Holy Family Catholic School in Austin

Posted: August 6, 2026

I have two kids at Holy Family and this will be our 9th year in the community. Our family has adored the school from the beginning, and each year we have watched it transform into something bigger and better.

Post-Covid, many teachers left and the school was in transition with a new principal. That school year was honestly the only not-so-great one for our family for a variety of reasons. However, it also feels like during that year, the administration identified the key issues at the school and have since then taken clear, visible steps to address them and improve on them. Over our time here, theyve added (among other things) a new Middle School building, main office building, event pavilion, assistant principal role, new elective and after school options, expanded library, and they are continuing to make improvements each year. The teachers at every grade level have been wonderful, in our experience. Some have left, most have stayed, and the new hires that replaced those that left have been lovely. The Dominican Sisters on campus are beautiful examples to all of us on how to be loving, respectful, kind disciples, and they get my kids (and myself) excited about our faith. My kids are challenged throughout the school year without feeling overwhelmed.

Its clear from reading the reviews that each family has a unique experience here at Holy Family, with differing priorities and expectations. Ive read reviews of not enough communication or community events, and other reviews about too much communication and too many events to keep up with. Ive read reviews of lax expectations and discipline for Middle Schoolers, and other reviews about too much homework and demands on Middle Schoolers. One reviewer wrote that there is not enough sports equipment but that the school prioritizes athletics over other things. Sounds like everyone wont be happy here, and thats ok, but wanted to share how positive our experience has been, and that there are so many families that feel the same way we do that dont take the time to write a review.

Overall, our personal experience has been 8+ years in which each year has only gotten better and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in a Catholic education for their child(ren). I hope there are not families reading the negative reviews and determining that this school isnt right for them, because my family literally thanks God for this school, the teachers, and our Holy Family community every single day.

Posted: August 6, 2026

Posted: July 20, 2026

I just discovered Great Schools because our family is looking to move our two children out of HFCS. They are reaching the middle school grades, soon, and the way the middle school is organized and managed scares us. It has been difficult enough to navigate the overwhelming expectations for both students and parents in elementary school, and we cannot imagine complicating our lives more. There is so much "communication" about social and fundraising events, but the staff is unreachable or very cold the minute we need actual help and support. Learning should not feel like a survival task, it should be natural, motivating, and dare I say enjoyable?! We have found the opposite to be true at this school. And as for the "community" there is community for certain people who donate and manipulate, but for the rest of us working people who don't have unlimited free time to volunteer, we have found very little "community."

Posted: July 20, 2026

Posted: June 18, 2026

Amazing school and staff. Our kids have thrived from day 1 and continue to do so. A structured, accountability-focused school is not going to appeal to everyone, and sometimes negative reviews reflect that mismatch more than they reflect the actual quality of the school itself. A lot of the harsh criticism seems to come from people who expect perfection or believe every disagreement means the school is somehow failing their child. Realistically, no school can satisfy every parent 100% of the time. What matters is the overall culture and values of the community, and this school has been a blessing for our family. I would strongly encourage prospective parents to visit the campus, talk to actual current families, and form their own opinion instead of relying on a handful of bitter online reviews that clearly do not reflect the experience of the the community as a whole.

Posted: June 18, 2026

Posted: June 17, 2026

We have four children at Holy Family, and our experience has been very positive. As parents, we have high expectations for each of our children, while also recognizing that they are unique individuals with different strengths, challenges, and learning needs. One of my kids has a specific learning need and in the last couple years, he has thrived as the school has worked on his accommodation plan. Holy Family has done an excellent job of meeting each child where they are, challenging them to grow academically while deepening their faith.
When we moved from out of state a few years ago, the teachers, administration, staff, and families welcomed us from day one. Like any school, it is not perfect, and there have been times when I have disagreed with certain practices. However, what has remained constant is the genuine care and dedication the administration, faculty and staff have shown toward each of my children. They have loved them well and helped them become better people.
One of the things that stands out most is the joy of the adults who work at the school. That joy is evident and clearly reflected in the students. My children regularly remind me to pray, encourage our family to go to confession, and ask to visit the librarysomething I can confidently say they did not inherit from me! Their growth in faith, character, and love of learning has been remarkable.
Holy Family also does an excellent job of building community. The school offers numerous family events that bring people together and foster relationships beyond the classroom. It truly feels like a partnership between the school and families.
Most importantly, Holy Family is a place where I trust my children to be cared for in mind, body, and soul. I am grateful for the impact the school has had on our family and would highly recommend it to others seeking a faith-filled, academically strong, and welcoming school community.

Posted: June 17, 2026

Posted: June 13, 2026

Not enough improvement to change my previous review.

Posted: June 13, 2026

Posted: June 3, 2026

I'm writing this review to help parents who are specifically looking for a Catholic education for their students with learning differences. Our family has found that the sales pitch we received before enrolling our child with learning differences turned out to be just that: a sales pitch. They have a learning support teacher (with no special ed/inclusion education degree) who provides what I would call occasional tutoring and sometimes testing accommodations. Then they have a part-time reading specialist who occasionally works with students who have dyslexia. However, the research-based fidelity of these interventions is severely lacking. Research shows students with dyslexia need 45 minutes of research-backed instruction 4 times/week to make significant gains. This isn't happening here. What's worse, is that the regular classroom teachers are poorly educated on how to reinforce strategies and interventions in their crowded classrooms (25+ kids). Accommodations aren't implemented with fidelity - they're largely viewed as optional since private religious schools are exempt by law from providing any support services to students with any kind of disability. Parents need to educate themselves about what their children really need to be successful before paying the $10,000/year cost of this school. Yes, it costs about that much (the tuition has increased every year for the past several years).

