The principal is so desperate he is sending mass e-mails to solicit parents to write good Yelp reviews. That not only violates Yelp's terms of service, it's dishonest and pathetic. If you are reading this review, check the dates of all the posted 5 star reviews. All written within a few days-weeks of each other. Hmmmm? Ask yourself what matters more. A fake 5 star review on Yelp or an honest school administration and group of parents that work together to actually fix problems rather than cover them up with fake reviews. Yelp has ways of knowing when reviews are bogus. Which is why so many 5 star reviews of St. Dunstan get removed for "violating yelp's terms of service." ASK YOURSELF WHY ST. DUNSTAN IS THE ONLY CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN THE AREA THAT ISN'T FULL AND WAIT LISTED.... HERE ARE SOME REASONS FOR THAT: 1. Don't get too excited about the principal's PhD. He's a former PE teacher. I've had plenty of face time with the guy and believe me, he just doesn't have it together. He lacks integrity and the skill set required of a leader/manager. He's a complete failure at managing the school, the problems, student discipline, pushy parents and the staff. He is probably THE #1 REASON so many things are wrong with St. Dunstan. There is no leadership. Even the staff has no respect for him. They do what they want when they want. 2. The first grade teacher is a bully who hates her job, the kids, the parents, and the world. She's been there since B.C. Why they let her stick around is beyond me. It's one of the school's longest kept secrets. 3. A burned out, entitled vice principal/4th grade teacher who freely admits she "wants to retire, but can't". And the 2+ hours of nightly homework she gives is too extreme for an 8 year old. Why is she still employed there? Another long kept secret. 4. "Over involved" parents who use that as leverage to get what they want from anybody and everybody at the school, teachers, principal, other parents etc. They are "over involved" for a reason: CONTROL. Causes huge resentment between classmates and their parents! 5. The Spanish teacher. Never mind, the "over involved" parents didn't like her. Then she "left". What a coincidence! 6. The principal doesn't do jack about anything. Including fighting and bullying. No secret here. 7. The relationship between the principal and the "over involved" parents. They control him. See #4 and #5. 8. A dog eat dog parent community. I've never seen anything like it. St. Dunstan has some real brutal moms. Read for yourself the yelp reviews these "ladies" post and publicly attack each other. Ruthless! Do you really want to spend 9 years of your life with people like this? 9. Too much favoritism shown towards kids whose parents work the system in order to get what they want. Again, causes huge resentment between classmates and their parents! 10. Too much politics. Don't be fooled by shady "over involved" parents with their very sudden very transparent attempt at raising the extremely low yelp rating. They'll deny it but everyone knows these moms were solicited by the admin and each other. They do it to gain even more leverage with the school administration. Yo! Dog eat dog parent community. They even sunk so low to make their poor kids write reviews! Cheap and pathetic! 11. To make my review fair and well-rounded St. Dunstan does have a few positives to offer. You will have great K, 2nd and 7th grades, those are great teachers. The secretary is a real sweetheart and the school has a fairly decent academic program with a modern tech lab and instructor. Unfortunately, the bad far outweighs the good.It's too bad because the solution to the problem is fairly simple. All St. Dunstan needs is good leadership. Someone who can and will take out the trash. Most staff members have been there way too long.They are too old, burnt out, angry, entitled and resentful. New staff, especially a new principal and fourth grade teacher would do miracles for the school's reputation, produce a positive environment, increase dwindling enrollment and give parents some encouragement towards feeling good about choosing St. Dunstan.This is exactly what several other schools in the area did and are thriving because of it. St. Dunstan should take a lesson and turn the school in the right direction. The potential is there. St. Dunstan could be very successful with the right staff and leadership.Too bad hell will freeze over before that happens. Save your hard earned tuition $$ for a school that's worth it. Obviously no school is perfect, but don't settle for St. Dunstan just because you can get in without being put on a waiting list. There are plenty of good Catholic and private schools on the Peninsula that lack St. Dunstan's second rate staff, political garbage and toxic parent community. Good luck to you. read more

