St. Monica Catholic School in Dallas

Posted: October 11, 2023

St. Monica Catholic School has a diverse community. It is unfortunate that our demographic information is listed incorrectly. For a more accurate view of the breakdown of our demographics, please reach out to our admissions director at admissions@stmonicaschool.org or visit https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&Zip=75229&Miles=20&ID=01324352.

Posted: September 24, 2023

Teacher are very caring and their athletics are amazing.

Posted: September 24, 2023

Posted: September 13, 2023

St. Monica Catholic School has been our home away from home for almost 10 years. My kids are happy, enjoy going to school and are doing well. The teachers are amazing and motivate the students to learn. SMS also offers the SMART center. This is where kids go that need tutoring in various subjects or that have an IEP such as extended time to complete a test. SMS offers plenty of extracurricular activities too. It's been great for our family!

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: September 11, 2023

Being a part of a community that supports our children and allows them to grow and learn in the Catholic Faith is important to us. St. Monica has provided this for our family throughout the years. The teachers are open to working with the parents to bring out the best in the students and prepare them for high school. The administration has taken steps to improve and build the school community to be strong and supportive.

Posted: September 11, 2023

Posted: August 28, 2023

I have two kids at this school and they have thrived from the beginning. The community engagement of the other parents is high. Theres a great core of inviting people that come through when needed. The teachers have good technology and they use it to communicate effectively.

Theyve emphasized enhancements in security recently visible police officers on campus, cameras, online monitoring and intervention.

Posted: August 28, 2023

Posted: August 25, 2023

Everything we were looking for in a Catholic education we have found at St. Monica. SMS has a rigorous curriculum, a state-of-the-art STEM lab, competitive athletics, a VERY involved parent community, and, most importantly for my family, a focus from our pastor and administration on strengthening the Catholic identity of the school and participation by students and faculty in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. I have five kids in the school, and they are all happy and thriving.

Posted: August 25, 2023

Posted: October 10, 2022

Under the President model, SMS has become toxic for the teachers, students, and families. There is a lack of trust in the administration. Even the teachers make comments about the inferior education. Many students have withdrawn since the beginning of school. Schedules do not work, some classes are over enrolled while others are sparse. We will not be returning the second semester.

Posted: October 10, 2022

Posted: April 12, 2022

This school does not represent a Catholic school. It is an affordable alternative to truly wonderful private schools in the area. You will get what you pay for.

Posted: April 12, 2022

Posted: April 10, 2022

The school has potential, it was once in the forefront. Hoping that those times will come back at some point.

Posted: April 10, 2022

Posted: February 10, 2022

As a long time family and parishioners, we are not enrolling for the 22-23 school year. The parents submitted a list of questions through a petition on change.org because of the lack of transparency and mismanagement. The administration did not respond. Google search that petition. If youre considering enrolling your student, ask lots of questions and ask for documentation as we have lost trust in what is true or not. How many teachers are certified to be teachers? The answer to this is shocking. Are teachers staying up to date on required continuing education hours? Where is this documented? The president was hired to raise funds, what are her exact numbers compared with excuses? There are a lot of great schools in the area. St. Monica used to be one and it can be again.

Posted: February 10, 2022

Posted: July 27, 2021

We enrolled in St. Monica for a comprehensive, enriching, loving catholic education. What we got was a nightmare that will take years to undo. The children learn the same thing from year to year. With two children in seperate grades were learning the exact same thing at the exact same time it was clear there was no progress being made through the grades. Teachers and administration are unwilling to communicate with parents about any problems students may be having, and if your child is not a quiet, isolated individual that can sit for 8 hours straight without moving this school is not for you. After multiple times having a child assaulted on campus, there was nothing done by the administration except for the teacher to continue to bully the students. Spending hours after school completing extra school work in addition to homework becomes unmanageable for young children. When a student has a question about classwork the teachers dismiss them and send it home to be done afterschool. The sheer defeat you feel as a parent can not be put into words. To watch your child come home day after day depressed, down on themselves and feeling isolated is exhausting. Being excluded from all sports teams because the children who bully all the kids, their parents are the coaches and decide who can join a YMCA team. While we have found a handful of passionate, loving teachers there, they are so scattered that your odds of winning the lotto are better than getting one of them. With a legacy at the school and still to be treated so awful is disappointing. No child ever deserves to do through being harrassed and beat down every day by peers and teachers alike.

