Great school, wonderful community. They really care for the children and their development (personal and academic). I could not recommend more this school. Thank you St Joseph and all their teachers and administration. read more

My daughter is blessed to be attending her second year at St. Joseph and we intend on staying throughout 8th grade. I've always wanted her to attend a Catholic school and after spending just one year with St. Joseph, I am positive that it is one of the best decisions I've made for her yet. St. Joseph's community is so inclusive that we feel like part of one big intertwined family, regardless of grade. Not only is my child thriving academically from extremely attentive teachers, but also, she is being guided to uphold morals and values that I truly feel are helping her grow into a kind and successful human being. School faculty are constantly looking for new ways to improve and asking for feedback from parents, truly showing they care! Mrs. Placencia, Mrs. Usis, and Mrs. Holmes have been incredibly kindhearted and attentive to all of our needs. Every morning we are greeted with warm smiles and positive energy. After school, my daughter is ecstatic to tell me about what she learned and how much she adores her friends and teacher Ms. Villagomez. Now that we are on summer vacation, my daughter is counting the days until back to school! Cannot recommend this school enough, I am confident that my child is in extremely capable and loving hands. So proud and grateful to be a part of this wholesome learning environment. Thanks, SJMV! read more

St. Joseph Mountain View Catholic School - Kinder Graduation Ceremony! - Elementary Schools Near Me - Mountain View, California

I love this school! This is my daughter's second year. The teachers have not only been good, they have been EXCEPTIONAL! The classes are small so there is frequent interaction with my daughter's kindergarten teacher. Students get to know other students and parents get to know other parents. We enrolled in this school after looking at several options and this was the best decision we made! In addition to academics, our daughter is receiving character development through the emphasis on community. The parent network is strong and many volunteers take an interest in their children. During parent-teacher conferences, I noticed great attendance from both mothers and fathers. Parents socialize together frequently. My daughter has built many friendships. My daughter is in the early years of school, but even middle and elementary school kids seem to know her. She feels super special when older kids say hello to her, which they do often, as the kids here are so polite! There is strong academics at many schools, including this one. This school sets itself apart in everything else! It's the best school. read more

Our son has been attending St Joseph's, Mountain View since Kindergarten and we couldn't be happier. We love the community, we love that the school is smaller in size thereby able to give personalized attention to every child. We are not catholic, but they are very inclusive. We love the fitness Fridays, mid school dinner parties, popsicle days, field trips to name a few. It's a perfect mix of academics and extra curricular activities. They have a great after school program which includes the homework club, indoor and outdoor playtime. read more

I love St. Joseph Catholic School of Mountain View!My son started here in transitional kindergarten and he is now in 4th grade. My daughter attended this school from 5th grade to 8th grade and she currently attends St. Francis High School. St Joseph of Mountain View has a fantastic administrative team with principal Mrs. Christine Usis, admissions director Mrs. Michelle Placencia, and office manager Mrs. Jennifer Holmes. They are all very warm and caring, as well as super responsive to the needs of the children, parents and teachers. The faculty members are great as well. They are dedicated to the children and passionate about teaching. They balance school work and homework well so that the amount of time spent in both is just right. They prepare the children well so that when the time comes the children transition seamlessly into high school. The parish priest Fr. Engel is simply amazing. He is so supportive of the families' spiritual needs, not just at school and at church, but in the homes as well. He always makes himself available for house blessings and other Catholic services needs. Finally, there's a wonderful close knit community atmosphere that makes it so easy to reach out to other families for anything. My husband and I have always felt welcomed and well connected here. We have made so many friends for life. I highly and wholeheartedly recommend this school to all our families and friends, as well as yours. Please check it out for yourselves and see the difference! read more

I'm not sure looking at Yelp for school reviews is the place but if you find yourself here - here's my review! My daughter attended St Joseph's for 6-8th grade. She was at public school in MVWSD until 5th grade. We decided on St Joseph's for the small class size, smaller school size, and academic consistency as we had experienced the local middle school and didn't think it was going to work. It's got a great family feel. The children are welcoming. The staff have adapted to the online teaching that COVID has forced on everyone in 2020. They were able to implement online learning in March from one day to the next very efficiently and without incident. They updated the online learning when school restarted after the summer addressing parents concerns. The new principal has managed to keep the school as a constant in the lives of our children at a time of many unknowns. The lack of 5 stars is because there has been a turnover in principals in the 3 years we have attended the school. The new principal has really made a difference. The last school year she has strived to accommodate the children still learning from home and the school has opened for those families that need to send their children into school. The children have continued to learn and although it has been a very different year from the one that we expected, St Joesphs has been able to offer an education that will give my daughter the ability to go to High school confidently. read more

