Blessed Sacrament DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if you decide to go Big 3 for high school then you still save $279,000 for k-8th elementary school. Seems like a smart financial decision to me!

If you are going co-ed it makes more sense but to choose a non-Catholic all boys over Prep or Gonzaga would seem strange if you are already in the Catholic community.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't seem like anyone on this thread is anti-Catholic nor challenging the benefits of a Catholic school. However you can't compare the "big 3" to the more competitive Catholic HS as providing the same education and opportunities. If you look at things like SAT scores, matriculation and # of Nat Merit Scholars at the top private schools in the area only St. Anselm's Abbey rates in the top 10.

Is this important to everyone? Of course not. However, if your goal is for your child to attend one of the "big 3" don't count on going the parish school route to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't seem like anyone on this thread is anti-Catholic nor challenging the benefits of a Catholic school. However you can't compare the "big 3" to the more competitive Catholic HS as providing the same education and opportunities. If you look at things like SAT scores, matriculation and # of Nat Merit Scholars at the top private schools in the area only St. Anselm's Abbey rates in the top 10.

Is this important to everyone? Of course not. However, if your goal is for your child to attend one of the "big 3" don't count on going the parish school route to get there.

Yes, but is it worth the extra $351K? That is the question most wonder.

[Anonymous]

DC took both tests. He scored very high on both. Yes there are a select few who apply outside the Catholic selections, but like I said, it is very rare. Most would prefer not to throw money away on a non-religious education, when it is readily available in some pubic schools. We live in a very desirable school district, so if we did non-religious, we would be either at our local public or a magnet. $40K just isn't worth it for us.

This is so rife with opinions presented as facts, assumptions and personal biases. Choosing an independent over a Catholic school does not equate to "throwing money away." Suggesting that those who don't choose Catholic would prefer public (if they are in a strong district) is a blatant over-generalization. For instance, we strongly prefer one of the "Big 3" over our local public, which is recognized as one of the best in this area. Our public doesn't offer the small classes, character education, rigorous academics, etc. that our DS is getting in his non-Catholic private. Catholic schools in this area are not generally known for superior academics or progressive education, and many/most families choose them due to the religious component. Some families - like mine - choose an independent school because it is the best environment for their child. Your posts purporting to lay down absolutes based on your thoughts/experiences do not ring true for all families who send their kids to Catholic ES - and really, your last line above seems to be the best summary for the basis of your posts.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but is it worth the extra $351K? That is the question most wonder.

I think so. I don't think Gonzaga and STA, to name just two, compare academically. Size of classes, range of student abilities, etc. are quite different. But if you are asking about comparing those, what about this - is it worth it to spend $200k on Catholic education when your DC could arguably receive a better education in local public schools (minus the religious Ed)?

[Anonymous]

I find DCUM private school discussions infuriating. Just so vapid! I hate to break it to you but a smart kid is going to be smart whether s/he does elementary school in a Big 3 or private, public, or parochial. All the schools cover the same basics. The difference between them all is 1) the facilities, 2) social atmosphere, 3) variety and frequency of specials, 4) amount of extra curricular (clubs etc). Trashing different schools, which YOU don't even attend -your kids do (!!), is pedestrian at best. I think there is a dearth of intelligent school discussions on this board regarding schools. It is strictly the domain of the insecure and competitive parent, who really has nothing better to offer the world then to trash different schools in DC.

At the end of the day, every study has given you the answer, the only two factors that matter in educational success is your family income/SES and the mother's educational achievement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but is it worth the extra $351K? That is the question most wonder.

I think so. I don't think Gonzaga and STA, to name just two, compare academically. Size of classes, range of student abilities, etc. are quite different. But if you are asking about comparing those, what about this - is it worth it to spend $200k on Catholic education when your DC could arguably receive a better education in local public schools (minus the religious Ed)?

