Monroe Middle School

This school does a great job with lower elementary children but as kids get older the school lacks in several ways. Kids are not treated with respect and dignity, they do not have a voice, nor is it welcomed by most staff members. They preach the gospel of Jesus, which bears some fruit, but on the other hand they shame children with outdated and unhealthy disciplinary methods (the claim is that they use Love and Logic, but it is most definitely not). Instead of a simple loving rebuke or quick reminder, they immediately elevate the matter and get parents involved. Parents are unheard. For many years certain staff members have been repeating behaviors with children that are unprofessional and not Christ-like. Parents have been speaking up, attempting to arrange meetings, and diligent in making it clear that these staff members need to be held accountable or let go. They act as if they are protecting children and “establishing kingdom leaders” instead they are over-reacting, over-disciplining, and feminizing boys. This is the tragic story of a good school that is headed in a not-so-good direction. There is a waitlist to get in, and majority of parents keep there children here because they don’t want them in public schools. Some MS students are using profanities and racial slurs often, which is concerning. MS students are being told not to hang out with the opposite gender, this is not normal or healthy. MS has very limited time outdoors. The cultural tone of this school has shifted as it’s grown.

We love St. Paul Catholic School and would recommend it for anyone looking for a down-to-earth private school setting. My girls are in 4th grade and 2nd grade and they started in Kinder and Preschool. We have been very happy with the quality of education they are getting at St. Paul. Additionally, the families who we get to engage with are awesome as well. It is an open-hearted community who seems to want great things for all the students. Educator turnover in a private, parochial school is inevitable because the wages and benefits can't compete with what is offered at public schools. The teachers who are at St. Paul are there because they truly love it and they love our kids. A change in the Principal will always shift the culture of an institution and turnover as a result isn't because the new administration is bad but it's certainly different. The leaders at St. Paul Catholic school are making decisions with all of our kids in mind and sometimes I don't agree with the outcome but I know that it was the best choice for the school community. Come see us at St. Paul!