The school is run down, class sizes are above 30 in the lower grades. The administration is one sided and pompous. The teachers rotate frequently since a new principal has been installed over past few years. Can't keep a teacher if they tried. It's their way or the highway. I wouldn't place my child here for FREE ! read more

I wish every family had a school experience like ours!! We are a family that came to St. Mel in Kindergarten and only have 1.5 years left... wish we had more. The teaching staff is fantastic, they understand kids all have different needs and they go far above and beyond their typical teaching day. We especially want to give a shout out to the middle school team... what a dynamic trio they are :) Here is a little excerpt of an email we sent them personally: "While it may not seem that you are doing anything above what you normally do in a day I want you to know that for us, as a family, you are going above and beyond. Teaching is not just delivery of content, teaching is compassion, empathy and sometimes its talking nervous moms and dads off of a ledge (speaking for myself especially). You have together made this year another learning year and you have treated **** and our family with empathy, kindness, and love. Thank you for all you do. I wouldn't have **** at any other place and I wish all parents could have the experiences that we have with the three of you." Thank you St Mel for the fantastic learning, experiences, and life lessons!! Thank you Mrs. Nagel for keeping all of what happens at St Mel going strong from year to year... you are a gracefully intelligent leader. read more

I went to St. Mel's in 1966 thru 1971. I was taught by the Sisters Of Mercy. I had the BEST education in the area as far as I am concerned. We had to move to South Lake Tahoe where I was confirmed in the 8th grade. I went to public school however when we moved there. I continued my 5th grade in Bijou Elementary School, and I was tested to see where I was at compared to the others. I was at COLLEGE level reading, 7th grade math, and so, I could have moved up a grade but didn't want to. I am 58 years old now, and I am still a practicing Catholic to this day. I stepped away, but came running back! Teach your children about the faith in Catholic school, and if they stray, I PROMISE YOU, they will come running back! read more

I am a second grade mom. My daughter loves her school. Loves her teacher and has a wonderful administration behind her helping her to succeed. I am an active parent at the school so I get to see first hand what's going on. The principle Janet Nagel has been with this school for well over 20 years. What she has done is nothing short of amazing. Greets the students every morning calling all by name. The sense of community here is immeasurable. Love this school read more

I am in my 11th year at St. Mel. My oldest is at Jesuit this year. I am so thankful for a for St Mel for instilling academic, social, and spiritual values that are proving to be successful tools for my son as he moves on in his education. read more

I was a parent at St. Mel for a few years and it was such a horrible experience. Majority of the parents are all still living in their immature, drama high school years. Janet Nagel, the principal, has been at the school for too long and her skills are by far outdated. She does not run the school professionally and double-crosses the handbook that she always refers to. The moms that hangout in the office may seem friendly at first but don't be fooled, they are immature disgusting women that have been at the school for numerous years and feel that they have a position in controlling what happens at the school and dictate what parents can and can't do reporting back to the principal. On another note the distance learning was awful. If you are looking into this school amid coronavirus, I will tell you right now do not waste your time and money. The principal had absolutely zero plan for distance learning and flew by the seat of her pants for three months. Teachers were left to do their own distance learning plan at their discretion. There was no unified plan. While some kids had a teacher that may have been super organized and actually TAUGHT via Google classroom. There were some teachers that barely did a zoom every day and left all instruction up to the parents. Some of the teachers had zooms where the kids fooled around and joked around the whole time. It was like a circus. There was barely any teaching involved and teachers got all this praise last school year when I reality the parents did all of the teaching. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade was a joke. The teachers often abused their power and always played favorites. My child was not prepared for high scholar all. Anyway this is only the first chapter of everything I have to say about this school. If you are seriously looking into St. Mel I would rethink immediately. The school is NOT everything it is made out to be. read more

We have been very happy with St. Mel Catholic School for the past 14 years! We have 2 kids that excelled at St. Mel and were accepted to college-prep high schools (our son graduated from Jesuit High last year). We still have a 5th Grader and a Kindergartner at St. Mel and they are doing great! The teachers, principal, curriculum, faith component... everything about St. Mel helps our kids excel and grow into leaders and independent thinkers. Looking forward to the next 8 years! read more

This is our fist year at St. Mel's in the TK program. The teachers and staff are amazing. Such a warm, inclusive, and structured environment. Our son is thriving and is excited to go to school every day! The extension program is fantastic as well! We have enjoyed attending St Mel's and look forward to being here for years to come. read more

My kids have gone to St. Mel School for 5 years now. We have a lot of baggage and we were welcomed very warmly, treated with respect and the kids are doing great. The oldest has just tested extremely high on the high school placement tests and that is a direct result of the teachers at this school. She was also taught how to study and manage her own school work. The population is diverse and the parents are respectful and supportive of everyone. read more

St Mel school is AMAZING! The Principal, Mrs. Nagel is a dynamic and strong leader and her number 1 priority is our children and the performance of the school. We chose this school primarily because of the excellent presentation that was organized by Mrs. Nagel and because we feel that the teaching staff is very caring and talented. Our son loves the education that he is getting and has a great time attending school, he has made many friends. The parent involvement is great and there are many passionate staff and parents that team together to make this school such an asset. We have made many friends with other parents, and really appreciate the strong family community environment at this school. Not to criticize the public school system, but when we see what our son is learning and takes home with him, and we compare his education to other same age children that we know that are attending public schools, we see a pretty significant difference. I would highly recommend this school to anyone that wants to be more involved with their Childs education and is looking for a small family oriented and academically focused school. read more

Our daughter attended St Mel's for elementary school and, while we had to move away for middle-school, we hold this school as the best-run school our daughter attended. We are thankful for the help and support they gave. This fall, our dyslexic daughter will start the Industrial Engineering program at Rochester Institute of Technology. Thank you, St. Mel's! read more