OLGC in Vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OLGC's pastor, Father Matt Hillyard recently left to enter a treatment program. Anyone know what happened?

Father Matt is amazing and has been very open and transparent about it, due to alcoholism. We are praying for him. He is moving to do rehab and start a new parish for a fresh start. He really moved the school and church forward.
Priests need better support and mental health access. I can’t imagine how hard it is when greater than 90 % of their interactions are tragic things having to deal with deaths, illness, unemployment, and then everyone’s complaints

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

+1

[Anonymous]

Any insights on the preschool? The director seemed really lovely.

[Anonymous]

We’ve had a very positive experience with the OLGC preschool. Before the pandemic it was truly exceptional: very warm, nurturing, and exactly what you hope a preschool feels like and like many schools, it became a bit more sterile afterward. That said, I have heard from friends who have their children there now that school has been very intentional about making changes and moving back toward that warm, connected preschool culture, with more parent involvement and a renewed focus on community. It is extremely well organized, and the preschool director clearly understands children and child development. There is still room to grow. My friends who have kids there now would like more communication with families (especially through photos and updates) and flexibility around comfort items from home for younger children. The foundation is strong, and the direction they’re moving in feels thoughtful and promising.

[Anonymous]

Great that they are working to accept nice kids now, but turning around a school environment known for bullying only has one fix: getting rid of the bullies. Can someone confirm they have exited these families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

When was this? 1990s? It's mostly left leaning families. I would say 85%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
We’ve had a very positive experience with the OLGC preschool. Before the pandemic it was truly exceptional: very warm, nurturing, and exactly what you hope a preschool feels like and like many schools, it became a bit more sterile afterward. That said, I have heard from friends who have their children there now that school has been very intentional about making changes and moving back toward that warm, connected preschool culture, with more parent involvement and a renewed focus on community. It is extremely well organized, and the preschool director clearly understands children and child development. There is still room to grow. My friends who have kids there now would like more communication with families (especially through photos and updates) and flexibility around comfort items from home for younger children. The foundation is strong, and the direction they’re moving in feels thoughtful and promising.

Thank you so much for the detailed response, it is really helpful and appreciated. It can be really hard to get a read on things. If anyone else has thoughts, would love to hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

When was this? 1990s? It's mostly left leaning families. I would say 85%.

LOL I was there in the 90s and it was still mostly left leaning or at most centrist. The prior poster has no clue what they are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

When was this? 1990s? It's mostly left leaning families. I would say 85%.

LOL I was there in the 90s and it was still mostly left leaning or at most centrist. The prior poster has no clue what they are talking about.

How would you describe the families and parents overall? Are they more social or reserved, hands-on or hands-off, competitive or laid-back, cliquey or welcoming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

When was this? 1990s? It's mostly left leaning families. I would say 85%.

LOL I was there in the 90s and it was still mostly left leaning or at most centrist. The prior poster has no clue what they are talking about.

How would you describe the families and parents overall? Are they more social or reserved, hands-on or hands-off, competitive or laid-back, cliquey or welcoming?

Diocesan Catholic schools reflect the community in which they are located. OLGC is just like the town of Vienna - social, hands-on, competitive about some things, welcoming

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

When was this? 1990s? It's mostly left leaning families. I would say 85%.

LOL I was there in the 90s and it was still mostly left leaning or at most centrist. The prior poster has no clue what they are talking about.

How would you describe the families and parents overall? Are they more social or reserved, hands-on or hands-off, competitive or laid-back, cliquey or welcoming?

Diocesan Catholic schools reflect the community in which they are located. OLGC is just like the town of Vienna - social, hands-on, competitive about some things, welcoming

This is exactly right! There is a good mix between dual working parents and SAHM. The families are extremely concerned with academics which is a good reflection of Vienna, Mclean, Reston Falls Church area. The families are also very social and there are some truly exceptionally nice families. I don’t think there’s any school sadly in which there won’t be a couple families that are not as friendly and are cliquey but overall the families are warm and welcoming

[Anonymous]

these replies are honestly so helpful! much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

When was this? 1990s? It's mostly left leaning families. I would say 85%.

LOL I was there in the 90s and it was still mostly left leaning or at most centrist. The prior poster has no clue what they are talking about.

How would you describe the families and parents overall? Are they more social or reserved, hands-on or hands-off, competitive or laid-back, cliquey or welcoming?

Diocesan Catholic schools reflect the community in which they are located. OLGC is just like the town of Vienna - social, hands-on, competitive about some things, welcoming

I have kids at OLGC and this description bolded above is spot on. I feel it is a great school and great community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to try to give a fair and balanced review of OLGC:

- I do not at all agree with the above poster that it’s horribly conservative or political. Nobody talks about politics at all. And for example, I was surprised that my daughter got a really thorough sex ed/puberty seminar with the other girls (I believe this was 4th grade? May have been 5th) that was informative and accurate.

- Most of the teachers are AMAZING. I agree with the above poster that they really care. Some have gone above and beyond for us.

- A handful of the teachers are not amazing. I think this is a result of staffing challenges. For example, the Spanish teachers have either gotten fired or left voluntarily, mid year, for two years in a row. Out of the 15 or so teachers we have had, I would say 8 have been incredible, 3-4 have been fine, and 3-4 have been bad.

- I found it hard to break in socially as a parent who does not belong to Westwood. Just putting that out there. It can be very cliquey.

- There have been some struggles with upholding the learning support and accommodations that qualifying kids are provided. I think the school and leadership are really trying to improve this but it’s a work in progress.

- Incredible array of school activities and club options. Great after care program too.

Overall, we have been very happy.

The Westwood comment - we are members of a different club. Is this really that big of a deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to try to give a fair and balanced review of OLGC:

- I do not at all agree with the above poster that it’s horribly conservative or political. Nobody talks about politics at all. And for example, I was surprised that my daughter got a really thorough sex ed/puberty seminar with the other girls (I believe this was 4th grade? May have been 5th) that was informative and accurate.

- Most of the teachers are AMAZING. I agree with the above poster that they really care. Some have gone above and beyond for us.

- A handful of the teachers are not amazing. I think this is a result of staffing challenges. For example, the Spanish teachers have either gotten fired or left voluntarily, mid year, for two years in a row. Out of the 15 or so teachers we have had, I would say 8 have been incredible, 3-4 have been fine, and 3-4 have been bad.

- I found it hard to break in socially as a parent who does not belong to Westwood. Just putting that out there. It can be very cliquey.

- There have been some struggles with upholding the learning support and accommodations that qualifying kids are provided. I think the school and leadership are really trying to improve this but it’s a work in progress.

- Incredible array of school activities and club options. Great after care program too.

Overall, we have been very happy.

The Westwood comment - we are members of a different club. Is this really that big of a deal?

Obviously it's not everyone. But a lot! If you are like me, it might not make sense to you why certain groups of kids (and their parents) are so close, but then you learn they are all at Westwood. It's where they are hanging out in the summer and like PP said, it can make it a pretty cliquey group. TBH I'm not sure the Westwood parents would realize this ... but it's just something organic that happens by their proximity. To be clear, this has nothing to do with the school. It's the surrounding social scene. Some people could care less about this. Others will care. And it's the same at other schools! (For example, I know several Riverbend CC families go to St. Luke's)

If you'll care about that kind of thing, find out where your people are. That may end up being the best school for your family.