first time homebuyer - West Park? (credit, home, neighborhoods)

[Maggyie]

Hello, my new husband and I are in the market for our first home. We're extremely conservative with money and would like to be able to pay off our home in 15 years. So we're keeping a budget at 150,000 or less.

We're looking in West Park - if we purchase there we would definitely be sending our future kids to either St. Mark's or OLA, and then on to St Ed/St Ignatius or St Joe/Magnificat. We hail originally from the east side and don't know too much about western neighborhoods and schools.

I'm curious about what people think of the academic standards of these two schools. I read a review online that OLA kids are unprepared for high school? We know plenty of smart adults who went to OLA in their youth but that was many years ago.

Thoughts?

[Peregrine]

Really?
This review I bet?

"I attended OLA from K through 8th and I was not prepared for high school. During my time there, teachers have found out to have been unqualified and instead of being asked to leave they were just moved to teach different subjects. Many current and past students and parents of students can confirm that some teachers are very rude to students and do not conduct themselves professionally. The local high schools had to have a big meeting about students graduating from OLA because they are dramatically unprepared. When OLA students move on to the local high schools, public and private, teachers ask what students are coming from OLA , because they have to catch up tot eh rest of the students, especially in math, although no subject is completely excluded from this. I, and many students and parents would not recommend Our Lady of Angels."

Yea, I'm not buying that. Did you see the other positive review on there which refutes this?
Maybe the school had nothing to do with that person "being unprepared"? If you know what I mean...
I think if this was a serious issue with OLA it would have been addressed. The "local high schools" had a big meeting? I am sure Channel 19 would have reported on that. lol


OLA is a fine school. My kid will probably go there.
But we do have other options in Kamms Corner. The Constellation School charter school is getting good reviews (from people I know, not websites) and many of the cops in my neighborhood send their kids there.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Really?
This review I bet?

"I attended OLA from K through 8th and I was not prepared for high school. During my time there, teachers have found out to have been unqualified and instead of being asked to leave they were just moved to teach different subjects. Many current and past students and parents of students can confirm that some teachers are very rude to students and do not conduct themselves professionally. The local high schools had to have a big meeting about students graduating from OLA because they are dramatically unprepared. When OLA students move on to the local high schools, public and private, teachers ask what students are coming from OLA , because they have to catch up tot eh rest of the students, especially in math, although no subject is completely excluded from this. I, and many students and parents would not recommend Our Lady of Angels."

Yea, I'm not buying that. Did you see the other positive review on there which refutes this?
Maybe the school had nothing to do with that person "being unprepared"? If you know what I mean...
I think if this was a serious issue with OLA it would have been addressed. The "local high schools" had a big meeting? I am sure Channel 19 would have reported on that. lol


OLA is a fine school. My kid will probably go there.
But we do have other options in Kamms Corner. The Constellation School charter school is getting good reviews (from people I know, not websites) and many of the cops in my neighborhood send their kids there.

The review is quite accurate.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by Kamms

The review is quite accurate.

Well , that's helpful.
Nothing else to add? Why do you say that? Did you send your kids to OLA?

More info would be nice...

So this one is not accurate? Or have things changed since '00?

"I attended OLA from K through 8th grade (class of '00) and I felt that I was more than prepared in high school and beyond. The teachers (some of whom are still there) did an excellent job with preparing students for their high school careers. I went on to St. Joseph Academy where I was accepted into multiple honors programs and I credit that to my 8 years at OLA. I was disheartened to read the previous post discrediting my alma mater so I felt as though I should write in as a former student who graduated college with honors and a Masters of Science degree. I truly do credit that to the wonderful teachers at OLA who really set the foundation for my future. Brittany (class of '00)".

[Peregrine]

Kamms? Hello?
Care to share some more information?