Private vs. Catholic

[Anonymous]

Let me put a specific question out there on this subject and at the preschool level. NCRC vs. Holy Trinity?

On one hand you get an entry level opportunity on the track to all the best schools in DC. On the other you get the best catholic education available on a track to Visitation and Gonzaga.

Putting religion totally to one side, are you shortchanging your kid to cut off the path to the best privates at the get go? Or is there really nothing that pecial about teh elite private high schools when compared to teh elite Catholic schools like Vis. and Gonzaga. Sometimes I think the elite Catholic schools get shortchanged on this chatboard?

Is the savings (which is considerable for multiple kids over the long run) worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me put a specific question out there on this subject and at the preschool level. NCRC vs. Holy Trinity?

On one hand you get an entry level opportunity on the track to all the best schools in DC. On the other you get the best catholic education available on a track to Visitation and Gonzaga.

Putting religion totally to one side, are you shortchanging your kid to cut off the path to the best privates at the get go? Or is there really nothing that pecial about teh elite private high schools when compared to teh elite Catholic schools like Vis. and Gonzaga. Sometimes I think the elite Catholic schools get shortchanged on this chatboard?

Is the savings (which is considerable for multiple kids over the long run) worth it?

I wish I knew the answer to this question. We're trying to choose between Blessed Sacrament and an expensive private school. I want what's best for our DC and I don't want to limit any options for the future. I'm just not certain that the private school is worth the additional money, especially if DC could go to great Catholic high school like Gonzaga or Visitation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me put a specific question out there on this subject and at the preschool level. NCRC vs. Holy Trinity?

On one hand you get an entry level opportunity on the track to all the best schools in DC. On the other you get the best catholic education available on a track to Visitation and Gonzaga.

Putting religion totally to one side, are you shortchanging your kid to cut off the path to the best privates at the get go? Or is there really nothing that pecial about teh elite private high schools when compared to teh elite Catholic schools like Vis. and Gonzaga. Sometimes I think the elite Catholic schools get shortchanged on this chatboard?

Is the savings (which is considerable for multiple kids over the long run) worth it?

I wish I knew the answer to this question. We're trying to choose between Blessed Sacrament and an expensive private school. I want what's best for our DC and I don't want to limit any options for the future. I'm just not certain that the private school is worth the additional money, especially if DC could go to great Catholic high school like Gonzaga or Visitation.

Visi is about 1/2 the price of NCS and Holton. You can get into any of the 3 for high school BUT it helps with Visi if the child went to a catholic school [independent or parochial] for K-8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blessed Sacrament is a fine school. And yes, it is very hard to get in. You usually need to be a current parishioner and/or one who has the ability and intent to donate lots of $$$$.

Mater Dei is also a fine institution. A cut above the basic parish schools.

That said, neither Blessed Sacrament nor Mater Dei is in the same category as Norwood or WES. BS/MD do not have the same resources as the latter. BS/MD do not have the same cachet as they do either (if that is important to you). BS/MD do not have an established pattern of exmissions to the best schools.

Go with either Norwood or WES. Congratulations.

Let me preface what i am about to say with this "I am NOT a fan of Catholic schools in general and would not send my children to one." But, I take issue with PP's statements above. Mater Dei graduates mostly place in to Georgetown Prep, from what I hear. G'town prep is regularly ranked as a nationally excelling high school in the same league with StA, Landon, GDS, Sidwell, etc.... It definitely has "an established pattern of exmission."

[Anonymous]

The PP considering Blessed Sacrament, I believe it is considerably better to apply to Visitation from a parish school than from an independent Catholic school or other independent school. My DD's class at an independent Catholic school only had 1 or 2 (wealthy, well connected or very athletic) girls accepted at Visi while I was told that BS regularly sends >10 there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blessed Sacrament is a fine school. And yes, it is very hard to get in. You usually need to be a current parishioner and/or one who has the ability and intent to donate lots of $$$$.

Mater Dei is also a fine institution. A cut above the basic parish schools.

That said, neither Blessed Sacrament nor Mater Dei is in the same category as Norwood or WES. BS/MD do not have the same resources as the latter. BS/MD do not have the same cachet as they do either (if that is important to you). BS/MD do not have an established pattern of exmissions to the best schools.

Go with either Norwood or WES. Congratulations.

Let me preface what i am about to say with this "I am NOT a fan of Catholic schools in general and would not send my children to one." But, I take issue with PP's statements above. Mater Dei graduates mostly place in to Georgetown Prep, from what I hear. G'town prep is regularly ranked as a nationally excelling high school in the same league with StA, Landon, GDS, Sidwell, etc.... It definitely has "an established pattern of exmission."

uh ... Thank you very much! I really wanted to respond but had to run -- Mater Dei is an exceptional school for boys -- Landon may "know boys" but Mater Dei "raises men"

[Anonymous]

"uh ... Thank you very much! I really wanted to
respond but had to run -- Mater Dei is an exceptional
school for boys -- Landon may "know boys" but Mater
Dei "raises men"

Yes, but getting information (beyond it being a good school that feeds to G Prep & Gonzaga) about this school can be a challenge. No open house, have to submit application before you can even see the school, etc.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have info on St. Ann's Academy in Tenleytown or Sacred Heart in Mt. Pleasant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me put a specific question out there on this subject and at the preschool level. NCRC vs. Holy Trinity?

On one hand you get an entry level opportunity on the track to all the best schools in DC. On the other you get the best catholic education available on a track to Visitation and Gonzaga.

Putting religion totally to one side, are you shortchanging your kid to cut off the path to the best privates at the get go? Or is there really nothing that pecial about teh elite private high schools when compared to teh elite Catholic schools like Vis. and Gonzaga. Sometimes I think the elite Catholic schools get shortchanged on this chatboard?

Is the savings (which is considerable for multiple kids over the long run) worth it?

Which school did you choose?

[Anonymous]

Holy Trinity. Time will tell if it was the right call, but I am sleeping better at night knowing my child won't be back out there fighting to get into a series of additional schools over the rest of her education. HT should give her a great education without the circus of constantly fighting to get in the next school up the food chain. By all accounts HT is an OUTSTANDING school and eventually (in 10 years when they apply for high school) places kids wherever they want to go, lots of catholic schools, but plenty of private schools too including the so-called elites. So, I feel like I haven't closed any doors in the long run, but we can all relax, enjoy learning, and enjoy being a part of a wonderful welcoming community along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holy Trinity. Time will tell if it was the right call, but I am sleeping better at night knowing my child won't be back out there fighting to get into a series of additional schools over the rest of her education. HT should give her a great education without the circus of constantly fighting to get in the next school up the food chain. By all accounts HT is an OUTSTANDING school and eventually (in 10 years when they apply for high school) places kids wherever they want to go, lots of catholic schools, but plenty of private schools too including the so-called elites. So, I feel like I haven't closed any doors in the long run, but we can all relax, enjoy learning, and enjoy being a part of a wonderful welcoming community along the way.

Sounds like a very wise decision.