At a Glance
A Catholic elementary school with classic programs — but parent reviews warrant a careful look
Best suited for
Catholic households in southern Brooklyn who want a faith-based elementary education with traditional programs and are willing to ask current families pointed questions about the school's current leadership and culture.
What stands out
- Italian language instruction is offered alongside standard subjects, an unusual offering that fits the neighborhood's heritage.
- A 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio gives classes a moderate level of personal attention without being unusually small.
- Programs in STEM, educational technology, art, and music provide a rounded enrichment lineup for an elementary school.
- Rolling admissions with no formal deadline makes entry more flexible than at schools with strict application windows.
Things to consider
- Parent reviews and local press coverage have flagged concerns about management, communication, classroom quality, and teacher turnover — prospective families should ask current parents directly about the current climate.
- The student body is predominantly White and may not offer the cultural diversity that some families prioritize.
- The school is not within easy walking distance of the subway, so a daily commute plan is essential for non-driving families.
- As a Catholic academy, the school will incorporate religious instruction and faith formation into the daily curriculum, which may or may not align with your family's expectations.
Identity
St. Bernadette is a Roman Catholic elementary academy serving Pre-K through 5th grade in a coed format, with a stated commitment to academic excellence paired with moral and spiritual formation. The school's philosophy emphasizes building a caring Christian community and developing the whole child across spiritual, intellectual, and social dimensions.
Community
With 89.1% of students identifying as White and a diversity index of 0.32, the student body is fairly homogeneous and reflects the surrounding Dyker Heights demographic more than the broader Brooklyn population. The school draws families seeking a faith-based education with a traditional Catholic culture rather than a culturally mixed environment.
Neighborhood
Dyker Heights is a middle-income Brooklyn neighborhood with a median household income around $76,700 and a poverty rate near 19%. The area is family-oriented with a notable Italian-American heritage, which aligns with the school's inclusion of Italian language instruction. College attainment sits at about 34%, reflecting a working- and middle-class mix of residents.
Subway access is limited — the nearest D train stations at 79 St, 18 Av, and 71 St are each about a 12- to 15-minute walk, so most families will likely drive or arrange drop-off.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Multiple sources indicate significant parent concerns. Parents are reportedly withdrawing children due to management issues, lack of communication, classroom quality problems, and high teacher turnover. A 5.4 out of 10 rating and a 2.7 out of 10 rating from 26 parent reviews.
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Make this school part of your plan
Everything on this page is yours to read. An account keeps your research in one place.
No credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Dyker Heights.
- What grades does ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY serve?
- ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY?
- ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY public, charter, or private?
- ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY is a private school.
- What neighborhood is ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY in?
- ST BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY is in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.