Posted: July 27, 2021

Saint Monica is a toxic environment. Academic standards are unclear/unchecked and kids are often taught the same things for years. Core values/conduct standars don't exist. Bullying is rampant and flows from leadership to staff and onto the kids and parents. Teachers bully and emotionally intimidate kids. Some teachers are arrogant towards parents and refuse to reply to email or share any detail on what they are teaching. Regularly scheduled conferences are often canceled by leadership. Asking questions will cause you to be gaslit by admininstration and staff, who will turn on their written policy on a dime. Many children act aggressively or unkind towards one another in the absence of good examples. Teachers may decide to isolate or stop teaching children without notice. Some teachers have humiliated young children by tearing up and throwing out their work up in the front of the class, denying children reasonable bathroom breaks, taking photos of "bad" children and threatening to send to the principal, not allowing your child to wear a jacket at recess, and denying snacks. Some teachers (not qualified to do so) will collaborate with the guidance counselor to suggest your child has learning differences and refer you to one of the school's preferred list of providers for expensive diagnosis (we did this, and found the only thing our child was missing was instruction). Curriculum is based on rote learning, filling out worksheets, and teaching to the test. Children who adapt are labeled stars. Many teachers inflate grades so believing your child is an overachiever or gifted here unfortunately doesn't mean much. If you aren't legacy, don't donate/volunteer heavily, or have lots of children in the school you'll be treated like they are doing you a favor for being there. There are some passionate educators but there's no guarantee your kid will experience one. Leadership won't replace problem teachers who know how to say the right things to them. The value delivered by Saint Monica is simply not there. What you'll save here instead of sending your kids to a more expensive private school you'll spend on tutors or your own time covering their gaps just for a basic foundation (not to mention the stress on your family). Culture, standards, and fearing our child would fall behind peers are the reasons we left. Now that we've switched we see a day and night difference in education quality, enrichment options, and our child's motivation to learn.

Posted: July 27, 2021

Posted: October 1, 2019

The administration is open and friendly and seems genuinely interested in the success of their students

Posted: October 1, 2019

St. Monicas June Cooper Learning Center is arguably the best learning resource center at any of the Dallas Catholic K-8 schools. They have a team of specialists who can work with children who are struggling or gifted.

Posted: October 1, 2019

We have not experienced any bullying. Kids seem to be friendly.

Posted: October 1, 2019

We have been very happy with St. Monica so far. They offered us the most comprehensive testing and feedback during the admissions process of any of the schools we applied to. The classrooms are in a renovation process, but will be completed next year I believe. The library is beautiful and the school in general has very nice facilities. It is a big school so that might be overwhelming for some. Culturally speaking it is the least formal of the 3 North Dallas Catholics (Christ the King, St. Rita, St. Monica). I think it depends on your personal preference as to whether or not that is s positive or a negative. It has a real t-shirt & jeans laid back vibe among the parents. What it lacks in glamour it makes up for in friendliness and fun (the school is known for its fun parties). We like that it is diverse economically and culturally compared to other North Dallas privates. The parents here have a reputation for friendliness which we have found to be true. It is very rigorous academically, there is a lot of homework and things move at a fast pace, but I think it will prepare them for high school. Overall we are very happy that we chose St. Monica.

Posted: June 26, 2019

We have 6 children who have attended St. Monica. It is an excellent school, and we are pleased with the education and formation our children have received. The teachers genuinely care about the students, their well-being, and academic success. The academics are very good. The students are taught at a higher academic standard and do very well when they transition to high school. My children's high school teachers often say that St. Monica students are the most prepared. The administration is always looking for ways to enhance the school and are open to ideas. The community is the absolute best . The families are committed to their students, school, and each other. The environment is one of helpfulness and support, and they also know how to have a lot of fun. We have been very pleased at St. Monica. Our children have thrived there, and we would not send them anywhere else.

