Any update on St. Bart's?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

There were other welcoming schools. Many are not from what we looked at but Holy Cross was. They have a resource teacher and more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

There were other welcoming schools. Many are not from what we looked at but Holy Cross was. They have a resource teacher and more.

That's the one I've come across so far (that's at all geographically reasonable). But I seriously doubt Holy Cross can take this many kids.
It's really unconscionable that they told parents about this possibility at Halloween. Not even a couple-year wind-down period so the kids can be transitioned out and find the right schools in a decent amount of time. I've struggled to maintain my faith in the church during these last few years, but here we are once again seeing that the church doesn't care about kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any talk among the parish about removing the pastor in seeking better management?

Not being a parish family, it's hard to say, but loyalty to the parish priest and the principal (who was allegedly hired to prevent this exact situation) is strangely strong. Frank English has been at St. Bart's for two years, so there was knowledge of a possible closing as far back as that. They knew they needed more kids and more money. Instead, they lost kids and lost money, and never seemed to grasp the necessity of marketing or alumni in this type of situation.

It took giving this news to the school families for ANY action to be taken in terms of actually managing how the school is run regarding management, finances, and marketing. To their extreme credit, the *families* have worked HARD to try and meet the ADW's terms for staying open. The school community is incredibly strong, diverse, and accepting. It really is a very special place. But the pastor and the principal (and the admissions/marketing person) remain in place, though as invisible as possible. All Mr. English had to say to the families at Halloween was "I'm sorry." He then bowed out of the picture entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

There were other welcoming schools. Many are not from what we looked at but Holy Cross was. They have a resource teacher and more.

That's the one I've come across so far (that's at all geographically reasonable). But I seriously doubt Holy Cross can take this many kids.
It's really unconscionable that they told parents about this possibility at Halloween. Not even a couple-year wind-down period so the kids can be transitioned out and find the right schools in a decent amount of time. I've struggled to maintain my faith in the church during these last few years, but here we are once again seeing that the church doesn't care about kids.

They cannot take that many but its an option for some. We looked at several and Holy Cross was the only one I'd considerer felt comfortable with. They were the most flexible on religion and opinions outside Catholicism and seemed like they'd handle questions well. The church has not changed. It has its clear focus and purpose. But, what the church schools offer over public is a much better curriculum and textbooks which is why we considered them. Mine didn't want to change schools but I wish we did.

I think one issue with St. Bart's is the location. It was recommended to us by several people but the distance is not something that was doable for us.

[Anonymous]

So St. Bart’s is closing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So St. Bart’s is closing?

We don't know yet. The possibility is definitely there, but a major push was made by the community to save it. We should know next week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

It IS a unique and special place. The ADW warning seems to have been a wake-up call which, if the school stays open, will hopefully ensure it's managed better than it was to this point. We really hope it stays open. We're supposed to find out tomorrow and the kids are really anxious.

Other area parochial schools expect to be absorbing some of the St. Bart's kids for next year.

ADW closed a bunch of schools about 5 years ago [St. Ann's in Tenleytown was one of the schools]
ADW announced the closing just after the DCPS lottery closed and it was a cluster as families were left trying to find places. We are an ADW family and I would say that it is another example of how these decisions are made by people who are removed from the day to day and absolutely CLUELESS!

These decisions are years in the making. They involve many meetings and goals that need to be met. If the principal and pastor are not transparent with the community about it from the beginning then it can feel like a shock, but be real - as a parent you have to know your school is in trouble when classes get that small. Being in denial doesn’t excuse your own due diligence. St. Bart’s families will have ample notice to apply elsewhere if a decision is made in January. I think they are giving them every shot to pull the potential numbers up, while still allowing an exit strategy if it doesn’t work out.

