How is St. John Paul the great high school?

[Anonymous]

Recently bought a townhome in Woodbridge. I was in a rush and found out the schools aren’t good. I have to pivot quickly for my class of 2029 kid. The school is close, affordable, and seems to be nice, but if anyone has experience with it or other recommendations, please let me know.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump

You bumped after less than 15 minutes on a Sunday morning? Most of the people who go to that school are probably at Mass. give it a little patience.

[Anonymous]

I doubt many people in DCUM are familiar with the school due to its location. I have a coworker who sends two of her children there and is happy.

[Anonymous]

My kids go to a different school but some friends from their K-8 attend. Most seem happy with it. Biggest complaints I’ve heard are about the teachers being too strict, along the lines of girls and boys getting into trouble for “standing too close together” (this might have some teenage exaggeration so maybe take with a grain of salt) and dress code violations, and the homework load being fairly heavy, which seems fairly typical for a traditional Catholic school. My kids’ teams have played them for sports and the kids seem nice and friendly on the whole. Looks like a nice community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids go to a different school but some friends from their K-8 attend. Most seem happy with it. Biggest complaints I’ve heard are about the teachers being too strict, along the lines of girls and boys getting into trouble for “standing too close together” (this might have some teenage exaggeration so maybe take with a grain of salt) and dress code violations, and the homework load being fairly heavy, which seems fairly typical for a traditional Catholic school. My kids’ teams have played them for sports and the kids seem nice and friendly on the whole. Looks like a nice community.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

We go to Paul VI and my impression is that it is basically the same as Paul VI, O’Connell, or Bishop Ireton (the other three Diocesan high schools), simply for that geographical area. Are you Catholic? I would consider it if you are Catholic but not simply because you found out the public schools in the area are not up to par. For one thing, admissions will be much harder if you are not a practicing Catholic and your child has had all their sacramental preparation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We go to Paul VI and my impression is that it is basically the same as Paul VI, O’Connell, or Bishop Ireton (the other three Diocesan high schools), simply for that geographical area. Are you Catholic? I would consider it if you are Catholic but not simply because you found out the public schools in the area are not up to par. For one thing, admissions will be much harder if you are not a practicing Catholic and your child has had all their sacramental preparation.

No, I am non-denominational, but they graduated from a K-8 Catholic school. Could that even things out? If those are not good fits for non-Catholics, do you have any other recommendations?

[Anonymous]

I know many families with happy, well educated children who are very devoted to st. John Paul the Great. Having visited with my own kid, the halls were filled with cheerful students and smiling nuns and teachers. It was rather remarkable. Many families travel quite a distance to go there.

The Diocesan Catholic High schools each have a unique personality. I liken it to how your own children are different. This one is golden for sure! It was just too great a distance for us to travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to Paul VI and my impression is that it is basically the same as Paul VI, O’Connell, or Bishop Ireton (the other three Diocesan high schools), simply for that geographical area. Are you Catholic? I would consider it if you are Catholic but not simply because you found out the public schools in the area are not up to par. For one thing, admissions will be much harder if you are not a practicing Catholic and your child has had all their sacramental preparation.

No, I am non-denominational, but they graduated from a K-8 Catholic school. Could that even things out? If those are not good fits for non-Catholics, do you have any other recommendations?

What grade are you actually looking for? First post said class of 2029 which would be in 8th now looking to start 9th (which - have you confirmed the school has space for 9th, since the regular admissions period has passed?), but now you say your kid graduated from a Catholic k-8, which suggests that they are at least in 9th now and you’re looking to join 10th or higher. I guess it doesn’t really matter because either way you are off-cycle and need to confirm that the school has space for next fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to Paul VI and my impression is that it is basically the same as Paul VI, O’Connell, or Bishop Ireton (the other three Diocesan high schools), simply for that geographical area. Are you Catholic? I would consider it if you are Catholic but not simply because you found out the public schools in the area are not up to par. For one thing, admissions will be much harder if you are not a practicing Catholic and your child has had all their sacramental preparation.

No, I am non-denominational, but they graduated from a K-8 Catholic school. Could that even things out? If those are not good fits for non-Catholics, do you have any other recommendations?

What grade are you actually looking for? First post said class of 2029 which would be in 8th now looking to start 9th (which - have you confirmed the school has space for 9th, since the regular admissions period has passed?), but now you say your kid graduated from a Catholic k-8, which suggests that they are at least in 9th now and you’re looking to join 10th or higher. I guess it doesn’t really matter because either way you are off-cycle and need to confirm that the school has space for next fall.

I kinda had an error I said graduates oast tense when they are going to graduate 8th grade soon so it would be for 9th grade I’ve talked to some schools and they are still willing to take them for 9th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We go to Paul VI and my impression is that it is basically the same as Paul VI, O’Connell, or Bishop Ireton (the other three Diocesan high schools), simply for that geographical area. Are you Catholic? I would consider it if you are Catholic but not simply because you found out the public schools in the area are not up to par. For one thing, admissions will be much harder if you are not a practicing Catholic and your child has had all their sacramental preparation.

No, I am non-denominational, but they graduated from a K-8 Catholic school. Could that even things out? If those are not good fits for non-Catholics, do you have any other recommendations?

What grade are you actually looking for? First post said class of 2029 which would be in 8th now looking to start 9th (which - have you confirmed the school has space for 9th, since the regular admissions period has passed?), but now you say your kid graduated from a Catholic k-8, which suggests that they are at least in 9th now and you’re looking to join 10th or higher. I guess it doesn’t really matter because either way you are off-cycle and need to confirm that the school has space for next fall.

I kinda had an error I said graduates oast tense when they are going to graduate 8th grade soon so it would be for 9th grade I’ve talked to some schools and they are still willing to take them for 9th.

The timing on this still sounds off. Your child currently attends a Catholic K-8, you say. So did they take the HSPT?

Whether JPtG would still have spaces open in its freshman class, I am really not so sure. I think before you go any further, you should call the school and ask.

[Anonymous]

We’re going to BI next year and I know they have a waitlist for all grades. I’d say there’s no chance for this fall, but maybe next year?

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend if close enough to you Seton School in Manassas - grades 7-12. I was not impressed with St. John Paul high school in Stafford when I checked it out. It's new but its big; look hard at course offerings and where non-athlete students are admmited for university.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a child enrolled there. My child selected O'Connell. However, the students at the open house were really upbeat and friendly. They talked about the ways they build community, the extracurricular activities like orchestra and drama (not just sports). They have an Options program for students with Down syndrome which benefits the other students as well who get to be mentors...and it was pretty faith-focused. They seem to be growing (as more people move away from DC, especially). I know BI & O'Connell had more applications than usual. A newer building also tends to mean better facilities. Good luck.