Good Counsel- Is it too far?

[Anonymous]

Can you do Lab School instead? Sounds like a horrible commute. Plus all the school buddies will live near school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are we crazy to consider Good Counsel High School? It is 45 minutes away from where we live in NW DC. We are attracted to their Ryken program which offers a bit more support than SJC for our dyslexic child.

It is funny that there are a ton of SJC kids that commute from Olney into DC and I think the opposite of you...why they heck would they do that when Good Counsel is right there! Good Counsel does cost a couple thousand $$$s more which I guess is a factor...and there are a critical mass of Olney kids commuting to SJC so they are able to carpool. I don't hear much about NW DC kids commuting to Good Counsel...maybe because you have SJC, Gonzaga and Prep (to an extent, though that is 2x the cost and different) all right here.

I think GC tuition includes lunch and SJC’s does not so that can easily account for a few thousand. It is opposite traffic. We did a shadow day there from our NW neighborhood, it was right under 35 mins. In the morning around 8am. We went to a bball game there around 6pm and it was about 45. I wouldn’t drive it but would be okay with my kid taking the bus there.

[Anonymous]

Its a good school

[Anonymous]

I think it is worth it if Ryken is right for your kid. People RAVE about that program.

Plus, do you know how many kids in the 'burbs commute to go to schools like Gonzaga, Visitation or SJC? No one is on here saying they are crazy for over an hour commute. The bottom line is that you can make it work if it is the right fit for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you do Lab School instead? Sounds like a horrible commute. Plus all the school buddies will live near school.

GC's radius is very wide. Kids travel from as far as Aberdeen to as far as Waldorf.

[Anonymous]

For the Ryken program, yes.

[Anonymous]

We do similar commute. It’s the reverse rush, so not bad at all. Ryken is an incredible program and GC is an amazing school. You would be blessed to have this choice. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

GC is a great school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you do Lab School instead? Sounds like a horrible commute. Plus all the school buddies will live near school.

No, the "school buddies" live everywhere - it's private school, after all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is worth it if Ryken is right for your kid. People RAVE about that program.

Plus, do you know how many kids in the 'burbs commute to go to schools like Gonzaga, Visitation or SJC? No one is on here saying they are crazy for over an hour commute. The bottom line is that you can make it work if it is the right fit for your child.

This. There is even a kid or two who commutes to Visi from Annapolis. Not saying I'd recommended but the schools PP named draw from a very wide radius.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is worth it if Ryken is right for your kid. People RAVE about that program.

Plus, do you know how many kids in the 'burbs commute to go to schools like Gonzaga, Visitation or SJC? No one is on here saying they are crazy for over an hour commute. The bottom line is that you can make it work if it is the right fit for your child.

YES! I've heard wonderful things about the program. But it can be very hard to get in especially if you aren't coming from a Catholic K-8. I heard they over admitted for the current year so it will be even more difficult to get in for next year. But who knows.....definitely try.

And I totally agree that no one thinks you're crazy for driving INTO the district for the schools there. But the DC ppl don't want to commute anywhere else. You do you and what is right for your kid!

[Anonymous]

For Ryken if that is the best program for your kid, absolutely yes. Having a good handle on learning strategies will be so beneficial for college.

[Anonymous]

You’ll need a carpool. There were a few kids from CC and Bethesda who did that program when I went there. You could also look at O’Connell. It might actually be closer.

[Anonymous]

We commute :40 in the morning and about an hour (sometimes a little more) in the evening for a high school. It is 100% worth it b/c this particular school is a unique experience and perfect fit that can’t be duplicated any closer. DC agrees.

[Anonymous]

Our kid went way out from DC past Olney to a school. We dropped off at a teacher's house who drove. See if that is an option.