Well, if you want the facts about St. Teresa's, look right below my review to Colleen's, who gave a…read morereally great review of STA. I'll share a personal story with you. Nan Bone, current president of STA, was kind enough to let our company teach both ACT and HSPT classes on campus at STA. I loved working with the girls, who range from sassy and smart to quiet and thoughtful. As a single-sex-educated guy myself, and a brother to three sisters, I love to see these young women thrive in an environment where they aren't battling for male approval as they learn more about themselves. My second cousin, Sr. Mary Grace Heiner, taught here in the 1960s and when I discovered that fact, and her name on the ground floor of Donnelly Hall, I took a pencil rubbing of it and sent one to my Dad and kept one for myself. A Heiner was once again teaching at STA. The campus itself is gorgeous, and set within a beautiful and historic neighborhood near Loose Park. I've said this in another review, but when your school looks lovely and old, or even dignified and new, you will inspire, subconciously via architecture, your students to strive to achieve to match the tradition within those walls. When you construct schools to look like jails or DMVs, can you blame kids who are bored or skip class? There's a great story about how the trees got to STA also. The Mother Superior contracted with a gentleman who brought them from...Swope Park. It was only later discovered by the city and while that gentleman received his reprimand, you can imagine that those trees were not removed. And today, they decorate the already lovely STA campus. If you have a smart or serious or fun-loving or artistic or quiet girl - or just one you think needs her own space to develop - consider STA.

There's no rule about reviewing high schools, right? Well - I've spent more time here than at any…read morerestaurant or boutique in town so why not! STA is an all-girl Catholic high school. This review could be enormously long because I have so much to say about this place - so I'll break it down rationally. I know most yelpers are younger, maybe don't have children yet. BUT if you are considering raising kids in the future in Kansas City, it's never to early to consider where you'd likely send them to schools and coming from a graduated student - there's no better source to hear it from. Year it was founded: 1866 (and being 142 years old means it is the OLDEST school west of the Mississippi River - a little fact that's drilled into our heads as freshmen). Size: 530 students (my class was 100). Teachers: STA teachers are a mix of feminists (to teach the young women right now) and liberal artist-types. You get very personalized attention because the school is so small - the student to teacher ratio is 12:1. Personally, I loved my teachers and my adviser (it's like homeroom) and even the secretaries and administration - I had a heart for all of them by the end because the school's too small not to gradually get to know them over the four years. Students: They come from over 65 grade schools. Mine was in Kansas and transferring over to a Missouri school might not sound like a big deal - but MO Catholic grade school cliques run blood deep, haha, seriously! The good thing is, the campus is too small to be exclusive with friendships - we called ourselves a sisterhood and took the title seriously. Academics: Here's probably the most important thing about the school. It's a liberal arts education - I read a crap load of Jane Austen freshman year to make me absolutely sick of feminist literature, but that being said - it's academically intense and comprehensive and everyone is very motivated to want to be academically sound. No one really wanted to be the 'slacker' when I went there - everyone was too concerned with grades and college to not work hard. As I remember - we were all a bunch of little neurotic perfectionists - wearing Birkenstock and red wool sweaters (fun fact about our sweaters: they were flame-retardent, the fibers would melt under a lighter - it's been tried many ties over). My BEST ADVICE: Get your kid or future kid or cousin or whomever is considering STA to get into the honors academic program. This is where you want to be as a student - the administration gives you fuller attention, you take all of the courses that top colleges are looking for, it sets you on a track for success beyond the four years of attendance. It was the best decision of my life to get in the program (thanks to the wisdom of my two older sisters having gone through the school and discovering that sometimes, non-honors students get the shaft in placement and opportunities). AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS (and trust me, they don't advertise this information) is to attend their morning math class in eight grade (call and ask about it if you are interested - but this tip is as good as GOLD). Soul The heart of the place is this: girls roll out of bed, no makeup and roll in by the random hour established as the start of an official school day (7:46 was always weird to me). Girls love journalism here - STA has a nationally acclaimed newspaper (The Dart) and girls love soccer here (we've won countless state titles). Girls here may be initially hesitant of the no-boys aloud thing - but after about a day, they figure out it's an opportunity to get to know themselves without the stresses of the opposite sex. I can say honestly, that all girl schools are not for everyone but they are certainly for some, for shy girls who want to get loud (cheesy but true), for girls who are following family tradition (people's grandmother and mothers and aunts have gone here, mine included), for girls wanting a sisterhood instead of Saved By The Bell - it's what I chose and I've never regretted it for one day in my life.