Posted: June 3, 2026

Posted: May 14, 2026

Honestly, so many things have happened in the time I've been here. Students doing horrible things, such as punching a girl, stabbing glass into the ground, causing the teacher to cut herself, and so many other things. I've been called racial slurs in multiple occasions, and it's just horrible here. The bullying and racism here is at an all-time high, and no one likes racism. For a middle school, the buildings are extremely small. We only have 2 buildings, and we have to share 1 of them with 5th graders, and it's not particularly normal to combine middle school and grade school, and it's not a very good idea. Kids get pushed trampled, and no one cares. It's just crazy that you could go to a public school with more space for free, rather than paying $8,000 for 2 buildings for a middle school. For your child's sake, and for your bank account, I really recommend to NOT come here.

Posted: May 3, 2026

I have been to many schools before I came to Holy Family and I can say it is one of a kind. There are so many things that are great about this school the community, the education, the students are just a few of the wonderful things. The students thrive and grow together and it's beautiful to see them become servant leaders. The school offers a lot of extracurricular activities for the kids. For the elementary kids they have soccer, PSIA competitions, chess, choir, dance classes and more. The librarian is amazing not only does she make going to the library a fun experience but hosts mini museum exhibits and museum shows that are captivating. The middle schoolers have clubs such as the Neurology club, Student Council, One Act Play, miniatures, Minecraft, Book Club, Bible study, the Microscopes club, Angels for Life, rock band practice during lunch along with various sports such as soccer, flag and tackle football, cheer, teach, cross country basket ball, volleyball, golf and tennis. Middle school also has various electives they can choose from such as band, choir, orchestra, theater, art, ceramics, 3d art, pals program and library and office aides, Faith in Action, Environmental STEM, yearbook, Spanish and Computer science and Latin. Starting in 7th grade students have the opportunity to take accelerated courses some of which take place at the High School. This school is a fantastic school, my one warning would be to stay away from parent drama. Like at any school the few unhappy people speak the loudest but you just have to walk the halls and see the kids in action to know what a fabulous school this really is.

Posted: May 3, 2026

Posted: May 1, 2026

I am a current teacher at Holy Family Catholic School. I have been teaching at this amazing school for many years and wouldn't want to teach anywhere else. I absolutely love it! It is like a second family to me and so many others. The school community is so strong. I have seen so many families form long lasting friendships throughout my years here. It is really beautiful to witness. The community is always there for one another, even after your child graduates and leaves for high school. The Holy Family bond is forever.

The Catholic Identity is so strong. Our school provides the children with daily morning school prayer, weekly all school Mass and adoration once a month. This year we have also focused on learning about a different saint each month," Our Friends of the Journey". The school has also recently opened an oratory where classes can go visit Jesus and pray. It has truly been a blessing. The Catholic love at Holy Family shines within the classrooms and students.

As an employee at Holy Family, I feel supported and appreciated by the administration. We have an amazing principal who is fully dedicated and committed to the well-being of the school community. She is an excellent leader and has a real compassion for Catholic education.

Posted: May 1, 2026

Posted: April 22, 2026

Im not gonna lie, this school is terrible. This is my first year here and Im already having problems. The bullying is terrible at this school, and the teachers make it even worse. I have been given consequences, just for being around someone that yelled in the middle of Thursday Mass. The Spanish teacher discriminates and likes to favor Spanish speaking students, and harass students that cant speak Spanish very well. The History teacher likes to fat shame students, and the school often spends their money on things like 6 six seater golf carts, instead of buying better computers, which were made in 2002, or better sports equipment. They favor the athletic and rich students and families, and are extremely biased. DO NOT GO HERE! FOR YOUR SAKE!

Posted: April 21, 2026

In addition to many of the issues already expressed by other reviews, I'd like to point out a very serious one that seems to be overlooked. In the fall, classrooms in the Wisdom building (where all middle school students must attend) were diagnosed with mold due to a leaky roof. They claimed the mold was low enough not to be a health hazard, so students have been attending classes in a building while mold remediation has been ongoing ALL YEAR LONG. I have a child with allergy-induced asthma, and this has definitely been an issue for her- I was told she could wear a mask. I've heard from other parents that their healthy children now suffer from symptoms like headaches. This is absolutely disgraceful that the school is not putting the health of our children (and teachers!) above their own convenience and having them stay out of that building. But given the track record of the administration, I guess this is par for the course.

Posted: April 21, 2026

Posted: April 13, 2026

I dont have anything positive to say about this school. The supposed underlying core of Christ centered belief/behavior is not practiced through actions, except going to Mass on Thursdays. Bullying is out of control with no consequences for the bullies. The new principal, who was an athletics coach last year, tends to favor the athletic kids. My child was spit on yes, spit on by 2 kids for sitting in a chair that he refused to move from when one of the kids told him to move, and he didnt. No consequences were assigned to either kid. The teachers are rude, makes your child include parents on emails if the child has questions, for safety. When asked about this, was told that it was to ensure communication was clear. This school caters to people with money, which is who they value. Our family values Christ centered behaviors such as kindness, and respect, which this school lacks. We will be looking for another school. Do NOT recommend.

