I'm more than happy to start the Charter bashing thread…read more No one who has attended this school since Mrs. Aversa became principal has good things to say about it. The administration enjoys running what used to be a school for the creative, odd, or otherwise non-traditional student into a bastion of fascism. Mr. Sternberg has been an even more horrific addition to the staff. He seems to believe that his job support students includes dashing dreams, enforcing rules for rules sake and generally being an ass. He actually told me there was no chance I would get into UChicago my senior year -- well, clearly he was mistaken. On from the admin -- to abstinence only sex ed? We had 3 freshman get pregnant and I literally heard one freshman my senior year say "We did it in a hot tub, so I know I'm safe." SERIOUSLY? In this day and age is this really possible? Not to mention the hokey speakers they brought and FORCED us to sit though. Like the abstinence lady who handed out "ATM Cards" which were Abstinence Till Marriage cards. Leaving the bad grammar aside, these people have their heads in the sand when it comes to the reality of high school student's sex lives. And then the education. As the "best" public high school in the county (the only "A" school) I found it to be a joke. I transferred here from a private school 1/2 way through my junior year and was horrified by what I found. We spent an entire semester working on a 500 word essay in one of my classes -- and the students complained it was too long! I never felt challenged or offered any worthwile opportunities here. I can only say I am grateful they didn't manage to ruin my chance of getting into a good college and getting out of there!

An incredible school for these talented high school students to further their talent. Everytime I'v…read moregone...I'm truly amazed how talented these young adults are! I'm sure some of these, if not many will continue to become famous in whatever endevour they desire.

It's awful, full of bugs the teachers seem absolutely miserable and overreact to just about…read moreeverything. Don't send your kids to this prison-like school

Great school. The staff and admin truly love students and seem to go above and beyond for them. I…read morelove having my child at this school.

The people working there dont do their jobs, my kid has an iep and was suppose to go to the main…read morecampus, for specialized classes for her needs, but because they didnt read anything even though they said they did she didnt get in. She was also dissapointed in her teachers not teaching the class.

What a wonderful catholic school. From the Principal to all the staff and the Priests so involved ,…read morethey lead with Light and prepare children in God's faith. we are blessed to have such dedicated staff. new school being built as well and such a great foundation for Life!

Alumni K-8 and also had my two children at this school. Since the new pastor "Fr Matt", the school…read morehas 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.