This school is one of the best options to send your kids. I'm a St. Dunstan Alumni. I currently attend a prestigious college prep school in San Francisco. I was the student body president of the school. I was and am the representative of my classes in high school. I visit the school very often because I love it that much. Let me just start off with several points of why I think that St. Dunstan's is the right choice for most people and their kids: -The teachers all care about their students, (from experience) I have stayed after school because I was having trouble with the subject that was being taught. After repeatedly going and asking my teachers for help, I started to understand the subjects that were being taught. I am succeeding in the subjects that I take at my high school. -There are many sports programs that your child can participate in. I have done all 3 sports that are offered to boys (Baseball, Basketball, Track and Field) for all the years that I was allowed to participate in sports. I have had a great experience with each one. The teachers watch their students succeed not only in the classroom, but also during sports and other extracurricular events. -St. Dunstan's prepares their students VERY WELL for high school. I am doing more than fine at the high school I attend. The subjects that were taught to me at St. Dunstan's prepared me for the subjects I would learn in high school. - The staff and principal are GREAT. They all are very involved with students and are very kind. They are role models for the students and teach them important school and life lessons. There are several reviews here that state that St. Dunstan's is a terrible school. I could not help but to argue with that based on my own experience. -I have seen and heard some people argue that St. Dunstan's is a bad school because their child was called "stupid". I attended St. Dunstan's for 9 years and NOT ONE TIME has a child been called "stupid" or "dumb", so I found these accusations to be very hard to believe. My class was not the most perfect, we had our fair share of absent-mindedness. Our teachers kept us in line and sternly, but kindly told us why we should not do that. -It is true that St. Dunstan's does not have a music program. However, there are talent shows and several other events where your child can showcase their talents to the public. -Non tech savvy? Please. The school has computer classes for all the grades. These ranges from teaching kids how to research, type, make movies, use various art and designing programs, and using online learning resources. While it is true that several of the teachers are "old school" they are still willing of use technology if it is for the best of educating their students. Notes: *People complaining about their child not learning or getting into trouble usually have kids that do not pay attention in class. No matter how these teachers try to get the students to pay attention to the class, these students will not have the mentality to focus and be docile in school if they are not raised to do so at home by their parents. These children's parents should be raising them, not their teachers. *Most people that are happy with this school do not review because they find no reason to write a long review about the school they have no problem with. However, the people that have had a bad experience with the school are the ones that take 1/2 an hour to write a review of how angry they are. So keep in mind that the reviews may be unfair. I hope my review has helped you to see why St. Dunstan's is a great school to send your child, take it from me, a student of the school that has been within the classrooms on a daily basis, rather than a parent that does not see the full spectrum of the school. read more

This is an AMAZING school! What a great community! I LOVE St. Dunstan School. I love the administration, the staff, the after school program, the intramural sports program, and the kids! They know what works. We're not talking scary nuns here. We're talking caring people passionate about children! We're talking kids who leave prepared to excel in SI, SH, Drew, Serra, Mercy, Mills, Cap and University. School is not always about study study study but they also teach discipline and to have a balance life. All the kids have a very good manners and behavior and are always very polite. I am very impressed!!!! Dr. Colville, the principal for the last 9 years, is a wonderful and great principal! He goes above and beyond every day dedicating his time to student needs. Many principals sit in their offices or spend their time at meetings off site all day, but this principal is out on the playground keeping it safe at recess, resolving conflicts and encouraging solutions throughout the day, supporting teachers and parents. At many events he is always the first come who arrive and help setting up and left with the last crews. I have never encountered a principal more dedicated to his school and its students He reacted to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newton Connecticut proactively. Currently we only have 1 entrance to the school and visitors need to ring a door bell, in order to get in, they installed a few security cameras, they have lock down policy, school staff have walkie talkie to communicate with each other in case something bad happen (hopefully they don't have to use them). I feel that my son is in a very safe environment. The before and after care program is WONDERFUL. Mrs.Anderegg and her staff are the warmest and friendliest staff you will ever find. They always have a smile and warm greeting for everyone. The kids are safe and there is plenty of supervision and great activities. For 2-8 Graders, the staff will help with their homework, which is a major help for working parents! Also there is music, chess, Mandarin classes and Sports program (cheer leading, volley, basket ball, baseball, track and field) available on campus so you don't have to drive your kids anywhere. Last year 2012, they introduced Intramural sports (K-3) baseball, basketball, track-field and volleyball for a $225 flat fee! Oh My, what a great deal!!! (Compared to Nothing But Hoops in Burlingame: 1 sport is $180 for 8 weeks @ 45mins). I signed my son to all of them (except volleyball), and he enjoyed it very much!!! My son is very happy and so do we....If this doesn't make you happy....then St. Dunstan is NOT for you!!! read more

As Alumni I just CAN'T recommend this school. The principal is just waiting for retirement. He has lost control of the staff. The Vice principal is only there for the health benefits. The books are out dated. They have great computers but you have to be in computer class to have access to them. The mandatory athletic fee started at 200. Next year it goes up to 225. If you add up next years tuition with the athletic fee its a rise of 12 percent and that doesn't include all the other fees you have to pay as the school year starts. If you want teachers who yell at your kids, take thier snacks, has them watch DVDs when they have phone calls to make, and a spanish program that lacks creativity. Then this is the school for you. If athletics are a must then this is NOT the place for you. They were going to shut down the program last year! The teachers don't use email. They don't have any real technology. The principal has all the right answers, so you have to have him show and prove to you what he is telling you. His favorite line is "your preaching to the choir". Do your child a favor....Go to any other school but this one....its a waste of money and time. The athletic board director stepped down. The girls Basketball commissioner has left. The Boys baseball commissioner has left. The boys Basketball commissioner has stepped down and the track commissioner has left after 27 yrs. There are 48 students that are not returning (not including the 8th graders). Just check for yourself, the other catholic schools are overflowing with ex-St .Dunstan students. Look at all the reviews then go to greatschools.org. you will fined reviews that are a perfect match. Looks like the school is on the hunt to try to save itself. read more