Posted: April 13, 2026

Posted: April 7, 2026

If I'm gonna be honest, there's too much to put about what's wrong with this school, but the main thing is:

You're gonna get touched.

Posted: April 7, 2026

Posted: January 26, 2026

Dont waste your money. The middle school is really bad. They dont offer good electives and STEM. Half the school-year, teachers spend reviewing previous year topics. The good middle school teachers left and they cant get quality teachers so they ended up hiring anybody. The new Social Studies/English teacher thinks shes all that, teaching ELA 8th graders in a foreign language pretending to be a foreigner. She even brags that a parent from her previous job tried to bribe her just to give their child a passing grade. But in reality I think she ended up at this school because no one would hire her and getting many complaints. The new middle school Religion/Spanish teacher thinks shes teaching college students. Shes putting unrelated topics in quizzes so her students fail. Many subs have zero clue. The MAP scores are stagnant because children dont learn. Some bad teachers yell at students, forgetting that they work for their families. Admin is pretty bad too. Then they ask for donations to support admin and overlooks their good teachers, so they all left.

Posted: January 26, 2026

Posted: October 24, 2025

I saw a quote on a teacher site that said, "If you want to know how an administration values it's students, just look at how it treats it's teachers." As a former employee of HFCS this resonates with me. If teachers aren't treated with respect, dignity, autonomy and kindness then there is a trickle down effect that falls onto students. Students can feel the distress, anxiety, and confusion of their teachers no matter how they try to mask it, and it has a detrimental effect on their educational outcomes. I think this sums up all of the reviews about HFCS.

Posted: October 24, 2025

Posted: July 31, 2025

As someone who has had children at this school for almost a decade, I will list some facts that I've noticed over the past few years that lead me to no longer recommend this school to younger families I know. I will not speculate why the very best teachers and staff members keep leaving the school, nor why many of the new employees are poorly trained, educated, and/or catechized, but I will note that this is a fact. I will also say that one of the reasons we chose a private, Catholic school instead of public or charter schools is because we wanted our children to have a more individual, personalized educational community (which champions our Catholic values). Personalization is no longer a priority at HFCS evidenced by extremely large class sizes (almost all classes are maxed out at 25, and in some cases, there have been 26 students in a class). Also, in middle school teachers now have close to 150 students thanks to block scheduling, and they are also required to teach 2-3 different courses per year. This puts such a strain on the teacher's time and bandwidth which makes it impossible for them to give any kind of personalized or individual attention to students. Students are impacted academically, socially, and/or emotionally just as they would be in a large, public school. As for the Catholic aspect, the type of religious education students receive greatly depends on the teacher they get. Some teachers, especially in the lower grades, lean more toward teaching "social justice" concepts instead of the foundations of the Catholic catechism. Just know that as a parent you must still be vigilant about your child's faith formation if you want them to learn the real truth and beauty of Catholicism.

Posted: July 31, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

The pattern noted by several others who have left reviews here is continuing. Abruptly, at the beginning of April, the parents were notified that the outstanding middle school assistant principal AND the amazing middle school math teacher (both of whom were key components in holding together what is left of the middle school grades in general) both resigned for "personal reasons" and they were gone by the first week after Easter. Anyone who is familiar with how schools work knows that it is not normal or healthy for outstanding teachers and staff members to leave before the end of a school year, yet this has happened at least 15 times over the past 3-4 years. All signs point to a very clear problem with leadership at the top of this school, but no one is doing anything about this problem and children are the ones who suffer in so many ways. We have watched our children's math test scores plummet in recent years, and behavior/bullying issues continue to skyrocket. It's so sad (but not surprising, I guess) that this school calls itself "Catholic" but seems not to care about the wellbeing of their staff members or students at all.

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: April 30, 2025

After four years at holy family, we strongly suggest that parents look at the needs of their children before enrolling. If your child can be easily taught and does not need engaging material to be motivated than this is the school for you. There is little support and knowledge at this school to support student growth for those at level or struggling. Unfortunately, most of the highly qualified teachers have left and are replaced by unqualified staff. Which is why I believe our children have not received the education they deserve. Something is just not right at the leadership level at this school when teachers and support staff leave so consistently at all times of the year. Proceed with caution.

Posted: April 30, 2025

Posted: April 9, 2025

Like so many other institutions, the problems at HFCS are caused by greed and pride. Over the past 2-3 years it seems the focus has shifted from student growth in faith and academics to maximum enrollment, school growth, and soliciting donations. The fundraising is constant and relentless. We used to enjoy reading the weekly school newsletters for important information about student events and opportunities. Now half of the newsletter is dedicated to all the fundraising "opportunities." It's clear that enrollment was an issue this year because they are offering families discounts for recruiting new families, and even offered free tuition for a quarter if students enrolled at the semester. However, it doesn't seem like admin is discerning what kind of new families they let in, as many are not Catholic and are living in stark contrast to the values the school is supposed to be founded on. HFCS is definitely on the road to becoming a Catholic in Name Only, or culturally Catholic school.

