From the moment we joined in 2020, St. Edward School has been such a blessing for our family. The teachers are dedicated, caring, and truly invested in every child's growth. The sense of community here is so special; in my experience, families are welcoming, supportive, and the school creates many opportunities to come together. Academically, the program is strong and well balanced, with a focus on both academics and character. My two kids come home excited to share what they've learned, which says so much. The campus is safe, welcoming, and offers great extracurriculars, too. I couldn't recommend St. Edward more! read more

I'm writing this as a frustrated parent who transferred to St. Edward School after Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) closed. We were hopeful for a fresh start in a supportive Catholic community. What we got instead was an unwelcoming, cold, and often dismissive environment -- one that ultimately failed my child and our family. From Day One, We Were Treated Like Outsiders Right away, we were labeled "former OLG families" in group emails, constantly reminded that we weren't "really" part of the St. Edward community. We paid tuition just like everyone else, but it was clear we weren't seen the same. Leadership That Doesn't Listen The principal, Tina Cruz, was cold and condescending. As a single mother, I often felt judged and ignored. When I voiced concerns, I was met with copy-pasted quotes from the school handbook instead of actual dialogue. Trying to engage with the administration was like talking to a wall. There was never a sense that they cared about our concerns -- only that they wanted us to stop bringing them up. A Lack of Support for Kids with ADHD My child has ADHD, and it was clear the staff had very little understanding or training around it. Instead of working with us to meet my child's needs, the school treated them like a discipline problem. No empathy was shown. They expect all students to conform, regardless of how they learn or what challenges they face. Overuse of Petty Infractions The school hands out behavior infractions for the tiniest things. My child once received one just for making a classmate laugh. The kids are expected to act like silent robots -- there's no room for personality, joy, or normal child behavior. Favoritism and Bias There's a clear culture of favoritism at St. Edward. Certain families -- mostly those who are close with the principal -- are treated much better than others. Their kids seem to avoid consequences that other children receive for the same actions. It's demoralizing to see this kind of inequity, especially in a school that claims to value community and inclusion. We always felt like we were on the outside, being judged instead of welcomed. Overly Strict Spanish Teacher The Spanish teacher is infamously strict and borderline unreasonable. Parents even refer to her as the "tardy police." One-minute delays are treated like major offenses. My child was once scolded for returning late from the bathroom. This teacher seemed more concerned with enforcing rules than building a supportive classroom. Poor Handling of Bullying When my friend's child was bullied, the school had them fill out incident forms--but did nothing meaningful to stop it. The bullying continued, and the response from staff was minimal at best. Even worse, after speaking up, the child felt even more isolated and afraid of retaliation. It was heartbreaking to watch. The school's handling of the situation felt more focused on creating a paper trail than actually protecting the child or addressing the problem. Final Thoughts We came to St. Edward looking for community and care. Instead, we were met with exclusion, indifference, and rigid systems that do not support children who are different. We're no longer at this school -- and we're relieved. But I'm sharing our experience to warn other families: if your child needs compassion, support, or a fair environment, you will not find it here. This was our honest experience as a paying family who was never made to feel like we belonged. I wish someone had warned me before we enrolled. I hope this serves as that warning for you. EDIT: The response below contains a false version of events that try to reflect negatively on me. Unfortunately, I have not been given an opportunity to respond directly, so I am adding clarification here. I want to make it clear that I communicated to Tina Cruz that, as a full-time working single mother of 2, I do not have the flexibility to attend in person meetings. Using that reality as justification to shift blame or suggest I have been uncooperative is both unfair and misleading. I will not tolerate being mischaracterized or intimidated into silence. read more

