Alumni K-8 and also had my two children at this school. Since the new pastor "Fr Matt", the school has really taken a turn for the worst. The priest himself is very judgemental, critical and unwelcoming. So many people have left. His 1920 beliefs are often verbalized and are starting to reflect in the behavior of students. The morale of the school took the biggest hit. I've never missed Msgr Nugent more. Additionally, Class sizes are bigger than public schools. Bullying, violence and even inappropriate sexual misconduct go unpunished if the family are "big donors". Many families have been forced out and shamed for not proving weekly mass attendance. They teach children as young as 7 about abortions and homosexuality and when you ask why, they say these conversations are necessary because of the "world we live in". My 8 year old was told to do an art project on what abortion meant to them. My 11 year old was told that having a girl best friend for too long would stop her from going to heaven. (At least that's how an 11 year old understood the age-inappropriate conversation the pastor was having). I had to answer questions and have conversations my friends with children in other schools were astounded. I'd hope putting them at St Helens would preserve their innocence and found it was doing the opposite. The curriculum supports and encourages hate, judgement, sexism and racism. As someone who was baptized, confirmed and married in that church; I can say with confidence these are new beliefs brought in by the new pastor. However, if you donate a lot of money, your child be treated better. Where this school used to be organized and their curriculum ahead of public schools; many teachers will tell you now they dread hearing a student is coming from St. Helens now because they know they will be very far behind their peers. I would steer clear of this school until the bishop fixes this lapse in judgment. I hope to see them one day return to their focus on education excellence instead of how they'll pay for their next Saint statue. Most recently, the pastor has refused sacraments to children who didn't have perfect mass attendance - even though they attended school full time and attended daily mass while at school as well as the class for preparation of the sacrament. The priest Refused sacraments to a child who can't drive themselves and embarrassed them in front of their classmates. It's a strange thing to do, alienate children who want to be in your congregation; it's not like people are hanging down the doors trying to join - why would you push away the youth who do?? Both spiritually and academically; this school is completely failing at the moment. read more

The head priest of this church and school has no business being a Catholic priest nor the head of a Christian school like St. Helen's. Not an example of Jesus Christ at all. Jesus gave us an example in Him. If I as a teacher treated my students like he treats some of his parishioners, I would be fired and lose my job. We attended the church here for 2+ years, we would see the priest at church and in our gym, he would never look at us, could never be bothered with us. He ignored us, avoided us, dismissed us, he was never welcoming or loving at all like most Catholic priests would be to his parishioners. He judged us without even knowing us, assuming, jumping to judgement, thinks he knows our problems, and just being completely indifferent. I would say "hello father" at the gym and he would completely ignore me. The school and church could never get our names and titles correct on any donations we made to them. We decided to go to another church about five months ago at Easter time, we decided to just go to the new church as that priest was so kind, loving, and welcoming. Father John at our new church would shake your hand, look you in the eyes, and invite you to events, his house, and happy hours. He was very kind and loving, like a Catholic priest should be. We are now at peace at out new church. Last week this old priest from St. Helen's approached us at the gym to ask if we were still at his church, we hadn't been there in five months, we said no, we switched to a different church. He seemed like he did not like our honesty and why. Acting like we are rude for being honest then mocking me. He talks about judging, but he judged us from the start and completely ignored us, never welcoming or kind. Priests should practice what they preach and be loving and welcoming to ALL people. There is a lot of hypocrisy here with this priest. Like Jesus rebuked the pharisees and scribes and told them they were hypocrites as they did not want to follow the Jews laws themselves and they were afraid of Jesus. Priests are supposed to help their parishioners to get into Heaven not chase them away from the church or their faith. This priest did just that. Then my spouse didn't want to go to church this past week after the priest confronted us. This is what this priest is doing to parishioners, chasing them away from the church and their faith. This is not correct. Bishop Fulton Sheen says we need to call out bad priests, I agree. This is unacceptable for a priest to treat people in his church this way. We have been going to church now for 60+ years, born and raised Catholic, and have never seen such a rude and indifferent Catholic priest in our lives. Imagine what he can do to children who are younger and more fragile in their development. I hope the priest will pray for all parishioners, all whether marginalized, ignored, etc. and show more love and be more welcoming. We pray for the priests that they can aspire to be more like Jesus and kind and loving to all parishioners. The church needs to be careful not to chase the faithful away from the church and their faith. We hope this helps this priest to become the best he can be and stop with the mediocrity and judgment, hopefully the truth will help him to be a better priest to all his parishioners. Love not hate, welcome, not ignore. Be like Jesus. read more

My husband is third generation to this school. Have nothing but great things to say about this facility. Two of our oldest children received great education at St Helen's. There is such a safe, and comfortable relationship that this school offers parents and students. We love and feel that it's the greatest option for lower and middle school in our community. Our twins are starting Kindergarten this year, and we can not imagine sending them anywhere else. We love St Helen! read more

St. Helen Catholic School used to be a fabulous school, with a great academic reputation, and awesome staff. The parents and teachers were friendly and supportive of one another. Good energy , positive peer relationships, close knit School community just an overall exceptional School. A few years ago a new principal came on board no professional experience, and lacking communication skills. She doesn't return phone calls, or emails and has divided and conquered the staff and the parents. The children are stuffed into the classrooms with 29 or more students, enrollment has tripled with no space, the gymnasium is unusable comma the lunch program is poor, and the academics are now lacking. Saint Helens no longer has the academic Excellence reputation as it did 3 years ago. She has systematically ruined the school. teachers that had been there for two to three decades have left and there is low morale. She boast being a Christian yet she will kick out any parent who disagrees with her and will not think twice or take into consideration the complaints are valid. There is absolutely no communication between parents and administration. The tuition fees keep Rising, the athletic fees have tripled, and the facilities are lacking and upkeep Any public school in the county could offer a better education and a more loving and supportive environment. She furls gossip, undermines staff, accused parents of being Liars when trying to advocate for their children. She has made an environment that is extremely negative and backstabbing. It would be safe to say it is environment similar to a dictatorship read more