Mid range public or mid range private? More info below.
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| I’m moving back to the dc area but struggling. I have family in Olney but kinda so so on Sherwood. so I’m looking at alternatives, 2 schools I’ve seen are Avalon school, and Dematha. How would these compare to Sherwood? Or another mid rank mcps school in environment, grounds, and more. I could not think of what forum to post this so that’s why it’s here. Thanks in advance. |
Anonymous
| I would pick a a stable and solid public over a too-small or new private. But Dematha has a solid history. Why not pursue it? |
Anonymous
| Dematha is a very strong school. It’s not an elite reputation or anything, but provides a great education. |
Anonymous
| In terms of SES Sherwood and Dematha are probably on the same level. Academically Dematha is superior with the exception of math. I don’t know anything about Avalon though. |
Anonymous
|
Not sure about these mid range privates. There are a lot of other choices in MoCo.
Is your child male or female. Athletic? How old? Have you already decided to live in Olney? Is cost a factor in school choice? |
Anonymous
1. Male 2. Not athletic and 13 we would be moving next year 3. No but more than likely as we are moving for a family emergency so being near the family home which is in olney is a huge plus almost a requirement 4. Cost is a factor if I go private 30k is the budget would rather not use FA. |
Anonymous
| Our Lady of Good Counsel is in Olney, but co-ed |
Anonymous
| I definitely wouldn't want to commute from Olney to Dematha. |
Anonymous
|
DeMatha is a great school with a lot to offer boys whether they're athletic or not. They have a great music program. They have a range of academic offerings, supportive community and excellent academic support, but agree that the commute from Olney may be worth considering depending on exactly where you plan on living and working. Avalon has a good philosophy, in theory, but in practice it seems a bit too cultish, and not sure I'd pay $20,000+ to send my child there. Very limited course offerings, facilities, but there is the benefit of having super small class sizes.
Commute wise Good Counsel would be the most logical option here. |
Anonymous
|
What religion are you? Is a Catholic school consistent with your beliefs?
I would choose public school over Catholic because of my family's religious beliefs. |
Anonymous
This is a good point. Of the three, I'd say Avalon is the most conservative Catholic. GC is more mainstream but has a mix of semi-regular practicing Catholics, conservative MAGA and non-Catholics. DeMatha has a strong commitment to Christian service and community, but feels more Catholic light. That said, theology class is a requirement and there are regular masses. I think both GC and DM are about 2/3 Catholic. I believe Avalon is way more Catholic. This is based on my dated knowledge and impressions though, OP. You're better off inquiring directly with these schools. Visiting them for yourself. |
Anonymous
Christian but not catholic. So overall anout 90% consistent with my beliefs. |
Anonymous
| Sandy Spring Friends School is a few minutes from Olney and people seem to love it, even with all the problems they have had the last few years. I think the people that stayed are mostly people very invested in the school. I think they have an open house soon. |
Anonymous
We’re in a similar boat OP at another area Catholic as far as religion and it has been fine. We talk a lot at home about where we align and where we differ. Know that Catholic high schools are just overall stricter imo. Rules about hall passes, homework turned in etc., making up work wtc. I am personally fine with that, but it was a clear difference from our local public middle. |
Anonymous
| I don't think they're all that comparable. Would your child do best in a 1,600-student co-ed secular school or an 800-student single-sex Catholic school? Those are pretty distinct options. |