GP & GZA pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

Prep is more academically rigorous.

Gonzaga is more sporty - it's a huge school, close to 250'boys / grade. Not sure how much individual attention a kid gets in a particular classroom or how easy is it to seek extra help based on those number..

Both schools (like most single sex schools) have a tom of school spirit.

Because of gonzaga size / enrollment the school can bring in some kids who might have not been accepted if it were not for their athletic merits.

Preps facilities dwarf what gonzaga has.

[Anonymous]

GP likes to think of itself as academically superior to the other local Catholics schools, many of whom play in the WCAC conference. This helps minimize the frustration of not being as athletically competitive with that group. On the other hand, it competes in the IAC against academically stronger schools (STA, Landon. EHS, SSSA and Bullis) but does great athletically to make itself feel better. It is stuck in limbo between these two worlds, trying to be part of both and convincing itself that it is superior.
GZ is a more grounded Jesuit place. It has a much more diverse student body, culturally rich atmosphere and is set in a truly urban setting. There's no country club pretense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GP likes to think of itself as academically superior to the other local Catholics schools, many of whom play in the WCAC conference. This helps minimize the frustration of not being as athletically competitive with that group. On the other hand, it competes in the IAC against academically stronger schools (STA, Landon. EHS, SSSA and Bullis) but does great athletically to make itself feel better. It is stuck in limbo between these two worlds, trying to be part of both and convincing itself that it is superior.
GZ is a more grounded Jesuit place. It has a much more diverse student body, culturally rich atmosphere and is set in a truly urban setting. There's no country club pretense.

A bunch of snide comments powered by jealousy..

What is "cultural richness" anyway? What are it's unique benefits?

I like and support both schools. But there's an unfortunate tendency of some Gonzaga people, who are rarely graduates themselves, to have an axe to grind against Prep. They mistakenly feel that Prep people feel superior to the Gonzaga people. Maybe its the GP grounds that drive them crazy.

Somehow doing well athletically for Prep means the school is doing this so it can "feel superior". While the Gonzaga athletic program built to compete against larger schools, is just wonderful.

The kids at Gonzaga are great. Unfortunately, as a parent you'll have to rub elbows in the stands with some real nitwits as this post demonstrates.

[Anonymous]

For a tuition that's half the cost of GP's. it's hard to turn down GZ. The biggest drawback to GZ is the commute, but many like the experience of going deep into the city. There is a comraderie that it builds and an exposure to the grittiness of the urban campus that is unique.

[Anonymous]

I like and support both schools. But there's an unfortunate tendency of some Gonzaga people, who are rarely graduates themselves, to have an axe to grind against Prep. They mistakenly feel that Prep people feel superior to the Gonzaga people. Maybe its the GP grounds that drive them crazy.

Somehow doing well athletically for Prep means the school is doing this so it can "feel superior". While the Gonzaga athletic program built to compete against larger schools, is just wonderful.

The kids at Gonzaga are great. Unfortunately, as a parent you'll have to rub elbows in the stands with some real nitwits as this post demonstrates.



You can keep your $30 million field house and on campus golf course. Your school has financially mismanaged itself into a deep hole that will take a long time to climb out of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I like and support both schools. But there's an unfortunate tendency of some Gonzaga people, who are rarely graduates themselves, to have an axe to grind against Prep. They mistakenly feel that Prep people feel superior to the Gonzaga people. Maybe its the GP grounds that drive them crazy.

Somehow doing well athletically for Prep means the school is doing this so it can "feel superior". While the Gonzaga athletic program built to compete against larger schools, is just wonderful.

The kids at Gonzaga are great. Unfortunately, as a parent you'll have to rub elbows in the stands with some real nitwits as this post demonstrates.

You can keep your $30 million field house and on campus golf course. Your school has financially mismanaged itself into a deep hole that will take a long time to climb out of.

Based on the back and forth her, I think we have made the right decision to skip the whole Jesuit thing and go with SJC scholars program. A more well rounded academic experience with more diverse student body.

[Anonymous]

GZ has never gotten ahead of itself and tried to compete with other big name privates like GP. It has stayed true well mostly to educating a range of Catholic students with some non-Catholics.

[Anonymous]

Are GP and GZA similar in academics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GZ has never gotten ahead of itself and tried to compete with other big name privates like GP. It has stayed true well mostly to educating a range of Catholic students with some non-Catholics.

GP is not a "big name" private.
GZ does what it does very well and presents a unique environment for Catholic education in the area.

[Anonymous]

I was the PP you were quoting. What I meant s I have gotten the sense that GP was trying to compete with Landon and that ilk not necessarily STA/Sidwell. They have invested in athletic facilities to their financial detriment . They have come to rely on rich international students for the tuition. GZ has continued to do what it has always and it has done it well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was the PP you were quoting. What I meant s I have gotten the sense that GP was trying to compete with Landon and that ilk not necessarily STA/Sidwell. They have invested in athletic facilities to their financial detriment . They have come to rely on rich international students for the tuition. GZ has continued to do what it has always and it has done it well.

Both are good schools. Go to some of the sporting events and get a field for the student/parent body. And shadow again...

[Anonymous]

No country club pretense at GZ? hahahahah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was the PP you were quoting. What I meant s I have gotten the sense that GP was trying to compete with Landon and that ilk not necessarily STA/Sidwell. They have invested in athletic facilities to their financial detriment . They have come to rely on rich international students for the tuition. GZ has continued to do what it has always and it has done it well.

Both are good schools. Go to some of the sporting events and get a field for the student/parent body. And shadow again...

feel...

[Anonymous]

Last day to choose and we still undecided ......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last day to choose and we still undecided ......

That is stressful.

We had to chose between SJC and GZ. We went with GZ. As for your choice, what does DS want to do? Is the commute an issue at either school? I am assuming tuition is not an issue if you are considering GP, but you would save a lot going to GZ. The sense I get after visiting both schools is that GZ has a lot of soul. Something about being in the city in an older building has appeal to me that I never thought I would like. The kids will be exposed to things that they would never see at this young age and they will grow into men, men for others. I also see that they are doing a major construction project that will be done by the time school starts. Finally, I saw this heartwarming promo video the other day for GZ fundraising. https://vimeo.com/85736574

I know my son has not started yet, but already, I am already feeling like part of the Gonzaga family.