Northern Virginia Catholic Schools
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Anonymous
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We are applying for DD K next year 2025-2026 and are moving from out of state (we have 2 kids so far)
Looking at homes in the Mclean/Vienna/Falls Church area but could widen that search. Are there any Catholic schools that you would recommend to say a family member or best friend? We are looking for excellent academics and for a very warm/kind welcoming community especially since we are new to this area. I really do not want to be in a school where the moms are “cliquey” and “gossipy” and exclude other moms especially being new and not having a ton of connections same as with kids since our DD is new (and definitely on the more sensitive side) Thank you! |
Anonymous
| Look at OLGC in Vienna or St. Agnes in Arlington, both dual track. |
Anonymous
OLGC or St. James in Falls Church |
Anonymous
| We have been very happy with St. James |
Anonymous
| OLGC but it has a waiting list for almost class so would want to get on it quickly |
Anonymous
| St. Ambrose in Annandale. |
Anonymous
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St Luke
OLGC St Mark |
Anonymous
| I'm in the same boat OP. Are there any schools that have a cliquish culture that you would avoid? |
Anonymous
all great schools Last kid will graduate from St Luke this year. |
Anonymous
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St. James is our parish and is naturally the first choice that comes the mind; the school is great.
We have friends at other parish schools, including St. Ann's (Arlington), St. Leo (Fairfax), St. Luke (McLean), and St. Rita (Alexandria) and they're all happy. Honestly, I don't think there is much "cliquey-ness" at any of the parochial Catholic schools in Northern VA; to the extent there is any, I don't think it differs much from one school to another. Most are relatively small (especially compared to the gargantuan public schools around here) and tight-knit schools with good student-to-teacher ratios and supportive families. So, once you have a better sense for where you'll be living, it will probably come down to a choice among two or three good options within easy distance from your new home. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish. |
Anonymous
| Which k-8 parish schools have the best learning supports for child with dyslexia? Looking for a school that can accommodate an outside SLP coming into tutor the child during the school day twice a week. Do any of these schools have teachers are trained in Orton Gillingham reading strategies? |
Anonymous
My nephew (not in VA) has dyslexia and so I'm somewhat familiar with the learning challenges. Unfortunately, I don't expect any of the parochial Catholic schools in the DMV will have the specialized resources to accommodate a student with dyslexia. I could be wrong, but my guess is that you may be better served by public school for your student. |
Anonymous
| I would like to get back to the forum question regarding friendly NoVA schools but yes for a kid with dyslexia ( I am an SLP) I would recommend public or a school like the Lab School in DC. St John’s for HS is excellent if you are looking Catholic and they have a special program that if still having issues offers learning support https://www.stjohnschs.org/academics/benilde-program |
Anonymous
| DD would be leaving independent school where she is thriving academically but a Catholic school would better align with our values. We have been advised against Lab by our SLP who formerly worked there because DD’s dyslexia is not that severe. |