Monsignor Slade Catholic School

Our family came to the area almost 5 years ago (we are a military family). Our daughter was entering 5th grade at that time-this was her 4th school in 5 years. I will never forget her telling me that first day after school "Mom everyone is nice here!".  I did my homework with all the other school in the area. I have never regretted choosing Slade for our four children.  Yes you have required volunteer hours that can be completed in a variety of ways.  I have embraced the opportunity to help in the classrooms.  It has been a perfect fit for all of our children!

Mila Harevez: I am a parent of three children who attends the school. This will be our last year. When we first went to the school, it was diverse, had really good teachers and better leadership. As an Hispanic family we were not thrilled that mass happens only once a month and that the church was rarely involved with the school but we were satisfied with other aspects of the school so we stayed. BIG mistake! My daughter was called a racial name and really nothing was done about it.  My oldest son is being bullied and we are frustrated with not getting anywhere with the teachers or administrators. All the good teachers have left and some are leaving. We looked at other Catholic schools and there is a HUGE difference of level of education with teachers (most have Masters and certified to teach in Maryland), the children attend Mass weekly and the church is way more involved than this school. We really encourage any propspective Catholic families to look at ALL other schools BEFORE deciding on Monsignor Slade Catholic School

Tihamer Toth-Fejel: We were a bit apprehensive about coming to Maryland and starting our daughter in pre-K in the middle of the year, especially since she is rather timid and shy.  When we brought her in on the first day, a gaggle of girls came toward us, and one of them asked "Are you -----?" When my daughter nodded, the girl said, "We heard all about you!" and they happily swept her away. My daughter never looked back. The teachers had obviously done their preparation job well, and it was a totally unexpected and lovely gift to us, the parents. Two years later, my daughter still loves the school, and her little sister loves pre-K so much sometimes she doesn't even want to come home!
I especially like the Catholic character of the school (including public prayer at the end of the school day), and given what my neighbors have said about the public school our kids would otherwise go, it's a no-brainer.

Monsignor Slade has changed from when my daughter used to go about five years ago. I have one more child that is currently enrolled but I have seen a decline in services, teaching methods and parents participation. A lot of the teachers are really not certified or have degrees and I was shocked when I did "push" the issue. I have noticed that all the other schools (other religious schools) do have the teacher's educational background on the literature but Slade does not..hmmmm now I know.

The school needs to work on many areas such as bullying, having more discussions about diversity and race relations at the school. I think the principal tries to make the school acceptable but is more concerned with how the school is perceived than really how the school is  actually doing with having more diversity, having more help for students who may need it and teachers who don't have a clue. Sending your child to ANY private school is a huge sacrifice for any family and the fact that the tuition is higher than most makes families consider everything about the school.

I think before any parent decides on a private school, do your research. Check out the school, come when its busy and speak with other parents and you will find that the school is not that great. Many families have said the same thing and then you get there and think its a good school and it's not. The teachers are okay, but some really need assistance with communicating with parents.

Many of the parents have small groups of friends who they socialize with and the new parents have to find their way by themselves. After having 3 of my children attending Slade, we are now going to another local Catholic School. My daughter who is in 5th grade has been bullied by the same group of kids for 2 years and no reasonable resolution has ever been reached. They do not discipline children for mostly anything and the academic program is okay but as you go up in grade level the work is on the parents. Good luck if you decide this school.

We have two children at Monsignor Slade, and we are very pleased with the education that they are receiving at Slade. Our family has to make sacrifices to send our children to Catholic school, and we have excellent pub lic schools in our area- yet we choose Slade every year because of the academic and spiritual atmosphere at Slade. Not only are the students learning their facts, they are learning about the meaning of service to our community, and the importance of their Catholic faith. They are learning to be well-rounded individuals. We specifically chose Monsignor Slade over another Catholic school in our area because of a greater diversity in the student popluation, and we have found Slade to be a very welcoming atmosphere.  

We LOVE Monsignor Slade! It has provided the best education I could ask for when it comes to my 4 children. There is no other school I would want them to attend. The faith-filled, high-quality education they receive from their outstanding teachers in a well organized, Christian environment has made my children love going to school each day.  There is a variety of sports available, an amazing band and music program, as well as other enriching extra-curricular offerings. In today's difficult economic times, this is a financial sacrifice that I am happy to make because it is well worth it!

I LOVE Monsignor Slade Catholic School.  My children have received a quality education in a nurturing environment.  The variety of programs be they sport, music or arts, enhance the academic environment provided to the children.  The tuition was the best investment I have made in my life!

This school needs a major overall revamp. The school lacks diversity and the teachers, staff and administrators could care less. There have been incidents where the White students have called miniority students racial names and the school act like it was "no big" deal.

I am disappointed because the children are taught that God and Jesus loves everyone regardless of race.

I wish the school would take racist comments more seriously!

I like the fact that I see Principal Jones out on the parking lot directing traffic every morening.   However, I was disappointed that a Catholic School does not the First Holy Communion program for 2nd graders, that it ahd when I attended years ago.