St Michael's School

Reviews

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  My son started attending St. Michael's School during Pre-K. At the time I never felt I had to question the school as I thought it was the best option to start his education after daycare. Fast forward to this year and I am very disappointed to learn that for the cost of the school the education is not on par at all with where he should be at the first grade level. Some may say well 1st grade is just a step above what they learned in kindergarten, well I say to that when you are investing money in your child's education it definitely matters. Having made the decision recently to withdraw him from the school, I had an unexpectedly and unprovoked experience with the school Principal, Antoinette Telle today while requesting my son's transcripts and grades from the school office. While in the hallway waiting for my son to be dismissed, Miss Philomena from the office asked me why I was withdrawing my son from the school, so I explained to her that I was disappointed in the schoolwork and what I believe (and am well within my right to believe especially with friends in the school system, both public and private throughout the state of New Jersey) that my son is not where he needs to be with the school work and therefore he is being withdrawn. I wasn't even able to finish my sentence when Principal Telle sprung from her office, approached me with a very angry look on her face and demanded that my withdrawing him from the school was totally unacceptable and I should have spoken to her as this is something she takes very seriously and rudely walked away barely allowing me a chance to react. Well I can honestly say it was a shock for me to see a school principal behave in such a manner, not to mention in a Catholic school as her behavior was definitely not at all a reflection of what the school stands for. I walked over to her office and explained to her that I had spoken to the teacher about the school work however not seeing an improvement I believe it's my duty as a parent to remove him and place him where I feel he will gain the best education. I also asked her to confirm her supervisor's name as I would be reporting her behavior to which she grumbled the archdiocese, no name, nothing. I am now in the process of reporting Principal Telle's behavior to the Archdiocese of Newark. It's really a shame because his Pre-K teacher (who is no longer at the school) and his kindergarten teachers were both so nice and pleasant as are most of the after care staff. Imagine the head of the school being the rotten apple out of the bunch! Best advice, if your preference is private school, send your kids somewhere else, St. Michael's needs help and a new leader, definitely someone other than Principal Antoinette Telle. I'm going to pray for her and all those who have to interact with her!
  By Kelly, July 21, 2017

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