Cathedral Nursery School

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I don't know where to begin with this debacle of a school! I guess I will just list ALL the things that make this school completely undesirable for the parent who wants the best for their child:



1. Limited WARMTH and COMPASSION.

Every parent wants their child to be in a warm, loving and nurturing nursery school. I must admit that the Mommy and Me experience was excellent but the attitude towards parents and students changed on the Pre-K level. You do NOT get that warm, nurturing feeling. I would go as far as to say it's quite cold and detached for the most part, eventhough there are a couple of educators there who are wonderful. But at a nursery school level, they should ALL be warm and loving.

2. Parents not welcomed!

If you're a parent of a Pre-K student you better drop your kid off and leave before they chase you out. They can't stand lingering parents, which to a certain degree I can understand. They do need to work and get on with their day. But the manner in the way they make parents feel unwanted is unexpected and unacceptable. The parents are the people who are PAYING their salary. Yet it's like they completely ignore that part and tend to be condescending towards parents and treat them like kids. Some teachers will block their doorway using the body language that parents do not belong and the secretary will chaperone parents in the hallway when it's completely unneeded.

ALSO, forget about parental involvement! You go to a few events during the year and that's it! And if you wanted to take a look in your child's classroom to see what they've done, forget about that. My child's teacher clearly does not want parents in her room. Like I said, PARENTS NOT WELCOMED!

3. Communication limited.

I was extremely surprised that the teachers didn't provide their phone numbers or at the very least email addresses. It was the first indication that they wanted limited contact with parents. They love your money but they hate you!

4. Unnecessarily abrupt teachers.....otherwise known as meanies.

There is one teacher in particular who will be abrupt with kids and come off as rude and mean not only to the students but to the parents as well. While the school sees her as being tough but fair, we just see her as being MEAN. Children who are 4 or 5 respond better to a warm and loving teacher who shows them respect and teaches them the right way without demeaning them.

5. Parents left in the dark.

We are given a monthly newsletter of what our children do in the classroom but that's about it. Most parents of Pre-K students want to know what their children do on a weekly or daily basis, what they are learning, their progress socially and academically, etc.... I have one friend who's child goes to an excellent nursery school where the teachers write on an easel chalkboard that day's activities. This way, the parent knows exactly what the child will be doing and doesn't need to bother the teacher for info later. At Cathedral, you have to constantly ask the teacher which makes you appear antagonistic and then therefore you are labeled as 'that parent'. Yet in reality, you're NOT 'that parent' it's that they are 'that school'!

6. Archaic teaching methods.

It is apparent to me that this school certainly hasn't changed their teaching style since they opened. I know this from personal experience. My child was told to sit down and do something she/he did not enjoy and the teacher just walked away without trying to engage my child in the activity. If that's what teaching is about then anyone can do it!



I truly believe that early childhood education should be a wonderful experience for the child and parent. This is their first introduction to school and it shouldn't be stressful for anyone! My child and I did not have a great experience here. I feel that they do the bare minimum to make the school a pleasant environment. You want a school that loves you and your child.....you won't feel that here.