Posted: April 9, 2025

Posted: March 22, 2025

I've been contemplating how to review this school for some time now, because within my own family we've had very mixed experiences. One of my children happens to luck out and get excellent teachers every year, and they are also gifted with a natural ability to learn easily and to be self-motivated. So for that child, I'd give this school 4 or 5 stars. However, my other two children have had very different experiences. Both of them have been in classes for several years now with "teachers" who are not well trained or qualified. This has gone on for 4 years with one of my children - there have been teachers who left mid-year, long-term subs who had no idea what they're doing, and a couple of teachers who just seemed like they hated children and didn't want to be there. To keep them at the school with their sibling (and due to a lack of school options near our home), we've spent a lot of time and money on outside tutoring services and summer programs because they just do not get what they need in school. There have also been some very disheartening bullying issues we have been directly and indirectly affected by, and the lack of consequences is pretty much on-par with public schools. The heart of the problem seems to be what several parents have pointed out, there is a lack of "checks and balances" and school-wide systems in place to ensure all children receive a generally equal education. This is an administrative/leadership issue. Children should not have such vastly different and unequal experiences in the same school, within a short amount of time. I keep praying and hoping someone does something to ensure this doesn't keep happening.

Posted: March 22, 2025

Posted: March 10, 2025

We have three children at HFCSkindergarten, 3rd grade, and 6th gradeand we have been extremely pleased with our experience. Our kids are not only happy but also thriving in their learning. What matters most to us is that they feel safe and are growing in their faith. We are so grateful for the dedicated teachers and administration who make our children feel truly valued and loved.

Posted: March 10, 2025

Posted: February 18, 2025

This school has some lovely teachers who work very hard. Unfortunately, it does continue to have turnover due to leadership issues. I highly recommend proceeding with caution, especially if you have children that do not learn easily in their own. Each year is a gamble as to whether or not your child will have a qualified teacher, a long-term substitute, or a person who has zero experience in education.

Posted: February 18, 2025

Posted: February 4, 2025

I have been a member of St. Vincent de Paul for nine years and have two young children at HFCS. I couldnt be more thrilled with our experience.

HFCS staff are deeply rooted in faith. If you seek a school that feels like family, youll immediately sense the warmth and care when you step on campus. Ive always been religious, but HFCS has deepened my faith. It brings me joy to hear my kids talk about God and learn things I never taught them. Parent involvement is strong, with many volunteer opportunities and an active parent association. HFCS also hosts individual and joint community events at the school, parishes, and Savio.

Admissions is seamless, thanks to Cammy Nguyen. She helps with tours, answers all questions, and follows up as needed. She knows you might have more questions, so call back! The administration has a strong leadership structure, with a President, Principal, two Vice Principals (split between elementary and grammar school), and a board of outside members.

The campus has seven buildings, providing a private yet high school/college-like experience at a young age. Children interact with their age levels but also move across campus for Spanish, art, music, lunch, Mass, and electives under teacher supervision. Older students gain independence navigating between buildings. Security is well-managed, with on-campus officers, locked doors, and upgraded security cameras. Ms. Flores and Ms. Guzman make the check-in and out process seamless.

There are three classes per grade capped at 25 students (two preschool classes capped at 20). Middle school follows a high school model with homerooms and multiple teachers, allowing for a structured yet engaging learning environment. The curriculum integrates faith and core values into lessons. Students attend library weekly, with PE, art, music, and growing elective options like STEM and Computer Class. From my experience, younger students learn more than expected, and many parents agree their children are excelling.

HFCS is a feeder school to Savio, where students have a strong track record of attending prestigious universities outside of Texas.

My Takeaways:
No school is perfect, but HFCS listens, makes changes when necessary, and always prioritizes the kids. Reviews can be surprising, but every story has multiple perspectives, so call, tour, and decide for yourself.

Posted: February 4, 2025

Posted: January 9, 2025

Holy Family Catholic School has been an outstanding choice for our family. The quality of education is exceptional, with a dedicated and knowledgeable faculty who go above and beyond to ensure that each child receives a well-rounded education. From academics to extracurricular activities, the school provides a comprehensive learning experience that prepares students for future success.
What truly sets Holy Family apart, though, is the strong sense of community. The staff, parents, and students come together to create a supportive and welcoming environment. There is a genuine spirit of collaboration and care that extends beyond the classroom, making it feel like an extended family. It's wonderful to see the school focus not just on academic excellence but on nurturing the emotional and spiritual growth of each child.
The religious component of the school is something we deeply appreciate. The integration of faith into daily life, the emphasis on Catholic values, and the opportunities for spiritual development have been incredibly enriching for our child. Its a relief to know that both education and faith are being fostered in such a meaningful way.
Overall, we are beyond satisfied with our experience at Holy Family Catholic School and highly recommend it to any family seeking a high-quality, faith-centered education.

Posted: January 9, 2025

Posted: October 2, 2024

We are parents of a middle school-aged child at this school, and what we have encountered in less than 9 weeks of attendance is very disappointing. The middle school is managed like a disorganized, unsecured version of public school. The campus is huge, yet they allow students in grades 6-8 (which is close to 200 students I've been told) to roam from building to building during passing periods with very little supervision. Elective classes, including "advisory," consist of mixed ages grades 6-8, same with lunch and a short recess. This means 11-year-old girls are in classes, passing periods, and lunch/recess with 14-year-old boys! Crowded hallways and a huge open campus make it possible for harassment and bullying incidents to go unnoticed, and parents who have complained of these things have seen little action from administration so far. The band students walk over to the high school UNSUPERVISED for their class at the end of the day, and one day their teacher was absent so they were simply left unsupervised, OUTSIDE, for OVER AN HOUR!! Administration is VERY lucky they have such a well-behaved student body, because if something like this happened in public schools there would have been kids leaving campus, hiding out and smoking weed, or worse. The poor management of this school is inexcusable and needs to be made public knowledge. Please be ware that everytime this administration supposedly solves one problem, they create at least three more!

