St Peters Catholic School

Posted: September 24, 2025

My son entered kindergarten at St. Peter’s this year, and he loves it so much, he cries if I pick him up too early because he loves it and his friends! They truly tailor the teaching to meet each child where they are. They also have a good balance of using the state of the art technology, while they also work with paper, pencils, scissors, and glue. It’s a supportive environment for the children and families. I have also appreciated their faith formation. I highly recommend this school!

Posted: September 24, 2025

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Posted: June 23, 2023

This school is amazing! The nurturing environment is so comforting for my little boy. The admin. works hard to make sure the students and teachers are supported. The teachers are dedicated and really go above and beyond to ensure my son’s needs are met. I cannot recommend Saint Peter’s enough.

Posted: June 23, 2023

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Posted: June 16, 2023

I’ve been very happy with my family’s experience at this school. Class sizes are small, so I know my child is getting the attention she deserves. Teachers are friendly. The community is small enough that it’s easy to get to know other families, teachers, and administrative staff. We felt very welcomed when we first joined the school and continue to enjoy the family feel of the school and parish community.

Posted: June 16, 2023

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Posted: May 26, 2023

This is a wonderful school that has been around for 150 years. It has so much potential, however the admin that has been there for the past 4 years is ill qualified and ignorant. Not only that, both members of admin, "work from home" multiple times a week leaving the school faculty to handle every detail of the every day tasks. As much as I wish I could say this school is a good place to be, unfortunately due to the new admin, it has become a train wreck. The teachers are incredible and every single staff member in that building that is not admin is competent and qualified. In terms of the admin-- it's embarrassing and quite frankly horrifying.

Posted: May 26, 2023

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Posted: July 22, 2020

My families experience is a 6 out of 10. This is based solely on the good teachers. The administration is terrible.

Posted: July 22, 2020

Posted: July 22, 2020

4k assistant teacher- Exceptional, kind, and patient with children. 3rd grade teacher- Pretty good, makes learning fun and really pays attention to her students. 4th grade teacher- Extremely unprofessional and if you have to do any virtual school this fall, forget about it.
5th grade teacher- Academically fantastic (if your child is not terrified of her), she can be over the top with her discipline and yells. But is can also be sweet at times. 6th grade teacher- Sweet and warm with her students.

Posted: July 22, 2020

Posted: July 22, 2020

The current principal is sweet, friendly, and approachable. However, if you have an issue she will avoid you like the plague! She has done this to multiple parents over the two years she's been with the school. She is immature, unprofessional, and lacks the experience to fulfill her position.

Posted: July 22, 2020

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Posted: June 13, 2020

My kids have been there for the last 2 years and we have enjoyed our experience to date. We are very happy with the progress our kids have made academically, socially and spiritually. The school has really great support staff.

Posted: June 13, 2020

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Posted: June 4, 2019

Our experience at St. Peter's was exactly what we were looking for in an elementary school. We feel blessed to know that our child is in a loving, safe environment surrounded by their faith and those that share in their beliefs. The level of discipline at St. Peter's is remarkable. They are truly raising GOOD, well-rounded human beings. I have taught in a few school districts around the Columbia/Lexington area and have never been in a classroom where the students are so well-mannered and respectful (i.e. standing to greet guests with a warm welcome). My shy child is able to excel in academics because the classroom environment allows teachers to differentiate instruction and support the needs of each individual child.

St. Peter's has the most wonderful group of parents. We have truly become a big family and enjoy the outside activities the school has to offer (i.e. outdoor movie night, Halloween party, walking in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and our Annual PTO Family Picnic). The parents at St. Peter's are invested in their children's education and it shows.

The motto at St. Peter's Catholic School is Nurture. Challenge. Achieve. They absolutely uphold these ideals. If you're looking for a small, loving environment where your child can learn about their true purpose in life and excel academically and socially, this is the place.

Posted: June 4, 2019

Posted: June 4, 2019

Posted: June 4, 2019

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Posted: June 4, 2019

St. Peter's provides such a nurturing environment where all children are loved and accepted by teachers and peers. It feels like one big family.

