Blessed Sacrament

[Anonymous]

We're BS parishioners and looked closely at the school. There is such a strong community- it's a great environment for kids. We have many, many friends with kids there. Some are thrilled with everything about the school, including the academics, others find the academics lacking but overlook it because they want a Catholic education and love the community.

What ultimately persuaded us not to send our kids there was (1) hearing from a current teacher there who complained that there was virtually no training for the teachers and that the teachers were not being provided with the resources they need to be effective and (2) hearing from parents with kids in high school talk about how their straight-A at BS students were struggling in high school (I've heard more than one Visi parent complain about this recently and a parent whose kid matriculated to a non-Catholic independent school who had to have tutoring in several subjects the first year to catch up). We also know a current parent complain about the writing skills taught as being "deplorable."

I think that once upon a time, BS was a great school. However, DCPS and other independent schools have vastly ramped up their academics and BS is still teaching the same things in the same manner as they did a generation ago. And while BS places a strong emphasis on community, not so much attention is placed on the social-emotional element of education (there are no counselors on staff).

Also, I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the Blue Ribbon award. All it means is that their test scores are high performing compared to other D.C. schools that take the standard assessments. Unlike other DC public schools, BS doesn't have to take kids who are academically challenged, ESOL, etc., so one would expect their test scores to be higher.

[Anonymous]

But doesn't the fact that BS kids get into Visitation and even non-Catholic independent schools undermine your argument? Even if they are not 100% prepared as you allege they are still being accepted at top high schools (although mostly Catholic schools I'd bet) in large numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But doesn't the fact that BS kids get into Visitation and even non-Catholic independent schools undermine your argument? Even if they are not 100% prepared as you allege they are still being accepted at top high schools (although mostly Catholic schools I'd bet) in large numbers.

Not in large numbers- just look at the graduating list of the last few years. How many girls who applied to Visi last year were accepted? And out of those, how many were legacies? Years ago, most BS kids went to Visi or Gonzaga or Prep. Not anymore- they're not accepted at the same rate. And it is the rare BS grad these days who is accepted to a school like Sidwell, NCS/St. Albans, Holton, etc. The Deal students who apply out for high school are generally accepted into better schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But doesn't the fact that BS kids get into Visitation and even non-Catholic independent schools undermine your argument? Even if they are not 100% prepared as you allege they are still being accepted at top high schools (although mostly Catholic schools I'd bet) in large numbers.

Gonzaga, Visi and GPrep = LEGACY. well, and sports potential. I wouldn't assume it's because the BS candidate brought down the house with test scores and essay answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But doesn't the fact that BS kids get into Visitation and even non-Catholic independent schools undermine your argument? Even if they are not 100% prepared as you allege they are still being accepted at top high schools (although mostly Catholic schools I'd bet) in large numbers.

Gonzaga, Visi and GPrep = LEGACY. well, and sports potential. I wouldn't assume it's because the BS candidate brought down the house with test scores and essay answers.

Okay, I have to chime here. I have children at two of those high schools (and accepted at the third). No legacy, whatsoever. Yes good test scores, I think their essays were good – for an 8th grader. They play sports but definitely not recruited – might start some games, might not play at all.
Anyway, nine (I think) girls went to Visi last year. Few more were accepted and went to Stone Ridge. Each year a couple of students go to BCC or other MD public, but most everyone else is accepted to a Catholic high school. (No one chooses Wilson.) More and more go to St. John’s, many to their honors program. There is not a problem with BSS academics, IMO. They do not cater to learning differences, though, so that could be an issue.
Can’t really speak to the other independents, but most boys from Catholic middle schools would find no reason to, say, choose STA over Prep.

[Anonymous]

Why is it always that the girls go to Visi in large numbers, few to SR and even fewer to Holy Cross.

[Anonymous]

BS has great academics. There is a wide range of students at BS. They are also undergoing a curriculum update. People live to bad mouth this school. I think there are many in the neighborhood who are uncomfortable with DCPS but feel the need to trash BS to make themselves feel better about sending their kids to DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it always that the girls go to Visi in large numbers, few to SR and even fewer to Holy Cross.

Because Visi and Gonzaga are the schools of choice for the generational catholics that send their kids to the school. It's no conspiracy, but it does reflect that there are real, tangible, cliques at this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it always that the girls go to Visi in large numbers, few to SR and even fewer to Holy Cross.

