Research Visitation School Private Schools in Port Chester, New York

“I am disappointed in Visitation School. The teachers are well meaning but, they are not giving as much to the children as they could. There is no music program. There is no real sports program. There is not even a real physical education program. The principal has become complacent over the years. There are no new programs. The PTA consists of women who have had children attend the school and are now college grads. Only certain parents can belong to the PTA. It is not open to all parents. The meetings are designed to keep the working parent out. Meetings are held during the day and at around 5pm when most parents are just leaving work. If a suggestion comes from a parent that is not a member of the PTA it is not considered. Educationally, where are the after school science, math and English clubs?”

“I have been a part of the Visitation community for 14 years. 2 kids have gone on to a Great High School and College while another is currently enrolled. The Principal down to the faculty is top notch.”

“Thought I would be pleased with this school, however that is not the case. Academically, they teach just enough for children to pass the standardize tests. The teachers do not assess the children properly and do not communicate well with parents. Teachers are not concerned with improving progress if a child needs additional help i.e. no extra practice/work and no suggestions for parents. Some teachers are rude and standoffish. The Parents Association is very clickish and not willing to accept new parents into their circle. The Principal seems not to be interested in changing this practice either. Teachers show favoritism towards children of parents that work in the school. Parent helpers spend more time talking to each other than attending to the children. Very very minimal extra-curricular activities, and what they do have are clickish. This is the last year!”

“i have two kids in this school and it's a very good school. Academically, i feel it is the best.”

“I am currently attending this school right now. I really like it! All of the children are nice and the teachers make sure the kids get a good education.”

“Visitation School is an excellent school under the direction of a very experinced Principal, Sr. Rosemarie Connell, S.C. The quiet,orderly atmosphere of the school and the dedicated, experienced faculty provide a wonderful opportunity for youngsters to achieve to their full potential.”

“My two children attend this school. My children they look forward to going every day. The teachers are wonderful, though some are a bit unapproachable. The principal is wonderful and the pastor is very involved with the school. A wonderful school and the tuition is the lowest in the area.”

“Visitation is a wonderful school with attentive and caring teachers. My son is very happy there and he thinks teachers are very fair--very important comment coming from my son! The entire staff is wonderful.”

“I have three in the school and it seems like a well run organization. The small size (less than 300 students in 9 grades) allows the teachers to really know the students. Not as many extracirricular activites as a public school, but less classroom disruptions and less homework too!”

“I love this school personally for the simple fact that I've been there for 8 years and about to graduate. I wish I could stay forever. The teachers have a great relationship with the students. The principal, Sr. Rosemarie, is a great person. If you have a problem you are welcome to talk to her. She is a great listener. They have an excellent variety of extra curricular activities. If you have a child at the ages of 5-13 please do enroll your child in the school. The 8th grade students graduate and get into great High Schools.”

“Overall a good catholic school, small and cozy. Ypur child does not get lost in system. Only problem no cafeteria and lno proper gym. PTA parents clickish.”

“Good school but in need of more programs. Also parents of the pta are very clicky. They need a lunch program and also more sports they barl yhave one or two”

“I am a alumni of this excellent school. They currently have great leadership as they did 30 years ago. Congratulations on 75 years of Quality Catholic Education in the Bronx.”

“Visitation is a small Catholic School that is run by an excellent principal and a very dedicated staff of experienced teachers. The activities include Forensics, TV Broadcasting, Basketball, Girl Scouts, Drama and Chess Club. There is an afterschool program. There is Honors Algebra and HS Spanish offered to qualifying 8th graders. Music, Art and Computer is offered weekly to every child from K-8. Most parents are dedicated to their child's education and are therefore involved in the school and its activities. Among the staff, there are two sisters of Charity, two Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, and a few lay teachers are parents of Visitation graduates. This all makes for a school that carries on a strong religious presence and tradition.”

“The school is a very good one.The only thing that I would change is that the school is way too old fashioned and I hate all those fees! But ultimately what can you expect from a Catholic school, that is how they stay open. (I would have prefered that everything just be included in the tuition.) My daughter loves it and academically the school is where it needs to be. As a parent discipline and academics are the most important factors. Extracurricular activities (because there is not that many offered) can be provided by me. Over all I am very pleased with the school.”

“Visitation was an great school years ago. My daughter attended for several years and we were not happy at all. Kindergarten was a wonderful experience but it went downhill after that. The Parents Association is limited to who they want and was not willing to accept help from people outside there circle. The Principal was not able to do anything to change that situation. The children in my childs class left alot to be desired. I found out after we left other families had informed the school about problems with the same children we had complained about but I guess they didn't feel it important enough to do something about it.”

“Visitation school is poorly managed. Children are not treated fairly.”

“My 2 daughters attended Visitation School since Kindergarten and graduated from this school. They were members of the school's the Math and Forensics Clubs and had an overall terrific experience. My oldest is a junior at Harvard University and my youngest a senior at Phillips Exeter Academy. We had a great relationship with the Principal and all of their teachers.”

“They have an outstanding basketball program, a chess club, drama club, choir, Forensics, and a school newspaper run by the studnets. It is very high standard for academics and principal leadership is extraordinary. It is the parents that do not get involed that is the problem with this school.”

“I feel Visitation offers a very high level of education - in particular for the average student. The children are happy with the structure which permeates the school - it is very organized, and therefore, efficient. Some people perceive this as excessive discipline - but if you read any professional articles kids need structure. The principal is very involved with the students - she actually hands out every report card to each quarter to the students, and also reviews test packets for each student in every grade on a regular basis. Not many schools can boast this intimate feel.”

“I personally went to this school and I believe I acquired a great education there.”

“I can speak for my goddaughter who has attended Visitation school since she was in kindergarden and now as graduated from the eighth grade. The quality of the academic programs were great in perparing my goddaughter of the next grade. As far as music, art and extracurricular activites she did enjoy especially sports (basketball), the school definitely kept the kids involved including mass on Sundays. The involvement of the parents was also very good and everyone help each other and got along very well.”

“The teachers do not assess the children properly and do not communicate with parents when children may need help in subjects. This school does not provide any extra help for children that may need a push. There are no extracirricular activities.”

“Excellent school! Academics is most important.”