St Thomas More School

Both my daughters went here from K-​8^th grade. They both had an excellent experience, made friends and entered high school well prepared.

(Cont’d STM review…)
BULLYING: is an issue that really concerns me. Whenever I feel my child is being bullied I nip it in the butt from jump (the start). I talk to my child every day, even if he has nothing to say. You can get vibes, if you really know your child that something’s going on. Best believe a family member as well as I will be up there ASAP if I thought otherwise! This is an example of why you should do «Yard Duty». It’s the perfect chance to see your child interact with their peers and you can see where things may be wrong.
I’ve heard of children being bullied (picked on) in the afterschool care. Many even feel that the afterschool care can use some work when it comes to supervision but for the most part, I believe, you get what you pay for. I believe STM is the most reasonable priced afterschool care in the city. I was actually surprised when I heard how much you had to pay per hour. With more supervision comes more money. This should be a suggestion that many parents who have complained, should make with the Parents Club Board, maybe together you can come up with a logical solution. Of course, the same complaining parents will then complain about the newly proposed price per hour. So in all, you can’t win for losing. PLEASE take part in signing up for «Yard Duty’ you get to know the children and in turn they will get to know you.
ORGANIZATION…well sometimes they are not as organized as expected BUT for the most part you are very well informed about the schools upcoming activities and events through the purple Wednesday envelope, weekly newsletter and Bronco Sports News. You can join in the fun too by volunteering your services to assist with making the organization that much better. Don’t complain if you don’t contribute to the fame! I look forward to receiving the newsletter every week and seeing what surprises will come in the purple envelope.
As for the ATTITUDES many mention they’ve come across (in previous reviews). They all seem to come from the same person per the descriptions in the reviews… I have to say she’s not a true representation of the school, maybe it was a bad day, I’m not making up excuses but we’re all human. Majority of the time she’s filling out tardy slips or doing other odds and ends around the school… Not a main focal point. Some have mentioned the principal in previous reviews on other websites but she greets every child by name when she sees them. They honestly know the students by name! Being personable makes all the difference to the children because they feel special. Parents’ interactions are another issue. It’s all in how you perceive her on that particular day. There’s no right or wrong way to deal with it. J The BEST way to understand something is to put yourself in their shoes because your experience is what you make it.
RATIO OF NATIONALITIES: This seems to be a huge issue for some because you want diversity amongst the classes. Basically, my son is a minority here but that doesn’t interrupt his learning abilities. I never asked about the percentage of African American ratios of attendees for the school. Yes, I know every African American family in the school and can count them on both hands but that’s not our focus at this school. No one singles my son out; unless it’s for praise of something he’s done well. It makes me proud to hear how well he carries himself at school because after school he’s a wild animal. Discipline begins at home.
Many times it’s great to receive feedback from all parties of the school. You can see the different perspectives and make your own decision reasonably if this is the school for you. It would take your participation within the school to make your and your child’s experience great. Your life experiences are what you make it. When you participate that’s when you’ll meet other parents and students and then you’ll begin to create that family bond. There’s no other class that can beat my son’s class! Class of 2021 rocks!
I chose this school after extensive research. I even complained of the extra fees requested of us throughout the year. I even joked as I attempted to compare it to college tuition, but I pay everything faithfully. After a couple of tours and interviews and being accepted at each school I applied for I chose STM. Let me reiterate, I personally felt/​feel as if it’s a good match for my son. From the moment he walked through the school doors to the moment he stepped out the classroom door from the interview. He was comfortable, excited and he could be himself. Many teachers still come up to me and tell me what a well-​mannered young man he is and I couldn’t be more PROUD! This is why I’m trying to stay active within the school more and now I’m a part of the school Parent’s Club Board and the Athletic Board.
I’m not trying to tell you to send your child to STM or not to. I just want to make sure you’re informed of what actually goes on and make your own judgment if STM is the place for you.

This school is by far, one of the worst schools I have come in contact with. My sister went to St. Thomas More for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade. In addition to the monthly tuition, there were a bunch of random fees that we always needed to pay weekly. Donations for this, donations for that. The cookie/​pizza/​hot dog sales were ridiculous, $ 4 for a portion. Your child wants to have a birthday party? Well, you have to but a «birthday book» for $ 10 – 20 and you don’t get to keep the book either. Oh, and the playground drama. Isn’t this a Christian school? I’m sorry to say but your students won’t grow up to be so moral and orderly. Please take your kids elsewhere. I beg you!

My daughter has been at St. Thomas More since kindergarten. All her teachers have been wonderful and caring.
The school offers a great curriculum to the students. As parents we all get to know one another by participating in different activities. If I need to communicate to her teacher I just have to send an email and I get a prompt response as it is the same with the office.
The school offers a second language program, homework is available at the school website every day, and it also make the students participate in a variety of help the needy programs in addition to have a beautiful brand new gym.
Overall I am very happy with the school!!!

