Do schools like this exist anymore?

[Anonymous]

Is the "all you have to do is apply and write a check" a relic of the 80s and 90s?

Most, but not all, were Catholic schools. That's not meant to be a dig, as I attended one of them (not in the DC area).

I mean this sincerely, as I'm looking for non-competitive middle-school options that aren't too religious. Options seem limited.

[Anonymous]

Yes, many Catholic churches and schools are struggling financially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, many Catholic churches and schools are struggling financially.

In this area, though? Admissions for middle are pretty tight everywhere is my understanding.

[Anonymous]

The Catholic parochial schools in DC don't really test the kids when they are young in order to admit them, but generally (not always) need to be a member of the parish. In general, they take parish members first, then non-parish members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the "all you have to do is apply and write a check" a relic of the 80s and 90s?

Most, but not all, were Catholic schools. That's not meant to be a dig, as I attended one of them (not in the DC area).

I mean this sincerely, as I'm looking for non-competitive middle-school options that aren't too religious. Options seem limited.

What? "aren't too religious." There has never been a "Catholic school" in this country that was not "too religious"

It is that by definition it is their job to spew the Catholic religion over and over again. The definition of indoctrination.

What the hell is a "non-competitive middle school" do you not want your kid to get the best education they can?

Please see a therapist you need help or get parenting classes. This is ridiculous.

Catholic schools are for people that want a Catholic education first, academics second there is no other relality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the "all you have to do is apply and write a check" a relic of the 80s and 90s?

Most, but not all, were Catholic schools. That's not meant to be a dig, as I attended one of them (not in the DC area).

I mean this sincerely, as I'm looking for non-competitive middle-school options that aren't too religious. Options seem limited.

What? "aren't too religious." There has never been a "Catholic school" in this country that was not "too religious"

It is that by definition it is their job to spew the Catholic religion over and over again. The definition of indoctrination.

What the hell is a "non-competitive middle school" do you not want your kid to get the best education they can?

Please see a therapist you need help or get parenting classes. This is ridiculous.

Catholic schools are for people that want a Catholic education first, academics second there is no other relality.

I would suggest you try a reading class. I did not say I wanted a Catholic school. I said that "most, but not all" of these schools tend to be Catholic. But that I, on the other hand, am seeking a school that isn't religious.

"Non-competitive" is a completely reasonable wish. Many people are not seeking a pressure-cooker school, as they know it isn't a good fit for their child. There are multiple threads with similar asks.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? In NoVA, the K-8’s often have some kids who leave to go to public for middle school, or to a 7-12 school, or just move out of the area. Getting in to a parochial school for 7-8 shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, many Catholic churches and schools are struggling financially.

Not in Northern Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the "all you have to do is apply and write a check" a relic of the 80s and 90s?

Most, but not all, were Catholic schools. That's not meant to be a dig, as I attended one of them (not in the DC area).

I mean this sincerely, as I'm looking for non-competitive middle-school options that aren't too religious. Options seem limited.

What? "aren't too religious." There has never been a "Catholic school" in this country that was not "too religious"

It is that by definition it is their job to spew the Catholic religion over and over again. The definition of indoctrination.

What the hell is a "non-competitive middle school" do you not want your kid to get the best education they can?

Please see a therapist you need help or get parenting classes. This is ridiculous.

Catholic schools are for people that want a Catholic education first, academics second there is no other relality.

Physicians, diagnose thyself!

[Anonymous]

Ignore the anti-Catholic troll that seems to have alerts set up so as never to miss a chance to sputter incoherently about indoctrination.

OP, unfortunately, the reality is that demand for private schools in this area is greater than the supply of seats. There are very few schools that will literally take anyone who can write a check - and if you find one, chances are it’s one that is in great financial decline and might not survive long.

[Anonymous]

I think our K-8 is this, except that some grades are full.

Think about it, a school that is consistently under enrolled will not survive. They have to strive to be full. But that doesn’t mean there’s huge competition for every open seat. It will depend mainly on the grade and luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think our K-8 is this, except that some grades are full.

Think about it, a school that is consistently under enrolled will not survive. They have to strive to be full. But that doesn’t mean there’s huge competition for every open seat. It will depend mainly on the grade and luck.

Except that in this area, most schools DO get more applications than they have seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the "all you have to do is apply and write a check" a relic of the 80s and 90s?

Most, but not all, were Catholic schools. That's not meant to be a dig, as I attended one of them (not in the DC area).

I mean this sincerely, as I'm looking for non-competitive middle-school options that aren't too religious. Options seem limited.

All school rec threads should have a required set of parameters:

Where are you located and how far will you drive?

Is your kid sporty, nerdy, in between?

Big school, small school, in between?

Pressure cooker test factory, less structured mastery curriculum, something in between?

You want to look for schools with "rolling admissions" that do still exist but usually fill a special niche of one sort or another above.

The more you can tell us, the more you may get ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the "all you have to do is apply and write a check" a relic of the 80s and 90s?

Most, but not all, were Catholic schools. That's not meant to be a dig, as I attended one of them (not in the DC area).

I mean this sincerely, as I'm looking for non-competitive middle-school options that aren't too religious. Options seem limited.

All school rec threads should have a required set of parameters:

Where are you located and how far will you drive?

Is your kid sporty, nerdy, in between?

Big school, small school, in between?

Pressure cooker test factory, less structured mastery curriculum, something in between?

You want to look for schools with "rolling admissions" that do still exist but usually fill a special niche of one sort or another above.

The more you can tell us, the more you may get ideas.

Thanks for this. I'm very new to the process. This would be for the 2026-2027 school year (6th grade).

Where are you located and how far will you drive?

close-in MoCo. 20 mins each way. If transportation is provided, we'd use it.

Is your kid sporty, nerdy, in between?

Sportyish, bright, but not on a gifted track. Has IEP with basic accommodations (extra testing time, etc.) for ADHD. Executive functioning is the biggest challenge.

Big school, small school, in between?

Open to any, but really tiny (staying with the same 15 kids for the entire school career) is least preferable.

Pressure cooker test factory, less structured mastery curriculum, something in between?

NOT a pressure cooker for sure. Supportive environment, strong emphasis on humanities and writing in particular.

Other things that may help:

We are open to schools designed for ADHD students, but I am under the impression admission is so competitive that he's unlikely to get in (thinking of McLean here). However, other DC is NT, so would prefer for them to be able to attend the same school.

Budget isn't an issue for the right fit.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot: Lowell, WES, St. Patrick’s, NPS, Sheridan etc. if you can pay full boat you in.