The Best school ever I went to the school a couple years ago and all of the teachers are nice and…read moreall of the students are nice especially the science teacher EDDIE F

Used to be a great school. Always near the top in test scores, great teachers, wonderful community…read moreinvolvement. But this year a new sheriff rode into town. She's a first time principal and seems to feel a need to make her mark on a school that was superb before she arrived. First thing she did was to ban the annual dance because student's feelings might get hurt. We've been having the dance for years and I seriously doubt that anyone's feeling have gotten hurt. That's more a junior high and high school thing. Next she banned high fives and handshaking, again because people might get hurt. When I was in school we had classes in etiquette that included shaking hands, but I guess she feels she knows what's best for our children. Lately, she has removed the door between a busy hallway and the girls bathroom because of an act of vandalism. Apparently she feels that exposing a couple of hundred girls to the eyes of any passerby when they're in the bathroom is an appropriate punishment for an act of vandalism by one student. Group punishment rarely works - can only work if the group knows who the offender is - and should never be used to shame and embarrass children about using the bathroom. When asked about her decision she replied that she wasn't punishing anyone, she just removed the door. Looking for a great school? You're a few years too late for this one.

Attending a concert at this fine school I was deeply impressed with a tour and explanation of the…read moreprograms and achievements of this institution. In a beautiful setting in a scenic St Paul neighborhood there is a large parking lot with school next to the church. I have relations that attend this place and they are thriving. The music program, which I saw, is very professional providing a great variety of different music genres which surprised me. A jazzed up version of the Sesame Street theme would have Ella Fitzgerald beaming.

This church and school is tucked away on a side street in the heart of the Highland Park area in…read moreSaint Paul. They offer reconciliation before each daily mass , which is offered twice a day Monday through Friday. They have a vibrant community and plenty of activities for all age groups. If you are new to the area, this is a great community with lots of opportunities to meet good hearted people!

My son participates in the ECFE program here at the elementary and he absolutely loves it. They…read morehave a different room theme every week such as trains, dinosaurs, outer space, etc.. He looks forward to it and really enjoys himself. The teachers are amazing and so great with the kids. We will be in the program until he is too old!

My son has been with Benjamin E Mays for 4 years. Teachers are very helpful and understanding if…read morethere is anything I am not in agreement with. The office staff is very pleasant as well very helpful when I am calling with any concerns in regards to my child. Which is very important.

I adore The Little School! My son has been going here for about 1.5 years, first in the older…read moretoddler room and now in the preschool. My 7 month old also just started in the infant room. The teachers here - and owner Erin! - are absolutely the warmest, kindest, and most genuine people. I'm constantly amazed at the creativity they put into each day for the kids: from building forts, to the dramatic play station, to themed crafts and working on letters and counting, they do such a wonderful job at providing an environment that is fun and safe. And the ratios! You truly can't beat them. The fact that there are only 3 (!) babies in their infant room and 4 toddlers in each group (younger and older) is something you just don't see anywhere else. I also love the parents here, several of whom have become "real life" friends! It's such a joy hearing all the stories of his day from my preschooler, it's obvious how much he loves his teachers and this school. Highly, highly, highly recommend!

The Little School came highly recommended from a close family member who had her two children…read moreattend. It seemed to be fate that there happened to be an opening that came up when my daughter turned two and a half, just in time to start the preschool program. The philosophy and teaching methods that this school bases itself upon are far superior from absolutely every other preschool that we looked in to. The staff consistently maintains an overall higher level of expectation for these kids. Which was so impressive to me because at such an impressionable age these young kids are being held accountable for themselves. They take such pride in the work that they accomplish either by themselves or in a group. They are respectful of not only the boundaries of their peers, but more importantly of themselves. As a result they are rewarded by having more freedom in their choices. From science lessons, to music class, yoga, art classes, dramatic play (my daughters fave!), weekly sharing day, to hearing what creative game they made up that day while playing outside. The amazing staff, conferences & daily progress reports, the ever so anticipated Halloween party, and sincerely wonderful families and parents, I could go on forever. Overall the three years at The Little School was a tremendously positive experience for our whole family. We now have a first grader who is reading at a fourth grade level with impressive comprehension skills. As well as going above and beyond her schools curriculum in math and science. I'm so proud of her, and I attribute so much of her early successes to her time at The Little School.

My kids attend this school. The fence is for security and we don't allow dogs on the campus because…read moreof pee and feces. Humans are welcome on campus through certain gates when school is not in session. Academically the school is very strong and most teachers are great. Kids are driven and interested in a wide range of activities. It's ridiculously expensive and that is a definite turn off, so for that reason I'm glad they're almost done. But as an alum, the school is strong and stronger than it used to be. We also live very close to the school so I appreciate that my kids can bike there. Both my kids are going to very good colleges and while not perfect, I'm glad I went there, my kids went there and I am glad to know so many parents who volunteer.

My family lives 3 blocks from STP. The school takes up a vast city block, which, if resources were…read morebetter allocated, could be a welcome resource to the surrounding community- there are baseball fields, sledding hills, and great pathes for running. Instead of engaging with the local community- and despite benefiting from the community's tax dollars- STP has ensured that none but their students have access to "their" land by erecting a large ugly fence. The fence's ugliness is an apt visual representation of the slice of attendees that I get to see each school day: entitled parents or their entitled teenage children speeding through our neighborhood, running stop signs in their BMWs and Audis and recklessly endangering other people in their desperate hurry to wait in the long drop-off line. STP advertises itself as inclusive, stating that it is raising "tomorrow's leaders," which is both an ironic- inclusivity RARELY involves fences- and doubtful claim, given that true leadership almost never grows from within a culture of privilege and willful selfishness. St Paul is absolutely festooned with great schools that are not only free but actively demonstrate the values of inclusion, equity and justice. Notably, these schools do not have fences to keep out tax payers, and they usually work to engage the surrounding community. Given the wide availability of good schools, I find it hard to understand what could possibly draw STP families other than proximity to other rich white people and the daily ego-massage of being assured your offspring are "special." When I see STP cars speeding down Davern every morning- the drivers oblivious to anything or anyone outside their german-made cocoons- this definitely looks like the case.

I love Friends School. The atmosphere feels loving and genuine and I think they really have things…read moreright when it comes to developing the WHOLE child. I am so glad they exist!

I'm a former staff member. I was sexually harassed by another staff member of LJA, and when I…read morereported the harassment to a member of Leadership, they responded "well his name is always in your mouth so". Leadership did not take my report seriously at all. According to the handbook, there is "zero tolerance for sexual harassment", but apparently there is if the harasser is popular. The Leadership Team is good in theory, but not in practice because they have clear favorites, and aren't afraid to show it. They operate more like a high school clique, rather than a Leadership team. I brought my concern to the board, but I am still waiting to hear back. This is incredibly disappointing coming from a school that preaches inclusivity and safety. Academically, the school has amazingly talented teachers, staff and scholars, but the way they operate is a complete mess. (My Google review was deleted, but I will not be silenced!!)

Laura Jeffrey Academy is a great place if you are solely seeking single sex education or if you are…read morea D student seeking to be a C student or a C student seeking to be a B-. It is not a good place if you are a solid performer seeking to reach the next level. Also, the focus on STEM is just not there - the Gateway to Technology program was not fully developed when my daughter took classes there. However, in fairness - the staff is dedicated, and the school is new. Hopefully, in 2-3 years this school will be a gem in the St. Paul School System. Right now, make sure your daughter is a good fit for the program in place.