I have one son graduated in 2007 and 2011. We are very pleased with the school.
The volunteer hours are only 6 hours, used to be 4 hours.(Other Catholic Schools requires 40 hours, 20 hours if you are ‘single’ parent)
However, it is clearly written in the school guideline book, that the 6 hours are only for BIG EVENTS, such as Halloween Carnival, Xmas Fair, Cioppino. NOT for yard duty etc etc… Someone just complained about this… READ the guideline book CAREFULLY before you judge the school.
Also for the cookies, pizza and stuff… they are NOT mandatory. If your sister get fat,. like you said, than it is her own fault. No one forcing you to buy those offers.
As for the spam musubi,. they are the same price with L. L Hawaian. Because they are the vendor who came to school to sell. They are $ 2 per piece, Check it yourself next time you go to LL Hawaian, San Bruno.
I know it is not cheap, we sometimes make them ourself, way cheaper. Again… no one is forcing you to buy.
This is one of the most affordable Catholic School in town.

Let me pre empt by saying that I really don’t like writing bad reviews because I consider the fact that people have bad days, and I don’t want to want to bring someone’s ratings down based on one bad experience that I may have gone through. (Especially since so many people rely on Unilocal)… Let me just say that this review is well merited! ZERO STARS
I was set on having my child start Kinder here this Fall. Seemingly great academics, good extra curricular activities, strong parent involvement… I was excited. I had the application filled out and a check for the required application fee that I was ready to hand over today after my scheduled school tour. Unfortunately, after today’s «tour,» I have completely ruled this school out. Here is what happened…
2÷14÷11− I went to the school to ask for an application. I asked the elderly lady sitting behind the piles of papers & mess, at the front desk, if they still have space in Kinder for the Fall. She looked me up & down before replying in an annoyed tone, that they may have a spot but most likely i would be wait-​listed. Still, I took the application (which she practically threw at me), and figured that her bad attitude was due to, perhaps, having a bad day. It happens.
¾/​11– I called the school to schedule a tour. The lady who answered the phone was very nice, and told me to come in on Monday at 11:30. Great! At this point, her pleasant attitude redeemed the school for me.
3÷7÷11− I arrive at the school 10 minutes early. I introduce myself to the elderly lady I met weeks ago, and tell her that I have an appointment at 11:30 for a tour. Here comes the attitude… She says that she knows nothing about it, consults the lady in the room behind her, and suggests finding an 8^th grader to come show me the school. They go back and forth for about a minute about to do. She throws her hands up in the air, and in a more annoyed voice says, «Oh well, I guess I’ll just do it then. Come on.» and gestures me to follow her
From that point our conversation goes like this…
Her– What grade are you interested in?
Me– Kinder please.
~~We start walking down the Hall. She continues to speak in an annoyed condescending voice, which quite frankly, is rude… and does not let go of that tone the entire time i am there.~~
Her– The Kinder is in the new building, this hall has all the primary grades.
~we arrive at the Kindergarten class~
Her– Well, here’s the room.
~no teachers or students present~
Me– Nice room. Can you tell me about the school? What is the curriculum like? How many kids are enrolled and what’s the max number you allow?
Her-​Currently there’s 28 enrolled for the Fall, and we max out at 35. We have an academic program. The children learn to read by the end of the year.
Me– Ok, so how many teachers are in the room with the 35 children?
Her– 1 full time teacher, 2 part time teachers, and 2 part time teacher’s aides. What school does your child go to, and does he know how to read?
Me– I tell her the name of the school, and tell her that they have an accelerated program and that he will know how to read at a basic level by the end of the year. Have you ever heard of that school?
Her– nope.
Me-​Ok, so how do you handle children who are having trouble with the academic program, or are having trouble reading? Do you communicate with the parents?
Her– Well thats what the aides are for.
Me– Ok… So when can i meet the teacher, and see how she interacts with the kids?
Her– you can’t.
~pause…i look at her a bit bewildered. I mean, hello? i scheduled a tour for this purpose, and specifically asked for this~
Me– So how do i go about scheduling a meeting with her, or a time to observe the class?.. Because that’s what i asked for and was told i was getting.
Her– Well, you’re lucky i even let you in this far. I mean, really, we had Catholic School week and that’s when you’re allowed to come in to observe, and we’re not going to subject her to that again. Anyways, she’s at an assembly right now.
Me– So you’re saying that I can not meet her or see at least who she is? Put a face to my son’s potential teacher?
Her– nope, you can’t.
Me– S how am I suppose to determine if I want to send my son here or not?
~She shrugs her shoulders.~
Her– Well you should have came in during CAtholic School week.
Me– Well i obviously missed that, that’s why I scheduled this tour.
Her– well that’s how it is
Me– Well i guess this isn’t the right school for me then.
~I turned and started to walk out~
Her– whatever.
Me– What a great attitude you have especially for being part of a Catholic school.
~almost back at the front door now
Her-​Well you know no one told me anything about having to do a tour today, and she’s at an assembly.
Me– Well you should change your attitude, and if you know nothing then obviously there’s no communication among the staff, and it shows how disorganized this school is.
Her– well we don’t think we’re disorganized.
ME-​You clearly are

This was a school I considered enrolling my son. I spoke with the principle who was very nice on the phone giving me words of wisdom and encouragement about St. Thomas More. When I arrived and introduced myself, she looked me up and down and told me she that the class was filled to capacity and didn’t think my son would be able to get in. She didn’t even pacify us by asking us to fill out an application just in case. I felt the school and staff was very snooty, snobby and probably very PREJUDICE. I was obviously very unwelcomed. The tuition was affordable, BUT the hidden fees equals out to over $ 1,000 on top of the tuition.