What are the Greater DC "Big 3" Catholic Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is Niche's official list of the best Catholics

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

BEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA
#1 St. Anselm's Abbey School

#2 BEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA
Georgetown Preparatory School

#3 BEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

This

[Anonymous]

Please don’t try to make this a thing. It’s unseemly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

This is very helpful!

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

How is saying The Heights wouldn’t be the top 3 a bigoted tirade? This isn’t a personal attack on educational choices, we are fortunate to have so many quality Catholic schools in our area.

[Anonymous]

Visi
Oakcrest
Stoneridge
The Heights

in that order

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Big 3 in terms of what?

Most religious?

1. The Heights
2. Oakcrest
3. Prep

Athletics?

1. Gonzaga
2. SR
3. Prep


Academics? (Going off of College placement and SAT scores here)

1. Prep
2. St. Anslems
3. Visi

--Heights would be 4th here (Actually have better SAT than everyone but Anslems)--


The problem with using Niche as a source for "best school" rankings is that they take Athletics, Clubs, and Diversity into account which should have nothing to do with academic rankings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Big 3 in terms of what?

Most religious?

1. The Heights
2. Oakcrest
3. Prep

Athletics?

1. Gonzaga
2. SR
3. Prep


Academics? (Going off of College placement and SAT scores here)

1. Prep
2. St. Anslems
3. Visi

--Heights would be 4th here (Actually have better SAT than everyone but Anslems)--


The problem with using Niche as a source for "best school" rankings is that they take Athletics, Clubs, and Diversity into account which should have nothing to do with academic rankings.

These things are just as important to prepare our kids for the society they will live in and all the non catholic big three schools consider these things important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Big 3 in terms of what?

Most religious?

1. The Heights
2. Oakcrest
3. Prep

Athletics?

1. Gonzaga
2. SR
3. Prep


Academics? (Going off of College placement and SAT scores here)

1. Prep
2. St. Anslems
3. Visi

--Heights would be 4th here (Actually have better SAT than everyone but Anslems)--


The problem with using Niche as a source for "best school" rankings is that they take Athletics, Clubs, and Diversity into account which should have nothing to do with academic rankings.

For those wanting more specific info on the Academics rankings the SAT score rankings are:

1. Anslems @1390
2. Heights @1360
3. Prep @1350
4. Visitation @1330


Commended National Merit Scholars

Prep @11 (0 Semi-Finalists)
Heights @13 (2 Semi-Finalists)
Stone Ridge @5 (0 Semi-Finalists)
Visi @15 (1 FINALIST)
No data for St. Anslems but likely high

St. Anslems & The Heights are also half the size of the rest of these schools, so more kudos to them for putting up more impressive #s with less students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Big 3 in terms of what?

Most religious?

1. The Heights
2. Oakcrest
3. Prep

Athletics?

1. Gonzaga
2. SR
3. Prep


Academics? (Going off of College placement and SAT scores here)

1. Prep
2. St. Anslems
3. Visi

--Heights would be 4th here (Actually have better SAT than everyone but Anslems)--


The problem with using Niche as a source for "best school" rankings is that they take Athletics, Clubs, and Diversity into account which should have nothing to do with academic rankings.

Not sure where you are getting info on the scores and placement. Niche displays scores reported by Niche users...it's not like the common data set (which are reported by the colleges). That's why it's important to weigh all the elements, not just one. The academics are certainly good in all these schools, but there are other things to consider.

[Anonymous]

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. Tie: Visitation / The Heights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Big 3 in terms of what?

Most religious?

1. The Heights
2. Oakcrest
3. Prep

Athletics?

1. Gonzaga
2. SR
3. Prep


Academics? (Going off of College placement and SAT scores here)

1. Prep
2. St. Anslems
3. Visi

--Heights would be 4th here (Actually have better SAT than everyone but Anslems)--


The problem with using Niche as a source for "best school" rankings is that they take Athletics, Clubs, and Diversity into account which should have nothing to do with academic rankings.

For those wanting more specific info on the Academics rankings the SAT score rankings are:

1. Anslems @1390
2. Heights @1360
3. Prep @1350
4. Visitation @1330


Commended National Merit Scholars

Prep @11 (0 Semi-Finalists)
Heights @13 (2 Semi-Finalists)
Stone Ridge @5 (0 Semi-Finalists)
Visi @15 (1 FINALIST)
No data for St. Anslems but likely high

St. Anslems & The Heights are also half the size of the rest of these schools, so more kudos to them for putting up more impressive #s with less students

For that matter, St. Anselm’s looks to be about 1/2 the size of Heights: there are only 34 kids in the St. Anselm’s senior class, nearly 1/4 of whom are either commended or semi-finalists; 2 are semi-finalists. Several commenters on this thread are surprisingly unfamiliar with St. Anselm’s level of academic rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Big 3 in terms of what?

Most religious?

1. The Heights
2. Oakcrest
3. Prep

Athletics?

1. Gonzaga
2. SR
3. Prep


Academics? (Going off of College placement and SAT scores here)

1. Prep
2. St. Anslems
3. Visi

--Heights would be 4th here (Actually have better SAT than everyone but Anslems)--


The problem with using Niche as a source for "best school" rankings is that they take Athletics, Clubs, and Diversity into account which should have nothing to do with academic rankings.

No way SR or Prep are better ranking in sports than SJC.
Strictly sports is more like

SJC
Good Counsel
Gonzaga
DeMatha
Prep
PVI
Visi
SR

After top 3 could go any way.

[Anonymous]

Is it the height by far the most conservative and strict and religious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it the height by far the most conservative and strict and religious?

Its most conservative by default that every other school in the area is extremely liberal. Its religiously conservative, but has to have some liberal families if its in the DMV.