Blessed Sacrament DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

??

We are at a parish school and CYO is just one activity. Not all the kids get involved in it and if you are not involved, you can still be in the social circle. Not sure where you get your info. Yes, Catholic families tend to encourage sports for their kids, and I see nothing wrong with that...in fact I see it as a positive! It keeps them busy with a wholesome activity and it is awesome that there is so much parental involvement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And the boozy social scene for the parents at BS doesn't hurt either. Heaven knows I love a cocktail or two before and after the Bulldog 5K; heck some even grab a drink or tow during the race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

And the boozy social scene for the parents at BS doesn't hurt either. Heaven knows I love a cocktail or two before and after the Bulldog 5K; heck some even grab a drink or tow during the race.

Hush you!! I mean we are Catholic and all.......

[Anonymous]

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.

So either a struggling student who needed summer school and weekend tutoring got into a Big 3 from a parish school or an overly studious child who does academic extra-curriculars got into a Big 3 from a parish school. Either way, who cares he got in. Plenty of super smart students at parish schools who are qualified for a Big 3 and can get in if they want (not all of them want to, as we have heard above). Of course, just like at any other school, this does not include everyone as there are children who struggle academically and students who succeed academically. The kids who are successful academically, self-motivated, smart, well-rounded, and interesting can get into Big 3s just like anyone else similar from any other school (even public). A parish education is not by any means holding them back. That is a misnomer from people who have no clue and just naively believe gossip and negative stereotypes.

[Anonymous]

So BS is the school of choice for the parents who like to party?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So BS is the school of choice for the parents who like to party?

Maybe I'm in the minority, but to me this sounds like a good thing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So BS is the school of choice for the parents who like to party?

Maybe I'm in the minority, but to me this sounds like a good thing!

I've heard good things about the quality of the cocktails at Chantal and St. Bernadettes too. In case you wanted to branch out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So BS is the school of choice for the parents who like to party?

Yes. To completely over sterotype but what do you expect with a huge Irish Catholic contingent? My kids went to BSS and I know of parents who found the education sub-par but kept sending their kids there because they liked the parties for adults. Not my idea of good parenting, but to each their own I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Is is possible to get into BS in the later years if you are not Catholic?

[Anonymous]

It is certainly worth a try. Go to an open house this fall (several coming up) and submit an application. I believe most grades (besides K) are at capacity with wait lists, but there is always a few kids who leave each year. Great school, good luck!

[Anonymous]

I am Catholic but not Irish descent. I graduated from Georgetown Prep. My son attends Mater Dei (and plays lacrosse). I belong to Columbia CC. I drive a black Chevy Tahoe (my 4th one). I have no intention of sending my son to the "Big Three". He will likely attend Prep, Gonzaga or perhaps Saint Johns. So for all the haters out there, my question is: "What's your point?" I don't judge you, so don't judge me.

[Anonymous]

15 52. Yes. There are openings in the older grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is is possible to get into BS in the later years if you are not Catholic?

The question this begs is, "Why would you?".

If all you know about the place is that its Catholic, near CC Circle and has an attractive price than you are flying blind into this.

Questions you might ask could be, "Who sends their kids there" and "Where do they go after BS?" Or "How much different is my family than the average family there now?".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is is possible to get into BS in the later years if you are not Catholic?

The question this begs is, "Why would you?".

If all you know about the place is that its Catholic, near CC Circle and has an attractive price than you are flying blind into this.

Questions you might ask could be, "Who sends their kids there" and "Where do they go after BS?" Or "How much different is my family than the average family there now?".

We go to BSS and fit in fine. My husband is Catholic by birth, but we don't attend church and we fit in fine. I agree we haven't made close knit friendships, but you can't beat the education for the price. Not sure why so many Country Club people go there since by theory they could afford the $20k schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is is possible to get into BS in the later years if you are not Catholic?

The question this begs is, "Why would you?".

If all you know about the place is that its Catholic, near CC Circle and has an attractive price than you are flying blind into this.

Questions you might ask could be, "Who sends their kids there" and "Where do they go after BS?" Or "How much different is my family than the average family there now?".

We go to BSS and fit in fine. My husband is Catholic by birth, but we don't attend church and we fit in fine. I agree we haven't made close knit friendships, but you can't beat the education for the price. Not sure why so many Country Club people go there since by theory they could afford the $20k schools.

So you're sort of a customer of the school as opposed to being a member of the community.

That's fine and good advice to those who would consider BSS. As long as your expectations aren't too high and your skin a little thick, it should work.