Gonzaga question

[Anonymous]

Thoughts on Gonzaga for a boy who is not Catholic or religious. Is it worth applying? He is at Deal public middle school and will be in 8th grade next year.
Good kid, does well at school. Not big into sports. We don’t have the money for GDS/Sidwell, etc. but also I think the top 3-5 private schools might be too academically intense for him. He is smart but has some trouble with organization. I think he would do better in an environment with more structure and discipline than Wilson. I assume class sizes at Gonzaga are smaller than Wilson? Also, Gonzaga is probably more strict about cell phone use at school than Wilson. Not sure where else to apply for him or perhaps just make the best of Wilson and supplement with tutoring.

[Anonymous]

Gonzaga is a wonderful school but doesn’t offer some of the supports that are out there. Your organization comment makes me wonder if there are some executive functioning issues. It may not hurt to get him evaluated for ADHD even if he’s showing no other symptoms. If he has ADHD or another executive functioning disorder, the Benilde program at SJC can help with all of that.

[Anonymous]

The culture is Catholic. Using a school because you think it’s a bargain undervalues it’s mission.

It’s a wonderful school with a great social mission and caring. Your kid will go to Mass there. What does he know about Catholicism?

[Anonymous]

Gonzaga has very strong academics. It’s not an “easy” school. The workload is much more intense than public, as are the expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thoughts on Gonzaga for a boy who is not Catholic or religious. Is it worth applying? He is at Deal public middle school and will be in 8th grade next year.
Good kid, does well at school. Not big into sports. We don’t have the money for GDS/Sidwell, etc. but also I think the top 3-5 private schools might be too academically intense for him. He is smart but has some trouble with organization. I think he would do better in an environment with more structure and discipline than Wilson. I assume class sizes at Gonzaga are smaller than Wilson? Also, Gonzaga is probably more strict about cell phone use at school than Wilson. Not sure where else to apply for him or perhaps just make the best of Wilson and supplement with tutoring.

Hi, I hope my experience at a somewhat similar school with similarly profiled kids may help you. I think your instincts are spot-on. I have kids with ADHD who went to SJC, one in Scholars. We’re not Catholic. One of my kids is not religious at all, yet loved the school. The rules are clear and consistent at Catholic schools, and my kids rose to the occasion. SJC uses Canvas to track assignments, which is a G

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thoughts on Gonzaga for a boy who is not Catholic or religious. Is it worth applying? He is at Deal public middle school and will be in 8th grade next year.
Good kid, does well at school. Not big into sports. We don’t have the money for GDS/Sidwell, etc. but also I think the top 3-5 private schools might be too academically intense for him. He is smart but has some trouble with organization. I think he would do better in an environment with more structure and discipline than Wilson. I assume class sizes at Gonzaga are smaller than Wilson? Also, Gonzaga is probably more strict about cell phone use at school than Wilson. Not sure where else to apply for him or perhaps just make the best of Wilson and supplement with tutoring.

Hi, I hope my experience at a somewhat similar school with similarly profiled kids may help you. I think your instincts are spot-on. I have kids with ADHD who went to SJC, one in Scholars. We’re not Catholic. One of my kids is not religious at all, yet loved the school. The rules are clear and consistent at Catholic schools, and my kids rose to the occasion. SJC uses Canvas to track assignments, which is a G

…Canvas is a god-send for ADD kids. I suggest you have him get more involved with service projects this year and next, as a commitment to community service is a core part of Catholic schools’ missions. You might also check to see if he might be a fit for music programs. I suggest you visit several different Catholic high schools in DC, MD, and NoVa. I think they all have bus transportation. Good luck to you and your son.

[Anonymous]

Is cell phone use an important consideration, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The culture is Catholic. Using a school because you think it’s a bargain undervalues it’s mission.

It’s a wonderful school with a great social mission and caring. Your kid will go to Mass there. What does he know about Catholicism?

The culture might be Catholic but why would they agree to take non Catholic and even non-Christian kids if it undercuts their values. As long as you are honest about what your background, it doesn’t hurt to apply. It is up to Gonzaga if they decide to accept your child or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga has very strong academics. It’s not an “easy” school. The workload is much more intense than public, as are the expectations.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The culture is Catholic. Using a school because you think it’s a bargain undervalues it’s mission.

It’s a wonderful school with a great social mission and caring. Your kid will go to Mass there. What does he know about Catholicism?

The culture might be Catholic but why would they agree to take non Catholic and even non-Christian kids if it undercuts their values. As long as you are honest about what your background, it doesn’t hurt to apply. It is up to Gonzaga if they decide to accept your child or not

Just be aware that non-Catholics go to the end of the line for admission.

Legacies, boys from Catholic feeder schools and other Catholics are what they prefer. And that’s who has priority in Admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga has very strong academics. It’s not an “easy” school. The workload is much more intense than public, as are the expectations.

+1

Is Gonzaga really more intense than public school? I assume it is more structured and less chaotic. There seems to be more emphasis on taking kids with a strong Catholic background than students with top grades, etc. I doubt it is more rigorous than Whitman or Churchill High schools in Bethesda and Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga has very strong academics. It’s not an “easy” school. The workload is much more intense than public, as are the expectations.

+1

Is Gonzaga really more intense than public school? I assume it is more structured and less chaotic. There seems to be more emphasis on taking kids with a strong Catholic background than students with top grades, etc. I doubt it is more rigorous than Whitman or Churchill High schools in Bethesda and Potomac

Strong Catholic background boys have top grades. Especially after the last two years. Why? Well - their Catholic schools have been open during Covid. Public schools not only were not open, but had pathetic online schooling and admitted grade inflation. You clearly are not at all familiar with Gonzaga curriculum- - and I would also think you have limited knowledge of the publics you mention - where every child can attend.

But please provide support on your assertion as to the academic credentials of students that attend a school you know nothing about. We will wait.

[Anonymous]

^^She is correct that kids coming from catholic schools have not missed a day of instruction due to covid, etc. since March 2020.

[Anonymous]

Both of you need to stand down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both of you need to stand down.

if you're feelings are hurt, call and report it to the hotline