This school is a little hidden gem in the middle of Santa Clara…read more We are very, very, very happy we found it. Staff is very kind and helpful. Teachers are very nice and experimented. It's a catholic school and it's a very welcoming environment to anyone: all ethnicities, backgrounds, religions... They will not force you to something or treat you differently because of A or B. What I really like is indeed how diverse it is and that it also offer a good "work-life balance" for the little ones. St Lawrence offers a good education, with values and has a great after school program. It is competitive the right amount for us. I visited several other private schools but they were either not diverse, or way too competitive, 1 fit all style, and with too many helicopter parents. I want my kids to have a nurturing childhood, discover different kinds of people and not develop little robots that would do 5th grade maths in 2nd grade. It is so easy to fall in that trap, especially now and here in the Silicon Valley. What I also loved is that they offer Spanish, Drama and art (with a real specialized teachers) embedded in the curriculum. They have a recreative after school program (Crafts and games), but they also offer thematic programs (chess, programming, art, magician...) for a small extra fee. They have a competitive swim team on site (amazing!). Some things had to be stopped during Covid (after school, swim team), but it is my understanding that these will re-open in September 2021. Cost wise, it is way more affordable than most private schools in the Bay Area, and you can apply for aid as well. The school re-opened part time in Oct 2020 and full time in Jan 2021. Was such a help for the kids (and parents) I imagine. The only "complaint" I would have, is that they should do a little more anticipation and be better at organizing or setting up things (for example pool reopening, Science teacher coming in person etc.) But I blame most of it on a challenging 2020 year - for all of us. Thank you Mrs Lares, the Principal and the entire St Lawrence team!

Not good Not really not at all. Don't trust the teachers…read moreand aides. They can smile while gossiping and laughing and making fun of the kids. They think they're so cool. They are not. Just really immature and self important. It's all about them. Ps if Carina is still principal she encouraged bullying and I saw ad heard her myself. "Now is not the time " during class time. Next thing you know someone is getting ganged up on on the playground. She's a piece of work. She makes herself that way. She's loony I have many more examples. When half the class is crying on the last day of school something is wrong. So they promoted her. Sick.

Truthfully this is by far the best community for your children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren…read more I speak from experience, my daughters attended SJC and currently my grandchild is attending. The education, community and lifelong friendships are why I love this school so much.

Absolutely love the TK/K class. The class size is small due to the Cupertino population aging with…read moreno new inflow of young parents. In addition to that, a big chunk of teachers and students left after some conflict with the former principal. The school is now rebuilding with the new principal, Dr. Palladino, who is awesome with kids. The TK class I've experienced so far is fantastic. The curriculum is well structured and my child is engaged all day, thanks to the small class size. They even split the already tiny class to fit each child's needs. I've noticed that a few kids are doing additions and some kids are taking it a bit slower and focusing on writing numbers and counting. I've toured almost every school within a 15 minute drive and SJC had the most productive and structured daily schedule for TKs. I felt like most of the schools have too much free playtime and nap time and some have half-day classmates, meaning all the learning ends by noon. At SJC, the teachers are doing something with the kids all day, whereas many schools have several hours of mere childcare. I love that the day includes number senses, math, English and language arts every day. They also learn Spanish (the teacher is amazing btw), P.E., art, music, science once a week. The teacher follows a well-known curriculum from start to finish, rather than piecing in materials from here and there. Another point I love about this school is that the older kids are nicer in small communities. The big kids play with my child and take care of her at extended care and everyone gives my child a hug when I pick her up. I highly recommend SJC. I've seen some people discouraged to join due to the small class size but I'm seeing positive effects on my child. The kids all play well together and they don't divid into groups. The eight graders look like they are basically a family. I suggest that you at least try it out in TK and see how it is. If you decide to move, most schools expand their class size in K, so it won't be that hard to get in.

This school has been nothing less than a perfect example of how a school should be for young…read morechildren starting their journey into schooling. Our daughter started her school journey in the TK class last year at CCS and each day started with so many smiles during the morning flag salute and daily prayer. It's a wonderful way to be together with the rest of the school and teachers and also parents! They have a holistic faith-based education focusing on values and principles that children need growing up in today's environment. My best part as a parent was during pick up and drop off where every teacher greets the kids and parents with a smile :) The warmth and love shown by the teachers every single day makes this school an excellent choice for children. Also, they have a very organized car-line for pick up and drop off. All teachers are hands-on during the pick up and drop off. Annual performances are beautifully organized and the kids love it! All in all, this school is perfect for those who value the little things in life and are looking for a place where kids feel loved and valued. Thank you Mr. Shrader for making the school year so enjoyable and memorable for the children. Keep up the great work!

