Looking for Reviews for Catholic Schools in the Neighborhood...

I highly recommend Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Redwood City. My son graduated from that school in 2005. The teachers are great, it's a more diversified school compared to St. Pius or St. Charles--in San Carlos. The people at Mt. Carmel are humble and down-to-earth where as the People at St. Pius tend to be snobbish and clicky. I have also heard that they are not happy with some of the teachers there. This is what I have heard from many parents from St. Pius. You might have a totally different experience. There is also a school in San Carlos--St. Charles, however, I've hear negative things from that school as well. I've heard also that a lot of people have pulled out their kids from St. Charles School because of the new principal. There is also another school--St. Catherine's in burlingame. My friend has her daughter there and she is very happy with the school. Good luck!!!

M. try looking through www.bayareaparent.parenthood.com. It's the online version of the great monthly magazine, Bay Area Parent. They always have school listings (by area, by type, etc.) and certain issues are devoted especially to school selection each year (I think Jan or Feb issue, but backissues are available online and you can search as well).

My husband and I used to live in Redwood City and attended St. Pius Catholic Church. When we lived in Menlo Park we also attended Nativity School. I suggest checking both of those schools out.

Good luck!
V.

Have you looked at St. Pius in Redwood City? Here are some reviews/links for them: http://www.greatschools.net/school/parentReviews.page?id=... http://www.stpiusschool.org/

My husband went to school there and his parents are still very involved with the church and school, all these years later. He continues to be close with the friends he made there, as do their parents. They volunteer as coaches, cater their events, participate in fund raisers--got to be something great to keep them coming back nearly 20 years after their kids have graduated!
I'm impressed at the educational level, as well as the kindness and sensitivity of my husband's childhood friends and think it's got a lot to do w/ their upbringing and schooling.
I hope to put my daughter in St. Pius when she becomes school-aged.
They're having their annual festival this weekend, if you want to check out the area/people there. Parents volunteer for the event and it's sponsored by community businesses, so you'll get a good glimpse of the kind of parents involved in the school, as well as the kids playing games, doing karaoke, etc. http://peninsulafun.blogspot.com/

I think it's best to check-out the Catholic schools and talk to the parents about their children's experience. Attend their open houses. Find out if the school culture fits your child's needs.

M.,

I (along with my 3 brothers) graduated from Notre Dame Elementary in Belmont. I loved it. I have many friends that went to IHM in Belmont and had a great experience and my friend is now a first grade teacher there. I think you can't go wrong with either school. I believe NDE is more expensive and MAY be harder to get in to, but I am not sure. GOOD LUCK!