Posted: October 2, 2024

Posted: August 23, 2024

It really saddens me to read the differences in the "1 star" and "5 star" reviews on here. I'm shocked that some parents can be so calloused toward other families who have had horrific experiences over these past couple of years. This just goes to show the vast contrast in the way certain students and families are treated at this school. We can attest first-hand that our intellectually gifted, well-behaved child has had a completely different experience than our child who struggles academically and socially at no fault of their own. Some teachers are willing to provide some extra academic support, but they don't have the training or experience to make a significant difference. Instead of hiring well-qualified teachers and/or providing them with legitimate training programs, the school leadership's priorities are social and fundraising events, and costly material items such as golf carts. They don't believe that students with different ability levels deserve a Catholic education.

Posted: August 23, 2024

Our family has had children/grandchildren at this school for almost a decade, and each year has been vastly different from the last one due to many reasons. However, our early years were really positive under the leadership of the previous administration - the years affected by the pandemic were even pleasant! But anyone who has been at this school for more than 3 years cannot deny that there has been an unusual amount of teachers leaving, and most of their replacements are ill-suited as Catholic role models, or poorly equipped to do their jobs. Parents and employees who point out problems with these new teachers are reprimanded and marginalized instead of listened to and thanked. Many parents have given so much time and money to attempt to fix these problems themselves, but without leadership support not much changes for the better. For example, some parents tried to start a group called Circle of Support to help provide resources and extra support to families with students who are struggling academically. After the first couple of meetings in 2022, the group wasn't allowed to meet on campus anymore. And then they were only allowed to occasionally come to campus and read to students. Now the group no longer exists at all, and parents whose children are struggling do not get accurate information about how to help them, thus many learning needs go unaddressed which negatively affects students for the rest of their lives. Catholic education should be leading the way at serving the marginalized, and the community should embrace families whose children are suffering. But that is not what happens at this school.

Posted: August 23, 2024

Posted: August 20, 2024

As a parent with a child currently attending Holy Family Catholic School and having had several children attend in the past, I want to share our positive experience.

Holy Family has consistently provided a wonderful environment for our children. The dedication and care of the teachers and staff are truly commendable. They frequently go above and beyond their regular duties to ensure students receive the support and enrichment they need. This commitment is evident in the nurturing atmosphere that benefits every child.

In our experience, if our children need extra help in certain subjects, we understand that its our responsibility as parents to seek additional support, such as tutors, rather than relying solely on the teacher to resolve these issues. The schools role is to provide a strong foundation, and we take an active role in supplementing that with external resources when necessary.

Despite some negative reviews, our experience has been overwhelmingly positive. The school excels in fostering a strong sense of community and in supporting both academic and spiritual growth. We have seen our children thrive in this environment and continue to be impressed by the efforts of the staff to maintain high standards and support each students journey.

Of course, not everything always goes according to plan, and there are rules to follow. If you arent willing to adhere to the policies that are thoughtfully put in placepolicies designed to benefit the entire school communityyou might find your time here challenging. Its essential to understand that the school operates with the best intentions for the children, but they are human, and emotions can sometimes come into play.

Our advice: Steer clear of the PARENT DRAMA. Youll know it when you see it, and its best to avoid getting caught up in it. Focus on what really mattersthe outstanding education, care, and community that Holy Family Catholic School provides.

This is a real review from a dad currently attending HFCS, and we couldnt be happier with our choice.

For families considering Holy Family, we wholeheartedly recommend it based on our own successful and fulfilling experience. The schools dedication to providing a supportive and engaging environment stands out and is appreciated by our family!!!!!

Posted: August 20, 2024

Posted: August 19, 2024

This is an update: my freshman who graduated from HFCS last year is struggling in Spanish 2 although she was given a passing grade in Spanish 1 and a credit. She recently let me know her Spanish teacher at HFCS told her to use google translate to do assignments. Which is not ok in public school, at all She is also suffering in Algebra 1, her 8th grade math didnt even begin to scratch the surface. Im so so sad for the school I once loved and the children going there. Do better Administration!!!! Also, teachers need love and support telling a teacher their contract hours are longer than 8 hours is criminal and it happening at HFCS.

Posted: August 19, 2024

Posted: July 23, 2024

Our family has been at this school for several years and we've seen a remarkable, heartbreaking slide in the quality of academics, extra-curriculars, and most of all Catholic values in the last 3 years. Probably upwards of 35 teachers have left (close to a 75% turnover) the school since 2021. And the big problem is that most (of course not all) of the new hires are either inexperienced, unqualified, non-practicing Catholics, or just straight-up abusive. Our children have had extremely negative experiences with some of these new employees. We've had meeting after meeting about it, but the administration is either apathetic, negligent, lazy, or flat our cruel, because they do nothing measurable to resolve the very serious parental concerns that many, many parents have brought to them. And now, after three years, Holy Family isn't just hemorrhaging teachers (even some of the new ones are leaving), but families are pulling their children out in droves. Save yourself the heartbreak and skip applying to this school.