I'd love to share both my personal experience and my daughter's journey at St. Edward with prospective families. This is actually our final year here, my daughter is now in 8th grade, so we'll be bidding farewell next year. Our time at St. Edward has been incredibly enriching for our whole family, my daughter, my husband, and me. We began our journey in TK, took a break between 1st and 4th grade due to logistical reasons, and returned for 5th through 8th grade. Even after leaving at such a young age, my daughter never truly let go of the bonds she formed here. Her time at another school didn't quite compare, and when we returned, it was clear that St. Edward was where she truly thrived. She blossomed here, her spirit was different in positive ways, her confidence grew in ways I never imagined. Whether it was nature or nurture, I credit the care and dedication of the teachers. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found a place for her here. While small communities can have their challenges, the benefits far outweigh any minor drawbacks. To you, the reader and potential St. Edward family, I hope your experience here is just as fruitful and fulfilling as ours has been. On a personal note, I came to this school focused solely on my daughter, never expecting to find such a warm and welcoming community. Over the years, I've met wonderful families--some of whom have become close friends and even vacation partners. My husband and I feel truly blessed. I've built a village here, and raising this "not-so-little" girl has been a joyful and impactful journey thanks to the support around us. It goes without saying that I'll be sad when next year comes. But as one chapter closes, another begins--and I know my daughter is well equipped and ready for what's next. Thank you to the teachers and families here at St. Edward School. read more

This past year was our first year there after two years in public school and one in another Catholic school. This year head is up and downs that's for sure, our son has ADHD and had a few dust ups and struggled from time to time, but we felt supported, and we felt that there was a support network in place and communication lines that were openwhen we needed them. My son thrived this year and tested in the top 10% of both reading.. admittedly not every day was rainbows and sunshine. Mr. McGee did a wonderful job at connecting with our son. Of course there are things we're not fans of, but no school is perfect but we feel St. Edward Catholic School is exactly where we're meant to be. Also, we really appreciate working with the school team to come up with accommodations for our son with his 504 plan we have in place. Hopefully this helps a family looking for a solid Catholic education, with a solid Pastor, a solid principal and a solid team making the best they can read more

My daughter attended St. Edward school from K-4th and my son TK and K. I have to say what a waste of time I spent at this school without realizing this sooner. Bullying is not addressed, non-stop gossip and drama and teachers are not qualified. My son is having issues catching up in first grade and is behind in class, this happened with my daughter years ago as well. Both of my kids are now in public school and the curriculum is far more advanced, the first graders are being tested to read and are timed weekly. After exiting kinder at St. Edward my son is further behind then he entered TK, what a shame. I did send many emails to the principal and challenged the curriculum here but they do not seem to care or make changes. Do not be fooled by the reviews below, they are from staff and members of the school board. Think twice before sending your children. read more

We love the small, community feel of St. Edward. It's has been a wonderful environment for our children to learn and grow, both academically and socially. What sold us was the school tour during Catholic School's week. Students gave the guided tours. The two students that took us through the school were well-spoken, confident and polite, and also proud of their school. That spoke volumes. Fast forward a couple of years, we've gotten to know more families in our special little school community. A few parents shared that their older children (who graduated from St. Edward) are doing well in high school and were more than prepared for the curriculum. There seem to be many leadership and sports opportunities for the students. The school also has faith families that incorporate students from different grades. This is special because the students from different grades really get to know each other and it lends to the community feeling of the school. I especially like that morning assemblies have a consistent message for the students. To be kind and compassionate. To serve and be a light to others at home and at school, start with with each other in class and go from there. read more

My daughter is third generation at St. Edward school. Over the years St. Edward has changed and grown but no matter the change I can still come to expect excellent education and a family like atmosphere. I love St. Edward because no matter what I can come and see a familiar face. This school is so diverse and that is something I love. Being that the school is so small, It allows for the staff and the children to bond and create close relationships with one another. I feel happy knowing that my child loves going to school. The most important reason for having my child attend St. Edward is their quality and dedication to education. I want my child to be excited to learn and in a atmosphere that promotes growth and challenges and I know that St.edward can provide this. I am excited for my children to be apart of the future at St.edward and all the amazing changes that are coming! read more

Currently, we have a 5th grader and 1st grader attending St. Edward's school. The assigned public schools near our residence are not ideal so when it was time for our oldest child to start Kindergarten we decided to research into a good private school. My wife and I have been parishioners of St. Edward's for a long time and we were both married and had our eldest child baptized thru the church. Given our history, the decision to apply our kids to St. Edwards was easy. The parents and teachers genuinely care about each other. Friends, family and co-workers are always surprised and complimented us on what our kids are learning. Any issues that may arise get communicated and resolved in a timely fashion. We have also made many great friendships with other parents. This is a great school and I highly recommend considering it as an alternative to public schooling. read more

