St. Patrick's Elementary School in San Diego

Posted: August 24, 2026

Weve only been a St. Pats family for one year, but I can already endorse the positive reviews. We came looking for strong academics, a place where our son would be challenged, curious, and develop a lifelong love of learning. We found that, plus so much we didnt even know to look for.

There is a closeness here that is hard to describe until you experience it. We know the faculty and so many families. The principal is truly wonderful and actually knows every child. We walk through the gates and have sweet interactions with students who arent even in our sons class. Older students know the younger ones, are kind to them, and look out for them.

The Buddy program has been one of the sweetest parts of kindergarten. Our son was paired with an 8th grader who became something like a big brother at school; someone who looked for him, cheered him on, and made our little kindergartner feel like he belonged. I love knowing that someday hell be the 8th grader doing the same for another five-year-old.

This spirit also shows up at weekly school liturgy. We didnt enroll as Catholics, but this has unexpectedly become a meaningful part of our familys spiritual life. Each week, one class presents to the school and parisha reading, parable, reenactment, etc. You watch kids develop confidence speaking in front of a church full of people while the students in the pews cheer them on and give them fist bumps afterward.

St. Pats takes its promise to educate the whole child seriously. Academics matter, but so do character, faith, service, creativity, athletics, leadership, confidence, and friendship. Families also create a wonderful community around the kids, with celebrations and traditions throughout the year. The parents weve met are diverse, welcoming, involved, and refreshingly unpretentious.

We love that school has become part of our everyday life in North Park. We walk there, our sons friends walk home with us to play or go to Morley Park, and we can head to the library or dinner afterward.

Academics matter tremendously to us. AND when I imagine who I hope our boys will be at 14 or 18, I dont just want them to have impressive transcripts. I want curious, confident, compassionate young men who look out for younger kids, contribute to their community, and treat people with kindness.

After a year at St. Patrick School, I can see how a school helps build exactly those kinds of humans.

Posted: August 24, 2026

Posted: March 18, 2026

Love SPS ! My child is always excited about school

Posted: March 18, 2026

I really love St. Patrick School because it has such a warm, family-like atmosphere. It feels like a place where every child is valued and supported.

Posted: March 18, 2026

Posted: May 22, 2025

St. Patricks School (San Diego) was one of the best decisions we have made for our childrens education.

My daughter graduated in the Class of 2018, and the foundation she received at St. Patricks truly set her up for success. She scored very high on the HSPT, which made her transition into a catholic high school much smoother. Her former teachers remain active in the Augustinian community, demonstrating a lasting commitment to both education and faith. Today, she is thriving in collegeshe now attends UC Berkeley. The spiritual aspect of her education helped her stay true to herself and navigate the world with values and purpose.

As a parent, I had many opportunities to volunteer and see firsthand the quality of education and sense of community. Even now, seven years later, parent involvement is still encouraged and valued.

My son is currently in 7th grade and he absolutely loves it. Many of his friends in public school struggle with issues like low self-esteem or fear of bullying. In contrast, St. Patricks, students build lasting friendships and a sense of belonging through sports, community events, and meaningful traditions like celebrating different cultures. The school provides a warm, inclusive environment while maintaining high academic standards. It reflects real lifewhere hard work and joy must coexist in balance.

When I ask my son what he enjoys most about St. Patricks, he says its the strong bond he has with his classmates and how they truly look out for one another.

If youre considering St. Patricks School for your child, I highly recommend scheduling a tour. Youll see firsthand what makes the community so special.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Posted: April 2, 2025

Amazing school with a great administrative, teacher and parent group who love and support one another and provide a strong, inter-connected community to help build, grow and develop our children together. Great things are emerging at St. Pats. Come be a part of this wonderful community.

Posted: April 2, 2025

Posted: March 14, 2024

We love this school! We highly recommend being a part of this loving community. Our oldest graduated a few years ago and our youngest is still there. We are thankful to how dedicated the whole St Patricks team is!!!

Posted: March 14, 2024

I'm really glad I found this gem of a school. The school is warm and kind and has excellent academic programs. The faculty is outstanding, and the principal's leadership is exceptional. My children and I are very happy to be part of St. Patrick's community. If you are looking for a charming Catholic school with a strong academic background. Then this school is it!

Posted: March 14, 2024

The teachers genuinely care about their students and their overall development not just in their educational pursuits but also their humanity. It feels like you're part of a community where growth in all aspects of life is prioritized. The kids spend time learning traditional reading, math, and writing, as well as a focus on the arts and athletics.