Posted: June 28, 2018

My child has some special needs and suffers from anxiety. His 4th grade teacher preferred not to give homework, but encouraged team work on projects to bolster students' learning. Our family appreciated this approach because in years past homework created much anxiety and stress for our family. Our son benefitted from working with his classmates as opposed to his parents.

Posted: June 28, 2018

Teachers at St. Peter's have a keen eye for the individual student's needs. The classroom sizes are small and this creates an effective environment for teachers to individualize the learning experience.

Posted: June 28, 2018

Because of the emphasis on character, my son has grown in his faith and exudes compassion for his classmates. There is a sense of community here that cannot be found at other schools.

Posted: June 28, 2018

Leadership is effective at St. Peter's because the school talks the talk and walks the walk. The support is unyielding and gracious. The principal sets the tone for leadership and the teachers naturally follow.

Posted: June 28, 2018

My son has some learning differences. His teacher has her masters in special education and this was very beneficial to our family. As we noticed differences in our child's learning, we notified her. She took note, followed up with us, and followed through by notifying the proper people. Our son is scheduled for a formal assessment at the beginning of the school year. This teacher has agreed to remain involved because she cares about him, us, and what is to come.

Posted: June 28, 2018

St. Peter's is a loving, nurturing school so bullying is really out of the norm. However, when it does occur it is taken seriously and dealt with immediately.

Posted: June 28, 2018

St. Peter's has blessed our child and our family with support beyond measure. My husband and I divorced while our son was a student. Our son already suffered with anxiety and received a diagnosis of add/adhd. We were concerned about his well-being and his academic performance. From the principal, to the associate principal, the guidance counselor, our son's teacher, we all shared our concerns and remained on the same page. With the many concerns I had as a parent, I never felt alone in the process of ensuring my son's happiness. Everyone kept a constant eye out for our son and when there were concerns and joyous moments to celebrate - I was informed. St. Peter's has made the greatest impact on our lives as a family and a caring community.

Posted: June 25, 2018

I felt them to be concerned and responsive, extremely supportive of a diverse student body.

Posted: June 25, 2018

Posted: June 25, 2018

We experienced bullying issues at another parochial school in the area (and an ineffective response from the administration). That has not been a concern here.

Posted: June 25, 2018

Posted: June 25, 2018

I really appreciate the creative approach that is taken in delivering lessons. There is a great deal of added value in the art curriculum, a music curriculum supported by the University of South Carolina School of Music, and a physical education program supported by a local ballet company. The school really capitalizes on its location to offer unique and significant learning experiences to students.

Posted: June 25, 2018

The students will tell you that they look out for one another; their invested in one another's success.

Posted: June 25, 2018

As a lifelong Catholic and a graduate of Catholic primary/secondary schools, it was important to me that my son receive a Catholic education. We came to St. Peter's late, having spent six years at another Catholic school in the area. These past two years have been without a doubt the best educational experience our child has had. He has flourished in this environment and felt valued for the unique gifts he has to bring to the school. From the moment you walk into the school, you will sense that the values are more than just words to the faculty, administration, and students--they are truly lived on a daily basis. This school has been such a give to our family!

Posted: June 25, 2018

St. Peter's exceeded all of our expectations! We moved our son to St. Peter's from another parochial school. St. Peter's was a perfect fit for him. It's a small school where students and their families get to know teachers, administrators, and each other quickly, and where everyone is made to feel welcome. Teachers and staff are dedicated to student success. Faith and values are taught, and kindness and compassion are demonstrated daily. St. Peter's promotes a sense of community and cooperation that we didn't experience in our prior school, and it is academically excellent. I could not be more pleased with our experience there. Our son has graduated, but we hate to leave.

Posted: June 25, 2018

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Posted: October 25, 2017

Posted: October 25, 2017

Posted: October 25, 2017

St. Peter's has been a blessing to my family. I had a lot of anxiety looking for a safe and secure environment for my child and St. Peter's is that place. The teachers and administration our fantastic and I love the cultural diversity of the school. It is full of parents that care about their children and their education and now in my second year, my child feels secure in the environment which allows her to be free to learn. I am thankful to have found this school and look forward to many years here.