Posted: June 26, 2019

Posted: February 2, 2019

We love it and could not be happier.

Posted: February 2, 2019

The comment above is beyond inaccurate. Not our experience and this is just an axe grinder clearly.

Posted: February 2, 2019

Our child had a great year. Positive and innovative teacher.

Posted: February 2, 2019

Super environment and the STA walks the walk.

Posted: February 2, 2019

He has always been responsive to us and been making a lot of good changes and additions.

Posted: February 2, 2019

We dont need them but tons of services offered.

Posted: February 2, 2019

We have always felt that kids are kept safe.

Posted: August 8, 2018

Average homework time for my child was two hours, for second grade.

Posted: August 8, 2018

In grades first and second, teachers used classwork time to grade papers. My child was often confused on worksheets but she didnt know it. Her teachers didnt check her progress while she was working, leading to many do overs and frustration.

Posted: August 8, 2018

When I asked the principal how I can resolve problems my child was having with her teacher he said, I dont know.

Posted: August 8, 2018

My child was placed in special tutoring sessions and I had no idea. The teacher didnt communicate this to me. The teacher did recommend expensive testing to see if there could be a learning difference. My child was evaluated and no learning difference was found. Just because youre child is struggling academically, doesnt mean theres a learning difference. Sometimes the classroom and teacher are not a good fit.

Posted: August 8, 2018

My childs teacher often yelled at students. My child was terrified of her teacher and would often shut down in class. This is a form of bullying.

Posted: August 8, 2018

The academic programs are worksheet/workbook based. Theres not a lot of creativity in the curriculum. If you have a creative child, this type of factory learning may not be a good fit.

Posted: March 8, 2018

We transferred from a episcopal school close by and have been so incredibly pleased! This school is just awesome. We have two kids a boy and a girl and they have both fit in wonderfully! We could not recommend this school enough we love it

Posted: January 31, 2018

I have put two students with learning differences through the school. Both have continued to have success at the high school and college level after attending St. Monica.

Posted: January 31, 2018

I have taught at the school for many years, and have had 4 children graduate. St. Monica does an excellent job preparing students for the high school experience.

Posted: January 29, 2018

Our son has thrived at this school. It's been a great for his personality and education. The homework can be a lot, but in the end it really prepares them. We love the teachers, staff, leadership and school community.

Posted: October 20, 2017

I have been at St. Monica for 17 years and have had three children graduate from there. My fourth child is in middle school now, and we absolutely love it! The best part is the community and the support system we have created for our family. I can't imagine a place more loving and nurturing, yet also providing such a strong academic foundation.

Posted: July 13, 2016

St. Monica will love your kid, nurture your kid, and push them to become great young men and women. However, they don't coddle their kids as much as some other private schools so if you want the school to wipe your kids tushy all the way to college then there are several other to choose from.
Personally, I think a school should push and encourage their students. SMS does this while still providing a fun experience. The homework is not excessive and it actually reinforces the work from the day.
We are very blessed that our kids are intellectually gifted and we have the means to send them to any private school in town. We chose SMS because it provides the finest academic and moral education of any school in Dallas

Posted: April 27, 2016

We have been at SMS for two years and love it! My son quickly found his niche and has already created friendships that will last a lifetime. The teaching technique is far different from our public school district which we transferred from so academically we are still adjusting but this is not a bad thing. My only critique is that I would wish the teachers would try to understand unique situations and provide a helping hand rather than presume being "very smart" equates to all A's - it does not. But as a parent, one of my jobs is to be my son's advocate. I believe all schools have their negatives so I would have to say SMS can always strive for improvements but overall we love it. If we had to choose a school again, we would choose St. Monica again!

