St Cyril of Alexandria School

I really had high hopes for this school and this new administration. My hopes were quickly extinguished this last Friday during the assessment testing for placement in your school. The unprofessionalism that was displayed by Jennifer Buchanan was outright sickening and disgusting. She verbally attacked the school and staff that currently enhances my child's life and education. Not only did she do that publicly in front of all of the parents, but in front of the children as well. What adult does that?! That's absolute bullying, defamation of character, and abuse of power. She also lied to a lot of us. A few months ago she verbally promised us that our children had a guaranteed spot only to back peddle and say that was not the case. And not to mention, she had zero data to back up her malicious, false claims! You clearly have an integrity issue here. I have heard stories of the staff bullying families and again, I was open to giving this school another chance because the administration had changed. Apparently old, ugly spirited, and gross standards remain. What part of how you treat people is Godlike in your Catholic school? Why do you place unqualified people in positions where they abuse their unqualified power? I am so grateful that this all happened so I didn't waste my money and or tax credits on your school. St. Cyrils, you have lost so many amazing families over this. Not only did this cost you incredible humans within these families, it cost you so much in tuition dollars, and this continued behavior continues to cost you your reputation.

Our kids have been here for middle school, and I am so impressed with this school. It isn't perfect (no school is), but the academic standards are high, the teachers and administration caring, and it is a lovely community. Part of attending the school involves a parental commitment. The commitment isn't onerous (although it is a bit of a challenge as a working parent), and it means that many parents know one another and the kids. I feel like a bit of an outsider because we haven't been part of the community since our kids were in kindergarten, but everyone does their best to be welcoming. My kids work hard in their classes but have time for sports and other things. The school takes their Catholic faith seriously, fostering intellectual growth, worship, charity, and service. Also, one of the things I really love is that even the middle school kids play at recess (not just look at their phones).

This is an actual test question my child was asked on their middle school civil war test at this school which speaks for itself. Which American president said "only white men should be in charge of rebuilding the south"? The question was not couched in any language to describe that this president was known for his drunkenness or being a terrible president. The quote was not listed on the study guide as need to know material for students. And yet, it was on the test along with several other questionably framed topics regarding slavery and civil war. These types of questions are damaging to children who are already bullied for being different in some ways from the white men who hold privilege/power in our country. The new principal is harsh and unforgiving. She has no qualms about threatening parents with crimes for stopping to talk to teachers before or after school while at the same time telling parents to stop emailing all the time. How are parents supposed to advocate for their children if they cannot stop to talk to the teachers or email them? Her solution is to let kids sink and fail repeatedly while being bullied by teachers and students daily. Is it appropriate for a teacher to ask a student to turn off the light for class and when they get up to do so, say "you need the exercise" followed by laughter of all the middle school classmates. This happens at Cyril (a male teacher in junior high commenting on a female child's need for exercise). Is it appropriate for a teacher (whom the student told before class they forgot their contacts and weren't seeing the board well) to then ask that student to read the board and answer the question from their seat? And then when the student responds I can't see it well today, for the teacher to respond, I bet you can't to the laughter of all the other students? Is it appropriate for a school to make an accommodation plan for a student and then choose not to follow it repeatedly despite parent documentation of the lapses? Why even make a plan if you are going to shame the child for needing it? Is it ok for teachers to stop parents anytime or anywhere on campus for an impromptu meeting including in hallways to discuss private matters like mental health, grades, or quality of notes BUT have a policy that parents cannot stop and talk to teachers about the same things? Is it appropriate for a school to ban parents and students from speaking their native languages like Spanish on campus? What about when their child is hurt or injured and the parent is trying to comfort them? The parents are scolded, "English please", by this new principal. This school has had multiple leadership changes over the last few years. We were family here for 8 years and have finally realized that they don't really care about you or your kids. They care about control and compliance. They don't really care about diversity. They care about kids sitting down and shutting up while they are fed bullying alongside questionable teaching practices such as shaming and yelling at kids. Your money (or state funds from ESA) supports old and outdated teaching that leads to bullying at this school and in the future workplace. It's sad to see such kind families be taken advantage of and bullied into silence and submission. My children were frequent honor roll students and still had issues, how will your students fare here?

As a Tucson Native and Alum of Salpointe, I wanted our daughter to attend the best school that would prepare her academically and develop her character. St. Cyril's is that top rated school. The St. Cyril's Cougar Creed is inspiring and heart of the culture along with the high tech and rigorous curriculum. St Cyril's faculty and staff continue that strength even remotely. They have not missed a beat and we continue to enjoy the beautiful school spirit, weekly masses and virtual Christmas video. We feel so blessed to be a cougar family.

This school builds future leaders. They are up to date with their technology. They focus on building a foundation with students that involves critical thinking skills as well as focusing on the whole student (spiritually, educational and socially).My two children have greatly benefited from St. Cyril's School.