We have had both our boys at St Joseph for the last two years. We moved both of them from another private, academically competitive private school and have never looked back. Our older son graduated this year and will be attending St Francis High school next year. From the support staff, to the teachers and the principle Mrs Usis, everyone cares so much about the kids. It's truly amazing to see these kids go to school with excitement everyday, knowing they are safe and happy. The teachers go above and beyond to give each kid the individual attention they need. The focus is on the whole child, instilling core values in them, something that's lacking from the education system these days. They have navigated through COVID with such care and attention to detail. While our friends' children have fallen behind academically, our two boys not only did not fall behind, but they flourished and thrived thanks everyone at St Joseph. We are proud to be part of this community and are looking forward to building more friendships over the next 5 years until our younger son graduates. read more

We highly recommend St.Joseph's school. This is our sons fourth year in school and he LOVES it ! The teachers here are fantastic and dedicated to help kids reach their full potential. They take genuine interest in students complete development . The entire staff is warm and loving. Everyday we drop off our son at school , we leave with a smile . We are really very happy to be a part of such a supportive community and will continue to be a part of St. Joseph family. read more

St. Joseph School in Mountain View is situated downtown on a park like campus that offers a challenging curriculum and close-knit community. From the first step on campus students are welcomed with positivity and a great day of learning and adventure. Education is based on the tenets of Catholicism, but all faiths are respected and guided by California State Standards. Small teacher to student ratio assures students get plenty of individual attention and access to latest technology enhances the experience. There are many quality options in the area, but I strongly recommend St. Joseph for a valuable education. read more

St Joseph Catholic School (not to be confused with St Joseph School of Cupertino) is a school that is many blocks away from it's beautiful parish in downtown Mountain View. The school has 263 students. The playground area is huge - the school even has use of the neighboring city park. Lunch area has sun shade (something that not all schools have). They have photos from various school events posted each month. Very nice way to check out the school and see the joy on the kid's faces. read more

St. Joseph Mountain View Catholic School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Mountain View, California

My son loves going to St Joseph Mountain View because the teachers there are very friendly and attentative. He loves going to school everyday and came home telling me what he learned at school. He learns about God a lot as well. Sometimes he asked me to pray together before going to bed. Overall, the learning experience and the teachers are great! I would recommend this school to anyone! read more

International Festival, May 18-20, 2007 Small little fair with carnival rides, face painting, entertainment and food stalls on the property of the school over the weekend. Free School/church parking and street parking. Great for little kids. read more

St. Joseph Mountain View Catholic School - Flyer for the International Festival May - Elementary Schools Near Me - Mountain View, California

This is my sons first school year at St. Joseph Catholic School. He is in TK. I absolutely love the high quality education my son is receiving. His teacher Ms. Villagómez is a very creative, passionate, and intelligent teacher. My son and I are so lucky to have her. The school is very well organized. The parent meetings are never boring. Also, the staff, teachers, and parents are all very nice and it feels as though they were my second family. I would strongly recommend this school and the fact that it's Catholic is a huge plus! It even offers financial assistance for those that qualify. The school is having a virtual open house on November 15th at 11am and 1pm for those wanting to learn more. -yesica martinez read more

our kids love st joseph. the staff and after school teachers are amazing. it's a small family type of environment. academically strong school. what do I want to see change - looking for more after school activities and 1:1 tutoring. read more

Our kids are thriving in this school. Testing shows they are ahead in reading, Math, all testing! The fact that they have a music program plus Art is rare in today's public school cutbacks! We are very satisfied w all aspects of this school, it's location and pre/after school childcare. read more

We moved to California and literally jumped from school to school for 3 years looking for the right fit for our son. This was our son's first year at SJMV and hands down the best decision we could have made. The teachers and administration literally treat you like family. Before he started in the middle of the school year the teacher called him before his first day to see how he was doing and talked to us about his learning style. His teacher even showed up to his baseball game. I could keep going but the education, teachers, and administration are all top notch and amazing individuals. They care!! read more

I am really glad to have changed my daughter to St. Joseph. She was previously attending a public school and the education here is much more advanced. The teachers and staff are all so kind and genuine and you can tell that they really care for our students. read more

A school is only as good as it's leader and the new leadership at St. Joseph has been amazing! Mrs. Usis has brought a new energy and light to the community. It feels whole again. The changes we have seen in just the short time she has been there are truly making a positive impact on education and community. read more

