St James Elementary School in Sewickley

Posted: May 29, 2025

Help me. This school sucks. I hate everything. I want to leave.

Posted: May 29, 2025

Posted: May 27, 2025

This school worked well for us, until it didn't. My child used to be excited about attending school, seeing their friends, and I could see my child excited to learn; I could see my child progressing well in their learning abilities. This past year, I was less than thrilled with our experience. My child was not progressing due to classmates at less than age appropriate level of social, and academic skills. The whole class had to be at those classmates level, meaning other children also were not challenged academically. With the school class sizes being so small, there are less social opportunities, as well as lack of sports and extra curricular activities. The children have recess out in the parking lot, as they do not have the space for a playground, other than the small little preschool play structure. There are not the resources for children who need additional help, children will have to go elsewhere for speech.
They made huge changes in the safety of the school, putting up mirrored film on windows so no one on the outside can see in, there's a very confusing check in process, which the secretary will make you feel dumb every time you have to go into the school. There are a few security guards who rotate throughout the week at the school as well. All of these upgrades as a parent actually didn't make me feel safer, it made me more concerned about my child's safety. I even asked if there had been a threat and I did not receive any type of communication in return. Communication is at the absolute worst I've seen so far in our years here. Parents learned of a recent science and art show DAY OF the event. The secretary her whole first year would send multiple e-mails out, as she forgot to attach the documents discussed in the email and even once, attached a bus invoice! If I were a current parent I would be worried about the future of this school, and the dwindling enrollment numbers and the future of this school staying open independently, and not forced to merge.

Posted: May 27, 2025

Posted: January 16, 2025

DO NOT GO HERE!! I went here in 2020 and just left the school this year of 2024. I would not recommend to anyone. I have not a a SINGLE pleasant staff member here. The staff is extremely mean to the kids, always yelling at them or making them feel horrible about themselves. Bullying is a major problem at this school. There was a problem of be bullied online and in person, and when I provided evidence, NOTHING was done. No one cares about the students mental health, and they are always asking for money for things havent even seen happen yet. I was told multiple years ago that they would be getting a playground, but where is it? Oh I dont know, probably in the staffs pocket because they are just scamming you. Ive had a horrible experience especially with the principle and middle school teachers. They are yelling all the time and making you feel horrible. They teachers will call you names if you arent quick enough to something or didnt do something right, or they will take away your lunch period to do more classwork. There was a time we missed almost the entire lunch and recess period because we had to finish science. Theres so much more I could say but Im running out of characters so Im just going to leave it here: DO NOT ATTEMD THIS SCHOOL, WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY

Posted: January 16, 2025

Posted: October 30, 2016

Excellent Classroom Numbers.
Students Test Well at the next Level.
Always Good in Arts, Music and both Boys & Girls Sports Programs.

Posted: September 19, 2016

I love this school. I love the family atmosphere, the parents willing to help each other, the dedicated compassionate teachers and the incredible education. I love the Catholic education and the values that are emphasized. Sure AC would be nice, but I'll take teachers who love my kids any day.

Posted: August 28, 2016

St. James School Sewickley teaches children that we are all Gods children and instills the principles of excellent minds and exceptional hearts is every way.

Posted: August 28, 2016

St. James School Sewickley is a great school to send your children if you are looking for an extremely well rounded, Catholic, faith based education.

Posted: June 10, 2015

We have 4 children at St. James and it truly is a wonderful place to send children to not only excel in academics, but to excel in Faith, as a child of God! St. James School has taught my children to love and honor God, all of God's children as well as themselves. The students of all ages respect and love every peer equally. I love how the older students have younger "buddies" to mentor throughout the year. Each of my children have felt accepted and welcome from day one! Even when the older students are at extracurricular activities (i.e. basketball games, dances, etc.) with their friends/classmates, they take time engage with the younger students giving them a feeling of total acceptance. St. James has many extra circular activities for which children can benefit. Not only sports, such as soccer, basketball and volleyball (to name only a few!), but chess club, Band, forensics and Y.E.S. (Youth Empowerment Strategies).

Posted: June 10, 2015

My experiences with St. James has been very positive. We have 2 children in the upper grades so we have been there long enough to have many experiences with administration, staff and students. In dealing with the Administration we have found Sr. Christy to be very responsive. I know for a fact that when situations arise, she will not hesitate to pull the parents and teachers together to craft solutions. The teachers at the school are top notch and they really know and care for your child. Students coming out of St. James are well prepared for High School and beyond. The school's faith based foundation is woven into all aspects of their curriculum. I believe that this is what truly sets us apart from the other schools and it is the reason why we excel. Our graduates go on to some of the finest schools in the area and they excel because of their education at this school.

The school itself is getting some upgrades also. The network infrastructure is getting upgrades along with security. The 6-8 students will have access to iPads this year. We have smart boards in each classroom. A playground is also in the works but unfortunately we can only move as quickly as Sewickley will allow us.

