Academic non-sports kids at VA/DC Catholics High Schools

[Anonymous]

We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

Shlep up to St. Anselm’s. DS will be grateful.

[Anonymous]

St Anselms runs shuttles in the morning to the school. Afternoons tougher and kids take the Fort Totten Metro to various locations.

If you have a boy that’s so academic then St Anselms would be a great fit. And it’s Catholic which your family would value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

Your kid should stay in public school.

Your experience with Catholic school is the same as they are now.

Nothing has changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

Your kid should stay in public school.

Your experience with Catholic school is the same as they are now.

Nothing has changed.

I don't agree with this at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

Your kid should stay in public school.

Your experience with Catholic school is the same as they are now.

Nothing has changed.

You are clearly unaware of St. Anselms. Look it up and come back with an educated opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

Shlep up to St. Anselm’s. DS will be grateful.

+1. My kid commuted 90 minutes each way to St. Anselms. Well worth it. He is now in medical school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re Catholic, but in public middle.

We’re thinking about Catholic school for high school, but want to make sure that there is a cohort generally speaking that our child could plug into at Northern Virginia Catholics—Paul IV, BI and maybe Bishop O’Connell— and also maybe Gonzaga. I think St Anslem’s is too far/the commute would be draining.

Our DS does not care about sports and loves foreign languages, history, math, science. A.k.a. lots of interest just not sports. I could see him getting into robotics or theater tech as well as maybe like a debate is like super excited to like talk to ICE and to talk brawl yeah, or model, UN etc. More math club, less football team. 😂 I know there are kinds of kids, but want an honest read if these schools could be right.

My husband and I both have experiences with Catholic schools (not in this area) that were not particularly academically challenging and had a “jock” culture. This is a generalization obviously and our experience from many years so trying to figure out what they are like in this area/these days.

Go to open house at each school. You will notice the differences. It sounds like St. Anselm's would be a great fit.

[Anonymous]

Bishop Ireton could be a great fit. Definitely see for yourself. There are many kids like your son there.

[Anonymous]

OP, believe it or not, although Gonzaga is an athletic powerhouse, there re plenty of boys who are not into that culture at all, other than attending the games, etc. With 250 kids in a class, there are plenty of students who have interests outside of athletics. Lots of the kids who are not into athletics get into theater there. They have an amazing program. My son was not talented at all, but he still got on stage. It is really a fun, accepting group of kids. There are other clubs as well, one of which sticks out is the poetry slam they have each year. There is definitely a very creative, non-athletic side of Gonzaga that you should explore. My son had a great experience there despite not being into sports and went on to a top university.

[Anonymous]

Ireton or JPG

[Anonymous]

Honestly, DS would be fine at any of the Catholic schools. None of these schools are exclusive to athletes.

[Anonymous]

OP here—thank you for feedback on St. As, Gonzaga and BI. Appreciate it and we’ll definitely be visiting in person

[Anonymous]

Definitely look at BI, especially over PVI or DJO. No experience with the others mentioned above. DD is very similar and has found a wide group of friends who revolve around the theater and the academic clubs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely look at BI, especially over PVI or DJO. No experience with the others mentioned above. DD is very similar and has found a wide group of friends who revolve around the theater and the academic clubs

OP here: nice to hear!