OT St Pete Tampa moms... ? School Parochial?

[kiki02]

We are due to move this summer to St Pete Florida and am at a loss for middle school for dcs.

The public school options seem to be NOT an option. If anyone knows or has experience with St pete Christian Catholic Parochial schools, please advise. Have written to a few, but hard to do this since we're not there et.

Feel free to pm me as well. Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

Part of the problem may be that you are looking for Middle Schools -- parochial schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg don't use that system. You'll need to choose a grade school, as they teach K-8, and schools are mostly aligned with a parish (or group of parishes, if they need to band together to gather enough students; common these days as Catholics have smaller families.)

The full list is on the Diocesan Education Dept. webpage. http://home.catholicweb.com/dosp_ocsc/index.cfm
As with public schools, the Diocese will direct you to your local school based on where your home will be. However, it appears that there is an independent grade school in that diocese as well: Villa Madonna in Tampa, which is run by the Salesians. (While you don't have to use the school that is most closely affiliated with your parish, there is normally a tuition break for registered parishioners that nonmembers do not get.)

The key in evaluating a Parochial grade school, other than in the usual ways such as curriculum, test scores, and available resources, is to ask about two factors over time: how much their enrollment has varied over the past decade, and how much tuition has increased over the same period. Unless the school was consolidated in that time (in which case you should look at the numbers for the feeder parish schools), a wide pattern of negative change there can indicate a school that is struggling to stay afloat. Also, check the local newspaper; if schools are in trouble or outstanding they will be written about.

The only parochial school I know a little something about secondhand is St. Cecelia in Clearwater. A former client of mine sent her kids there and was quite happy with the school; it has a good reputation for math.

 

[kiki02]

Thank you noturs so much. Working so hard to find a good and safe schools for dcs. I saw the diocesan web page just wondering if anyone on the board has firsthand info. I never knew about the utition break. AGain, many thanks.

Part of the problem may be that you are looking for Middle Schools -- parochial schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg don't use that system. You'll need to choose a grade school, as they teach K-8, and schools are mostly aligned with a parish (or group of parishes, if they need to band together to gather enough students; common these days as Catholics have smaller families.)

The full list is on the Diocesan Education Dept. webpage. http://home.catholicweb.com/dosp_ocsc/index.cfm
As with public schools, the Diocese will direct you to your local school based on where your home will be. However, it appears that there is an independent grade school in that diocese as well: Villa Madonna in Tampa, which is run by the Salesians. (While you don't have to use the school that is most closely affiliated with your parish, there is normally a tuition break for registered parishioners that nonmembers do not get.)

The key in evaluating a Parochial grade school, other than in the usual ways such as curriculum, test scores, and available resources, is to ask about two factors over time: how much their enrollment has varied over the past decade, and how much tuition has increased over the same period. Unless the school was consolidated in that time (in which case you should look at the numbers for the feeder parish schools), a wide pattern of negative change there can indicate a school that is struggling to stay afloat. Also, check the local newspaper; if schools are in trouble or outstanding they will be written about.

The only parochial school I know a little something about secondhand is St. Cecelia in Clearwater. A former client of mine sent her kids there and was quite happy with the school; it has a good reputation for math.

 

[BarbO]

I live in St Pete and my grandchildren all went to Catholic Schools here...and there are quite a few of them. There is no middle school...goes prek to grade 8. Depends on what your location is in St pete. There is Blessed Sacrament, St Raphaels, St Pauls, St Judes (which is the Cathedral School) Holy Name and my grandkids went to Sacred Heart....and I'm sure more I am not thinking about. If you know your location I would contact the diocese office or check the website for the Diocese of St Petersburg and call the school closest to your location. The slots fill up fast, so I would call as soon as you know. They are all very good schools. The Catholic High Schools are St Pete Catholic and Clearwater Catholic.

 

[kiki02]

I live in St Pete and my grandchildren all went to Catholic Schools here...and there are quite a few of them. There is no middle school...goes prek to grade 8. Depends on what your location is in St pete. There is Blessed Sacrament, St Raphaels, St Pauls, St Judes (which is the Cathedral School) Holy Name and my grandkids went to Sacred Heart....and I'm sure more I am not thinking about. If you know your location I would contact the diocese office or check the website for the Diocese of St Petersburg and call the school closest to your location. The slots fill up fast, so I would call as soon as you know. They are all very good schools. The Catholic High Schools are St Pete Catholic and Clearwater Catholic.

I should have edited post to say k-8. My mistake. Thanks barbo. Our rental (if all goes through) will be near the shore acres / downtown area, but willing to drive for a good school for kids. From your post, it sounds like you think highly of all the above. good to hear.

 

[BarbO]

Ok....Shore Acres is right where I used to live. I only live a few miles from it now. The closest parochial school is St Raphael....great school and great parish...beautiful location right on the water. The next closest is Holy Family. I don't know too much about the school, but my grandkids have friends from there and appears to be good.
Tuition can be quite steep but it is less if you are a registered member of the parish and if you qualify you can request Bishops assistance program. They also allow payment over the course of school year...so not everything at once.

 

[kiki02]

Ok....Shore Acres is right where I used to live. I only live a few miles from it now. The closest parochial school is St Raphael....great school and great parish...beautiful location right on the water. The next closest is Holy Family. I don't know too much about the school, but my grandkids have friends from there and appears to be good.
Tuition can be quite steep but it is less if you are a registered member of the parish and if you qualify you can request Bishops assistance program. They also allow payment over the course of school year...so not everything at once.

thanks so much. wdyt about st paul, st john viney (spell?) ? Beautiful area you have there! PM me if you prefer. Wish i could send you stars and smiles for all the help!

 

[BarbO]

St Pauls is area I live in now....maybe about 10 minute drive from Shore Acres....older church and school, but very good. I go to church there a lot even though its not my parish.

St John Vianney is very very far from Shore Acres....its the opposite side of St Pete on the gulf beaches...where shore acres is on the bay side.

 

[BarbO]

forgot to tell you to keep in mind there is no bus transportation here for any Catholic schools...you have to drive and pickup...each school has a security plan in place for drop off and pickup....you can pm me if you have any other questions about the area. We moved here about 20 years ago now...your making a great choice...despite the cost, the catholic schools here are very good. I now have one granddaughter at USF and one at University of Florida in Tallahassee in the honors program...and one that's about to be a junior at St Pete Catholic.....they are well educated and they keep the kids active in community as well.