Posted: July 23, 2024

Posted: April 25, 2024

My children were blessed to have a couple of hard-working and dedicated teachers over the 7 years our family has been here. Unfortunately, most of those teachers we have fond memories of have resigned, and we've had very bad experiences with some of the new teachers both last year and this year. Administration is still quick to do nothing. We haven't seen consistent follow-through with the promises they made last year, and worst of all we are losing more and more friends each semester. Due to all of the reasons already stated, over the last 2 years we have watched 9 other families we were close to pull their children out of this school and put them in public school or move to a different city/state to find acceptable Catholic schools. Of course there are always new people moving to the fast-growing North Austin area to take their places, but the revolving door of teachers and families has led to the disappearance of a strong sense of belonging and community we once had. And although everyone is going through the motions of what "good" Catholic's do, the Holy Spirit has definitely left the campus. Discord, anxiety, and strife has taken His place. It has been such a profound loss.

Posted: April 25, 2024

Posted: April 23, 2024

I have been working at Holy Family for over twenty years. I love everything about this school. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. The school was blessed with an incredible new administration in 2021, and I feel they have made our school stronger -in a various ways (ex: academics, faith, the school morale). I absolutely love our administration. They have such great compassion for Catholic education and are extremely dedicated to our amazing school. Holy Family is truly a beautiful school filled with devoted parents, fabulous students and committed teachers and staff who are wonderful examples of living God's will. I feel so happy and blessed to be apart of this community. I thank God everyday for giving me the opportunity to teach at Holy Family.

Posted: April 23, 2024

Posted: April 5, 2024

We were planning on sending one of our children back to this school next year, but our experiences this semester have made us rethink this decision. Our child has had a good experience - he has been assigned good, experienced teachers, and he learns easily so he doesn't need extra help or support. However, we have so many friends who have had vastly different experiences. It was impossible to deny the large turnover that happened last year, but we continued to try to give the administration the benefit of the doubt, believing their explanations. But this year, 4 staff members have left since the beginning of school, and there are rumors of more than 8 or 9 more looking to leave. It's hard to keep denying that poor leadership, and poor hiring by the administration isn't causing most of this churn. The lack of consistency from year-to-year affects all students, and the quality of academics and extra curricular activities has plummeted. We feel a resposibility that this be public knowledge, especially since it's hard to communicate honestly with other parents. Social media communication is closely monitored by school office staff, and certain parents, and if anything negative is posted on grade level pages, the comment is removed and the poster rebuked. This is no way to run a school or unite a community.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Read all of the reviews from the last two years and youll get a still accurate idea of the deficits and problems plaguing this school. Not only did more than 50% of teachers and staff leave last year, but there will be a large exodus this year, as well. The administration is apparently trying to cover this up by not posting job openings to the diocese website, and not communicating the changes that will affect students yet again, next year.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Posted: February 24, 2024

My daughter is thriving at Holy Family this year. Shes being challenged academically, enjoys the specials, and is learning a lot more with the religious education at the school than what we were able to do at home. The parent community is very strong, but you get out what you put in.

Posted: February 24, 2024

Posted: February 9, 2024

We transferred our children to holy family to challenge them academically, receive individualized instruction and to support our faith. We have seen the same level of public school academics. With the exception of a few teachers who are above. Classes are large and comparable to public school and we have seen very little differentiation in the classroom. Faith has become stronger with the curriculum but some teachers are not examples of their teachings which has been confusing for our children. Special classes such as art, music and spanish are below public school standards, with PE and technology being above. Communication is the largest concern for our family. Some teachers will not respond to emails or contact parents when concerns arise. Sadly, the administration is similar. Parents are notified late and requested meetings are ignored.

Posted: February 9, 2024

Posted: January 2, 2024

The teachers and staff at this school seem to lack joy regarding their faith and academics. This trickles down to the children, and they end up losing their innate love of learning. There is an overt emphasis on serving only the top performing students to the detriment of the average and/or struggling ones. Certainly not a lot of Catholic teachings being lived out authentically.

Posted: October 3, 2023

Our children have been at this school for a few years now. The academics are challenging and engaging. Our children came from out of state where the academics left them behind their peers but Holy Family caught them up quickly and efficiently. We have been through more than 1 administration at this school and the change in administration cause a lot of unrest. Evaluating other schools in the area, public, private and charter Holy Family's issues are minscule in comparison. We feel our children are receiving a high quality education and being kept safe and cared for while at school. In addition thenopportunity to be a partner in my children's education in and out of the classroom is unparalleled.

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 2, 2023

The single worst decision my parents ever made was sending me to this school

Posted: October 2, 2023

Posted: July 25, 2023

Posted: July 21, 2023

Our child has been in Holy Family since they started school and we are very happy with the community and school. There are devoted teachers, administration and staff who are committed to the betterment of the school. We've seen so much growth in our child on many levels and we see such a strong faith being formed as well. The community of parents is truly a unique and amazing one to be a part of. There are so many ways for the parents to be involved throughout the year. Looking forward to the years to come!