I would never consider STA as a school for my 4.4 GPA son who is at Gonzaga. The environment at STA (and the other Big 3) is not one that we consider conducive to our son's growth from an academic, spiritual, and physical standpoint. There is something special at Gonzaga that you will never get at STA. Namely a sense of service to others...not just the run of the mill community service most schools do, but really living it daily, being exposed to those in need on a daily basis. At STA you are exposed to people with money, period. Gonzaga's homeless shelter in the basement of the church gives these boys a chance to be "men for others" right in their back yard.

Another aspect is the the athletics at Gonzaga are superior to STA. I know of many boys who are not even considering STA because of this and are going to Gonzaga. Just read the STA lacrosse thread to get a feel for the state of athletic affairs at STA. Pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but is it worth the extra $351K? That is the question most wonder.

I think so. I don't think Gonzaga and STA, to name just two, compare academically. Size of classes, range of student abilities, etc. are quite different. But if you are asking about comparing those, what about this - is it worth it to spend $200k on Catholic education when your DC could arguably receive a better education in local public schools (minus the religious Ed)?

It's unlikely that this poster will ever "get it" on the reasons Catholics send their children to Catholic schools. He or she sees the only difference being Religious Ed, when that is just one of the components that has kept Catholic schools in business since the mid-1800's.

Catholic schools are a key component in keeping the Catholic community connected. Community, family tradition, shared values and discipline all matter and they are willing to pay for them even though this represents a significant sacrifice for many, if not most, Catholic families.

At the same time, Catholics look at the public schools and don't like what they see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but is it worth the extra $351K? That is the question most wonder.

I think so. I don't think Gonzaga and STA, to name just two, compare academically. Size of classes, range of student abilities, etc. are quite different. But if you are asking about comparing those, what about this - is it worth it to spend $200k on Catholic education when your DC could arguably receive a better education in local public schools (minus the religious Ed)?

It's unlikely that this poster will ever "get it" on the reasons Catholics send their children to Catholic schools. He or she sees the only difference being Religious Ed, when that is just one of the components that has kept Catholic schools in business since the mid-1800's.

Catholic schools are a key component in keeping the Catholic community connected. Community, family tradition, shared values and discipline all matter and they are willing to pay for them even though this represents a significant sacrifice for many, if not most, Catholic families.

At the same time, Catholics look at the public schools and don't like what they see.

Thank you. Catholics don't choose to send their kids to Catholic school based simply on test scores of the school. It is deeper than that. It goes to the essence of how we raise our children. Many, if not all of us, would choose to put our children into a Catholic high school over a "big 3" because that is what we want for our children. We know our children will receive an excellent education both academically and spiritually. In our case, even though my DH is an Ivy grad (went to small Catholic hs) and I am a top 10 University grad (went to large suburban public high school) our hope is that our kids soon will pick a Catholic university to attend. It is that important to our family.

[Anonymous]

Well, there you go.

I'm hoping the PP is referring to the reasons schools offer sports, because

STA requires all boys to play 3 sports so it isn't the school for the family who is counting on multiple college sports scholarship offers. STA does have talented athletes and some are recruited to play in college- but that isn't the focus of the school and their athletic program.

I wouldn't call this pathetic, just different priorities. STA is a very challenging school and while they do recruit athletes, as many of the boys schools do, these young men have to be able to manage the school work as well, and that does limit recruiting efforts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, there you go.

I'm hoping the PP is referring to the reasons schools offer sports, because

STA requires all boys to play 3 sports so it isn't the school for the family who is counting on multiple college sports scholarship offers. STA does have talented athletes and some are recruited to play in college- but that isn't the focus of the school and their athletic program.

I wouldn't call this pathetic, just different priorities. STA is a very challenging school and while they do recruit athletes, as many of the boys schools do, these young men have to be able to manage the school work as well, and that does limit recruiting efforts.