This school is not just a building with classrooms, desks and books. It is a family. You can be assured that along with a great education the values and faith that you hold dear will be reinforced at St. James.

Posted: June 10, 2015

We have two children at the school and we have loved our experience at St. James. We have been there for four years now and the dedication of the staff to the students never ceases to amaze me. Each classroom has a smart board, next year the kids will have access to iPads for use in classes, lots of extracurriculars from track to chess club to many things in between! My two kids are very different from one another and both have thrived in the nurturing environment of the faith based education offered there. Hands on learning starts with the youngest kids and continues throughout their time there. I particularly love the art program. It is not the "arts and crafts" I grew up with! My kids learn about various artists as well as different techniques that they used from water colors to clay. One of my favorite things one of my kids ever made was a rendition of Starry Night (with his own twist of course:) More than anything I cherish the compassionate atmosphere that is provided at the school. My kids are known as individuals, not just as a number in a classroom. I would highly recommend SJS!

Posted: June 10, 2015

Our staff is truly dedicated to their work as a vocation not just a job!

Posted: June 10, 2015

We love the faith based education and individual attention our kids receive at St. James!

Posted: May 5, 2015

Bullying is unacceptable on all fronts. This school has had problems for years with students being allowed to bully without repercussions. This goes for the school parents as well. Some members of the Home School Association should really be ashamed of themselves and the Principle is very nice but does nothing about parents behaving badly. Why would I send my children to a school that does not make me and my family feel welcome? It makes much more sense to go elsewhere. This year they actually sent home a request for donations for them to build a playground that is never going to happen. Where is all the money going that the school keeps asking for? We are going elsewhere next year.

Posted: January 4, 2015

Both of my children attended SJS. Both have received a quality education. My oldest is now in college and on the Dean's list. My second child receives honors in HS. I thank SJS for the great foundation. Every school has its pros and cons, but I feel the pros outweigh any con. To have an affordable, private education with a religious element is very special. This school provides wonderful extra curricular choices. There is something for everyone...sports (soccer, basketball, cross country and volleyball) for the 3rd-8th grades, chess club, forensics, etc.

Posted: June 20, 2014

It is amazing how St. James has consistantly produced top qualitiy graduates who matriculate successfully into the finest high schools and colleges. As a parent of a St. James graduate I couldn't be more pleased. I have encouraged many families to attend St. James School and have been thanked for doing so. I challenge anyone to find a more caring faculty. The whole child is educated at St. James School.

Posted: June 15, 2014

My children have been at St. James School for many years. Although the school has its ups and downs, my children are receiving a very good education at St. James School. I have found the teachers to be responsive, caring, and supportive of their learning. Most importantly, my children are exposed daily to their faith. They attend Mass, do service for those in need, and pray. They are taught to forgive and love. I am thankful to St. James for providing this foundation to my children. Although an impressive new building, the latest technology, and air conditioning are nice, they are not what I value in the broader picture of life. I also don't think any of those things contribute to a well-rounded education. I hope that someday my kids will look back fondly at their k-8 years. By all accounts, the other families I have met at St. James have had children go on to do very well in high school and beyond.

Posted: April 30, 2014

This school is terrible. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE! (I would give ZERO stars if that was possible.) There are a lot of reasons this school is so bad. One mainly being is that the school is very outdated and the teachers seem not to care enough to do their best. Any issues that arise are not handled very well and are put off. They are always asking for large sums of money but never put it to use, there is still no air conditioning at the school although it has been a major issue for multiple years because the classrooms can get up to the high 90's in the summer. Even if it's only 85 degrees outside. (Although, the office, church, and gathering space all have air conditioning, funny how everywhere the children aren't there is air conditioning.) Also, the school is getting worse and worse every year with the class size decreasing greatly, the academics are okay at best, and the school it's self is very gloomy, dirty and outdated. It is not a nice sight to see everyday, let alone once, so take my advice and DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE! P.S. The music instructor is certainly not anywhere near excellent, and there are not a lot of extracurricular activities.

Posted: July 11, 2013

Teachers and staff are caring and focused on academics, however bullying is a problem that they have difficulty managing.

Posted: May 15, 2011

My child will be attending their 3rd year at St. James. While parental involvement is encouraged and required this makes the school very family oriented. For the negatives, class sizes are too big if your looking for more individual attention. Having over 30 students in a class is to much for private education yet seems to drop the higher you go. Modernization of resources needs major attention from classrooms to the library (still using card catalog.) NO airconditioning for the classrooms, makes summer very miserable for the students. Adminstration personnel keep accepting new students while there is barely enough room for what they have. If faith based education is what your looking for, St. James is the place. Acacdemic excellence is expected and yet achieved.

Posted: May 10, 2007

St James Elementary School

Sewickley, PA 15143

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St James Elementary School

Sewickley, PA 15143

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