Posted: June 2, 2023

As many have already said on the reviews, this school has some outstanding community members, but it's falling apart due to mismanagement by a horribly negligent and apathetic administration. Appeals have been made by many parents and staff to the diocesan leaders to step in and save the failing school, but deception and omissions of truth remain the status quo for the leaders at the top. A school is only as good as it's leaders.

Posted: June 2, 2023

Posted: June 1, 2023

Holy Family Catholic School is a a faith filled community who has high standards and expectations of academic excellence. I have been a teacher of Holy Family for many years. The community is so strong and the Catholic identity is spread throughout the campus. I have really enjoyed seeing the school grow and change for the better throughout my career. Our current administration are amazing leaders for the teachers, students and community. They are passionate about education, have an amazing faith that shows in their work ethic, and very supportive to those around them. I am proud to work under them and call myself a Holy Family teacher. I highly recommend Holy Family Catholic School to anyone interested in an amazing Catholic education for their children.

Posted: June 1, 2023

After being with a different school for 7 years, we were excited to come to Holy Family. We immediately felt at home. Teachers deeply cared for my children. There definitely is a lack of communication and the fact that several teachers are leaving is definitely concerning. We are sticking it out for a little bit more in hopes that it will be better in the fall.

Posted: June 1, 2023

Posted: May 31, 2023

Our family has been at the school for several years, and until last year we have enjoyed the community of families, teachers, and staff. The new administration has divided our school community with deception and unethical practices. The teachers and staff closest to the source of the problems have all resigned. Twenty-four employees have left since the fall of 2021. Thats a 50% turnover. Many students have suffered academically and emotionally due to apathy and bad policies. The curriculum and instruction already lacked innovation, but negligent hiring practices have made the academics much worse. There is very little support and/or challenge for non-traditional learners. Catholic education is so important, but I cannot in good faith recommend this school until major changes are made

Posted: May 31, 2023

Posted: May 26, 2023

We are just finishing our 6th year at this school and love it. My oldest just graduated 8th grade. She is so prepared academically and emotionally to move on to High School. I still have other children at HF that are actually sad that the school year is ending. They love their teachers, they love the school and made wonderful friends and memories. This school looks at the child as a whole and prepares them so well for their future.

Posted: May 26, 2023

We just finished our 10th year at the school, and it has been a great experience for our family. The growth and spiritual development I have seen in my children is a testament to the education and support they have received. The administration has changed in the last couple years, but I am thankful for an administration that constantly reviews policies and is able to pivot when needed. The parent and grandparent involvement in the school has been a real blessing, and a helpful in continuing the mission and providing volunteer support to the teachers and staff. I am thankful we found this school and found a place we belong in North Austin.

Posted: May 26, 2023

I love Holy Family catholic school. I have 2 kids that graduated from there and you see how they and all their friends are well rounded kids that care for others, that have grown in their faith, grown in their academics and they have really good friendships. This for me is what guides my decision of having my other kids there, I see the "end product" and is exciting for what's next for them. Us parents have a strong community too, so we never feel alone in this parenting journey.

Posted: May 26, 2023

Posted: May 4, 2023

With several years at the school already, we were looking forward to several more in the Holy Family community for all our kids. Unfortunately, the school administration changed over and has essentially killed any sense of community that we previously enjoyed. The three biggest problems are: 1) Communication from the administration is poor to non-existent. This includes communicating events as serious as teacher dismissals (two of them in one grade level), and transportation incidents on field trips. Communication between admin and teachers was also poor as teachers were not supported - even when explicitly requested. 2) Transparency and accountability. There was none of either of these really desirable traits this past school year. Several days passed before any information was given on any of the events mentioned in #1 above. And 3) the diocesean leadership has only offered a constant drumbeat response for parents to go through the administration (i.e. the chain of command) - even though it was/is the administration we have the problems with. Sadly, these and several other significant issues are going to catch up to the school even more, and we expect the results will show with lower school-wide test scores, increased bullying and behavior issues, lower charitable giving, and an exodus of teachers, staff, and families to other schools in the area.

Posted: May 2, 2023

I have to say we're extremely pleased/happy with our child's homeroom teacher.... Our pleasure starts and stops right there. We are among two dozen other families preparing to say goodbye to Holy Family Catholic school, after detrimental and unfortunate management/administrative changes have been made over the last two years. Our children have all attended for multiple years and we're all extremely disappointed in Holy Family leadership, communication, transparency, accountability and commitment to the faithful and loyal parent body.

There has been close to two dozen teachers either being let go, voluntary leaving for other schools, taking early retirement or just disappearing over the last couple months. Almost all, without any color commentary from the principal or staff.

There are student behavioral and discipline issues that are going unaddressed, time and time again.

There have been red-flags going back to 2021 when we were still fully navigating through the pandemic, the principal provided carefully crafted and timed COVID-related family email notifications stating among other things "we've just been made aware that someone has tested positive" 4-5 days after we learned from the actual parents and/or students themselves. Bold and plain lies coming from the school leadership.

As parents, we were all willing to accept and understand the challenges of navigating through the pandemic as a principal, and were ultimately willing to look the other way. However, the lies and secrets, have only became worse as we distanced ourselves from the pandemic. Now we're realizing that those key red flags.

It's very sad, Holy Family had received straight A's in all categories before the admin changes took place. Straight F's now except for those teachers that have continued to display their commitment and devotion to our kids. Thank you to our teachers - Both those that are staying and those who are leaving (we completely understand).

