some friends ..... I REALLY should have stuck with my Gut Instinct. I wouldn't be fighting with the school if I just went with home-schooling him ...... A Mistake On MY Part, That Won't Happen AGAIN !!!

i personally have been (still am) going to this school for around 9 years now. i started my school life here in PRE-K 4s. before i begin, i would say that i recommend this school. the education is great and a lot better than most public schools and such. if i have children, more than likely i will send them here. but of course, it is indeed very pricy and has gotten more expensive over the years. they do provide financial help with things like that, but anyway. the strengths i’d say are: (in my opinion) the school has a very good and welcoming atmosphere/environment. the sanctuary or the church is absolutely gorgeous. as i stated before, the education is fantastic. the food is good and better than again most schools. however, like anything there are cons. with my personal experience, the things i’ve heard and seen, and other information from fellow classmates i can say that it is sexist. there is lots and lots of discrimination among students. slurs are thrown around like no tomorrow. those include the n-word from primarily white students, the f-slur, and more. mainly racism though. and another thing to add is they have ALL grades (i believe not including pre-k — 1st grade) do chapel. i just personally think that unless that kid actually understands what they’re saying, they shouldn’t be exposed to the idea of religion that early on. but that’s just a personal thought. the staff is mostly kind, accepting, and helpful. one last thing is that i feel as though the church has grown to only care for money.

I have had four children pass thru SMB with one just starting pre school this year. Our oldest graduated SMB in 2008. We love the school and we love the church. A small neighborhood feel with a caring and very close knit family atmosphere and excellent academics. Dicipline is strictly adhered to (as we like it to be) and parents who complain about the high expectations thankfully don't last at SMB. The principal Rita Basalla is someone who deeply cares for her students and her families. This school/church doesn't just offer catholic lip service, they live it every day. Kids always make field trips even when parents can't afford to pay, and sometimes even winter coats find their way to the families that need them (just as a couple examples). Of course volunteering and fund raising are a part of this experience, this is a small school with not a lot of money. The parent who complained about these things in another rating obviously isn't one who cares about the school community enough to offer to help out. If you are sending your kids to a small catholic (or any small city private) school this is the norm and the way that good programs like this one exist. If you don't want to help then go to cleveland public for the education your kids deserve. Sports are at times lacking because of small size and affordability of many city families is always an issue. That being said, ALL of my kids have played sports at SMB. Basketball and volleyball mainly. This school and church are the main reason that my family has not moved out of cleveland yet. Go Blue Angels!

St. Charles has been a true blessing to our family. Our son has been there for two years and he's thriving. His reading and math scores are incredible and he LOVES his teachers and classmates. He's never once come home upset or discouraged, and he's always excited to go back. The communications from the leadership and the staff is spectacular, and there are a tremendous amount of extracurricular opportunities for the students. Also, the school does a great job of mixing traditional education with new technology and innovations. There's no doubt in my mind that St. Charles is the best option in Parma.