Why doesnt anyone mention DeMatha here?

[Anonymous]

seems it checks lany boxes esp the sports obssessed

[Anonymous]

Have you done a search for DeMatha in the forum? It is mentioned plenty.

[Anonymous]

What would like to be said about DeMatha? Issues with the admin? Teachers? Carpool traffic inefficiency? College outcomes good or bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:seems it checks lany boxes esp the sports obssessed

This forum is dominated by the white liberal moms of DC, Bethesda and Arlington who send their kids to the so-called big 3 or big 5 private schools, in DC or Bethesda.
Dematha is in PG and you know what they think of PG County.

[Anonymous]

The answer is probably because it's not WOTP or in MoCo, therefore it's out of sight, out of mind for most people on this board. However, it's a great school that has a lot to offer. Our DS started as a freshman this year and is loving it so far. The community is strong, he's mad a bunch of friends in just the first couple of weeks and he seems to be enjoying his classes (he's in all honors and getting used to the course load though he seems well-prepared coming from a K-8 parochial school).

It's been mentioned on this board before, but DeMatha really seems to "get" boys and they cater to a wide range of academic ability and interests, plus they offer structured academic support that is available to all students.

It's definitely a strong sports culture and highly competitive there. One downside is that there doesn't seem to be any intramural or recreational sports available since facilities are limited and prioritize Varsity team needs. But the school spirit is infectious and kids seem to be part of the DeMatha team whether they're playing or not.

The music program has a phenomenal/national reputation as well and many kids here are involved in music and the arts.

Construction is underway for a new robotics/STEM building set to open in the Spring.

Major downside for us is the commute. DS is on a school-provided shuttle but has to take public transportation to get to that stop since they don't offer a shuttle close to our house. If it weren't for the commute it'd be a perfect school for our son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer is probably because it's not WOTP or in MoCo, therefore it's out of sight, out of mind for most people on this board. However, it's a great school that has a lot to offer. Our DS started as a freshman this year and is loving it so far. The community is strong, he's mad a bunch of friends in just the first couple of weeks and he seems to be enjoying his classes (he's in all honors and getting used to the course load though he seems well-prepared coming from a K-8 parochial school).

It's been mentioned on this board before, but DeMatha really seems to "get" boys and they cater to a wide range of academic ability and interests, plus they offer structured academic support that is available to all students.

It's definitely a strong sports culture and highly competitive there. One downside is that there doesn't seem to be any intramural or recreational sports available since facilities are limited and prioritize Varsity team needs. But the school spirit is infectious and kids seem to be part of the DeMatha team whether they're playing or not.

The music program has a phenomenal/national reputation as well and many kids here are involved in music and the arts.

Construction is underway for a new robotics/STEM building set to open in the Spring.

Major downside for us is the commute. DS is on a school-provided shuttle but has to take public transportation to get to that stop since they don't offer a shuttle close to our house. If it weren't for the commute it'd be a perfect school for our son.

The answer is: it is discussed on this board, as you yourself note.

[Anonymous]

Usually, the catholic schools aren’t discussed on this board as much. Lately, some have been coming up, but historically they haven’t been discussed as much as a lot of the other independents. There are a few acceptions to the rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually, the catholic schools aren’t discussed on this board as much. Lately, some have been coming up, but historically they haven’t been discussed as much as a lot of the other independents. There are a few acceptions to the rule.

exceptions

[Anonymous]

DeMatha, like Bishop McNamara, is an ADW diocese school if I recall. It is not as academically challenging/rewarding as SAAS, The Heights, Gonzaga and perhaps St. Jerome’s Institute, all of which are Catholic but which are not under the ADW curriculum, direction and control. You get what you pay for and hopefully it’s a great fit for your child, commute and disposable income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DeMatha, like Bishop McNamara, is an ADW diocese school if I recall. It is not as academically challenging/rewarding as SAAS, The Heights, Gonzaga and perhaps St. Jerome’s Institute, all of which are Catholic but which are not under the ADW curriculum, direction and control. You get what you pay for and hopefully it’s a great fit for your child, commute and disposable income.

This is not true. There are only two ADW high schools, Don Bosco Cristo Rey which has a very specialized mission and Archbishop Carroll.

[Anonymous]

Would a “quirky” kid do well at DeMatha? My DS is a funny mix of bro-y and unique, so by “quirky” I don’t mean he doesn’t like sports or pop culture. But he cannot play any team sports due to a disability and marches to the beat of his own drummer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would a “quirky” kid do well at DeMatha? My DS is a funny mix of bro-y and unique, so by “quirky” I don’t mean he doesn’t like sports or pop culture. But he cannot play any team sports due to a disability and marches to the beat of his own drummer.

Have him attend shadow day to see what he thinks.

[Anonymous]

Probably because of the demographics. It is primarily an African American/Latino school. It
is also all the way out in PG.
I wonder if they compete more with the Good Counsel crowd because of location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably because of the demographics. It is primarily an African American/Latino school. It
is also all the way out in PG.
I wonder if they compete more with the Good Counsel crowd because of location.

It’s not really that. Dematha comes up every so often. Other than Gonzaga, most DMV schools under their local Archdiocese aren’t thought of as high most the top Independent schools. It’s the same for good counsel, O’Connell, PVI, Carroll, Ireton, and even St John’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably because of the demographics. It is primarily an African American/Latino school. It
is also all the way out in PG.
I wonder if they compete more with the Good Counsel crowd because of location.

It’s not really that. Dematha comes up every so often. Other than Gonzaga, most DMV schools under their local Archdiocese aren’t thought of as high most the top Independent schools. It’s the same for good counsel, O’Connell, PVI, Carroll, Ireton, and even St John’s.

The other PP was right. The demographics usually keep DeMatha safely under the DCUM radar. That’s a good thing.