From Amaryl Isenberg, mother of Bridget & Kristin
As a graduate of St Dominic School, Kristin was on Science Olympiad at Robinson Middle School. She received several awards as she graduated from Robinson. She was a TN/VA AIM Scholar. She received a merit scholarship to Tenn Tech Univ for 4 years. She was in Beta Club, the academic honor society, and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the math honors club. She was the President, Secretary and Historian of the Latin Club.

Bridget was a Natural Helper at Sevier and is one at DBHS. You have to be selected and voted on by others to be a Natural Helper. Bridget makes almost all A’s. I’m sure she will also be in Beta Club this year.

Both of my children have MUCH better study skills than their counterparts at school. I truly believe that came from the schedule at St. Dominics of after school: snack, library for an hour or so to do homework, play. I must also say that Fr. Burton was very helpful during junior year Chemistry. He allowed a bunch of kids to go to the Life Center and work on Chemistry using the blackboards, etc. It was great for the bunch that studied there (about 20).

From Shawn Dougherty and Bob Tonnies parents of Kiernan (4th) Jackson (7th)
    I am a parent of two children that have benefited from St. Dominic's quality academic environment since Kindergarten. There are three qualities that I view as key to the developmental success of kids that St. Dominic's learning environment strongly supported.

     First, I want my children to get a top-notch education. Lets face it, that is why we send our kids to school. We want them to learn so that they are able to contribute back to society to the fullest of their potential. This is the thanks they owe for the gifts God has given them. The staff at St. Dominics is outstanding. The teacher/student ratio is clearly demonstrative of the Church's strong support of the academic and spiritual growth of their children. The learning environment allows for individual student development. Worksheets are sent home in areas that my children were having trouble with. The teachers are available for and responsive to discussions on any issue with the parents or students.

     Secondly, with this high quality education comes a strong set of values. The same set of values reinforced regularly in my workplace have already been instilled in my children within the "school family" atmosphere and from a caring staff. Respect, cooperation, honesty, trust, teamwork and an appreciation of diversity are all demonstrated and reinforced in this family environment. In the world today, whether it be the world or Mario, Yugi-Oh, Pokemon or "real TV?", it is often hard to find ways to reinforce the Catholic values and their application in daily life. The school helps to reinforce what we as parents, and a church community try to teach.

Finally, I wanted my children to believe in themselves and have an appropriate level of self-confidence. The same kind of confidence that that makes you brave enough to act in a stage play, can also helps you "Just say NO to drugs". The same self confidence that you get from seeing good grades after working hard and applying yourself, allows you to stand tall and be publicly proud of your beliefs and faith. St. Dominic's school reinforces the calling of children to be students and learn. With so many distractions, it is nice to have a clear and consistent vision to focus on. Yes my oldest son has moved to middle school. Yes it was a transition to move to another school where he had to make a new set of friends. But I am very pleased with the set of friends he has chosen, and his success in middle school has only reinforced his self confidence. I could not possibly be prouder of either of my son's, as likewise I am proud of the decision I have made to jump start them into the world of responsibility, maturity and self confidence; ironically by starting them in a more protective nurturing environment. The wolves will come, but with the right values and the self confidence to stand up for these values, the world is not a threat, just another precious blessing.

From Betty Burris,   Dobyns-Bennett High School Librarian
     Working as St. Dominic School librarian for six years, and then moving on to become Dobyns-Bennett High School librarian, has given me a unique and rewarding opportunity to observe first hand the results of the efforts of dedicated St. Dominic School teachers who focus on educating the “whole” child. Watching former St. Dominic School students interact with their teachers and peers at the high school level reveals some obvious and very positive differences in these young people.
     Former St. Dominic School students traditionally arrive at Dobyns-Bennett with well-developed study skills, a major factor in the academic success most of them experience. In my ten years at Dobyns-Bennett High School, one or more former St. Dominic School students have been recognized every year at the top 50 Academic Awards Banquet. Many have received impressive college scholarship offers. In fact, the student holding the number one rank in this year’s 2003 graduating class is a St. Dominic School graduate. Students who have attended St. Dominic School consistently excel in the music and art programs, and they frequently hold positions of leadership in student government and extra-curricular organizations. These are remarkable statistics considering the small number of St. Dominic School graduates merging into a student body of over 1850.
      Most importantly, former St. Dominic Students attending Dobyns-Bennett High School are polite and courteous. Their behavior typically demonstrates respect for authority, respect and consideration for others, and respect for themselves.
      From my perspective as a former St. Dominic School faculty member, and currently as librarian at Dobyns-Bennett High School, the quality of education children receive at St. Dominic School creates in them a difference of such value that I feel it is well worth any sacrifice a family must make to invest in an education for their children at St. Dominic Catholic School.

From Mary DeWit, St. Dominic School Parent
     I judge [the school] by how prepared my older son was when he entered the public arena. Academically, everything was in place.  Socially, his foundation was secured by knowing he was loved, not only by his family, but by the deeply caring group of adults who helped him grow up in the school.  Morally, the compass you all helped him learn to read keeps him true.  And I see you performing the same miracles—and many more—with my younger son.

From Richard Oreskovic,   St. Dominic School Parent
     I believe St. Dominic School provides outstanding value for the parents of elementary school-age children for the following reasons: First, the average class size is presently less than 15 students, ensuring more individualized attention from caring teachers in a setting that truly educates the whole child. Second, students in 1st through 5th grades consistently outperform in reading, math, grammar, science, and social studies on nationally administered standardized tests. Third, the tuition rate is among the very lowest you will find anywhere at a parochial school. Fourth, there are numerous opportunities for parental involvement. Parents really feel in touch with what’s happening at school, and they can see for themselves the school’s intangible qualities that help to prepare their children both academically and spiritually.