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This is a great school, everyone is friendly and everyone gets along like a big family. My daughter has been in the school for 3 years, she really enjoys the learning experience here. The school stuff and PTG are great, they definitely spent a lot of time thinking how to improve the education quality and how to keep the kids safe, which now days is absolutely the most important thing. Two big thumbs up! read more

St. Edward School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Newark, California

Very, very disappointed. I applied to get my son into second grade and took a tour of the school. Although the school is small for the amount of kids they have per class (35 per classroom) it seems like they have it all well organized. Everything went great and it seemed like the ideal school for my son up until I mentioned my son would need special accommodations based on his 504 plan. He went in to take the placement test and less than a week later I received the denial letter from them explaining how "... his needs are being met far better at his present school, Schilling, than we could do here." AMAZING!! So public school is doing "far better" than a private school that charges close to $8,000 annually, not including uniforms, lunch, etc.! The part that makes me really, really upset is that they didn't even take the time to ASK ME what the "accommodations and modifications" were! How could they make a decision like that when they haven't even seen his 504 plan... Very sad to see that a school who's mission is to "educate children in the Catholic faith and nurture their minds, bodies, and souls..." doesn't take the time to really see children's potential. In summary, if your child has ANY type of special need... don't bother applying here because even though their yearly income exceeds the quarter million, they don't have the "accommodations" suited for children like my son. read more

St. Edward School - Parking lot side - Elementary Schools Near Me - Newark, California

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Good enough for a neighborhood Catholic church and school. We have some great memories from having spent quality time with good parents and their kids. read more

Awesome school! My kids transferred from another private catholic school in the area and St. Edwards is ahead almost an entire year with Math and English. The education is great but the kids at the school and the teachers are amazing. The students are friendly and really well behaved. The teachers are loving and very attentive to the kids in and out of school. I have had teachers attend both of my children's sport events and that is going above and beyond. I would absolutely recommend the school. read more

Our oldest son started Kindergarten here for the 2015-2016 school year. We were immediately sold after checking out the school during Catholic School's Week. The student who gave us the tour was very polite, knowledgeable, and genuinely appreciative of her time at St. Edward. The tour was a great sneak peak into what we would be experiencing in the years to come. The school has a very close, small town like community which is something we really appreciate. I couldnt think of a better way to start our kid's education out. read more

What higher praise can I give other than trusting Saint Edward school with my two children? My children have differing needs and those are compassionately addressed by all staff. The quality of academic instruction is excellent, but that's not why we chose this school. Being part of a Dominican school, the teachers are guiding my children in learning compassion through all things. I know these children will be not only successful, but also will be leaders in making the world a better place. read more

This school felt like you were being controlled for everything you did. During lunch you weren't even allowed to sit with other classes and that's not fair. Some kids have younger and older friends so they should be able to sit wherever they want. Second of all Mr. Arnold was always looking through students backpacks. He would take away phones even when the students weren't using them. That is a violation of student's privacy to dig through someone's personal bag. Another thing that was not okay was when Mr. Arnold went around and would give detentions for when kids said cuss words. Yes they shouldn't say that but you are not there parent so you have no right to full on punish them. Another complaint is the teachers and aids. The math that was taught was hard core and very hard to understand. The teacher would give hard homework and wouldn't even taught it correctly. In the end you guys need to fix your school. This is not worth all this money cause this school was a nightmare. read more

I have two children currently going to this school. They started here since Kindergarten. They both like the schools. Kids here are friendly and willing to help, support one another. School environment is great and safe. Parents involve and invest their energy in school as well as in their children. I feel very comfortable to drop my kids off every day. School homework is very reasonable. Kids spend more time learning in the classroom. read more

Our daughter is very happy to be a student at St Edwards Catholic school. We are happy to have her at this school she has improved so much academically.. It's worth every penny.. I recommend this school it's a A+ read more

