Research St. Gabriel School Private Schools in Bridgeport, Connecticut

“I am a parent who comutes 25 miles round trip to bring our children to this school. I work very closely with all the school systems in new haven county, and St. Gabriels School is head and shoulders above any of the school programs in new haven county. I could not be more pleased with the school education and social programs at the school.”

“The top school in Milford and beyond. We don't live in Milford, but we travel 25 minutes each day to send our children to this school - it's entirely worth it. When the kids were young we decided on a Catholic education and I wanted only the best. I visited a dozen Catholic schools in the area. St. Gabriel School won hands down no other school came close. It is without a doubt the best and has definitely lived up to our expectations. Oh, and I'm not the only one - this school has kids that travel from Orange, Stratford, Woodbridge, Easton, Bridgeport, West Haven, North Haven, Shelton, Derby, Ansonia, & Seymour. WHY? Because St. Gabriel School is BY FAR the best Catholic grammar school you will find in this part of Connecticut.”

“I am a parent of two children; my oldest has graduated from Saint Gabriel School and now attends High School. My other child is still at Saint Gabriel and we are so pleased with the superior academics as well as all of the extracurricular activities that the school offers. Saint Gabriel School has worked very hard over the last few years to update the school with a brand new state of the art Gym as well as two state of the art Playgrounds. My oldest child that attends High School was academically ahead of her class in Math and History when she started High School. My youngest child is in the enrichment program that the school offers, and is writing her own story books. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is looking for High Academic Standards in a Safe and Secure Environment.”

“I am a father of 2 children at St. Gabriel School and I am extremely impressed! It is amazing how much the kids learn and how well the school teaches. The kids come home each day smiling and going on about their great days. The school ensures that the kids enjoy themselves while adhering to strict academic standards. My oldest is very bright and luckily the school offers an enrichment program - the work she is doing at her age is incredible. Plus, the staff and the other parents could not be nicer and the extra-curricular activities are fantastic. I really love this school - it offers my kids the full package - more than any other school I have seen. Highly recommended and well worth it. Choosing St. Gabriel School for my kids was one of the best parenting decisions my wife and I have made.”

“St. Gabriel School has proven to be a superior and high performing school. My children have received high academic honors due to the advanced curriculum and the superior teachers. This has been proven by national test scores. The school offers a great sports program that encourages all students to participate beginning in 3rd grade..St. Gabriel's even has a co-ed middle school soccer team that competes with other parochial schools. There are no other schools in Milford, public or parochial that offer this. St. Gabriel's has great school spirit and a welcoming staff and parent base. In the past year alone, the capital improvements to the school are new floors throughout the buildings and a new gym floor as well as two new state of the art playgrounds! So proud to be a part of St. Gabriel School!”

“A top-notch education combined with a nurturing, family friendly environment. This is our 2nd year and I am extremely happy with this school. All you have to do is look at St. Gabriel School's test scores and you will see that the academics are extraordinary. No school in the area comes close. My kids are learning at a very high level with great teachers who are able to individualize and not make it stressful. Another fabulous thing about this school is the 'school culture'. Right from the beginning I have found this to be a VERY family friendly school. Everyone, including parents staff and students, truly care about one another. There is none of that cliquiness nonsense that you find at other schools. Everyone belongs. With extraordinary academics and a unique caring environment, St. Gabriel School is BY FAR the best in the area.”

“My children have received an excellent education here at St. Gabriel School. They are members of the National Junior Honor Sociey and the Spanish Honor Society. St. Gabriel School is only one of four schools( public and privated) in the state of CT, that have membership into the Spanish Honor Society! I am so proud as a parent to have our academics at such a high level! The teachers are highly qualified and care about the successes of all students.My children are well prepared academically, socially and spiritually for their futures and are proud to say they go to St. Gabriel School!”

“We tried this school, believing all that the school advertises as the highlights. We were very disppointed with the school overall, and have left. The school is not as welcoming as they present themselves, and it is untrue that there is zero tolerance for bullies, etc. All schools these days have that policy--the carry out policy is what differs from each school. We witnessed bullies and some very mean children, children of the teachers and others whom had been part of the school for a long time whose children get away with a lot of bad behavior. The curriculum is outdated and the school looks ancient compared to the other schools in town simply because the school is in disrepair and lacking in modern updates.”

“This is my third year in this school. I am very please with the involvment of the entire school with my children. We transfered from public school. The teacher pay very close attention to students and their academics. If they feel that the student is advanced in any way they encourage him or her evn more!!! I love this school for my children”

“Saint Gabriel School is and continues to be the Top Notch Perochial school in Milford. My daughter has attended Saint Gabriel School since Pre-School. She has had every need met in this school Academiacally and Socially. There has Never been any 'Clicky' clusters of any kind. As in any school a child attends there are always children that form a tighter bond together but Never has any child been left out. Our Principal is a strong and dedicated leader to Saint Gabriel School and an Amazing Role Model for our children. This school has been a second home to our daughters and we could not be more happy with their Academics and Socialization skills. I recommend this school to family that wants a superior education with a faith-based environment.”

“Our family left the school a couple of years ago due to a lot of the comments made here: clicky, too many parents, questionable credentials of teachers, etc. We have been very happy since we left the school.”

“The school is staffed by qualified, certified teachers -- some are current parents, parents of alumni and 5 are alumni themselves. I see this as a positive -- there is a feeling of ownership among the staff that is conveyed to they children. Parents and grandparents are extensively involved and are invited to join in all activities. I do not see parent clicques -- it would be counterproductive to exclude willing workers when all are needed. IOWA test scores (published on the website) are 2 to 3 grades above the average. Art, Music, Drama and Spanish are taught to all grade levels. Activities include Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, ScrabbleClub, ChessClub,Scouts. ZeroTolerance for Bullying == safe environment. Come in. See for yourself.”