Posted: October 25, 2017

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Posted: September 5, 2017

Posted: September 5, 2017

Posted: September 5, 2017

Posted: September 5, 2017

Posted: September 5, 2017

Our experience at St. Peter's has been nothing short of exceptional. We have 2 boys and they are thriving. The school works with them when they are struggling and engages them both academically and socially. I have already seen such a difference, especially in my oldest, in their maturity and decision making skills. He seems more confident and genuinely enjoys being at school. The teachers and school administrators work together are a team who want the children in their care to excel and become smart, happy, well-rounded individuals. We have been thrilled with our choice to send the boys to St. Peter's. I would be proud to recommend this school to any parent.

Posted: September 5, 2017

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Posted: January 4, 2017

Posted: January 4, 2017

I sent my child to St. Peter's to have a better learning environment, but it turns out to be a huge mistake. Despite of paying expensive tuition for this small, exclusive school, he had made limited progress in both academic and leadership. As mentioned in the earlier thread, the punishment is rediculious. Be avoid of this school!!!

Posted: January 4, 2017

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Posted: January 4, 2017

Not a good choice for your kids!!!

Posted: September 1, 2016

Simply no grade school education can be found in the Midlands that is better!!! My child has attended the school since the 1st grade. He transferred from another well regarded school in the area and we watched our child blossom before our eyes. His teacher quickly identified the root cause for why he was struggling with writing. She came up with an individualized plan that quickly set my child on a path of confidence and improvement.

The faculty are nurturing, engaged with students and parents. They respect the students and challenge them. Your child will be happy and safe and supported to do their best! I have witnessed other classmates of my child make huge strides over the years with the care and guidance at this fine school. It has been remarkable!

Mrs. Preston is an exceptional principle who has amazing and dedicated teachers at every grade level.

We LOVE the school and are delighted to see how our child has thrived at St. Peters' Catholic School.

Keep up the great work St. Peter's!

:) One very Happy Parent

Posted: April 23, 2016

This is my child's first year at St. Peter's and this has been the best decision and investment I've made in a long time. I had anxiety about St. Peter's, largely because we were not Catholic, but Baptist. However, this no longer a source of discomfort. St. Peter's has done a dynamic job of creating a safe, inclusive, nurturing, loving Christian climate which allows every child to excel. My son, once a shy, timid, and completely disengaged from the learning process is now an active participant in the classroom, confident, and never wants to leave school. He feels safe to answer/respond to questions in class without fear of being wrong. He has truly blossomed into a real scholar and mathematician!

Posted: November 24, 2014

My son is attending St. Peter's for the third year and I can only say great things about it. The student/ teacher ratio is excellent. The academic focus is excellent, and the enrichment programs lift this school above average. There are many things I could talk about: the general discipline, which is always loving and strict at the same time without boxing kids in, the focus on children to achieve, based on their own merit and skills, the carefully chosen partnerships, with USC, with musea, with the Junior Achievement program. But the best thing I can say is the absolute individual care for each child. They are willing to work with each family to get that child the best educational experience that is needed. The teachers listen and they adapt so that a quick learner can excel and a slower learner can catch up without either feeling ill at ease.

Posted: August 10, 2014

I am writing this review with much experience in Catholic(and some public years of education (however not in the Columbia area).We came upon St.Peters after moving to the area from out of state. We were welcomed, involved, and made many friendships, child and adult, in this nurturing, academic environment. Coming to this school helped me to see the areas of academics my child needed to work on, and an excellent tutor was recommended. During this fifth grade year my child's scores improved from "D" range to "B" honor roll in the course of the year. This was not given, it was well earned. The teachers gave of their time and expertise to see to my students success. As a Catholic, Christian parent we found St.Peters Parish and School all were welcome! In the classroom the children are friends and inclusive. Gossip and bullying was NOT allowed! This was a breath of fresh air. The parish and school are a wonderful place for families to lay roots and grow in their Catholic faith. This school is supported by the Parish, Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Alumni, and Community. It is certainly worth taking the time to attend an information session to hear what they have to offer!