Our fourth grade child has been attending this school since kindergarten. I am not going to lie, there have been some bumps in our road, but what institution is absolute? Our child loves school, his friends, his teachers, and what he is learning, in all aspects. Some of things I love about Saint Joseph, as a parent, are: the fact that I know my child is in a safe environment (and, most importantly, he feels safe); he is surrounded by creativity (art, music, science, and technology); there is a huge grass field (it doesn't feel like a prison); he has great friends and community surrounding him; he is learning great study habits. What more can you ask from a school? I have to speak to one of the previous reviews : "One of the reasons parents choose private school is not for the education. It's so that they can socialize with their own class/race. At this school, it's all about the green." I am sorry this individual left feeling (or presently feels) this way. This is not how I feel the school represents itself in any way, shape, or form. The school is multicultural. My son's friends encompass all races and "class"es, both in grade level and socioeconomically. We have a younger child who is greeted and known by kids of all grades when she comes on to campus. We as a family, socialize with parents and kids of all classes and races. Presently, the school is hosting students from China (for the second consecutive year). The school and its community are very warm and inviting. read more

We have been a parent for just over a month, and couldn't be more thankful for this amazing community of families and teachers that we have found. The school is doing a fabulous job managing COVID enforced distance learning. The synchronous teaching method is effective and the credit goes out to the teachers for staying patient with the kids as they learn the new normal. My daughter has joined kindergarten and I am amazed at the effort her room teacher puts in every day to build relationships within the kids, remotely. I'd love for this school community to grow, and flourish so my daughter will one day be a proud alumna of this very warm and close knit community. read more

We have a daughter in 7th grade that has attended St. Joseph Mountain View (SJMV) Catholic School since kindergarten, and we plan to have her finish her middle school 8th grade class there. Initially we chose SJMV after touring many other schools in the Mountain View / San Jose area for a number of reasons. There was their academic reputation of turning out very skilled students, which are accepted in highly respected Catholic high schools, such as St. Francis. Another key factor was the small size of the school itself and its classes, which allows a good teacher to student ratio that produces consistent nationwide student high tests scores. Another key factor in selecting SJMV was due to the polite and happy disposition of the students we encountered on our tour of SJMV. All the kids we met were smiling and greeted us warmly, giving the feeling they were very happy to be there, while some of the students at the other schools we toured appeared expressionless and ignored our presence, giving off a negative impression of the school environment. SJMV definitely had the community feel as compared to other schools. Over the years our love for SJMV has grown for many reasons. Being such a small school, you really get to know the families of the other students in the school quite well, and will meet life long friends. The school has many events throughout the year, some fundraisers and some event just for fun. Most of the events rely on volunteers, which allow for sharing in the academic experience and strengthening the SJMV community. While at SJMV our daughter has consistently performed well in all national tests, and usually ranks in the high percentile range for most categories. The school has provided a variety of extra curricular activities throughout the years that our daughter has participated in, such as choir, music, chess club, volleyball, basketball, soccer, Spanish, Mandarin, and The Tech Challenge. It also provides a great foundation for understanding and practicing the Catholic religion by having a religion class each day, and locally held masses at the school almost every month. It's nice to have the Father of the SJMV Church come to the school, which reinforces the teachings. SJMV also gets an A+ for their quick and effective handling of the pandemic. The school initially closed on March 2020 due to the county wide Stay-At-Home order, but then reopened the following week for distant learning. They have stayed on top the distant learning program ever since. We have a very lovely and smart daughter, and believe SJMV has been a big part of making her the young woman she is today. We recommend you explore SJMV for your child or children. read more

My daughter has been attending SJMV for four years and we have had nothing but a positive experience! The teachers and administration truly care about the students, which is evident with the excitement my daughter gets when heading back to school! They have shown their true strength during these challenging times of COVID and couldnt be happier with how they are handling the situation. Go SJMV! read more

Where should I start? COVID? Everyone is probably sick of it, but it helped us to find St Joseph. Small school with big heart! My son loved it from the first meeting with principle, Mrs Garzia! We had couple of schools on the list but he said search is done after first meeting with her. And he was right! 2, 5 months into school and his progress is amazing! He is not struggling with handwriting anymore and his stories are getting longer and I can read them! We see sparkles in his eyes every morning on the way to school ( even when he was distance learning and his trip was from the bed to the computer). He loves his teacher, Ms Thompson, and calls his new school a HAPPY PLACE. If you are looking for strong academic, discipline and care, come to St Joseph in Mountain View. read more