Attended a church service with a friend this past Sunday. One of the largest church in the area…read moreand has multiple locations in the greater Kansas City area. Services is televised and is like a TV studio production. I'm in aww of how enormous it is when I'm here and have been here once before. Enjoyed the summons given by the pastor.

The best Bible based church with a pastor who teaches from the heart!…read more We adore this church!

Huge lack of communication with teachers and parents. They use different apps or multiple different…read morenumbers to contact teachers. Teachers seem to be very unprofessional. My oldest child usually loves school and does well. He hates this place and never wants go

My 3 kids have attended here for over 7 years now. We absolutely love it. Small school where the…read morekids are known and seen. Admin team is pretty new (in past 3 years) and they fantastic as well as a wonderful set of teachers. We are blessed and grateful!

This school has been such a disappointment. There is a teacher there who bullies the students, and…read moredespite multiple attempts by students and parents to advocate to the teacher, the principal, board members, etc. - they double down and say that they approve of his teaching. This is so extreme that many students have had private testing to note their skill level as above average or even gifted, but the teacher tells the students to their faces that they aren't smart, can't read books, insults their disabilities, reminds them of every mistake they have ever made in his class and does so with insults and stern. He is harsh in his presentation and grading, and only teaches rote memorization without critical thinking or interest in the ideas of his students. It has made many kids hate going to school, and many are leaving the school at the end of the year, but regardless the principal would rather stay the course and actually try to punish students who speak out. What you are told by the admissions is not what is actually true of the school. There are very limited options for learning outside their standard curriculum, much of which is quite remedial and with the assumption that your kid will not go to a good college. I've seen multiple students have soul crushing experiences. They have been without a school counselor for almost 4 months despite that many of their students are in major mental health crises. I have even seen them call the parents of a student that they know is in an abusive home to complain about speaking up for themselves to abuse from this teacher. It's so heartless and dangerous. Multiple students are showing signs of anxiety from things happening with this teacher and the principal. They will make no adjustments at the school to address these issues, even if the students have written diagnoses. There are major issues regarding racial/ethnic/religious equity and inclusion. The school isn't ADA compliant despite having a student that needs an elevator - it has been broken all year. They refuse to have parent meetings including conferences have a zoom/phone option despite having a parent that requires that for participation. I have seen almost no hands on learning in any class. I think that this school has probably changed and likely used to be better than it is now. I've never seen a school think so poorly of it's own students and be so eager to push out anyone who needs anything. There's also a lot of mismanagement. There are a few teachers who are real gems, but go elsewhere if you can unless they have some major staffing changes.

If you're browsing Yelp for a good lunch spot, but suddenly decide to look for a small, private,…read moreliberal school for your children, you're in luck! This place is very special, and my daughter has thrived in the small, customized environment. Kids are encouraged be themselves, and the only cookie cutter I see is they're all different. Check this place out especially if your child marches to their own beat. Art, theater and music programs are standouts (shocking, I know, based on the first five sentences of this review). Here's a picture from a middle school science field trip, though.

Horrifying! Terrible staff. Always changing people. They have infants and toddlers in a small room…read more Some days there were older children playing in the room with the toddlers as well. Very chaotic. Children were always crying when I was there. I picked him up a couple of days with a dirty diaper. He was freezing one day with no socks and his outer layer was taken off and they had put it in another child's bag. One day a child started crying because they took something from her then yelled at her saying unacceptable. This past week my child had a bruise on his leg. It could be from falling but at the same time I felt something was just not right with this place. They don't care about the well being of your child and just want money. Don't send your child here!

We have been at this school for 10 years and I cannot say enough amazing things. If you are looking…read morefor excellent academics in a Christian environment, this is the place. The teachers here have loved my children so much. Two of my kids have had academic struggles, and they have an exceptional program for those with challenges. This isn't just any Christian school, this is a rare find and what's keeping us planted in Kansas City. A unique approach to education with their parent partnership program. Check this school out!

