Catholic or independent school for high school?

[Anonymous]

Curious from those going through this process now-as we look for high schools next year, what am I missing as I think about options below?

Child is athletic-good baseball and basketball player, average student, works hard, enjoys art but has some anxiety and could benefit from smaller class sizes vs a public school environment where he’s at now. We are thinking of looking at DeMatha, O’Connell and independent schools like Bullis, Burke and Field. Independent tuitions are so much more. What could independent high school provide at $50k+ that might be better than a Catholic high school at $25k? Trying to compare. would college options be better from a smaller independent? Yes they probably would be able to play multiple sports at an independent school. What else?

[Anonymous]

Are you Catholic? Or at least accepting and respectful of the Catholic lens through which your child’s education will be provided, if you go that route?

[Anonymous]

Burke and Field are going to have a very different feel than DeMatha and O’Connell. Also, sports at Burke and Field may not be what an athletic kid is looking for unless they are also active in a club team. I would have your child tour these schools and see which atmosphere they prefer. If you aren’t Catholic, you may not want a Catholic high school. I don’t know about Bullis, but Field doesn’t have AP classes. This may or may not be important to your family. Good luck. Lots of great schools in the DC area. I have had kids at independent Catholic high schools and the $50k private schools. Great experiences for my kids at both.

[Anonymous]

Having sent DD to Catholic hs as a non Catholic, I probably would make a different choice in the future. We were attracted to a lot of things about the school (including the lower tuition!), but we did not adequately understand how tight the Catholic social “scene” or networks are and felt like total outsiders for four years. People were nice, our DD got a good education, but we never felt comfortable or a part of any community there. DD had a similar experience vis a vis friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious from those going through this process now-as we look for high schools next year, what am I missing as I think about options below?

Child is athletic-good baseball and basketball player, average student, works hard, enjoys art but has some anxiety and could benefit from smaller class sizes vs a public school environment where he’s at now. We are thinking of looking at DeMatha, O’Connell and independent schools like Bullis, Burke and Field. Independent tuitions are so much more. What could independent high school provide at $50k+ that might be better than a Catholic high school at $25k? Trying to compare. would college options be better from a smaller independent? Yes they probably would be able to play multiple sports at an independent school. What else?

This might be the most eclectic list of schools I’ve ever seen. From a geographic, cultural, and tuition perspective these schools are all over the spectrum.

[Anonymous]

Op here. I should have clarified. Yes-We are Catholic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious from those going through this process now-as we look for high schools next year, what am I missing as I think about options below?

Child is athletic-good baseball and basketball player, average student, works hard, enjoys art but has some anxiety and could benefit from smaller class sizes vs a public school environment where he’s at now. We are thinking of looking at DeMatha, O’Connell and independent schools like Bullis, Burke and Field. Independent tuitions are so much more. What could independent high school provide at $50k+ that might be better than a Catholic high school at $25k? Trying to compare. would college options be better from a smaller independent? Yes they probably would be able to play multiple sports at an independent school. What else?

Independent for every single reason other than if you can’t afford the $ delta

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I should have clarified. Yes-We are Catholic

Then you’d have no problem. Unless you’re uber-wealthy and money is no object, save a ton of money go the Catholic route. The education and rigor is similar to most other independents, except maybe NCS, Holton, and Sidwell. But those schools are extreme pressure cookers. I’d want my kid to have a well-rounded education with time for sports and extracurriculars, not be studying all the time.

[Anonymous]

Independent schools are more diverse, provide unequivocal if not superior education, and build a peer network that is far broader and stronger, in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Catholic schools are much better and more open minded than what that other thread would have you think. The one poster who devotes their time to seeing bigotry in every question around these schools presents a worldview that isn’t welcome in most Catholic school boards.

[Anonymous]

One difference is class size. The independent schools generally have a smaller class size. Catholic school class size is smaller, though, than public schools. There is certainly a difference in diversity as well. Independent schools might be more visually diverse. Catholic schools are generally more diverse in other ways: economically and neurodiversity. Since you are Catholic, determine how important is your faith. Catholic schools will provide your child the opportunity to continue learning and being formed in the faith and practicing the faith.

[Anonymous]

Catholic schools are generally more liberal in this area, but still nowhere as progressive and DEI-focused as the private independent ones. There are still strict requirements for respect and rules at Catholic schools, and it is a bit more conservative than the independents. And being a Catholic is a big plus, in terms of enrollment priority and your comfort of the culture and teachings there. So where you lean politically and how important is your Catholic faith will help you determine which school is right for your DC and family.

[Anonymous]

Catholic high schools in the DMV are independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I should have clarified. Yes-We are Catholic

my non-catholic kid was bullied, brutally, in catholic school. Extremely non-Christian and a reason why none of us will ever convert. think this through carefully

[Anonymous]

Might also want to look at St Johns College, which is a Catholic HS in DC. Colleague’s kid played baseball there and thought it was a good balance of academics and athletics.