As I decided to volunteer for the Open House this Sunday, Nov 6th, I thought it would be a good idea to write a fresh review as I suppose many people will be checking yelp to help them choose the few schools they want to visit. Although I am a parent here for just about 2 months, I can pretty much predict my infatuation with the school won't change as time goes by:) My case is a bit special which proves the school is happy to go the extra mile if your child needs it:) And I did call probably each and every school in the area (some refused to talk to me until my documents 'are cleared') and visited quite a few as well.. And I am so happy to have made the right decision:) So in a few words - we relocated from Moscow, a bit late for the school year, but ready to start. Only to find out that our elder daughter needs an F-1 visa to be able to attend school here in the US (and I have two more preschool age kids, but no issues there) and for that, school needs to be certified to issue I-20 document. So I was calling schools all days long asking for I-20 as well as a tour asap - and most of them were not quite accommodating, like - 'yes, please come for a visit next Thursday'... except for St Joseph, where the admissions director agreed to see me the same day, given our circumstances - and the empathy I got was very appealing (and everything was arranged very promptly with regard to I-20 later on). The welcoming and caring attitude continues every day and is school-wide - from administration to teachers and parents:) Like take, for example, my second daughter - she is a non-English speaker yet and I was very worried about her blending in.. Until Ms Seema, the preschool director and head teacher, reassured me that she 'believes in relationship, not language' and I saw her hugging my daughter every day and coming up with little gifts or stickers as well as finding time to look her in the eye and hold her hand (thank you Ms Seema!). And I haven't heard of any other teachers texting parents everyday about their kids' mood, sleep, and appetite:)) And being happy to receive calls back from parents even if after school hours:) Well, as you can see, it's all about emotions:)) But to be fair, pure rational arguments are in place too:) First, the school is very price-competitive, especially for preschool and after-care (and you get sibling discount too). Second, I loved the facilities - huge fields, great playground, shaded area for lunch outside, classrooms with big nice windows:) Great teachers and a separate art, PE, music teacher. Low teacher and parent turnover (I met a family that's been with the school for 11 years - wow!). Sports after-school - can't wait to start soccer season this week (with my 4th grader). And most importantly - smiles on mine and other kids' faces - that's objective, right?:) So please do join us this Sunday at 1pm. Will be happy to show you around)) read more

This school is everything that has been stated in the other reviews which is fantastic. HOWEVER, their bullying policy is non existent. They have no consequences for children that bully on a regular basis. I have seen them mediate talks between children at the most and do not notify the parents. Most of this is allowed on the playground and the aftercare program, where the adults that supervise just do not get involved or just wave it off. My child is not the only one experiencing this here as other parents in my kids class have expressed the same frustrations to the staff and there are no actions taken on kids that tease excessively, cuss or get physical. Kids are kids but they are not being taught respect for others. Cliques also run rampant with the parents so be aware that if you aren't up to snuff with them you will be left out in the cold. read more

Our children have been attending St. Joseph Elementary for 4 years now. We are so happy to have found this school. It has the best community of children, parents, and staff. Living in Silicon Valley it's hard to find such a special, friendly, and loving group of people. Academically they have been challenged and I've watched them become independent and responsible for their grades. I love the comaraderie that the children have with each other from kinder through 8th. After visiting many schools in the area nothing compared to the overall sense of community offered at SJMV. read more

I have only been here for softball games. Easy to exit, do not forget to make that u-turn to get into the parking lot! It is close to downtown MV. Their parking lot is very small. They have large fields which I love! read more

Our kids started Kindergarten at SJMV and are now graduating 8th grade. From the moment we first showed interest, we have been surrounded by a community who obviously care deeply about the education of our children. Is it perfect? No - show me an institution that is. But the teachers, staff and parents work tirelessly to make it the very best. It's not just about school work at St. Joe's. The kids are taught by example how to be a loving, accepting members of society. Our school is as diverse ethnically and economically, as any out there. Also, the kids have "buddy classes", where the older kids are taught how to nurture and protect the younger grades. It is an amazing feeling as a parent, to see younger children run into the arms of my kids - just as they did when they were younger. A major selling point for SJMV is that is a place where your children can make friends quickly and easily. This is incredibly valuable for the children who transfer into the school. Additionally, the friends your kids will make in this school will be long lasting. It might sound cliche, but in many ways the community at SJMV is like an extended family. read more

Despite the initial tattered appearance, this is a PRIMO educational environment for children. Smaller class size, nurturing instruction, high standards starting in pre kindergarten. Our grandchildren love school, after school care and extra curricular activities. Pat enteral participation is expected which is rare in many public institutions! This school is a diamond in the rough! An added benefit is the safe environment for the children. Volunteers are required to be finger printed, gates are locked and the front requires entry approval. read more