Who does this?! Sport scholarships in college are a MASSIVE waste of time. I taught at the college level and my student athletes were hands down my worst students because they missed class for sports! Student athletes' main priority is sports not education, IMHO. No responsible parent who has actually gone to college and received a decent education would push their child into trying to obtain a sports scholarship, esp when they are paying for a private school education because in some cases college isn't much more than private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Mater Dei and other dc Catholics pulled a bunch of spots at sta this year. Some them are gunning for the close.

Two or three kids out of MD and the other Catholics is a small drop in the bucket.

If the Catholics are not applying as claimed on this thread but those that do ALL pull STA there Might be something going on. If 5 kids apply one year and shoot 100 percent, how long will it be until 40 apply and shoot 60?

Surprising as it may be to you, the Catholics want to go to Gonzaga and Prep and these are their their first choices. They don't apply to STA, not because they won't get in, but because they aren't interested in going there.

Yeah, but they're not getting in. No way. Not after a parish school education.

The May issue of Our Parish Times is out. There are parish kids who got into STA and Sidwell. Who knows, more may have gotten in and decided to go Catholic for less. It is really fun to look through and see where the kids are going. As you can see the vast majority are continuing on to Catholic High Schools.

Yes we have friends whose sons got in from a parish school technically - but they also did weekend school on top of that. Weekend and special summer school classes and camps. The typical parish education is not enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could try Little Flower, although there is a definite cliquishness there as well mostly built around the cult of CYO.

CYO?

Someone considering Blessed Sacrament who doesn't know what the CYO is?

It boggles the mind.

Suffice it to say, you are looking in the wrong place.

You have never met crazier sports parents than the catholic school families around here. I assume you are not Catholic. Look elsewhere.

That's very true. It's nuts. And it has less to do with the kids and sports and more to do with the parents using it as a vehicle for their own social advancement (at least in their minds). Most of the parish schools offer little if anything in terms of extracurricular activities so CYO becomes the only outlet. Better make sure your child is into it and you buy into the scene--or say hello to general alienation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mater Dei and other dc Catholics pulled a bunch of spots at sta this year. Some them are gunning for the close.

Two or three kids out of MD and the other Catholics is a small drop in the bucket.

If the Catholics are not applying as claimed on this thread but those that do ALL pull STA there Might be something going on. If 5 kids apply one year and shoot 100 percent, how long will it be until 40 apply and shoot 60?

Surprising as it may be to you, the Catholics want to go to Gonzaga and Prep and these are their their first choices. They don't apply to STA, not because they won't get in, but because they aren't interested in going there.

Yeah, but they're not getting in. No way. Not after a parish school education.

The May issue of Our Parish Times is out. There are parish kids who got into STA and Sidwell. Who knows, more may have gotten in and decided to go Catholic for less. It is really fun to look through and see where the kids are going. As you can see the vast majority are continuing on to Catholic High Schools.

Yes we have friends whose sons got in from a parish school technically - but they also did weekend school on top of that. Weekend and special summer school classes and camps. The typical parish education is not enough.

You know this because of one friend's son. Oh ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mater Dei and other dc Catholics pulled a bunch of spots at sta this year. Some them are gunning for the close.

Two or three kids out of MD and the other Catholics is a small drop in the bucket.

If the Catholics are not applying as claimed on this thread but those that do ALL pull STA there Might be something going on. If 5 kids apply one year and shoot 100 percent, how long will it be until 40 apply and shoot 60?

Surprising as it may be to you, the Catholics want to go to Gonzaga and Prep and these are their their first choices. They don't apply to STA, not because they won't get in, but because they aren't interested in going there.

Yeah, but they're not getting in. No way. Not after a parish school education.

The May issue of Our Parish Times is out. There are parish kids who got into STA and Sidwell. Who knows, more may have gotten in and decided to go Catholic for less. It is really fun to look through and see where the kids are going. As you can see the vast majority are continuing on to Catholic High Schools.

Yes we have friends whose sons got in from a parish school technically - but they also did weekend school on top of that. Weekend and special summer school classes and camps. The typical parish education is not enough.

I believe they call that remedial tutoring for struggling students.