Why is Good Counsel so Popular Now??

[Anonymous]

We had interviews scheduled last weekend and we were elbow to elbow with tons of other families. It is not our first choice (although we obviously think it’s a good enough school to apply) but for a couple of friends it is hands down their kids’ first choice - i.e., they are applying to many other schools but if they get into GC, it’s a wrap. I attended one event where they mentioned getting 800 applications last year for 300 spots and this year they received over 1,000 applications.

I’ve visited about 3-4 times now between various events and interviews and haven’t been blown away or anything but my kid loves the idea of going there. She says it’s like getting all
of the benefits of a public school (activities, sports and more socializing options) but still getting a Catholic education. I really struggle to see our family paying for what seems like a public high school essentially.

[Anonymous]

Nice building/facilities, good sports, co-ed. There's also been a population shift in Moco since Covid as a lot of families moved up county so prob more convenient for them. I have a kid at GZ but would have been fine with GC as well, got good vibes from there. I know a lot of people in my Silver Spring neighborhood are going there as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had interviews scheduled last weekend and we were elbow to elbow with tons of other families. It is not our first choice (although we obviously think it’s a good enough school to apply) but for a couple of friends it is hands down their kids’ first choice - i.e., they are applying to many other schools but if they get into GC, it’s a wrap. I attended one event where they mentioned getting 800 applications last year for 300 spots and this year they received over 1,000 applications.

I’ve visited about 3-4 times now between various events and interviews and haven’t been blown away or anything but my kid loves the idea of going there. She says it’s like getting all
of the benefits of a public school (activities, sports and more socializing options) but still getting a Catholic education. I really struggle to see our family paying for what seems like a public high school essentially.

Ha... a million years ago when I was applying to HS, when GC was still in Wheaton, my mother told me I could not apply there as she "was not paying for essentially a public school."

I hear the new campus in Olney is really nice though. I don't live over that way anymore so I've never actually seen i though.

[Anonymous]

Maybe because it’s more affordable than the other private schools? Not sure why it’s so popular. I visited with DC last year and felt it was a glorified public school.

[Anonymous]

It’s not.

[Anonymous]

Back up school.

[Anonymous]

My family went to GZ for decades…. But this generation doesn’t want to commute in DC traffic, don’t want all boys and the issues that come from that, want more technology (STEM) etc., just like the vibe better at other schools.

There was some crazy reactions when the 1st few went to GC and SJC over GZ but now it’s just the norm.

[Anonymous]

Heard they are considering rebranding to Great Counsel

[Anonymous]

It is the best value in the DMV.
Solid education and college admissions.
Attracting the better students than most single sex schools except SR.
Athletic recruitment to D1 schools is huge.
Performing arts are string except dance that needs to level up significantly.
Strong stem
Strong resources for learning differences.

[Anonymous]

I think b/c some parents are still fleeing their public option, more so than in the past.
It is great to have options.

[Anonymous]

OP - it is what it looks like to you. It is a glorified public school. The large amounts of students you saw were a result of the school maximizing profits by casting a wide net. It feels like it is not selective because it is not.

[Anonymous]

Our experience with our large k-8 is that it is incredibly selective in the last 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our experience with our large k-8 is that it is incredibly selective in the last 2 years.

Suuuuuuuure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is the best value in the DMV.
Solid education and college admissions.
Attracting the better students than most single sex schools except SR.
Athletic recruitment to D1 schools is huge.
Performing arts are string except dance that needs to level up significantly.
Strong stem
Strong resources for learning differences.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is the best value in the DMV.
Solid education and college admissions.
Attracting the better students than most single sex schools except SR.
Athletic recruitment to D1 schools is huge.
Performing arts are string except dance that needs to level up significantly.
Strong stem
Strong resources for learning differences.

+1000

Solid but lags behind SJC. Most of my class got accepted to both and majority chose SJC.