Posted: March 29, 2016

St. Monica has a good reputation with having great academic excellence and an "amazing community feeling" but, the experience with my daughter has proved otherwise. They have a ridiculous amount of homework... as well as tests, quizzes, and projects each week. I feel teachers don't give students the help and time they need to finish the work, and the attitude towards the students is that of superiority and make them feel stupid. They also have an aggressive attitude towards the students which I don't agree with. They put way too much emphasis in sports in my opinion and have favouritism over students that their parents are friends with teachers or that have been there a long time. There is no other way to put this... the schedules are horrible! They have no recess from when school starts at 8:00 am to 11:35, therefore students are tired and hungry and when they finally get to the cafeteria, they don't even have microwaves to heat up their food and if you are a new student, they don't know were to find the cafeteria food because it's hidden (at least i've never seen it). They pretend to be very welcoming and kind to new students but the truth is that it is very cliquey specially in my daughter's grade. The girls were rude and excluded her from the "group". The technology is not up to date because they have the old Dell computers and also have very old, slow laptops. They also incorporate technology in the classes very little. My daughter has horrible memories from this school and I wish the teachers would have done something to help her adapt better. The only good thing about this school is that they teach them to grow in their faith and learn about catholicism.

Posted: December 4, 2014

We have been at St. Monica for 5 years and just love it! The sense of community is so great and the admin and teachers are wonderful. Best academic and spiritual investment we could have made for our family!

Posted: May 13, 2014

St Monica Catholic School - LOVE THIS SCHOOL! We came to SMS 5 yearss ago when our daughters were entering 1st and 4th grade. We left the smaller, higher end private school because we didn't feel that the $ we were paying brought significantly that much more in the way of academics, culture, etc. And while everything at SMS may not be pretty and shiny new, the teachers, staff, and community are second to none. Because it is larger our kids immediately found what intersted them in the way of sports, clubs, groups, etc. Our transition was so smooth and the SMS community opened their arms to us and we have embraced it since then! There is always so much going on whether its sports, games, clubs, social events, there is truly something for everyone! We are so glad we made SMS our home. We wish we would have started here in PreK!

Posted: April 12, 2014

Love. We moved from an A list Dallas private school to SMS for my son's *rd grade year and this is home! You will find a place here. I am proud that these families are in my children's lives. This community will last a lifetime for my children -- high school, college, careers -- they are truly supported forever. As for the academics, the school strikes the right balance with rigor in the curriculum. The new administration has implemented a writing program that is horizontal and vertically-integrated throughout the school. The middle school is outstanding. Jesuit and Ursuline consistently look to SMS for strong students. We have more boys going to Cistercian each year than any other school in DFW. Another 10 of 40 entering 5th grade next year are from SMS. There are problems such as bullying from some kids and some teachers are less than desired. But being elsewhere, I know this is not SMS-specific. Further, they have implemented a new bully-prevention program this year and the new admin seems to take evals of teachers seriously and looks to be ensuring teacher quality. Highly-recommended.

Posted: April 11, 2014

St. Monica School has been a blessing to our family! The teachers and staff are fully committed to ensuring all children get the best education available. Beginning with preschool all the way to 8th grade, the teachers are passionate about the students, subject and school. They know their "stuff" for sure; however, they also know how to work collaboratively with the student and parents to ensure the children are progressing. They have helped mold my kids into great students with outstanding study skills that will carry them through high school, college and beyond. A recent example of SMS's commitment to education is the opening of the beautiful, state-of-the-art June Cooper Learning Center for gifted and learning different students. I encourage you to make an appointment to tour the Center as well as the entire campus. You won't be disappointed. I promise, you and your child will grow to love the SMS community as we have. There's a reason, SMS has been thriving for more than 50 years. You need to go and check it out for yourself. Reading about it here is the first step, but seeing it for yourself is quite another. It's truly the best investment you'll ever make in your children!

Posted: April 10, 2014

St. Monica is a wonderful place to call HOME! It is so much more than just a school. The community is welcoming and there seems to be a place for everyone... no matter your interests. In my opinion, the larger size is a strength. My children are very different and have each found a group of friends and activities they enjoy. The teachers and faculty have been incredibly supportive. I particularly love the Christ centered, Catholic focus. Our new principal, Phil Riley, is extremely hands on and approachable. This administration is committed to making St. Monica the best it can be. The new June Cooper leaning center allows the school to reach all learners and they have always been very accommodating for my child with ADD. With this being said, no school is perfect but SMS is as close as perfect can get. As with all things in life, you get out what you put in. SMS is surrounded by loving families and staff that are extremely generous with their time and talents. We feel truly blessed to be a part of this community. Go Bearcats!!!