Posted: March 14, 2024

Posted: March 13, 2024

Our two children have been at St. Patrick's School since pre-school and have continuously thrived over the years. We were especially grateful that they were able to return to school in Fall 2020 despite the pandemic. Due to the small class sizes at SPS and the extraordinary job the teachers and staff did monitoring, tracking and notifying families of possible exposures, our children remained healthy and never contracted Covid from anyone at school. SPS also creates a safe environment for kids to learn, and fosters diversity and inclusion. We would highly recommend SPS without reservation.

Posted: March 13, 2024

The best school that any of my kids have ever been to. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a sensitive community and children being educated

Posted: March 13, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

My son transitioned from public to private school in 2nd grade due to the pandemic. Despite initial concerns about fitting in as a non-Catholic family, he's found a comfortable place. St. Pat's intimate setting and strong community have provided him with the best teachers and wonderful friends. The school's commitment to traditional values and small class sizes has made a remarkable difference compared to the challenges he faced in public school, such as overcrowded classrooms and lack of support. I'm relieved that my son can continue his education at St. Pat's until high school, avoiding the need for a disruptive transition to a new school. Last but not least, St. Pat's offers an adorable daycare where you can drop off your children for morning or aftercare by the hour, without set dates.

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 6, 2024

We have 3 kids who attend St. Patrick School and my husband and I (and our kids) LOVE our gem of a school right in the heart of North Park. We could list out a million reasons why we love SPS, but the most important ones to us are listed below.
-Small classes allowing teachers to provide more 1:1 learning/attention to students
-They instill traditional values and teach the students to be loving individuals
-We love the buddy system, where younger grades are paired with older grades to help with projects and reading throughout the year and also attend Mass together
-Easy communication with staff, they actually email or call you back, always willing to talk in person at pick up too
-Affordable and flexible daycare, no commitment to a certain amount of hours a month or waitlists
-There are so many ways to get involved in the school, you feel like a true part of your child's education
-Consistent STAR testing throughout the year to show your child's progress with quarterly report cards
-Diverse students
-Sports, garden, music and art programs
We could go on, but don't want to write a novel on here!!

Posted: September 25, 2023

One of my children graduated from St. Patricks and she is struggling in a public school ! I could not send her to a private school because of how ill prepared she was ! The school used to be quite special now it's more about the bottom line and it shows ! First year teachers in almost every single classroom. in the 10 plus years we have been part of the school only 2 original teachers remain. The ones they do hire often are inexperienced and do not know how to teach or control their classrooms. The principle is probably the worst part of the problem. Im sorry to see such a cherished part of the community become what it is today. Too many private schools out there to choose from. I would not recommend this one !

Posted: September 25, 2023

Posted: January 20, 2023

My two sons graduated from St. Patricks and everyday they are thankful for thier top education and excellent study habits. While at the school we loved the community, teachers and staff. I can't say enough about the dedication of the teachers and staff they are a brillant,, cohesive team of leaders and educators.

Posted: January 20, 2023

Posted: May 29, 2021

I have 3 kids here. We have been at this school for 3 years. It is a wonderful community environment. The teachers really know all the kids and care about them. They have all the subjects, including art and music and PE. All 3 of my kids learned to read by half way through K here. The other parents are lovely and welcoming. My kids are happy and safe and thriving and they enjoy learning here.

Posted: February 22, 2021

My mom, aunt and uncles are graduates of St. Patrick School. I, along with my 3 siblings graduated from St. Patrick School back in the 90's. Three of us now have our children at the school (the 4th has a 1yr old who will have plenty of uniforms to grow into). St. Patrick's has been a wonderful place for us and for our children. The principal and the teachers take the time to get to know our children and help them grow and learn so that they can be successful once they graduate. My husband and I were hesitant at first to have our son head back into a school environment back in Sept of 2020, but St. Patrick School was dedicated to making sure the kids had a safe place to learn and be social, so we took the leap and put our faith in St Pats. It was a great decision. Our son is thriving and looks forward to going to school everyday. He is so excited to tell us about what he learned each day. He takes art classes, has music classes, does science experiments, grows in his faith, he is becoming a strong and excited reader, and is even excited to be learning math!

Posted: January 27, 2020

There is a strong correlation between classroom curriculum and what is sent home to work on and develop skills. Not just typical busy work. Also creative, learning based projects are fun family bonding opportunities.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Dedicated, credentialed teachers who treat your kids like their own.

Posted: January 27, 2020

The parents, students, teachers, and administrators take pride in our community. We ARE family! And our children grow mind, body, spirit.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Principal and a couple classroom teachers have students enrolled and do their best to make the school the best place for every student. They are truly invested in providing an academic journey for your child which is Christ-centered and develops the whole child.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Teachers use various learning and teaching styles, modify curriculum, and SIT team.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Yes this is promptly and appropriately dealt with. A culture of acceptance and positivity.

