When Enough Is Enough: Why We Left Pacelli Catholic Schools

Pulling Gannon out of Pacelli Catholic Schools (PCS) was one of the most difficult decisions we’ve ever made. We wanted so badly for PCS to be the nurturing, faith-filled community it promised to be. For years, I volunteered my time, energy, and resources to help the school thrive, believing I was making a difference. But when the school itself became the source of harm to my child, we knew we had to leave.

The issues we faced weren’t just misunderstandings or isolated incidents. Gannon was targeted and bullied by his teacher. It wasn’t just favoritism—it was a pattern of exclusion and criticism that left him feeling singled out and unwelcome in his own classroom. Despite raising our concerns repeatedly, the administration refused to hold the teacher accountable. Instead of working with us to address the situation, they dismissed our concerns and made us feel like we were the problem.

In the end, it wasn’t just Gannon who felt bullied—it was our entire family. The administration’s refusal to take responsibility and their unwillingness to make meaningful changes made it clear they were pushing us out. We were heartbroken, not only for Gannon but also because we had invested so much into PCS. We believed in its mission, volunteered countless hours, and did everything we could to contribute to its success. To feel cast aside after all that effort was devastating.

But walking away was the best decision we could have made for Gannon. Since transferring to public school, he has been thriving in ways we hadn’t seen in quite a long time. He’s made wonderful friends, is excited to go to school every day, has a wonderful teacher, and is learning in an environment where he feels valued and supported. Most importantly, his smile has returned. The happiness and confidence that PCS stole from him have been restored, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his new school.

What hurts the most is knowing PCS continues to lose dedicated families like ours without reflection or accountability. So many families have left for similar reasons—bullying, favoritism, and an administration that refuses to listen—but the leadership remains resistant to change. It feels like they don’t care about the community they’re losing, and that’s a tragedy.

We’re sharing our story not out of bitterness, but because we hope PCS will one day take these issues seriously. We want it to be a place where every child feels safe, supported, and seen. Until then, we can only hope our experience serves as a wake-up call.

For us, moving on has been bittersweet, but seeing Gannon flourish makes it all worth it. To any family in a similar situation, please know you’re not alone. Your child’s happiness and wellbeing are worth standing up for—and sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that bring the greatest rewards.