Our son has been attending St Dunstan since Kindergarten and is now in 6th grade. We cannot express enough how impressed we are with the school and the education he is receiving. The school offers a diverse and multicultural environment, which we believe is essential in today's society. One of the highlights of St Dunstan is the excellent curriculum they provide. Not only do they offer regular classes, but they also have advanced math and Spanish programs. This ensures that our child is being challenged academically and gaining valuable language skills. In addition to academics, St Dunstan also offers a wide range of sports activities such as baseball, basketball, volleyball, and track. This allows our students to stay active, develop teamwork skills, and explore their interests in a supportive environment. What truly sets St Dunstan apart is the remarkable learning environment they have created. The school instills strong values and promotes a healthy atmosphere for personal growth. We are grateful to see our son thriving and developing into a responsible young individual. Furthermore, St Dunstan offers an affordable aftercare program, which is immensely helpful for working parents like us. It gives us peace of mind that our child is well-cared for and allows us to balance our work and family responsibilities more effectively. Based on our experience, we highly recommend St Dunstan. It has been a joy to see our son blossom and excel in such a nurturing and diverse community. If you are looking for a school that prioritizes education, character development, and supports working families, St Dunstan should be at the top of your list. Jaime M read more

Let me start off by say that St. Dunstan is THE BEST SCHOOL IN MILLBRAE. I would totally recommended this school to everyone. My daughter had the worst experience at a Public School in Millbrae. She was being bullied by a little boy, when I went to talk to the school principal and teacher regarding the problem, they did nothing to help me, neither did the Millbrae School District. My daughter would cry everyday when I would leave her. The public school made it seem like the little boy was an angel and he wasn't of course they took the little boy's side and made it seem like my daughter was lying. I decided to pull her from a public school and looked into St. Dunstan, and let me tell you this was the BEST decision I made. St. Dunstan cares so much about their students and their learning. Everyone from staff, to students and the principal Mr. Spray are SUPER NICE. My daughter is in Kindergarten at St. Dunstan's and she has learned so much from the time she has started there. Her teacher Mrs. Pacheco and Mrs. A are THE BEST. I totally recommended this school to everyone. Thank you to all the staff here for all there hard work and to Mr. Spray for being the best Principal. Love this school and there staff. Puts a smile on my face to see my daughter smile every morning looking forward to going to school to see her favorite teachers and principal. read more

I have my child at St. Dunstan's and found the following to be true: Poor leadership -- serious concern are not addressed and swept under the rug! There have been many bullying issues where the principal takes no disciplinary action for breaking the school code of conduct. So disappointed! Poor teaching -- most teachers are screamers. If your child needs help, it will be offered for a fee! Their patience for those children that are not their ideal students seem to be ignored. If a teacher does not like you or your child you will be able to tell based on their negative behavior towards your child or even you as the parent. Poor communication -- the attitude is that parents drop off their child and do not ask questions or seek input. Poor customer service -- the SCRIP coordinator is hard to deal with. She is RUDE and proud of it! Poorly supervised playgrounds -- it is free-for-ALL! They offer music, chess and Mandarin classes for a fee! These are not part of the curriculum. This school caters to those that need long baby sitting hours and those who don't express their concern about the school. If you do speak up and stand up for your child, you will be called/labeled a loud-mouth parent! All that said, this school has such potential but will never achieve it as long as the current administration remains in place. read more

St.Dunstan is the best! St.Dunstan is the best school I have ever been to.I'm in fifth grade at St.Dunstan.The festivals are the best out of every school... Many students who graduate always visit are school. There are many memories as you go from K-8th. Teachers and staff are really nice and helpful.We have good sports (baseball,volleyball,softball,&basketball). The education is helpful to memorize. We learn big new words as we read books for AR (Accelerated Renaissance). AR is is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Students select books on their reading level, read independently, and take an independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. One of my classmate got 1,000 points for reading in AR. We have computer class teaching us how to do technology and all the parts ... Many educational field trips and lessons. Some of the graduates go to top high schools. Our school makes friends with new students with a warm welcome. Our church is warm and cozy inside(beautiful, too). Alter servers and choir is in our school. Please come to our school and visit our website http://st-dunstan.org/. read more

