School of the Epiphany

Epiphany is not for everyone!
I enrolled my child at Epiphany because when I came in for a tour I was painted this picture that they really had the kids best interest at heart. Here are some of the details about the school.
They have 2 classrooms for each grade. Approximately, 18 – 20 kids per class. Most grades have a teacher’s aide. The building is older but well kept. They have a fairly new Gym and large library. The yard is awful because it’s uneven and they only have a tiny play structure.
The PTA meets monthly but it’s a waste of time for all. They just give announcements and when there’s an event they are usually planned at the very last minute. The PTA officers are selected in a mysterious way there are no elections. It’s just the president and secretary.
The office staff is very friendly. No complaints with them. The librarian is a sweet lady that really cares about the kids.
The school counselor doesn’t help much is very condecending with the kids. Any problem with the child is always «is there something going on at home?».
The after school program lady is very rude. Will nickel and dime parents in case you’re late to pick up children. There is a 15 min grace period for late pick up.
The teachers are hit or miss. It really depends if your child can work independently and fast he/​she will fit in perfectly. Otherwise, I suggest you look elsewhere. Some of the teachers follow the rules to a T others are more flexible.
The school day is the majority academic. Recess and lunch are short. PE only once a week. The school is very protective of their grounds. Once the bell rings and announcements are made parents must leave. Parents are not welcome in the classroom even in kinder.
The monthly fee is low compared to other schools but they get you with the $ 350 enrollment fee and the mandatory fundraising. Plus, miscellaneous fees.
Sports don’t really start till 3^rd grade. They offer T-​ball for kinder and Baseball for 1^st and 2^nd grades. Parents must coach the team. Sports coordinator just collects fees and sends emails.
School has a Facebook account but it’s not updated regularly.
School is in a residential area so picking up and dropping off can be a challenge.
Epiphany was not the right match for our family. I really recommend doing some serious research prior to enrolling your child.

I am sharing my personal experience with this school, and I’m sure some parents may disagree, and that’s ok. I regret not transferring my kids sooner. I attended Catholic school back in the day and was hoping my kids would have a similar experience, but they did not get the same at Epiphany. I feel that I wasted a lot of money and time sending my kids to a «private school» only to find they offered nothing but a sub par education, especially in middle school grades.
First of all, there is no religious presence around the school except for the church right next door and the crosses in the classrooms. The only time students interact with anyone from the religious order is during weekly mass. Laypersons (regular teachers) teach religion class. If you want the true Catholic school experience, go to Holy Angels in Colma where the school is led by nuns who reflect the true meaning of Catholicism and who practice what they preach.
If your child is used to pencil pushing and is the super drone-​always a high achiever-​type, then teachers and administration will love you. However, if your child is a free thinker and veers off their path in any way whatsoever, they are labeled as «difficult» and will not succeed at this school. It is a fact that everyone learns differently, but at Epiphany, THEIR way is the only way, and if your child is not meeting their «standards» or doesn’t obey their rigid guidelines, be prepared for meeting after meeting with teachers and administration who will tell you your child is not performing well, your child is lazy, your child is disobedient, and may even blame your parenting style. If your child is struggling, they will be quick to point out the negatives and may even offer «tutoring» but the truth is they don’t seem to have the patience to deal with students who truly need the extra help.
A majority of parents are extremely cliquish, especially in the older grades. In recent years, many low-​income families who want to escape the public school system have enrolled at the school and stay on financial aid. Take note that these are the same families who will also use up all the financial aid for surrounding Catholic high schools when the time comes. Be prepared to deal with the same rude parents during pick up and drop off times as well. Administration will nickle and dime you for almost everything, and will even charge for «exploratory» programs per quarter (middle school electives) for classes that are taught by the same staff teachers.
The potential to become a great school is there, but administration is lacking, and until new leaders replace the current ones, it will continue to go downhill. Administration is great at sweeping things under the rug when it suits them.

Epiphany school is amazing! I love that some of the teachers are still here from back in my days. The curriculum and the open communication with the teachers is great. Parking isn’t the best but the education is worth it!