Great staff, great community, and a top notch education for my kids. St. James school provides…read moreeverything I could ever ask for in preparing my children for the future.

it sucks, I have to use a different email then my normal one because if the staff saw this i would…read moreprobably get suspended, but i am leaving the school next year so i dont really care anymore. they base the whole school off how rich you are and if you donate to the school. for example, this one kid cursed out a teacher, threatend to RAPE a girl, and got into multiple fights, but sense his parents pay the school a lot he just got a slap on the wrist. the teachers also suck, are english teacher got fired and we had multiple subs for MONTHS. so obviously we learned NOTHING. so when finals came around we expected to not have one in that class, but to our suprise, we had to take it still. And as expected multiple kids failed. all it is, is money hungry staff, would NOT reccomend.

As a parent of a former student of this school, I cannot tell you how poor of a decision choosing…read moreMaranatha for my child's Christian education was. They emphasize requiring children to work out their problems themselves. In spirit, this appears to be a great tool to equip children to become resourceful and accountable adults. In hindsight, this emphasis is built on a utility the school uses to separate children from their parents on an emotional level. This school is EXACTLY what we were trying to avoid in the public school system. This school believes they are better equipped to raise your children than you are, and when you are able to recognize this, you see it in everything they do. For example, parents are not allowed to speak to teachers without using the school's provided communication systems (which do not allow you to keep a backup of for your own records.) No personal emails, text messages, phone calls, or the like -- they want to monitor every exchange parents have with any employee of the school and they retain and control all access to these communications. In multiple interactions with administration, it became highly apparent that this school is harboring some highly narcissistic and mentally deranged people. Please, for the sake of your children, run far away! We did, and couldn't be happier. We only wish we had not made this mistake at all.

I cannot say enough great things about Lakewood Montessori! My 5 year old daughter has attended…read morethe school for 2 years and we plan on enrolling our 3 year son in there as well. The environment the kids are in is a warm, caring one where the teachers know the children (and the parents and grandparents) well and build the children's confidence. They are so loving and have a diverse group of kids. My daughter loves ALL of the teachers and staff! They truly care so much for the kids. The education (very important to us) is outstanding..I am so amazed how well they teach the kids..they do a great job of preparing the students for the transition to elementary school..I feel like my 5 year old is ready for 2nd grade! The director is a beautiful person, inside and out..Lakewood Montessori is ran incredibly well; this is not true for every Montessori school.

From the owner: Visit us today! Carefully overseen by a trained teachers, your child will engage with both the…read moreteacher, the environment, and his or her peers in a way that will teach harmony and positive engagement with the world, values that will last throughout their lifetime.

I love STA! I went to high school here and had a great experience with awesome teachers and…read moreextra-curricular activities. STA is a great size for a high school. There were 299 people in my graduating class and I knew most of them fairly well. I was very active in drama and forensics at STA. The coaches and teachers are funny, caring, and positive. I still keep in touch with them. STA is really well-known for their soccer team as well- I think they've won nationals or come close to it every year for the past 8 years! WOOO I also feel like my teachers really cared about my growth and performance as a student. I always felt safe at the school. It's a great place to grow up and learn!

Aquinas is often underestimated by those who attend the more prestigious Catholic schools (Sion, St…read moreTeresa's, Rockhurst) but those who underestimate Aquinas do so at their own peril. The school is full of bright kids who work hard, athletes who compete with all the other strong programs, and students dedicated to service who care for others. Sure, it's cheaper. Doesn't mean it isn't great. Have had a chance to work with a lot of Aquinas students and have even taught a couple classes there. Always been impressed.

Winterset has been a fantastic experience for our family. The infants receive the best care from…read moreteachers you can tell truly care for them. By the time our son was 1, it was clear he was learning so much already, including sign language. That had only continued through the two year old and preschool rooms. All the teachers know every kid, making it feel like one big family and making us so comfortable having our kids in their care!

We have been at Winterset for almost 3 years. There have been ups and downs with turnover, but…read morethings have been wonderful since they got new ownership and a consistent director. My son loves his teachers and you can tell that a lot of the teachers love the kids as if they were there own.