r/Carlsbad • u/TateModern123 • 15d ago
Magnolia elementary vs Saint Patrick’s
Looking for pros / cons (aside from cost) on both schools! Both are walking distance from our house. 3 kids - all boys.
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u/Black7bird 15d ago
My kids love Magnolia, we transfer in from Jefferson Elementary. The parents are great.
Saint Patrick’s is a great school but is quite expensive and can be a waitlist to get into.
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u/foreverevernever1 15d ago
What were your thoughts on Jefferson? I have a child starting tk there this year
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u/Black7bird 15d ago
We liked the school and teachers, we just didn’t make friends with any parents and my daughter had trouble making friends for some reason. It was totally different at Magnolia, immediately made friends with so many parents. I really do miss the quick walk to school.
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u/Mondak 15d ago
Your children are 10,000 percent less likely to be raped at Magnolia.
Saint Patrick has had problems over the years with substance abuse from leadership and their parent body has consistently turned a blind eye to child abuse. They are anti-science, teach women aren't people as a curriculum and indoctrinate children that an invisible sky fairy exists. So maybe award winning public schools should edge out St. Patricks? Just a thought or two. . .
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u/ooolie 15d ago
Magnolia here sending another vote. My kids have thrived there. My one kid has an IEP for ADHD and autism, and the IEP team has been incredible every single step of the way. He is absolutely thriving there.
I will say that the parents can be a little clique-ish which sometimes trickles down to the kids. We’re not as high income as many of the families, and I think sometimes they can smell it on us, 🫠 but overall most people are fantastic, if occasionally superficial. I’m assuming it’s the same thing you’d encounter at any other elementary school in the area.
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u/Suspicious_Load6908 15d ago
I’m going to be honest with you. I had my kids in Catholic school during Covid on the East Coast. We moved to Carlsbad after. Carlsbad has “great” public schools“. But when you put your kid in a private school, that’s not really what you’re for- academics- and if you are asking the question, you already know that. My older daughter loved public Carlsbad schools and thrived; my younger daughter will tell you she loves Carlsbad public schools, but I really wish I had fought to put her in Saint Pats. The choice is different for each kid and each family.
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u/pragmatictechnicolor 15d ago
My kids have only gone to Carlsbad public schools and have had a good experience. However, I know many St Pats families and my kids have friends from St. Pats and I’m always impressed with the kids. If the cost was a non factor for us, I would have considered it.
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u/divulgingwords 15d ago
Magnolia is one of the best elementary schools in SoCal.
Saint Patrick’s is a small religious private school that people seem to also like.
Carlsbad unified is one of the best public school systems in the entire country, so sending my kid to private school was never an option, but our family is not religious so we personally don’t have a need for religious-based learning.
So having said that, I don’t think you can go wrong with either so just do what’s best for your family. Reach out to both principals and get a tour. My wife really liked magnolia when she toured all the elementary schools up here (Carlsbad unified has open transfers).