I’m going to rate this school for the education it is providing my children and not the traffic jam surrounding the school during pick up and drop off. So far the teachers my kids have had were wonderful. My kids are both happy, love going to school, hate being absent, praise their teachers and get good grades. That is good enough for me. The traffic around the school can get crazy but, I drive by at least 3 other elementary schools every morning on my way to work and it is just as jam packed. Double parked cars, sometimes no driver in them, and causing traffic. So I realized, it must be the norm. As long as my kids are happy and getting a good education, my rating is 5 stars.

Though I grew up in San Jose, I’m originally from SF Daly City.
I went here from 1^st to 4^th grade. This was years ago. Back in the late 80s early 90s.
Who knows how things are now, but back then it was not very diverse. It was mostly Filipino. But that is a given seeing the location of this place. I always thought the place was huge, but when you are a kid, what doesn’t?
My teachers were great except my 4^th grade teacher. She was a b! tch. So much that I still recall now that I’m almost 30. Maybe it was my fault? It was the start of me being rebellious.
I remember before and after school going to the liquor store to buy candies and Marvel cards!
I had a lot of friends there, and I have always wondered how my personality would have shaped up if I stayed there.
To the what ifs.

The school has definite potential — hardworking teachers in many cases with a desire to inspire students to learn and explore not just recite back. Some so-​so teachers too though.
They definitely try to keep students focused but they could use more direction and support from both the administrative side but also from the parents becoming more involved not just for hours and credit but also to donate of self and talent to support the kids’ education more.

I can not believe this is calls a traditional Catholic school.
The parents who are parking illegally in front of neighborhood’s garage door and waiting for the jackass parent’s stupid kids to come out.
FXXX YOU!!!
The School of Epiphany meets both CA state teaching standards?
Really?
It doesn’t show it, seeing those jackass parents who illegally parking around the neighborhood.
Is the school led by a strong headmaster and taught by an excellent staff of teachers?
Why can’t you teach those jackass parents FIRST about what is illegal parking?
May be they don’t understand what «illegal parking» means.
A traditional Catholic school?
I thought «traditional’ means that have to be well mannered.
I just don’t see it.

This school was an okay school. I liked the people I met here. I was prepared for all the classes I had to take there, but this school did not prepare me at all for high school. Even though I had one of the highest GPAs from that elementary school, I struggled my freshman year because of the lack of preparation. All of my friends from other schools seemed better prepared than me.
If you want your kids to go to a private high school other than mercy or riordan, it would be better to send them to another catholic elementary school. If you can’t send them another well-​known catholic high school, get them involved in sports or something outside of epiphany. Many of the kids who go here end up going to public school for high school and a CSU/​community college for college.
This school has gotten worse since I graduated 5 years ago. It’s peak was when Mr. Prada was there. Even though no one liked him, he was good at improving the school. I liked most of my teachers. I still keep in contact with one teacher who is still there, but almost all of my favorite teachers have left because of all the changes the school has been making.
If you are looking for a religious school for your children, this is a good place to go. If you’re looking for a good school for the price, this is a good place to go. If you’re looking for a place that won’t drill the catholic church teaching to you, don’t come here.
The gym is nice. The school and church are nice too. It meets the standards, but the school’s standards should be higher. It’s not a horrible school. It’s a good school that needs some improvement.

Was not a pleasant place to be educated. I went here and it was not diverse, mostly filipino. One black person, a handful of latins. Most of the educators were wash ups and had a negative impact on my future education. I remember particularly a nasty math teacher that destroyed my ability to do math and a evil religion teach that made me hate school from there after. When I should have been pulled aside and gotten better care I was just passed along and now have life struggles. Including a minor felony. The worst part was memorizing prayers. To this day it’s hard for me to face crowds and function normally socially because of the hostile treatment I got. You are better off if you have known your classmates since birth but if you are a transplant from another school you are pond scum. Catholic school girls are a fine bunch. I remember a few 8^th grade graduates had kids in high school (9^th grade) just after graduating Epiphany. Epiphany does not inspire its students to learn. Home school your kids. In fact just leave them on any San Francisco street and they would be better off sticking around at Epiphany.