Posted: January 27, 2020

As a teacher myself, I am tremendously proud of the work done at St. Patrick School each and every day. My child grows not only academically (standardized tests, standards-based education, and following appropriate grade level curriculum of not excelling above and beyond for students ready), but socially and emotionally. Students love coming to school because they know they are loved and supported yet have the structure students need. I recommend this school to anyone seeking a wonderful, engaging, and supportive environment for their child.

Posted: July 15, 2012

St Patrick's has been a blessing for my family. My kids have been enrolled since Kindergarten and have attended many years. The classes average 20 kids and the teachers take the time to get to know the children and their strengths and weaknesses. They are truly dedicated to getting it right. My kids are challenged academically with a balance of an amazing art program, sports opportunities and ways to get involved in the school and church in other ways. The kids at all age levels take care of one another which is something that I treasure knowing that even the oldest middle school kids are respectful of the younger children on campus. It really is like a family. If you want a safe and nurturing environment for your children, you should check out this school.

Posted: April 4, 2012

I have two children that attend St. Patrick's School and I cannot imagine being anywhere else. The staff is not only caring but extremely dedicated to educating children at the highest level while still teaching the highest level of respect for one another. They are teaching my children to be better people at the earliest stages.

Posted: March 28, 2012

I have two children who currently attend St. Patrick's. We love being apart of this community but I have to express what I have just experienced at our school. Every school needs to ask: Do we passively permit bullying by individuals or groups? Do we address bullying in our discipline policies and do we teach our students that bullying causes pain? Do we universally teach our youth that being a bystander to bullying and intimidation both encourages the bully and demeans the bullied? Kids can be mean and I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR especially when it hits close to home. As parents we can make a difference and change this behavior in our school with our voice so that we can be heard...

Posted: June 13, 2011

all three of my kids were educated at St. Patrick's, San Diego. It is a wonderful, diverse, caring, educational, supportive, inclusive, and collaborative-with-parents school. I'd recommend it everywhere to everyone who values a well-rounded academic experience that is surrounded by the values of the Catholic tradition. Five stars from me!!!

Posted: April 2, 2011

St. Patrick's is a wonderul school. We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful community of caring and dedicated teachers, parents, and children. Alll of the kids are respectful and thoughtful and truly are supportive of each other. Can't wait until the pre-school opens so both of our children can be there together.

Posted: August 10, 2010

I trust the teachers in this school with my children as much as I trust myself. This school is truly remarkable and stands out from the rest by fully integrating family and faith into the education of the children. Not to mention how great the acedamia is. I can't say enough about how pleased I am.

Posted: December 14, 2008

Posted: September 28, 2007

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	City Heights	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	1.5 mi
2	Mission Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	2.2 mi
3	The Heritage	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	2.3 mi
4	Riverfront Condominium Rentals	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	2.3 mi
5	Legacy Walk	Condominium/Townhouse	San Diego	CA	3.7 mi
6	Del Cerro	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	4.3 mi
7	Canyon View	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	4.9 mi
8	Apartment	Apartment Complex	Coronado	CA	5.1 mi
9	Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa	Neighborhood/Subdivision	San Diego	CA	5.7 mi
10	Ocean Beach	Apartment Complex	San Diego	CA	7.2 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	North Park	San Diego	CA	0.1 mi
2	Kensington	San Diego	CA	2.1 mi
3	Gaslamp Quarter	San Diego	CA	2.8 mi
4	Mission Hills	San Diego	CA	3.1 mi
5	Broadway Pier	San Diego	CA	3.2 mi
6	Seaport Village	San Diego	CA	3.4 mi
7	Old Town San Diego	San Diego	CA	3.8 mi
8	Serra Mesa	San Diego	CA	3.9 mi
9	Old Town	San Diego	CA	4 mi
10	Del Cerro	San Diego	CA	4.8 mi
11	Coronado	Coronado	CA	5 mi
12	Loma Portal	San Diego	CA	5.5 mi
13	East County of San Diego	La Mesa	CA	6.4 mi
14	Point Loma	San Diego	CA	7.2 mi
15	Eastlake of Chula Vista	Chula Vista	CA	7.6 mi

Base	Distance
San Diego Naval Medical Center	1.4 mi.
MCRD San Diego	4 mi.
San Diego Naval Base	4.3 mi.
Coronado Naval Amphibious Base	5.1 mi.
North Island NAS	5.4 mi.
Naval Base Point Loma	7.7 mi.
Miramar MCAS	9 mi.
Camp Pendleton	45 mi.

St. Patrick's Elementary School

San Diego, CA 92104

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St. Patrick's Elementary School

San Diego, CA 92104

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