Exceptional and attentive staff. Very helpful and caring. Always trying to improve and requesting…read morefeedback.

My daughter is enrolled in the Pre-K program and has truly blossomed since starting. The teachers…read moreand the aids are all so wonderful, thoughtful and really do care about each student. This being our first year of having her in school all day and all week, it was a little nerve wrecking for everyone but within the first week we were all put at ease. Seeing how excited she is to get up and go to school everyday to not only see her friends but her teachers makes me feel so good. She is being set up for success when it's time to move on to the next grade. The community is so welcoming as well, it's easy to talk to other parents and even with staff. We are so glad we went with St Justin's!

My daughter has been attending since August of 2020. This was such an uncertain time yet our…read moretransition to St Justin was one of the easiest things we did. The students were so kind and playful; the teachers and staff were welcoming, encouraging and optimistic of the future. Years later, this is still true. I especially love the way they teach the students the "3Rs" - to be Respectful, Responsible and Resilient. It's more than book learning (which is going great too!). I appreciate the opportunity to volunteer at school events as it offers me insight into the dynamics of the interactions of the class and school. I see students who are engaged, excited to learn and grasp new ideas. I see students who still acknowledge their previous teachers and truly embrace positive memories with them. I also love their buddy program, where the older students partner with the younger ones - bridging the age gap. It develops accountability for the older while offering a sense of belonging to the younger. I can't say enough great things I see here. The most important one is that I see a staff who try their best every day to build a community that will far outgrow the walls and grades. Once you are a part of the family, you're never truly on your own.

They keep giving you problems just small absent for my daughter and they don't even know tour sick…read moreand your daughter not feeling well. Not recommending to attend to this school. They after money if the kids don't go to school.

I attended four different elementary schools in the 90's and early 2000's but this is the only one…read moreworth remembering. Latimer has changed a lot since I graduated all those years ago, but I have so many memories and stories to share of those good old days. From 1999 to 2000 this school underwent some Maintenance or something and the school was transferred to Strawberry Park for the year. The walls used for handball are still there and will likely stand the rest of time. Near the older basketball courts was actually our PE area, and where most of the early morning rallies and attendance. I was there when there was a sandbox, later a tan bark box, which was on the fence opposite of Latimer Ave. I remember the wooden and metal playground in a sandbox near the lunch area, later replaced with astroturf and the current main playground that can be seen from Latimer Ave. I was there when the new (at the time) library by the admin office opened. I remember all the balloons and cheering, you'd think it was a city parade. The previous library had just been a hole in the wall. Near the old basketball courts was just a giant patch of grass with a sci-fi cart you'd seen on an amusement park ride. My friends and I would play make believe so much on that old thing or fill it was sand. Where the newer basketball courts are was just a giant field and a small area for baseball/kickball. The former lunch area was actually near the center of the school by the octagon building. There had been a small tree planted there in remembrance of a girl, I think her name was Christine. I used to climb the tree in the small field by the octagon. I'm so glad it's still there. From Latimer Ave there used to be two portables on the field belonging to Small World Schools, a daycare program which I attended. Always had nice teaches and made most of my early friends there, one of which I still know and talk to. I was on cafeteria duty a few times since we got a free lunch out of it - usually a slice if pizza,or burger, or chicken nuggets, and a choice of milk. We called the lunches we got at school 'hot lunches' and food from home 'cold lunches'. These are but a few of my memories and I'm glad to see the old school is still there. May future generations know the same happiness, acceptance, and warm memories I've carried with me all these years. Thanks for the memories

