Catholic schools in Nassau: Notre Dame, St. Brigid, St. Joseph, St. Aidan, St.Thomas? (New York: how much)

[gk90]

I'm asking this question for a family that definitely wants to send their children (4th & 7th grade) to a Catholic school in western Nassau and has narrowed down the choices to Notre Dame, St. Brigid, St. Joseph, St. Aidan and St. Thomas. The criteria are good academics and activities, ethnic diversity and a positive atmosphere that's welcoming to new kids coming in--not clique-y or snobby.

Please, no posts about Catholic school vs. public school. Just looking for any current information and stories anyone may have about any of these schools--they all have websites but that's not the same as candid, real-life experiences.

[twingles]

My sister's kids went to St. Joe's. While she was happy with the education there and overall atmostphere, the big problem with St. Joe's is that a LOT of people pull their kids out in sixth grade to send them to Kellenburg. My sister did this with her kids. THis can lead to very small, clique-y classes. About 5 years ago they only graduated 3 kids from the 8th grade. A good amount of kids that go there are from very wealthy Garden City families, with all the attendant drama that entails (my sister being part of this group - lots of drama). St. Joe's is probably only marginally more diverse than St. Anne's in Garden City - any reason your friend left that off the list? My kids went to pre-school there. It's a really nice school with a good community spirit. The parents that I knew who were staying there for K-8 were all nice, friendly, down-to-earth. St. Anne's draws kids from all over - even as far as Long Beach and Baldwin.

I had a friend years ago who was researching a Catholic school to send her African American daughter to and she ruled out St. Thomas (her home parish), Notre Dame, St. Aidan and St. Catherine (Franklin Square) as not diverse enough. Not sure how much has changed in 10 years.

Corpus Christi in Mineola just announced that they are closing.

[gk90]

Thanks Twingles. Corpus Christi closing is the reason for the post

Some facts:

St Aidan's: No diversity, 98% White
Student Teacher Ratio St. Aidan School- East Campus - Williston Park, New York - NY

All of the other schools have more diversity, with at least 22% minority

St Thomas: looks like a dynamic school with lots of activities, but no advanced Math in 8th grade
as of 2008, 32% black, things have changed: Student Teacher Ratio St. Thomas School - West Hempstead, New York - NY

Notre Dame: Good activities and academics including advanced Math; outstanding test scores, an active, welcoming school community, larger classes--several grades have 25+ in a class. An exceptional Art teacher--impressive elementary school art projects.

St Joseph: Good activities and academics including advanced Math and advanced science, an active, welcoming school community
Middle school classes all have decent numbers now, the 7th grade has 17 kids and the 6th grade has over 30 (in 2 sections)
55% of students are from GC including a number of military families from Mitchel Field in East GC, 45% from surrounding communities including Hempstead & Uniondale.

St Brigid: a lot of diversity, a more relaxed atmosphere than other Catholic schools, advanced math & science, weekend field trips, lots of interesting extracurricular and enrichment activities. Very friendly and accommodating office staff.

St Anne's: sounds great and has very good reviews but unfortunately just a little too far out of the way geographically