St Philip Neri School

The school makes it very easy for my kids to learn 3 of my kids go there as of right now they all get good grades and 1 one of them got into one of the best high schools in Yonkers. But I don't understand the reviews that are there. I am a Latina mother and I feel that the reviews are unfair. The schools ratings are awful and I feel that they are trying to make improvements. There is one thing, the principal Mrs.Heed is rude sometimes but other than that everything is fine. They have the after school program which helps a lot for me as a working parent. In P.E. I have no idea why the other reviews say they sit around because I know that they go outside all the time when there is gym and they don't use the actual gym. They have an art program and music program. The children are well mannered and both organized, because there is a few children or other things that are bad does not mean that they are all bad.

these reviews are very upsetting maybe people that give it bad ratings are because they themselves aren't happy with something but i graduated from this school in 2004 my sister graduated in 2008 and my nephew graduates soon they environment is very friendly as in any other place you give respect you receive it. I dont think the school is pricey since i've graduated 10+ years now it hasn't even went up that much how are they supposed to pay for things to get fixed if no one is helping and they aren't asking for more? the community should help as well i mean if your child goes there why not help. i have nothing negative to say about this school great memories were created there and as of next year i plan on teaching there as well I LOVE SPN

The entire infrastructure of the school is old and decaying; it looks as if there haven’t been any renovations since it was built. No proper air-conditioning during the warm months (one small AC for a huge room with 25-30 students in it) and no proper heating during the cold months (the boiler needs repairs often). The classrooms look worn, there are chairs with holes and also a few tilting desks. The bathrooms are murky and have a weird smell – considering the ancient tiles and corroding faucets.
They have a Gym, but the students mostly just hang around during a Phys. Ed class. The cafeteria is rather small and serves the same food that you’d find in any other local school. The school nurse resides in the basement, where the conditions for medication storage seem to be quite questionable.
The students are not better mannered than those attending local public schools. Furthermore, there have been incidents of bullying and indecent behavior among the students for which the school staff claim to have it under control. Yet, the incidents go on.
The principal is aloof, not approachable nor welcoming. She must be aware of all the inadequacies of the school and the staff so she keeps herself on a defensive mode at all times. The teachers that I’ve met mirrored the same attitude as the principal. Student-teacher ratio: 1 teacher for 25 to 32 students.
I would not send my children to this school; it is not worth the monthly payments.

It is SAD to see such negative reviews in hopefully an up and coming neighborhood...or is it?

I have never gone to this school, nor do I know anyone who attended it. The only reason why I had to look it up was because my niece is coming to NYC to go to a private school here and I wanted to experience a school in my neighborhood.

However, which such bad reviews, I have changed my mind. It is a shame that as latinos, we still play into the stero-type of ignorance, low-educated, and being aggressive.

Someone should step up to the plate, take charge and not be afraid of the system.

I don't know if the accusations are true but the fact that it is so detailed and there is more than 1 negative review is because the school has placed itself in that position.

I'm surprised and disappointed. If the principal is reading this...consider this a wake-up call. Do something about it.

In my opinion, I feel that only a miracle can bring back the shine that this school once had. Despite all the new principals this school has had, it continues to provide very poor education to the kids. The good news is that it has teachers like Ms. Ortiz who is fair towards parents working together in the best interest of the kids. Unfortunately, some of the teachers don't have any clue about the concept of fairness and they tend to confuse the kids with their frustration. This will definitely be the last year of my daughter in this school.