St. Michael's Academy is the only remaining Catholic Elementary & Middle School in the city of…read moreSpringfield. They instill important moral values within their students from a young age, and they're often regarded as one of the best Elementary/Middle schools in the Springfield area.

My daughter was a student at Children First Day School. I pulled her last month because she came…read morehome wearing a diaper under her underwear. She is fully potty trained, and was before she started at CF. She had a sudden onset of potty regression in the two weeks before I found her diapered. CF shockingly took no responsibility and had no explanation for who diapered her, who handled my daughter's naked body. I pulled her shortly thereafter. The situation left me disturbed and I want to inform other parents so they can be on the lookout for their own children. They confused my daughter, sent her mixed messages, undermined me and lied to me repeatedly. I don't care to be a bystander in case it is being done to other children. Do not send your children here.

Children First proved to be a very strict educational environment…read more Children are being analyzed every step of the way and criticized for every little thing they do not taking into account their level of development but the level of teacher's annoyance at their behavior which is appropriate more or less for preschoolers. Being humiliated for not making the right choice happens all the time. I experienced fist hand how a teacher made a little boy cry because he chose corn chips which had 3 organic ingredients and a low sodium content over a little juice box made of concentrate and 52 grams of sugar...I was appalled at this especially since it was lunch and the teacher wanted the child to have his 52 grams of sugar juice box instead of the simple organic corn chips...The little boy was crying really hard and the teacher took him out of the classroom making him feel humiliated even more... They are very concerned about being on schedule making staff and children alike experience high levels of stress. One time they had the children outside for only 5 minutes after having them get dressed for half an hour just because it was only 11:15 and lunch time making some children cry and experience disappointment after working so hard at getting ready for being outside for only 5 minutes... Outside time is another issue: they do not allow more than 5- 30 min of outside time in the morning and in the afternoon; teachers would rather finish up their chores before heading outside around 4 pm when nap time usually is done at 2 pm... Communication is only done online between the teachers. While it's good to be on the same page with everybody, a lot of the staff people are barely allowed to have time to read through everything and then they are criticized for not having the right approach to a certain situation/ child. There is a lot of talking around behind closed doors about teachers, parents and children as well making it difficult for transparency and good and honest communication. Children First is a somewhat good school, but being so strict and overly concerned about time makes the whole atmosphere be stressful and consequently not too many smiles on the children's faces who are kept inside so much amount of the daytime. Another thing that made me reconsider is that they fired a teacher for being home with her sick child for 3 separate days. Her child got sick at this school and they still fired her and it was done not in person, but on the phone... Supporting such an inconsiderate, harsh and strict educational and work environment would be equal to supporting inhumanity towards children, parents and teachers alike.

This school sucks. 0/10 recommend. The teachers suck, the students suck, the food sucks, they are…read morepoor, and they have led in their waters and never checked up on the kids. Their consequences are BEYOND unreasonable and honestly it's just plain stupidity. There has been a legacy of TERRIBLE principles and vice principals. My kid would 100% never come here or if so I would IMMEDIATELY take them out. DONT SUPPORT THIS SCHOOL!

Never send your child to their preschool programs. If your child does not fit into their box, they…read morewill not be accepted. My children were treated unfairly and the staff was unwilling to support the child. Rather, it was easier for them to discard them. The director and staff lack sincere compassion for what is best for ALL children. Thinking about enrolling here? I would seriously reconsider. There are more loving and caring schools in the area.

Wonderful school. Great sense of community every teacher knows your child. Not only do they teach…read moreacademics but they teach community service and how to be a respectful citizen.