“You cannot find a more caring and nurturing environment in which to place your child for 8 hours per day. My four children graduated from Saint Gabriel's, excelled in honor level courses in high school and have all graduated with honors from college. The extra attention that they received in their early years of education has formed them into the wonderful adults that they are today.”

“I'm wondering if these 'parents who have watched their child be isolated' have made an appointment and discussed this with the teacher and principal. I did and the situation turned around immediately. I believe that schools cannot address situations if they are not brought to their attention. Most bullying does not take place where anyone in authority can see. Further, my special needs child has blossomed in this caring enviroment with the extra help that the full time resource staff has given. Also, I made a point to inqurie about the credentials of the teachers and was very impressed. That would include the music teacher who has an impressive background in music and drama (and a husband who is a professional choreographer) What a plus this was for my child to be involved in a real musical production -- special needs and all.”

“The cliques at this school are just too much. Not only do the parents have their own cliques, so do the students and they make other kids feel like outsiders. The teachers don't do anything to change the un-Christianlike atmosphere and it is heartbreaking for some of us parents to watch our children be isolated. The school is not welcoming for all. If your child has any special needs this is definitely not a place for that child to succeed.”

“St. Gabriel is a school on par with public and private schools in the area. Although parochial education is not for everyone, for those parents looking for a small, faith-based school that prepares children for the real world, St. Gabriel would be an excellent choice. There has never been a class of 7 children, so not all information you read on these web sites is accurate, and may be disgruntled parents or worse, those fundamentally opposed to private schools. It is always best to visit a school, observe the teachers at work, or the children involved in learning activities, and make a choice based on your own research and observations. You will not find a more caring environment. Diversity is certainly not all about race and religion, there are many types of diversity, and you will find children of all skill levels, races, religions, and cultural backgrounds flourishing at St Gabriel.”

“I am so happy with this school! my daughter has gone up 11 points from last year in her Iowa national testing scores, an unbelievable feat. The faculty care. Our teachers routinely hold after school 'extra help' sessions. The above average tests score back up their excellence. This is one of the most friendly, caring environments. Just to see the 8th graders go to the kindergarten to get their buddies and escort them to their school bus or watch them coach the kindergartners to speak their part in the christmas play... It brings tears to your eyes. The principal has clearly led this school to academic excellence, heightened social responsibility, well rounded extracurricular activities (ranging from scrabble club to basketball)and the establishment of a fine arts program that is second to none. I highly recommend St Gabriel.”

“This really has not been the best choice for our us. The school is very old and in need of updating and this kind of sets the whole tone of the school environment; it just seems kind of behind the times. Yes, there supposedly is a bullying or zero tolerance program in effect---but this is not enforced and certain kids get away with a lot they should not because the administration does not report incidences. There is way too much fundraising! The tuition does not cover all of the constant extras--believe me, there is something we have to send money in for at least 2 or 3 times every week! And it is true that there is no real music program--. I think we will be looking for something else for next year.”

“Saint Gabriel School and Community is an extension of the family. All the parents /guardians, faculty, staff and pastor are unbelievably warm, loving, nurturing and caring individuals. Every student and adult is treated with respect and dignity. Standardized tests are administered yearly. Students score two to three grade levels above their actual grade level. This is in comparison to the national average. This is due to a highly qualified faculty and support services that are supplied by Saint Gabriel School. Recently when my son was deployed to Iraq for the United States Army, Saint Gabriel s students, parents/guardians, faculty, staff and parish community secretly collected enough goods to surprise my son s entire unit with Christmas presents , cards and decoration for all . They did this without our family s knowledge. This is the type of community Saint Gabriel School is. Every student is unique and needs to take the time to look for the right type of school that will be a good fit for them so they can achieve academic success. If this school sounds like the type that your child would thrive in please call. Our doors are always open. Sincerely, Dr. Gail Kingston Proud to be the Principal of Saint Gabriel School”

“There is a lot of time spent on electives that should rather be spent on basic courses that young children really need (like math and language arts rather than health at the primary school level).”

“My wife and I have two children at Saint Gabriel School and it has been wonderful experience for all of us. One of our daughters is in the middle school level and one in the primary level. The teachers are very well educated in their fields. This school speaks volumes to us in the fact that their are 7 teachers out of 18 that are Alumni of this school that has come back to teach here. The Performing Arts department is fantastic. We love the fact that our daughters are given the opportunity to express there love of God and to not be chastised for their beliefs. Saint Gabriel School offers a great Athletic department is instructional and less competitive. I admire the dedication of the teachers and faculty they far exceed our expectations. The Anti-bullying policy that is in place is wonderful, we feel very secure at Saint Gabriel's.”

“Small is not better in this case... some of the classes in this school are so small that the children cannot learn social skills they should by being with other children. How can kids learn in an environment where it is not like the real world? My kids are so settled here and are afraid to leave here to go to a larger school! I don't know what to do now and I am afraid that we're stuck until they finish eighth grade unless we just move to get them to go to other schools!”

“This was a very disappointing school. Way too much time is wasted on non-instructional activities; although the children feel that they are having great fun the time should be spent in the classroom rather than on these non academic activities . The public schools in Milford exceed the offerings far above what this parochial school has offered to our family. We cannot wait to start our children in the public school system this fall! Quality education is essential and is almost a guarantee in Milford, CT!”

“This is a terrible school which I would advise any parent to stay away from. Far too many parents work in the school which leads to inequity among the student body. The curriculum is years behind the public schools in the same town. The principal has limited people skills, poor disciplinary methods. Our son left the school with such limited writing skills he needed an unbelieveable amount of help just to get him to the level his classmates were at his new school. We are so thankful that we decided to move on!”