St. Ann Catholic School or Cardinal Elementary

[Anonymous]

We just moved to the area and got accepted into St. Ann's Catholic school but also in the boundary of Cardinal Elementary. I've read through some comments about Cardinal and the administration that is both good and bad, but what about comparing Cardinal to St. Ann's? Anyone with experience who can provide some insight on which you would pick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just moved to the area and got accepted into St. Ann's Catholic school but also in the boundary of Cardinal Elementary. I've read through some comments about Cardinal and the administration that is both good and bad, but what about comparing Cardinal to St. Ann's? Anyone with experience who can provide some insight on which you would pick?

Try to visit / tour Cardinal. It is impressive as a facility. Principal is popular.

[Anonymous]

People have mixed feelings about the principal, but most of the teachers are wonderful at Cardinal. To me the biggest difference is the sheer size. St Ann is small. That works if your kid finds a friend group, but a lot harder if they don't fit in because there aren't a ton of kids. Because it's small it also doesn't have a lot of differentiation so if you have a child who needs extra supports or is advanced, you may not get the same types of extensions that public school in theory offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People have mixed feelings about the principal, but most of the teachers are wonderful at Cardinal. To me the biggest difference is the sheer size. St Ann is small. That works if your kid finds a friend group, but a lot harder if they don't fit in because there aren't a ton of kids. Because it's small it also doesn't have a lot of differentiation so if you have a child who needs extra supports or is advanced, you may not get the same types of extensions that public school in theory offers.

That's exactly the issue with Cardinal's principal, theory vs. practice. He's terrific if you're just a regular kid looking for a fine education. He does a terrific job in recruiting teachers; that as well as guiding the school through two renovations and a move represent his greatest achievements (and they're substantial to be sure). Cardinal used to be McKinley, but moved and renamed itself when they vacated the building so ATS could go in there (post-renovation, natch).

But woe is the kid who needs special services of any kind, on any end of the spectrum. And especially woe is the parent who asks questions about whether such services are being well-delivered. See, he'll tell you he's an open guy, he'll tell you he listens, he'll tell you he gets it, as he shuts down your question in the PTA meeting and responds at the legal bare minimum to your request that the IEP be established, be followed, etc. St. Ann's won't provide the differentiation that you're entitled to in theory in public school, but they'll tell you they won't provide it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People have mixed feelings about the principal, but most of the teachers are wonderful at Cardinal. To me the biggest difference is the sheer size. St Ann is small. That works if your kid finds a friend group, but a lot harder if they don't fit in because there aren't a ton of kids. Because it's small it also doesn't have a lot of differentiation so if you have a child who needs extra supports or is advanced, you may not get the same types of extensions that public school in theory offers.

That's exactly the issue with Cardinal's principal, theory vs. practice. He's terrific if you're just a regular kid looking for a fine education. He does a terrific job in recruiting teachers; that as well as guiding the school through two renovations and a move represent his greatest achievements (and they're substantial to be sure). Cardinal used to be McKinley, but moved and renamed itself when they vacated the building so ATS could go in there (post-renovation, natch).

But woe is the kid who needs special services of any kind, on any end of the spectrum. And especially woe is the parent who asks questions about whether such services are being well-delivered. See, he'll tell you he's an open guy, he'll tell you he listens, he'll tell you he gets it, as he shuts down your question in the PTA meeting and responds at the legal bare minimum to your request that the IEP be established, be followed, etc. St. Ann's won't provide the differentiation that you're entitled to in theory in public school, but they'll tell you they won't provide it.

I'm not this poster but I could have written it. I know a couple of non-SN kids who transferred to St. Ann from Cardinal b/c of this dude. Anyway, while this dude was saying my child was "on grade level" and their particular disability didn't exist, I transferred, along with about 6 other families. Turns out my child was 2 grades behind. So yes, if your child has SN, I think the administration is not going to be supportive. The teachers are great and they fought for my kid but usually lost. It's a brand new physical plant though so looks pretty....The AP is not much better. She doesn't have a dark soul but she doesnt stand up for what's right.

[Anonymous]

OP what is it you want out of these schools

[Anonymous]

We love Cardinal (still upset about the McKinley move) and its teachers and leaderhship. Also, we have a special needs child and are pleased with the attention and diligence they receive. Can't speak of St. Ann's.

[Anonymous]

I know nothing about Cardinal, but St. Ann has a new principal as of last year who is causing real problems. Total lack of communication and dismissive attitude towards parents, classroom behavior issues, and greatly increased employee turnover to the point they’re struggling to fill basic positions. We were really happy with how our DD was doing there at the beginning of the year (especially after COVID), but by the end of the year we transferred back to APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about Cardinal, but St. Ann has a new principal as of last year who is causing real problems. Total lack of communication and dismissive attitude towards parents, classroom behavior issues, and greatly increased employee turnover to the point they’re struggling to fill basic positions. We were really happy with how our DD was doing there at the beginning of the year (especially after COVID), but by the end of the year we transferred back to APS.

PP here, too early to be posting. Be didn’t transfer “back” to APS, as we’d never been enrolled in the first place. Should just say “transferred to APS”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about Cardinal, but St. Ann has a new principal as of last year who is causing real problems. Total lack of communication and dismissive attitude towards parents, classroom behavior issues, and greatly increased employee turnover to the point they’re struggling to fill basic positions. We were really happy with how our DD was doing there at the beginning of the year (especially after COVID), but by the end of the year we transferred back to APS.

This is probably why op got a spot. People have been fleeing APS for two years. At one point, I heard a parishioner at st Agnes who was 15th on the waitlist or something crazy. Pre covid, a lot of people left at Ann for st James or st agnes. It’s a very small school.

[Anonymous]

Cardinal is cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cardinal is cheaper.

And you can walk to Toby's!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cardinal is cheaper.

And you can walk to Toby's!

Yeah, if it’s even open. Toby’s should be a gold mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about Cardinal, but St. Ann has a new principal as of last year who is causing real problems. Total lack of communication and dismissive attitude towards parents, classroom behavior issues, and greatly increased employee turnover to the point they’re struggling to fill basic positions. We were really happy with how our DD was doing there at the beginning of the year (especially after COVID), but by the end of the year we transferred back to APS.

I'm hearing the opposite about St. Ann's...that families are happy with the direction of the school and the new principal. The school has waiting lists at many grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about Cardinal, but St. Ann has a new principal as of last year who is causing real problems. Total lack of communication and dismissive attitude towards parents, classroom behavior issues, and greatly increased employee turnover to the point they’re struggling to fill basic positions. We were really happy with how our DD was doing there at the beginning of the year (especially after COVID), but by the end of the year we transferred back to APS.

Was the administration the reason you decided to leave? Happier at APS? How would you rate the education between the two?