ETA: The new leadership team is amazing. The school went through some challenging times, but it's…read moreback to feeling like a home away from home again.

Think hard, don't lie to yourself... Does your child need a bit of support academically? Do you…read morethink they might? Do you want small class sizes? Are they on meds that need to be administered at school? Are they Neurodiverse (Dyslexic, Anxiety, ADHD, Autistic, Dyscalculia, etc.)? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, this school probably isn't for you. We really loved the school when the kid was younger. But, partway through the lower school, supports and amenities suddenly got a lot more scarce! The Middle School is even worse. Were the staff at fault? Usually not. Decisions were made and the kids that needed a bit of help paid the price. There isn't a school nurse. They have remodeled some of the specialist-type classrooms to convert them into classrooms. There has been quite a bit of staff leaving in the last 5 years. There isn't a real 9:1 kid to teacher ratio in practice, they use alternative accounting practices including counting staff members like the librarian (kids see the librarian for an hour or less per week while most teachers rush back to their rooms for preparation time leaving the librarian often alone with the kids). Teacher assistants in the lower school are not necessarily full time and are often pulled from class to cover teachers and things like playground duties. The administration is actively trying to add more students per class, and more classes overall, as all administrators are prone to do. In short, while it is a beautiful school, it isn't for everyone. Try not to be dazzled and ask the hard questions. See if this is right for your family. It is an expensive question to get wrong.

The booster club hosts a viewing of 10 Things I Hate About You here and I LOVE it! The school looks…read morejust like in the movie, maybe even more magical. The water view and beautiful architecture are just amazing. We were in the stadium and the stairs killed us- these students must be in great shape! Lots of steps from street level down to the field. I was very happy to support the booster club and watch one of my favorite movies. They have a great parking garage with several entrances, and also some great street parking. Lots to do nearby- so much great food and wine. Excited to come to more events here someday!

Just enough parking around this high school, but beware for the staff parking spots if you are just…read morehere to tour. The football team was playing on the field while I was here, but it was really neat to see the waterfront view just there with the popularized cement stairs from the 10 Things I Hate About You movie. The high school is so rich in history on how the architectures came about, its original vision, and how it became a high school thereafter. Recommend that you read up on it online before you come by here because it is pretty interesting and not a long read at all. The high school is really beautiful outside, but I wish that we are able to enter inside like the high school in Utah where High School Musical was based would host for guests during after school hours, which are 0600 to 1500, or 6AM to 3PM. They had a scavenger hunt so you could go to all the film locations within that Utah high school, which I wish this high school could do for 10 Things I Hate About You. Nonetheless a pretty sight and the house of main characters', Kat and Bianca's, house is like a 1.6 mile drive away from here.

I've had one child graduate from Bellarmine and I have another currently attending. I believe you…read morewould be hard pressed to find a private school with stronger academics, particularly in the south end. Close to 99% of Bellarmine graduates attend college. Every single graduate with whom I am acquainted states, without exception, that they felt Bellarmine did an excellent job preparing them for college. Grading scale is tough, 93% for an A. Classes are rigorous. If you're looking for easy As, this isn't the place. Bellarmine is a Jesuit school and Jesuit ideals are infused throughout the school and curriculum. New parents are told that by the time your child graduates, they will experience change. While we are not Catholic, the committment to justice, values in action and graduates who will leave prepared to transform the world are principles I'm happy to support.

Awesome school. Academics are well rounded, the sports are competitive, and the students, faculty,…read moreand staff are wonderful. I love Bellarmine

I would never recommend this school. The Administration is a joke. Mrs. Zamira does what she wants,…read morehow she wants, with no accountability or concern for the children. The Principal Mrs. Hofstrand allows it. My children had the worst experience here. They enjoyed the primarily and intermediate schools but completely lost interest in school when they came to the Junior High. My daughter quickly learned that thanks to Mrs. Zamira you can't sing happy birthday to your friends, you can't link elbows, and that they cannot recognize breast cancer awareness month because according to the Vice Principal, the kids are not mature enough.

Hate it so damn much Friends call me DEEF…read moreJus cuz those are my grades don't mean it doesn't hurt 5 stars

Henry Foss IB World School is a gem! Our student is getting an excellent education with access to…read moreboth AP and IB coursework. The staff works hard to connect with students. They volunteer their own time to serve as sponsors for activities or provide extra academic help. Our student loves that Foss is a smaller school. She participates in clubs and sports that may be less accessible at a larger school. We also value that the student body is diverse at Foss. We are so thankful that Tacoma Public Schools offers the IB program at Foss High School and would recommend the school to any student that would like an academically rigorous high school curriculum.

My daughter started middle school here and it was the best decision we made. We're very happy with…read morethe staff, the teachers' great curriculum, and safe environment. It's a real blessing to be a part of this community.

My son loves St. Frances Cabrini! He is in his first year there. The teachers are great, the…read morefaculty are great, the other families are great. You really feel like you are part of something special here! We also really like the faith based virtues that are taught at the school too. (Respect, Integrity, others) We love this school and the decision to send our child here!!

There are numerous schools in this district. My son has…read moreattended two of those-here are my reviews for each: Evergreen Elementary School on Fort Lewis- 1 star the teachers obviously did not want to be there-or should have been teaching different grades. the principal was more concerned with following steps then actual problem solving. I pulled my child out of this school because of these issues and moved him to a school that I had to drive 20 mins 2x a day for drop off/pick-up. Lakeview Hope Academy- 5 stars! Loved, loved this school. This is a truly wonderful elementary school. The teachers and staff are all very dedicated to each student and will go beyond what is expected. I transferred my child here in Kindergarten after the horrible experience at another school. His K and 1st grade teachers were very helpful with the transition, and everyone worked to get him the support he needed. Unfortunately, We had to move out of state after 1st grade. Starting 2nd grade in a new state was hard for my child-we contacted his 1st grade teacher for tips, and during her summer break she not only sent helpful emails to me and his new teacher but also followed up with phone calls. It was very obvious that she cared about my child and getting him off to a great start. The front desk staff were always friendly and very helpful. ESL staff is also wonderful. This school is in a poorer neighborhood and that is obvious during pick-up time. However, it also means that they have great state funding. To me, the teachers and staff obviously wanted to be there and wanted to make a difference. It was worth the 20 min drive 2x a day for me to know that my son was in a loving environment.

DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL smart pass don't work tried to go to bathroom shit was locked and my pass…read morewas going run away go to lakes