We have 2 girls in k and 2nd grade at McAuliffe, both love school and flourish here. Its our 3rd…read moreyear with the school. We as a family love the school, each teacher and IA that we've had here are absolutely amazing, they see each child - their strengths and challenges they work with the children, they seem to love what they do and it is reflected on the children. The respect, social emotional support and collaborative environment is truly exceptional, one of a kind, and I see how it allows children the emotional availability they need to focus learn and thrive. The parents involvement makes it a village, and I believe- it takes a village. Aiding on campus and in their classrooms, has strengthened my connection with my children and their friends, and their friends' families. The community is amazing, we share similar values, and as a family we feel surrounded with like minded people. We help each other and each other's children, we notice them we pay attention when they are struggling or sad and we support them with tools we learned from the School's unique parents training program, where we learn to communicate to get cooperation and support kids confidence and well being, help navigate more tricky social situations that otherwise could have had a big impact on our kiddos'.. The training I got here has helped me become a better person and a better parent, feel more capable solving conflicts and support children resolve conflicts, teaching them essentially how to listen and how to help others feel heard, how to come up with thoughtful solutions by themselves, and execute them, to eventually learn how to resolve conflicts on their own.. I wish I learned that when I was a child. Academics alone does not have the impact that critical thinking and communication tools and independent problem solving have on a person's well being and success in the world. So schools that teach both have a huge advantage in my view. The academics here taught thoughtfully while using variety of elements for kids to grasp a deeper understanding and a strong foundation that is not relying on tedious memorization, but on curiosity and learning by experiencing. After hearing from alumni children it sounds like that type of foundation they got here gave them an edge over their peers in a more fast past complex academic environment. Win win :) This school is a gem! Highly Recommended!

This school is a gem in the CUSD…read more - very low risk of bullying. Bullying happens anywhere and in a setting where doors are closed (most schools), it's hard to stop it. At McAuliffe there are eyes and ears everywhere (teachers, parent volunteers, Ia) , so this behavior is stopped very quickly - risk taking. This is one of the pillars. In first grade, for example, I saw kids raising hands asking for help with spelling during writing class. The teacher told them to write the first draft using everything they knew (phonics) and not to stop because they didn't know how to write a word perfectly. (The teacher showed them the correct spelling in the second draft). This is brave spelling and another example where risk taking is encouraged in every curriculum - small group teaching helps kids learn better. In other schools, it's 1 teacher for 20 some kids. My friends have volunteered one day in their kids' class and they were horrified: Kids unable to focus. Literally one student was disturbing the class every 5 seconds. Both my friends felt sorry for the teacher.

I have a child in Jr-Kindergarten and 2nd grade. I transferred my second grade child to Sacred…read moreHeart from our local public school when and I am thankful I did. Sacred Heart school implemented live distant learning within two weeks of shelter in place. My second grade child received instructions in language arts, math, social studies and religion within the first two weeks. Soon after science, music and PE classes were live as well. Art and Spanish assignments were given. There is after school enrichment activities that were provided that my kids loved. It was a pretty seamless academic transition from school to home. Only one platform (google classroom) was used so it was organized and easy to find class links and assignments. My Jr-K child did not have assignments to turn in but was provided enrichment work and a live class every morning that included a circle time, calendar, math, Spanish, music and PE. Every Monday morning there was an all school assembly online led by the student council that helped my kids feel connected to their school community. Mass was live streamed every Thursday for the students and Parish led by Father Gary and every Friday Mr. Pulchny posted lighthearted messaged for the kids that sometimes featured his dog! The teachers and staff at Sacred Heart are caring and warm. Mr. Pulchny is an approachable and kind principal. Father Gary and Father Robert are involved in school activities. When school is in session, the Junior-K program has a low teacher to student ratio with 3 teachers in the classroom at a time. The students have a designated Spanish, PE and Science teachers. My child feels connected to his school especially being able to go to school with his older sister in the same building. My second grade student goes and comes to school happy. I feel the academics are appropriate for her grade. The science, art, music, PE and Spanish teachers are wonderful. She has made friends in second grade but also has formed friendships in other grades that was nurtured with the One Heart Program and having a "buddy" when she was in 1st grade. The school supports activities such as Girl Scouts and a Book Club that is led by parents. There is Parish activities such as Music Spirit Team where the kids can sing in the choir which is led by a music director. Every year there is a parish and school carnival that brings the community together. I am grateful we have found the Sacred Heart School, Parish and Community a nurturing environment for my kids to grow up in.

Sacred Heart School of Saratoga is a fun school. Their robotics team placed really well this year…read more This school was founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (same ones that run Notre Dame college up on the peninsula). The school currently has 350 students. The parish and school is located across the street from St. Andrew's Episcopal School and just down the street from Saratoga's library.

This is the best school because and the teachers are the best if the whole class are the best they…read moreget a party this school goes up to Tk-5th

Great school. Have thoroughly enjoyed my child's progress and the staff is very welcoming.read more