Posted: May 2, 2023

Posted: May 1, 2023

This schools current administration (school and diocese level) are failing to address many significant parent concerns regarding teacher turn over, student safety, discipline protocols, and poor academic achievements.

Teachers are leaving because they do not have enough support. Students are dealing with ongoing bullies across many grades with seemingly no significant consequences. Many parents are spending extra money for private tutors in addition to tuition so their kids dont fail or fall behind. Communication from school the and acceptance of feedback from parents and teachers is lacking.

Im very disappointed but we cannot in good faith return to this school.

Posted: May 1, 2023

Posted: April 17, 2023

I can't say enough good things about the community of families that attend HFCS however, the school itself is a disaster. Extremely overcrowded classrooms, totally lacking facilities (no cafeteria or playground for children in second grade and beyond), very disengaged teachers who provide uninspired lesson plans (think lots of worksheets!), bullying is minimized and ignored by the administration and in fact turned around to blame the kids who have been attacked. Children that need additional assistance will not be helped in any way. The teachers have not been trained or given the resources to assist a student that may need additional help. Parents will simply receive an email with their childs failing grade with no outreach on how we can work together to support the student. My children have lost all enthusiasm for school even though they love to learn. HFCS is a rigid, uninspired, unnecessarily strict, uncaring/unloving environment.

Posted: April 17, 2023

Posted: April 16, 2023

We are new to the school and were very excited to join so our children could have a better education and a religious upbringing. However, we were not aware of all the issues in this school. High teacher turnover, substitutes in a teacher roll for a long period of time, and lack of communications from staff and admin. We've had some issues and when trying to address it with teachers we either do not get a response from them, not even to acknowledge they've read our emails or they will just dismiss bullying incidents as our kid not being able to find someone to play with. The teachers do not care about the emotional well being of the kids. They just care about who portrays to be the best worshiper.

We also get no updates on what our kids are learning at school. We get an idea looking at the homework but there is 0 communication from teachers. We are lucky to have very smart kids but I worry about the ones that need more support.

My kids have had days were they do not feel well or have a bad cough. They have asked their teachers to take them to the nurse or let them go get some water and they've been denied both things because according to their teachers they are just fine. Like I've said before, the teachers don't have the kid's well being as a priority.

Security is also a concern. The school is an open campus. The doors are locked during the day but anyone can access the common areas. There are one or two security guards but I never see them. I see one at pickup but he's always looking at his phone. Not sure they can prevent anything from happening. There was one drill at the beggining of the school year ( 8 months ago) and that was it. The staff is not trained in case of an emergency.

All of this issues have been brought up to the administration by other parents as well, but no help or answers are ever given. The school only cares about your $$$ but they are not transparent on what they do with the funds.

We can't wait to switch our kids to our highly rated public school. We are just sad that we lost a year in this school but I guess everything is a learning experience. So, if you are new and planning to enroll your kids here, think twice. There are so many underlying issues that you won't find out until later so I'm trying to save you some time and mental exhaustion.

Posted: April 16, 2023

The current administration is oblivious to all issues brought up by parents and families. Many problems are being ignored with no response from the principal when reaching out to schedule a meeting to discuss. Many of the amazing current teachers are leaving due to lack of admin support and the new hires are not qualified.

Posted: April 16, 2023

Posted: October 27, 2022

I love this school and am so glad we decided to send our kids there. Our kids are engaged, love their teachers, and are excited to go to school.

Posted: October 27, 2022

Posted: October 11, 2022

The school has grown over the last few years yet continues to deliver on the mission to work with parents to nurture the growth of the whole child - spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. A newsletter goes out weekly for communication, there is an orientation and parent teacher conferences to communicate, and grades are sent out weekly. Many electives are available such Art, PE, Spanish, Computers/Tech, and more. Mass is attended weekly. Athletics opportunities are available in Fall, Winter, and Spring for 5-8th grades in a competitive Austin Area League. Armed Security guards monitor the campus from drop off to pick up while buildings are locked and secured. With Savio HS next door, parents can enjoy the rare gift of having all ages go to one location while continuing to receive a "complete" education!

Posted: October 11, 2022

Posted: January 5, 2022

HORRIBLE. Imagine having your kids getting bullied and making fun of at school. I thought this would be a opportunity to make friends, but sure aint!!! The teachers don't even take care of those issues. All of them have a lack of understanding each other, and no one cares about religion. THIS SCHOOL is worse then any other. NEVER SEND YOUR SON/GIRL here.

Posted: December 2, 2021

Holy Family is a wonderful community of students and parents. Many of the teachers are amazing, however some of the best teachers that we have had or were looking forward to have left the school. In our first 8 years at this school, our chief complaint was lack of transparency and poor communication from the administration. Transparency and communication from the new administration appears to be even worse. Academically, Holy Family is fine, but in our experience, gifted students who need enrichment will not get it here and struggling students who need intervention will not get it at Holy Family. Specials areas such as Spanish and Music are severely lacking,. After 8 years of Spanish, my child has very limited Spanish vocabulary. The music program does not seem appropriate for elementary age children due to the lack of joy that you would expect from music class. There are limited extracurricular activities besides sports, but this is probably due to the small size of the school.

Posted: December 2, 2021

Posted: October 13, 2018

This school is excellent and follows their mission statement of educating the whole especially in FAITH. Very caring teachers.