University Park Elementary School

Where do I even begin. Pick-up is chaotic and unsafe. On one occasion, my 5- and 6-year-old were allowed to walk across the intersection of Douglas and Mockingbird. By the grace of God, I happened to be at that intersection at the time. When I brought this to the principal’s attention, I was told it was my children’s fault for not following instructions to turn back toward the school. They are five and six years old.How did both children believe their number was called, leave their designated area, walk out the front door, and reach an intersection without any adult stopping them or verifying where they were going? During pick-up there are adults and children everywhere, yet it appears no one truly has oversight of what is happening. This is extremely dangerous.Additionally, the bullying is severe and concerning. My children were the youngest in their classes during our first year at Bradfield, as many students are held back. It raises serious questions about whether this practice is being used to artificially inflate academic scores.

We’ve had an incredibly positive experience at St. Christopher’s Montessori. Both of our children have been there since they were just 4 months old, and it has been such a comforting and supportive environment for our family from the very beginning.Beginning with Miss Sara and Miss Stephanie in the infant room, we were met with such warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care. Entrusting them with our babies during those early months meant everything, and they set the tone for the experience we’ve had ever since. As our children have grown, we’ve continued to feel that same level of care and consistency every step of the way. Along the journey, we’ve had the opportunity to work with several other teachers who have all been equally thoughtful, patient, and invested in our children’s development, and that continuity has meant a lot to us.Now with Miss Abida in the pre-primary classroom, we continue to feel that same level of support and thoughtfulness. She has created a nurturing environment that encourages independence, confidence, and curiosity.What stands out most is that this level of care extends across the entire staff. Every teacher we’ve interacted with has been kind, engaged, and clearly invested in the children’s well-being and growth. The administration is also very present and thoughtful, and it’s clear they truly care about both the students and families.We feel very lucky to be part of this community and would highly recommend St. Christopher’s Montessori to any family looking for a nurturing, high-quality early childhood environment.

Words are not adequate to express the positive impact Zion Lutheran School has had on our family. Our daughters came into the preschool program at ages 2 and 3, and they continued attending Zion through 8th grade. This isn't just a school. Zion is a family, a community, a safe haven, a place where your child can discover and grow and flourish under the gentle watch of teachers who truly live for the Lord. Those are the descriptions that come to my mind before I even get to the topics of academics and athletics, which also happen to be outstanding. Not only were our girls more academically prepared for high school than some of their peers, they walked into that new environment with attitudes of diligence, kindness, tenacity, integrity, and above all, a deep faith in Jesus. I cannot overstate how much of who they are today is by virtue of their education at Zion Lutheran School. Partnering with the Zion faculty to educate our little girls and help raise them into incredible young ladies was the best decision we ever made.

As a concerned member of the school community, I feel compelled to share my experience with the current leadership at CKS. Unfortunately, the principal, Lisa Bosco, has shown a consistent pattern of poor judgment, lack of professionalism, and a dismissive attitude toward both students and staff.Communication under this administration has been ineffective at best. Concerns from parents and faculty often go unaddressed or are met with hostility. There is a noticeable lack of transparency in decision-making, which has led to confusion and frustration throughout the school community.More troubling is the principal’s behavior and demeanor. Rather than fostering a welcoming, respectful environment grounded in Catholic values, Lisa Bosco often displays arrogance and ignorance, making it difficult for meaningful collaboration to take place. Staff morale has significantly declined, and many feel unsupported in their roles.A school leader should embody compassion, wisdom, and humility—qualities sorely lacking here. For the sake of the students and the greater school community, it is imperative that the Diocese or governing board reevaluate the leadership at Christ the King school.

As a family who values education, partnership, and open communication, our experience at this school ultimately fell short of expectations.While the community presents itself as warm and welcoming, we found that the academic support and resources were limited, particularly when students require differentiated instruction or structured intervention. Rather than offering comprehensive support strategies, retention was presented as a primary solution, which raised concerns for us as parents.Additionally, important conversations regarding our children’s academic future were handled in a way that felt rushed and lacked collaborative tone. We believe educational decisions should be made with families, not positioned as foregone conclusions. As parents, we value being treated as partners in our children’s education, and unfortunately that partnership did not feel consistently present.Having transitioned from a public school environment where our children previously thrived, it became clear that this private setting was not equipped with the level of resources or accountability structures necessary to support their growth.This school may be a good fit for families seeking a small, close-knit environment, but we encourage prospective parents to ask detailed questions about academic resources, intervention strategies, and how student progress concerns are addressed before enrolling.