St. Nicholas Catholic School

Being in the military, my boys have been to 4 schools in the last 6 years due to the school system set up or due to our own decision to move them out of one school to another. There also seem to be several other reviews here, however, only 1 seems to be visible. I hope whoever reads this finds it useful in your decision on whether or not to send your kids to this school.My wife and I come from a Catholic family and both have grown up attending Catholic schools from elementary to high school so we both understand and value what a Catholic Education provides. This is also the primary reason why we moved from Dupont to Gig Harbor-we stumbled into this town while exploring the area one weekend. We first found the church appealing but my wife started researching the school and one day decided to drive up here and visit the school with our boys (I was away on business at the time). After she told me about her experience, I went for myself. My initial thoughts was that it was a small campus but while small, I found the staff and teachers very friendly and the kids were very polite-something I hadn't seen since the last Catholic school the boys attended back in Hawaii. At that point we decided to send the boys there-we just needed to move to GH.After having the boys here for the first year at this school, I am both deeply grateful and highly impressed with the teachers and the staff. Here's why:After 2 yrs in Dupont, my eldest son moved schools 2x-due to the set up of the school district but in both of those cases, he was a B average, though he was an A average in Hawaii.The teachers here truly opened up his aperture to learn and he has taken a 180' turn and made straight A's. My youngest was an average student who had a need for tutoring during his 3rd grade year in Dupont; after his first year at St Nic's, he ended his year with a B+ average and actually remembers and is enthusiastic about learning.The teachers and staff are truly dedicated to their students and are very responsive to the parents. The principal has an open door policy to everyone and does a fantastic job in keeping the parents informed (due to COVID, she's done several Zoom calls). The parents are so warm and inviting. They have a initial new parents' picnic, about the weekend prior to the first day of school. There is also a Facebook group for all the parents that helps all of us stay current on what's going on in the school. They have a lot of events and fundraisers some of which will require parent's involvement, but, that is normal for Catholic schools as they want the parents involved in as many activities as possible. Although I could say more about Saint Nicholas, I encourage you to visit the school, meet the teachers, and judge for yourself. The small class size allows for more teacher/student interaction as well as provides opportunities for more 1-1 instruction if needed. You will not regret the level of education they provide to the students; you will cherish the relationships you will build with the parents, and hopefully, see the value and impact this school will have not only your kids but on you as well.
Aug 1st, 2020

Our family loves St Nicholas Catholic School!  The teachers are very caring and go above and beyond when it comes to taking care of our kids.  They have been very accommodating with my oldest child's unique learning needs and have added valuable input to his learning plan.  I truly feel that the staff have a calling for what they do and it shows.  They not only focus on academic success but work on forming each child into becoming the amazing individuals they were meant to be.
Jun 26th, 2020

As a new family at St. Nicholas this past year, we have been extremely happy and impressed with the education and the welcoming atmosphere our two boys, and even us as parents, have received by all (classmates, teachers and families).  As a military family, our children have experienced both public and private schools both in Washington and around the country. We can honestly say St. Nicholas has exceeded our expectations.  From the stellar education, small class room size to supportive staffs, we are confident our children will gain the foundation they will need to be successful in their future education.  In addition, the sense of community and values they instill  will also assist them to be confident and compassionate people.
Jun 20th, 2020

A 1950's style education for a 2020s world. While St Nicks says they are producing leaders for the future, they are actually producing the store clerks and assembly line workers of the future-people who follow orders and check their creativity at the door. And these are not jobs the economy has in surplus right now. Students that excel here have been able to overcome the challenges faced. Go under the radar. Follow the rules. Don't get noticed. Good intentions. Bad implementation. Bad leadership (maybe corrected?). We would have been better off without the St. Nicks of the 2010s. Hope the 2020s shows improvement. Kids do pull together, as kids do, and occasionally a teacher will quit or retire in silent protest. Former students here may end up doing very well in the future because of the challenges faced. However, I'd rather they have a different experience than the very narrow one offered at St Nicks (of the 2010s). And while you might expect a religious based education to be compassionate, no evidence of that here if you fall outside the strict guidelines imposed.
Jan 18th, 2020

We've been at St. Nicholas School for 8 years and parishioners for 14 years. The community is loving, vibrant and a real family. They are there to celebrate your joys and comfort you in your sorrows. We have such a gift in our shepherd, Fr. Mark. There are so many wonderful and faithful families joining the community of St. Nicholas. What a blessing!
Mar 17th, 2019