Because Visi and Gonzaga are the schools of choice for the generational catholics that send their kids to the school. It's no conspiracy, but it does reflect that there are real, tangible, cliques at this school.

There are cliques at all schools! I think it's the close-knit community aspect that can be off-putting to people unfamiliar with the school culture. Of course, a close-knit community can be warm and welcoming or more closed-off and insular. I think there is a unique mix at every schools. Sometimes the closed-off and insular is an unfortunate consequence of being treated negatively historically as a PP mentioned. I have a close Irish and Catholic friend in DC (she is in her 60s) who experienced discrimination while growing up. The church and school community that she belonged to became her family's haven.

Someone also asked about St. Mary's School in Alexandria. I did some research and visited the school for an Open House. Academics are solid. The indoor facilities are among the best I've seen compared to other parochial schools in the area and could rival some private schools facilities I have seen. I saw more learning resources there than I've seen in other parochial schools and the technology infrastructure is excellent. That said, it is a parish school. It is not diverse at all (a reflection of the parish). The school's mission and primary purpose is propagation of the Catholic faith to support parish families. It's a popular school with 700+ kids! The school's culture is very conservative Catholic so one would need to accept that. There are many threads that discuss the school in this forum if you want to read more impressions.

[Anonymous]

Are any parochial schools implementing the responsive classroom model? I went to parochial school some 30 years ago, so I imagine some things have changed. Then it was very traditional education in that it was teacher led etc. Has any of this changed/evolved?

[Anonymous]

How are the parents at BS? And I don't mean/care whether they are conservative or liberal, Catholic or not. Are they nice? Are they involved? Is it a warm community?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it always that the girls go to Visi in large numbers, few to SR and even fewer to Holy Cross.

Because Visi and Gonzaga are the schools of choice for the generational catholics that send their kids to the school. It's no conspiracy, but it does reflect that there are real, tangible, cliques at this school.

There are cliques at all schools! I think it's the close-knit community aspect that can be off-putting to people unfamiliar with the school culture. Of course, a close-knit community can be warm and welcoming or more closed-off and insular. I think there is a unique mix at every schools. Sometimes the closed-off and insular is an unfortunate consequence of being treated negatively historically as a PP mentioned. I have a close Irish and Catholic friend in DC (she is in her 60s) who experienced discrimination while growing up. The church and school community that she belonged to became her family's haven.

Someone also asked about St. Mary's School in Alexandria. I did some research and visited the school for an Open House. Academics are solid. The indoor facilities are among the best I've seen compared to other parochial schools in the area and could rival some private schools facilities I have seen. I saw more learning resources there than I've seen in other parochial schools and the technology infrastructure is excellent. That said, it is a parish school. It is not diverse at all (a reflection of the parish). The school's mission and primary purpose is propagation of the Catholic faith to support parish families. It's a popular school with 700+ kids! The school's culture is very conservative Catholic so one would need to accept that. There are many threads that discuss the school in this forum if you want to read more impressions.

For one, Stone Ridge takes fewer girls to fill their freshman class. And yes, the legacy factor is strong.
I am a BSS parent and neither my husband nor I are from the area. I have found the community warm and welcoming, The parents are very involved. Some of these folks grew up together so they have that shared history, but that doesn’t make them bad people. We’ve made great friends. Sometimes it takes some effort, and sometimes the parents of your kids friends arn’t gonna be your besties… sometimes they are.

[Anonymous]

Are any parochial schools implementing the responsive classroom model? I went to parochial school some 30 years ago, so I imagine some things have changed. Then it was very traditional education in that it was teacher led etc. Has any of this changed/evolved?

Stone Ridge has implemented responsive classroom in the lower school. I think that some of the families that attended the school in the past or have older daughters are hesitant about it as it has taken time from some of the daily "traditions" that the school observed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BS has great academics. There is a wide range of students at BS. They are also undergoing a curriculum update. People live to bad mouth this school. I think there are many in the neighborhood who are uncomfortable with DCPS but feel the need to trash BS to make themselves feel better about sending their kids to DCPS.

Yeah. Not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any parochial schools implementing the responsive classroom model? I went to parochial school some 30 years ago, so I imagine some things have changed. Then it was very traditional education in that it was teacher led etc. Has any of this changed/evolved?

OLV and Holy Trinity are implementing the responsive classroom model.