Differences Between Alexandria Parochials St. Marys, St. Ritas, Blessed Sacrament?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are these schools as of 2019?

How do these schools rank as of 2019? Which would be top academically?

Have 2 kids at Blessed Sacrament. Like any other school, there are things we love and things that make me want to pull my hair out. We just had a class gathering at a playground to welcome a transfer student. The Mom was going on and on about how she wasn't pleased with ACPS and Maury elementary and that the "academics" aren't there, etc. I was VERY surprised and after talking to a few other families that were there, this is the consensus on why people choose Catholic schools:

1) Instilling Catholic beliefs in their children. Period.

2) Whether real or imagined, a sense of community and the idea that parents who care enough to apply/pay for tuition will be more invested in the school and community.

3) Easier issues with behavior in the classroom... the ability to remove children from the class who are disruptive, etc.

Every single parent that I talked to about this issue said academics were NOT their main focus. From my personal experience at BSS, this particular Catholic school caters to the middle of the road - I think with large class sizes, it would be difficult to properly educate those who are severely behind or ahead.

So, you may get some responses from people who have better knowledge of the actual academics of these three schools (I only have BSS experience), but generally, I don't think any Catholic school is going to try to sell you on academics as the main point of their existence.

Because it goes without saying. And also, it's striver-ish and uncouth to say out loud that your children are smarter and higher achieving than their less fortunate peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's is significantly larger - 725 students in 2012, vs 328 at Blessed Sacrament and 200 at St. Rita's.

Blessed Sacrament has over 500 students.

How many classes per grade at St. Rita’s? Does it perform well academically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, If you are interested in diversity at all, St. Rita's student body is very diverse compared to Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary's which have next to no diversity.

Diversity is important to our family. Does anyone know the racial demographics of St. Rita’s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are not an active parishioner, getting into St. Mary's and Blessed Sacrament will be next to impossible.

This is an old post and thread. Can someone comment on the current competitiveness of getting into Blessed Sacrament, St. Mary’s, and St. Rita’s? We have a riding kindergartener and live within four miles of each school so very interested. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's is significantly larger - 725 students in 2012, vs 328 at Blessed Sacrament and 200 at St. Rita's.

Blessed Sacrament has over 500 students.

How many classes per grade at St. Rita’s? Does it perform well academically?

Does anyone know if St. Rita’s is very competitive to get into?

[Anonymous]

Apply to all 3- BSM and BS were always harder to get into, COVID has made it even more difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apply to all 3- BSM and BS were always harder to get into, COVID has made it even more difficult.

Why do people prefer Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary’s over St. Rita’s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone comment on how a politically liberal Jewish parent might be welcomed at any of these schools? Would this affect how our DC is accepted? My spouse is Catholic with a family tradition of Catholic schools and we are considering for our DC. Another concern is income level. We are both feds (high 14s) so have a comfortable lifestyle (though some on this board might disagree), but we put all any savings towards retirement or college funds. We don't drive expensive cars, belong to a country club, or go on vacations other than to visit family. We live in a modest (by DC standards) house. I know I should not care about "fitting in" (either us or DC), but I attended Big 3 schools and always felt self-conscious about not having as much money as most of the families. In fact, I still feel self-conscious at reunions for these schools. Maybe we just need to instill more self-confidence in our DC than I have!

My DC just finished his first year at Blessed Sacrament. You would be a welcomed addition to the school.

Which of the Catholic schools in Alexandria are less conservative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Class sizes at St Mary are reasonable...22-26, depending on grade and whether your grade has 3 classes or 4. All classes through 2nd have their own aide, and 3rd grade has a floatiing aid. Despite the decent-sized classes, the fact that there are nearly 800 students in the aging facility cannot be discounted. School mass and assemblies in the gym are dangerously full; and lunch is extremely short in order ot accomodate all those kids through the lines in 2 hours. I wish the principal would stop expanding the # of classes per grade (bubble classses) just to accomodate wealthy parishioners who complained that they were waitlisted.

Parishoners have been waitlisted? When did the number of classes increase? I just remember being told by one of the priests a number of years back that for the first time in his tenure, a parishoner's child wasn't admitted. Maybe alot has changed.

I have to admit, I am surprised to here there are 4 classes per grade. Is that more than Lyles Crouch?

I know kids who got in who aren't even catholic. I also know catholic parents who won't send their kids there because of class size!(St. Mary's)

Why are non-Catholic children applying? Covid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are not an active parishioner, getting into St. Mary's and Blessed Sacrament will be next to impossible.

This is an old post and thread. Can someone comment on the current competitiveness of getting into Blessed Sacrament, St. Mary’s, and St. Rita’s? We have a riding kindergartener and live within four miles of each school so very interested. TIA.

Most catholic schools saw an increase in enrollment with the pandemic. You’re beat shot will be with whatever parish you’re registered with, assuming you’re catholic. And this diocese expects you to register with the church that you’re in-bounds for. It’s unusual in that way.

[Anonymous]

I think most people would say St. Louis is the least conservative option. You would have to call to find demographics but again my thought would be Saint Louis and Saint Rita’s would be higher and this aspect. Admittedly, that is a guess based on where they are geographically.

I think BSM & BS are just bigger and more well-known as compared to Saint Rita’s.


Also, one of my best friends in Catholic high school was Jewish. Read through some of the texts on previous threads regarding non-Catholics in Catholic schools. In my opinion the community would be welcoming. Only you would be able to determine how comfortable you were with DC learning basic Catholic catechism.