Bishop O’Connell HS

[Anonymous]

Please tell me all about it, both strengths and weaknesses. Of course, we will attend Fall admissions events, but interested in hearing a broader perspective than any school can give. We are mainstream Protestants, not Catholic, but have no particular concerns about DC being exposed to Catholic doctrine. We are more interested in the school’s academics than in its sports, for DC does not play any sport competitively.

[Anonymous]

The Catholic nature of these Catholic schools goes far beyond what’s in the curriculum. Catholic culture is somewhat different from mainstream Protestant culture.

[Anonymous]

If you aren't into sports or religion, there are many better choices than O'Connell (even among Catholic schools, if you are targeting based on lower relative cost).

[Anonymous]

If you are more interested in academics why not look into NCS and STA? (The National Cathedral School and St. Albans.)

There’s also St. Stephen’s St Agnes in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Our DC will go in the fall and we’re very excited. We’re catholic and in Arlington and coming from a catholic k-8 so it makes sense for us. But DC had other acceptances and still picked O’Connell bc it’s co-ed, a size they really like, will resemble a traditional high school experience without the nonsense we hear about at Yorktown, and families we know with kids in the honors classes speak really highly of the teachers and academics. It’s not good enough for a lot of DCUM and no school is perfect for everyone, but we’re excited for DC and have confidence in the academics, prep for college and opportunities

[Anonymous]

DS was accepted and we’re considering it. He’s a straight A student and athletic (travel sports but not recruited). I would be interested in hearing more from current parents about the honors classes and whether a non-recruited kid would have an opportunity to play on
a competitive/popular sports team at O’Connell.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why it is not good enough for DCUM folks? My uncle attended went to Georgetown University and is now a very successful doctor. Catholic schools in the DC area in my experience has resulted in producing well adjusted successful adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS was accepted and we’re considering it. He’s a straight A student and athletic (travel sports but not recruited). I would be interested in hearing more from current parents about the honors classes and whether a non-recruited kid would have an opportunity to play on
a competitive/popular sports team at O’Connell.

A sport like basketball at the varsity level would likely not be possible, but I’m sure others like lacrosse, ice hockey, baseball, etc., would be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are more interested in academics why not look into NCS and STA? (The National Cathedral School and St. Albans.)

There’s also St. Stephen’s St Agnes in Alexandria.

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess the ~30k/year price differential may have something to do with it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DC will go in the fall and we’re very excited. We’re catholic and in Arlington and coming from a catholic k-8 so it makes sense for us. But DC had other acceptances and still picked O’Connell bc it’s co-ed, a size they really like, will resemble a traditional high school experience without the nonsense we hear about at Yorktown, and families we know with kids in the honors classes speak really highly of the teachers and academics. It’s not good enough for a lot of DCUM and no school is perfect for everyone, but we’re excited for DC and have confidence in the academics, prep for college and opportunities

DC is coming from APS public but otherwise we could have written this exact post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't into sports or religion, there are many better choices than O'Connell (even among Catholic schools, if you are targeting based on lower relative cost).

What do you recommend for an academically strong kid with little interest in sports?

[Anonymous]

St Anslem’s Abbey in NE DC.

[Anonymous]

Does St Anselm’s Abbey School has transportation ?

How would a family living in Arlington and working in Tysons (not in Washington DC) get DC to/from school ?

[Anonymous]

Non-sporty, academically strong kids do well at O'Connell. Just take the higher level and AP courses. If you demand the very best in academic excellence and want a much more homogeneous experience and have the extra money and daily time/hassle to get to St Anselm's everyday in Northeast DC (that right now is a 42 minute drive from my Tysons location), then sure, go for it - academically it's a great little school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does St Anselm’s Abbey School has transportation ?

How would a family living in Arlington and working in Tysons (not in Washington DC) get DC to/from school ?

Enquire with the school. I’m not sure how many St. Anselms parents are in this particular conversation.

It is a very highly regarded, academically-oriented school, so there are likely some Arlington parents there. Arlington parents in my experience are very demanding of their public or private schools and the expectations are high, sometimes a little too high.

Maybe start a new topic re academics and transport or carpools etc to and from the abbey school. I’m sure a fair number commute from the suburbs, and you may get more specific replies there.

Otherwise look at St Stephen’s St Agnes in Alexandria which is Episcopalian. A number of Arlington families go there.