St Patrick Catholic School

St. Patrick has been a great school so far for my children. They have made great friends, had some wonderful teachers, and learned so much. My children started in PK-3. Children starting in PK-3 must be potty trained and this was an issue for some students....luckily not us. My kids have loved their teachers. My daughter still talks about her PK-4 teacher and gives her hugs whenever she sees her. The teacher was so welcoming and offered many opportunities for parents to be involved. Kindergarten was a bit of an adjustment. The class size is way too big for the small classroom and there is little cohesiveness between the two K teachers. My daughter also really loved her 2nd grade teacher. She was having some health problems and was so open about it with the children and I feel they all grew closer as a class. The teachers help all kids shine......academically, socially and physically. I especially appreciate that they offer academic competitions because it shows how important academics are to a child's success in life.
We have met many great families at St. Pats and are looking foward to our years ahead. I did not rate the school 5 stars because I agree with the previous reviewer. The class sizes are way too big. I would gladly pay a little more for a smaller class size. PK-3 had around 15 kids and PK-4 had 18 or 19. PK should really have no more than 12 for 3 year olds and 14 for 4 year olds. K-2nd all have 25 or 26 students. Way too many. This should be closer to 20 especially for a private school. I also agree that some updating needs to be done. The PK & K classes are extremely hot during certain months. Not a good impression for parents who are new to the school.

Wonderful community for students to get to know all the classmates. Only 2 classes per grade, but 26 to 28 students per classroom. Mos students are on sports teams together after school. Many birthday parties are joint between 2 families and all classmates in the 2 classes are invited.
Teachers are caring, and have very active aides in Kindergarten which makes for excellent foundation. 1st and 2nd grade have aides who just grade papers, but it does help afford teachers more time with the students. Most teachers will spend time after school with students who are struggling. There are 2 Reading Specialists for help with Dyslexia or difficulty comprehending reading material.
Parents are very involved. About half the moms work outside the home, and a handful of stay-at-home dads give great support to daytime student activities. I say this b/c it is OK to be a working mom, not frowned on by any set of parents, as it is at some private schools.
Reading and Math are advanced for the grade level compared to public school curriculum I have seen. Standardized testing is Iowa Acheivement Tests. Extras after school include Chess Club, Chior, Destination Imagination, Theater (upper grades). Art and Spanish at every grade level, as well as Computer skills in a very up-to-date computer lab. P.E. every day which is lacking in some public schools, but necessary for brain developement.
I didn't give St. Patrick's a 5 star rating b/c the number of students is higher than expected/optimal for private school and some classrooms have terrible heating/AC problems.