Posted: May 17, 2013

Our children have attended St. Peter's since k4. One has already graduated and now attends Cardinal Newman. Our other child is graduating this year. I can tell you the St. Peter's is the best education for the dollar when you compare private education. The school gets better every year. Programs have been brought in from USC, Junior Achievement, The Ballet school, the USC Music School. They have an Art Program that is outstanding! I am a very proud parent of St. Peter's. The academics are great as measured by the national test scores. St. Peter's is a secret in Columbia for the best education. We need to get the word out and let others benefit from our school.

Posted: March 4, 2013

Our daughter has been at St. Peter's since K4 and is finishing 5th grade this year and will proudly graduate next year. The academics have been great as her standardized test scores have been as high as the 12th grade level. The teachers are challenging, but fair The atmosphere is a terrific combination of discipline and caring for evreryone. The older students take care of the younger students and the teachers know evreryone in the entire school not just thier own class. The religious teaching has been very good for both Catholic children and non-Catholic children. At St. Peter's our daughter has not encountered things that she might at others schools such as bad language, drugs, bullying and a lot of kids that mis-behave. Respect for yourself and others is very apparent.

Posted: October 10, 2012

After my first visit to St. Peter s, I knew that I had found the perfect school for my daughter. While I am not Catholic, having my daughter attend a Christian school that is also academically competitive was a major factor in my choosing St. Peter s. My daughter is learning so much; but more importantly, she is getting the education in a traditional Christian environment. The teachers and staff at St. Peter s are exceptional. And because of the small class sizes, all the teachers and staff at St. Peter s seem to know all the students. In today s climate, even the school-wide celebration of holidays like Christmas and Easter at St. Peter s is something we do not take for granted. My daughter absolutely loves going to St. Peter s. Not once have I regretted sending her to St. Peter s Catholic School.

Posted: September 23, 2012

My child has attended St. Peters for over 5 years and during that time, we have watched him grow into a mature young adult. This school places a strong emphasis on personal growth, responsibility, structure, and most importantly, faith and spiritual development. The current principal has done a great job guiding this school over the past three years and improved the curriculum, structure, and morale. She is a compassionate administrator who is willing to both listen and work with the students (and parents) on any issue. The school is also in a great location in downtown Columbia. I would highly recommend!!

Posted: August 31, 2012

I am currently the parent of 2 children in this school and have been involved with this school for many years. This is truly a faith filled, nurturing, academically excellent environment for the students. ALL the teachers take every aspect of the child's growth seriously as they provide a rigorous learning environment. The school DOES use (this has never changed) the ITBS (not IBTS as the last review stated) testing in the fall so teachers can use those test scores to help individualize instruction for the remaining part of the year. Our current principal is amazing and has taken this school is a direction that fosters learning and excellence in all areas of child development. I highly recommend this school to any parent!

Posted: May 22, 2011

I was a parent of a child here from k5 until 6th grade. So I have much experience with the school (including 3 principals). First the positives, the school curriculum is very strong in most classes. The accelerated reader program is great and really encouraged my child to read more and more. Most teachers are very committed (esp. the 4,5,6 grade group). The classrooms are extremely well behaved with a great spritual and ethical atmosphere. I really enjoyed most years. The bad: math in the lower grades was just OK, they have moved from the nationally recognized IBTS scores which is one reason I enrolled my child. I am not impressed with how they compare to other terrible South Carolina schools. Now my biggest complaint.. the current principal HAS NOT taken the school in a good direction. From changing the IBTS, to generally not caring what parents have to say or think. This has gone from a great school with an engaged parent population, to one where there is one person who toots her own horn (a lot) but doesn't engage her stakeholders. I can't believe this is good for any organization. I used to recommend this school to all my friends, now I can no longer do so.