Posted: April 10, 2014

When looking for a parish school for our 3 sons, we visited St RIta, Christ the King and St Thomas, Because of the warm welcome and inclusive community, we chose St Monica and tall of our sons received an excellent education as well as a strong foundation in the Catholic faith. It is a great value for the education and a wonderful community. The community includes involved parents, grandparents and extended family and all work to support and better the school.

Posted: September 26, 2013

St Monica is a wonderful environment for students and families. The principal is very hands on and a nice breath of fresh air to the school. He is bringing the school up to higher standards. I have two very different students at SMS and both fit in well. The school is very welcoming and is a magnificent community. I have never seen or heard of a school with the kind of community as this. I feel very blessed to have my two sons at St Monica.

Posted: August 19, 2013

You cannot find a better community of amazing parents, faculty, and, of course, children than at St. Monica Catholic School in Dallas, TX. From the second we decided to move our children to St. Monica 4 years ago, we've never looked back and have been very happy with our decision. Our children are receiving top notch acadamics from excellent teachers in a faith-based environment supported by the entire community. We felt welcomed and received from day one. "It takes a village to raise a child" is a such a cliche but it really encompasses what St. Monica is all about. St. Monica reinforces the important values that we teach at home along with superior academics. The athletic programs are top notch, as well. The involvement of the parents in the PTO and the Dad's Club is strong and we've made great friends. There are a lot of awesome schools out there but what truly sets St. Monica apart from any of them is the community.

Posted: August 19, 2013

St. Monica is a real community parish school. The Dad's Club and PTO are busy ALL the time, and are very inclusive. The families are very supportive of each other - we truly have the help of a "village" in raising our kids at SMS. The Math and English Honors programs allow faster moving kids more room to grow. The classes are a bit large (25 x 4 per grade usually). The principal is still new (this is his second year - after a long-serving principal). Sports dominate the extra curricular activities: many grades have over 90 per cent lettering for one or more school sports (5th-8th grades) (which can be good and bad at the same time). The Chess Club, One Act Play competition and Quiz Bowl teams, among other more academic activities, are great extra curricular activities that open more avenues for the kids. The school is diverse - one of our favorite characteristics. The foreign language program is not all that we would want it to be, but progress is promised. Overall, our kids have excelled academically at St. Monica and are doing well in the upper level area schools. And our family truly appreciates Father Bierschenk and his presence and leadership of the parish.

Posted: August 19, 2013

We have 1 graduate & 2 current students. This is a Parochial school NOT an elite institution. It relies on community involvement/volunteers & accommodates a broad set of students. At times parents who volunteer have a lot of influence & tradeoffs are made to accommodate the most kids. It is a good fit for families who WANT to be involved. The diversity balanced with relatively high standards is a good trade off. As a volunteer coach I believe most parents have a healthy perspective on kids sports. A few don't & they are vocal & that is a shame but they CAN be ignored. I see reviews mention bullying and have heard rumors about it. However, when I've had the opp. to know specifics they didn't hold much weight. A few poorly adjusted kids have passed through but mostly I am impressed with how kind these kids are. Academics: My graduate among others has been accepted to highly selective college. We have never had an outside tutor. I would argue the tools are there if parents keep standards high and work WITH the teachers. I liked the former principal & I like the current one. They're different. Some teachers are moving on.The school was ready for new perspective. Change is ok.

Posted: May 4, 2013

We have had a great experience at St. Monica! We have an 8th grader and he is well prepared for high school. No place is perfect but they do an amazing job overall. The school has a very diverse population. People really care about your child. The new principal is doing a great job! This is a special place!

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Base	Distance
Exchange Service Headquarters Dallas	13.9 mi.
Fort Worth NAS	34.1 mi.

St. Monica Catholic School

Dallas, TX 75229

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Dallas, TX 75229

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