I am a St. Edward graduate and I feel like the academics are great. I feel like it fully prepared me for high school. However, my experience was horrible. The St. Edward community is not diverse at all. It is primarily filipino and the families are very cliquish. As a minority, I was an outsider and did not feel welcome. In addition to not fitting in, I was bullied. I blame these traumatic experiences for the anxiety that I still experience today. Every time I have to visit this school, I feel queasy. Don't send your kid here. read more

My Son Graduate at St. Edwards school 5 years ago when so pass, he really learn a lot and maintain 4.0 GPA Because of most teachers are really good teachers & Principal. I build a good foundation and he got in to Notre Dame High after school same thing he maintain 4.0 GPA until he graduate this year 2017. He got in to CalPoly Tech. Major of Computer Science Engineer now .the requirements is minimum is 4.0 GPA to get this program, now its pay back my son College all free with scholarships. I got 1 more left now my daughter 2 years more at St. Edwards. I recommend 100% St Edwards..-:) Mr. MG read more

We love the school community- the teachers & faculty, parish staff, & parents/families all have a common goal of bringing the children a well-rounded Catholic faith education. Our children have been here since Kindergarten and love their school! In general, the teachers and parents really dedicate themselves to the kids and school community. read more

We have had our daughter at St Edward for 8 years. It is an amazing school. I can't imagine a better school. The teachers are awesome, the sense of community is amazing. It is more than educating minds, St Edward is a school that educates the whole person. Our daughter has enjoyed every moment. When we moved closer to a different private school we asked her if she would like to change. She cried and said she could not believe there would ever be a better school. read more

St. Edward is a great Catholic School. I have no complaints. The teachers, the staffs, the principal are all amazing. Great catholic education for our kids. There's a great sense of community amongst children and parents and teachers and staff. read more

My three children attended St. Edward School and I feel the education they received propelled them into advance placement classes when they attended their local high school. St. Edward School has strived to remain in the front for both the technology advancements to the school and for its Christian service projects that the students complete as part of the program. Being highlighted in a National magazine is a testament to that achievement. read more

We've been part of the St. Edward family for almost 3 years. I say "family" because that is exactly how we feel, part of a family. Our daughters are getting a great education but more importantly, the values and morals we teach at home are also taught at school, values and morals that we feel truly make a person a successful and good human being. The sense of community is so strong and the passion some teachers have for their job is amazing, they truly love these children and it shows. We are happy with our decision to send our children to St. Edward and we look forward to our future there. read more

At the time we first stepped in St. Edward School, we knew this was the school we always wanted for our only child. Since the open house in 2003 the kids giving us the orientation (7th and 8th grades), were very polite, kind, confident and outspoken, something you don't usually see now with kids that age. Our son is currently in 3rd grade and I cannot even express my gratitude to St. Edward School for the formation in my son, he in not only getting excellent academic education but he is learning about values, principals, ethics, and religion which is very important to us. Also, they have an excellent after care program (am/pm) which is also something we were looking for. The support of all Teachers, school staff, parents and Priests makes St. Edward the best school in the area. read more

I must say this is the best elementary school I have ever encountered. Our daughter has attended since kindergarten. The teachers and staff are amazing people who not just educate the children but help develop them into well-rounded people. The dedication of the teachers and staff is amazing. I pass by the school at weird hours (early and late from 6 am to 10pm) and I constantly see the teachers and staff still working. Communication with teachers and staff is awesome. The curriculum is top notch. My wife is an elementary teacher so we were very picky about the school we would choose, we have high standards. St Edward has exceeded these expectations. Where other schools are eliminating programs, St Edward School is offering so many great programs. Our daughter participates in Spanish class, music class, computer class, and the basketball team. My wife, the teacher, focused on curriculum, academics, evaluation, competencies (and bunch of other things I have no idea what they are) and she was impressed. My focus was the community. I wanted to make sure my daughter was surrounded in a loving environment. I must say I have been impressed. The students are polite, respectful, and caring. The parents are supportive and friendly. This school has been the best investment for our daughter. thank you to all the staff and teachers for all you do. I wish I could give 10 stars!! read more