St Dunstan school is an excellent place to send your children. The principal, teachers, and entire School Community is focused on the childrens development as a whole. It is not just about being the most athletic, or the smartest, or winning the most trophies. It is truly about creating a culture of caring young adults who are intelligent, mindful and kind to one another. As for the parents who have negative things to say about St Dunstan, I would take into consideration who those parents are. St Dunstan does not tolerate bullying of any sort, not from the teachers and not from the student. Perhaps the few parents that have complaints or negative things to say, are the bullies themselves. I hope parents that are considering sending their children to St Dunstan, will come and see the school and decide for yourself. Before I selected St Dunstan, I attended five different schools within the Archdiocese. St Dunstan and Dr Colville impressed me the most by far. I have never felt such a sense of community. I am thrilled to have my child at the school! read more

We have had a very good experience with St. Dunstan School! We definitely chose the right school for our kids. St. Dunstan School is shaping our children in all aspects: academically, moral values, sportsmanship and responsibility. We are especially grateful for Mrs. Hahn, the 1st Grade teacher who made the transition of our younger child from public school very smooth. We saw the immediate progress within three months, especially in reading and writing. There's no better teacher than Mrs. Hahn who helped him prepare for 2nd Grade as well. Ms. Sandoval, another outstanding teacher, also contributed with the transformation in terms of learning and discipline since we transferred him to St. Dunstan. In addition, we have had a very good experience with Ms. Pacheco, a well-loved, dedicated and excellent 6th grade teacher. We highly recommend St. Dunstan School to those parents seeking high-quality education that is supported by caring and well-experienced teachers, staff and a great principal. Joe and Gina O. Millbrae, CA read more

I love this school! The teachers are strict and keep the students on track. Many teachers go above and beyond to help the students who need extra help. They give up their lunch hour and stay after school to help many of their students. They really care. Those who complain should try teaching their own kids for a year and see what the teachers have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Many students who have graduated from St. Dunstan have come back to visit and they speak about how the teachers have prepared them well for high school and college. My family has been involved in the church and school communities at St. Dunstan for 9 years and counting. We are happy to have St. Dunstan in our neighborhood. Those who complain only see what they want to see. They feel entitled because they pay tuition. They don't see how hard these teachers work to prepare their children for the real world. Kudos to all the hard-working teachers and staff at St. Dunstan. Your community supports you. read more

This school is not as good as it pretends to be. Reasons I don't recommend this school: 1. Lack of effective leadership is a major factor responsible for the school not thriving. 2. The faculty is the oldest in the Northern area of the Peninsula and they are burnt out. One reason of a teacher who has been there for more than 3 decades is because of health benefits. 3. There are too many mandatory fund raising events where 100% of the profit goes to the church, not the school! 4. Academics are way behind than any other schools around the area! Textbooks were published back in 1997 - 2000. 5. The lack of leadership and knowledge of sports from the Athletic Director results in the low morale of the school sports programs. Students are not St. Dunstan School's #1 priority! If you're considering private schools with dedicated teachers, a caring staff, challenging curricula, wholesome athletics and arts, and high expectations, you won't find it here! read more

I have two kids that attended St. Dunstan School and one that is currently attending there. I have been very pleased with the overall education and experiences my children have received. It is a very nurturing, loving, and caring school. My children not only received a good education, but they also learned how to respect themselves and others and grow spiritually. My children have nothing but kind words for their former teachers and have wonderful friends and memories from the time spent as a St. Dunstan Knight. I'm sure there is no perfect school, and every place will have issues to work on, but St. Dunstan is overall a great school. I think it's sad that people have to bad mouth places that don't work out for them instead of just learning that maybe another school would be better for them and just moving on. read more

Our two daughters have been attending St. Dunstan School for many years (since Kindergarten). We are very pleased with their journey so far. I feel the school offers everything we are looking for: safe environment, high academics, sports, community involvement, family participation, and wonderful teachers. We have also been very pleased with the extended day-care program on campus. Our girls are encouraged by their teachers and peers to do well and have made wonderful friends. Parents at this school are very involved and this results in a close community where families genuinely care about each other. Our children are thriving at St. Dunstan and we are very happy with our decision to send them there. read more

It's pathetic when the only people who write five star reviews for this school are either employees or alumni who are solicited by teachers. To be fair, there are a few good teachers there. But the fact is this school is poorly managed. Compared to other schools, their curriculum is weak. To supplement that, they allow the teachers to tutor students from their own class and charge a fee. Some might consider this a conflict of interest. With the exception of track and field, the athletic program is a joke. You will not be satisfied with the academic or athletic program. By the way, this is the only school that will charge you a $200 activity fee regardless if your child joins athletics or not. read more

This Catholic School is great! They teach spanish, chess, music and cheeleadering and computer class. Teachers are the best! They have grandparents Day too! And Daycare for children. St.Dunstan is a very good School. read more