One of my daughters attended St. Joseph Catholic School from 1st - 5th grade. She received a good elementary education. Classes were smaller then local public school class sizes. Of course being a Catholic school Catholicism is taught as part of the curriculum and monthly masses were part of the school experience. read more

The school is old and needs updating. The tuition is high for this school, when other Catholic schools at lower tuition offer more, like technology led classes (classes with computers or iPads). The Principal has been in charge for tooooooo long. She befriends her staff instead of leading them at this point. Several parents feel that it's time for her to step down, since she cannot seem to lead properly and manage her staff/teachers. Several parents have pulled their kids out of school due to unprofessional-ism amongst the staff/teachers (not all, just a select few). Some kids/parents dislike one particular teacher. It seems that this teacher spends more time writing notes to parents about their child's behavior, then teaching (so it seems due to the abundance of notes received). Several parents have either pulled their kids out of this school or not continued with the school (child refused to be her class next school year), because of this teacher. Their hot lunch program leaves a lot to be desired. The cost for what the kids get (quantity and quality) is a joke. If parents would complain straight to the Diocese instead of each other, I'm sure that the necessary changes would be made immediately. OH and don't get me started with the lady who works the front office. Never have I heard of parents feeling uncomfortable about going to the front office. This is one example of how the Principal cannot manage her staff. Don't get me wrong, it's a good school, but no better than a mediocre public one in regards to the level of education your child will get. FINALLY, I do agree that it's all about the green! YES, I'll probably go to Hell for writing this review on a religious establishment, but the truth is the truth. So, hopefully in telling the truth, regardless of who it's about, I'll still go to Heaven. read more

I will give this school 5 stars just for the memories. I graduated from there in 1961 and still have many wonderful memories of the dear nuns, classmates, May procession, Thursday dance classes, occasional morning mass in the auditorium followed by hot chocolate, free dress Friday and the best Sloppy Joe's cooked up in the cafeteria. I remember our principal Sister Mary Leo tying up her skirt to go do battle on the baseball field wit the boys. She was a tiny powerhouse. Thanks for the memories. read more

My daughter has attended St. Joseph's School for 3 years, and my son for 3 years (they're 4 years apart). They love the friends they have made there, their teachers, and the fun days like Spirit Days, Halloween, Green-and-Gold Day, and Christmas. I think you could say they even enjoy learning about Easter and Lent. My daughter has particularly enjoyed the after school sports program, and my son loves playing with friends at Extended Care after school. He would rather be there than home with me after school. I/we love the academic challenge and structure St. Joseph's provides, their exposure to technology in classroom as well as in computer class, the first rate art instruction (weekly), and music (also taught weekly). The school is about a 15 minute drive from our house. We are not Catholic, but appreciate the emphases on respect, reverence, and compassion. I would drive to this school if it were 45 minutes away because I believe that it benefits us all. "Teaching the whole child," is something that is written about a lot today. I believe that this school does that. read more

My son has attended since Kindergarten, and now is in 8th grade. He says its fun and challenging at the same time. It's a small school, so children get to know each other. No clicks, and a lot mutual respect. The teachers are great! in my sons words (and mine). The education is top notch. The religion aspect is great - we aren't catholic, but the religion program is a good balance. Not too much, and not too little. read more

My two boys have attended this school since Kindergarten and are now in the 4th grade. We chose this school based on recommendations from friends and neighbors who already had their children in this school, and our expectations have been exceeded greatly. The environment of the school starting with the principal, faculty and staff and embodied by the students is built on love. The Extended Care after school program is where kids from all grades meet. I've seen older kids tutoring younger kids with their homework. When my son was in Kindergarten, he know some 8th graders by name and they greeted him when he said, "Hi." Safety is a top priority at the school, and the security put in place by the staff is top notch. The crossing guards are very familiar with whom is authorized to pick up which child in which vehicle, and I am amazed at how they keep track of this to keep our kids safe. I can't speak enough about the value of this school in terms of the education received, the type of curriculum used, the quality and expertise of the faculty versus the dollars spent. I don't think you can do better at another school on all these items even if you spent more money. The school does a great job of balancing a strong academic program that also includes art and music and science and a teaching style that meets the needs of all learning styles. There is a lot of diversity in the school across race and religion which comes as no surprise since the environment is built on love. Additionally, there are celebration days for Patriotism, National Origin, Grandparents which means my kids are being taught to cherish the important things in life. All of this is available beyond the curriculum offered. Speaking of the curriculum, this school places in the Top 5 consistently in the Academic Decathlon. read more