St Barbara School 5306 West McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92704

"Before writing this review, I noticed that the ones who wrote bad reviews were former students and the ones who wrote great reviews were parents. All four of my kids attended from kindergarten to 8th grade and did fairly well. Statistics show that incoming students from St. Barbara School applying to local high schools have higher scores than other schools. If you are looking for a school that will help prepare your child spiritually, educationally, and mentally, then this is the school for your child. But do your part as well. Be involved in your child's life during these years. Their experience during this time would be more enjoyable and your kids would appreciate it."

"Awful school. Had to go here for 9 years and I hated 8 of them. DO NOT send your kids here."

"I have two graduates of St. Barbara School with a third child who will graduate this year (2016). St. Barbara has provided an exceptional education for them, and has given them the tools to continue to grow as they meet the challenges of life. The school is run as though religion is central to all of our lives, meaning accountability and responsibility are at the core of each student's education. If you are considering a catholic school for your children, please take time to visit St. Barbara School."

"As a former student from kindergarten to the third grade, I can now look back and see what is an awful institution. It was 2001 when I started and 2005 when I ended my course at this school, so my review might be outdated; I believe it will not be as such since I looked at the school website to see that most of the staff are the same since I left. There are three main ways to nurture children according to psychology: 1) Authoritative (Child is held at high expectations, but is told any reasoning and therefore the child knows why he or she is either being told to do something or punished. Assertive yet understanding) 2) Authoritarian (Child is held at high expectations, but is not told the reasons and therefore the child will be punished or told to do something without knowing why. Strict and punishing) 3) Indulgent (Child is allowed to do what he or she pleases without severe punishment. Lenient) More information on Wikipedia under "parenting styles" The best way to nurture children, of course, is the Authoritative method, yet this school is very Authoritarian. There would be countless times where I would be punished without knowing what for, defeating the purpose for the punishment. In the second grade, my teacher would make it seem as if she was actively trying to get students in trouble; whether she was or not, that perception fostered my fear for teachers. They promote "kind[ness], love, and forgiv[eness] like Jesus" (Lan T.), yet they instill it with fear, outright hypocrites. The only time I recall such a caring teacher was my first grade teacher and I believe she is still working there; if it weren't for her, I would give this school 0 stars. This school also deters individualism and creativity. The uniforms are a factor in the deterrence, but it is mostly the teachers as I have explained beforehand. As for creativity, there is not much encouragement. There are several moments in the third grade that I will never forget: 1) When it was time to leave, the teachers would call the students names at the door while the students waited inside and the parents waited outside. This teacher called my name twice when she saw that my uncle was there to get me, but I did not hear either time. A minute later she calls my name again and I hear her this time. She yells at me for not "paying attention." Are you kidding me? I was eight at the time; I have professors who are more patient with college students. He scolding made my self esteem as low as it could be for days. 2) When we make native American cutouts from paper for art time, she yelled at a kid for cutting fringes of the pants differently. This is her exact quote, "You just had to get creative didn't you." This appalling instance should be self explanatory. I had that teacher for the third grade, but I believe she moved on to torture fourth graders now. From my experience, the education was indeed more advanced in the sense that the student is more ahead than their public school counter parts; the social impact, however, was negative. When I transferred to public school, (my mother saw how horrible the environment was at this school) the freedom felt odd. I would ask other kids if i could play and they said, "just play you don't need to ask." It was strange to me how welcoming the environment was in contrast to St. Barbara. Eventually, I would go on to lose my fear of teachers as I progressed in public school. Overall, St. Barbara is not the ideal place to sent your kids to school. tl;dr St. Barbara's atmosphere is restrictive and punishing. Most teachers are not as nurturing as they seem (they put on fake faces in front of parents). Public Schools over St. Barbara."

"My daughter has gone to this school since she was in kindergarten to eighth grade and she loves it. St. Barbara School is a great place to send your child. The field trips are very educational and fun. The teachers and staff treat you and you child like family. I highly recommend this school for your child."