[Anonymous]

I disagree. A January decision is late if you are looking for an independent school. Really, only Catholics that are under enrolled are an option. And, for years they had woefully inadequate marketing. Really, truly terrible. It should never have been left to the parent community to pull out some sort if Disneyesque miracle on 90 days notice. It is an unfair ask. It feels like a punishment. Fortunately, they have been successful within the bounds of reason. But, who knows what the decision will be. From the numbers I have seen the school will be viable next year. That does not mean the decision will go in the schools favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

It IS a unique and special place. The ADW warning seems to have been a wake-up call which, if the school stays open, will hopefully ensure it's managed better than it was to this point. We really hope it stays open. We're supposed to find out tomorrow and the kids are really anxious.

Other area parochial schools expect to be absorbing some of the St. Bart's kids for next year.

ADW closed a bunch of schools about 5 years ago [St. Ann's in Tenleytown was one of the schools]
ADW announced the closing just after the DCPS lottery closed and it was a cluster as families were left trying to find places. We are an ADW family and I would say that it is another example of how these decisions are made by people who are removed from the day to day and absolutely CLUELESS!

These decisions are years in the making. They involve many meetings and goals that need to be met. If the principal and pastor are not transparent with the community about it from the beginning then it can feel like a shock, but be real - as a parent you have to know your school is in trouble when classes get that small. Being in denial doesn’t excuse your own due diligence. St. Bart’s families will have ample notice to apply elsewhere if a decision is made in January. I think they are giving them every shot to pull the potential numbers up, while still allowing an exit strategy if it doesn’t work out.

Let's keep this fair. Imagine what it's like for families who moved here from out of state and didn't have time to dig deep into each school. The number of first-year families at St. Bart's is sad because all those families thought the school was a place their kids could stay. There was definitely a lot of magical thinking/denial by the administration and long-time families/parishioners, but you're right--they should not have been surprised. What they did NOT do was communicate in any way with the families. Everyone has been asked to commit to next year to keep the school's numbers up, but of course they need to have a backup plan in place. Per ADW rules, no ADW school is allowed to accept applications from St. Bart's families until the yes/no vote. That's left a LOT of people scrambling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. A January decision is late if you are looking for an independent school. Really, only Catholics that are under enrolled are an option. And, for years they had woefully inadequate marketing. Really, truly terrible. It should never have been left to the parent community to pull out some sort if Disneyesque miracle on 90 days notice. It is an unfair ask. It feels like a punishment. Fortunately, they have been successful within the bounds of reason. But, who knows what the decision will be. From the numbers I have seen the school will be viable next year. That does not mean the decision will go in the schools favor.

+1 to all of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

It IS a unique and special place. The ADW warning seems to have been a wake-up call which, if the school stays open, will hopefully ensure it's managed better than it was to this point. We really hope it stays open. We're supposed to find out tomorrow and the kids are really anxious.

Other area parochial schools expect to be absorbing some of the St. Bart's kids for next year.

ADW closed a bunch of schools about 5 years ago [St. Ann's in Tenleytown was one of the schools]
ADW announced the closing just after the DCPS lottery closed and it was a cluster as families were left trying to find places. We are an ADW family and I would say that it is another example of how these decisions are made by people who are removed from the day to day and absolutely CLUELESS!

These decisions are years in the making. They involve many meetings and goals that need to be met. If the principal and pastor are not transparent with the community about it from the beginning then it can feel like a shock, but be real - as a parent you have to know your school is in trouble when classes get that small. Being in denial doesn’t excuse your own due diligence. St. Bart’s families will have ample notice to apply elsewhere if a decision is made in January. I think they are giving them every shot to pull the potential numbers up, while still allowing an exit strategy if it doesn’t work out.

That's nonsense. There is *not* ample time to apply elsewhere if a decision is made in January. Independent school admissions deadlines are OVER by this time. Middle school magnet applications were due months ago. There are many kids with learning differences at this school, and GT/LD kids as well. Not just any school is going to be a good fit. And, no, you don't know the school is in imminent trouble when the classes get that small. There are many schools with small classes, and they're not in trouble. A child's class with 15 kids or 17 kids does not seem "too small" compared to other private schools, especially if one is not "in the know" in the local Catholic school community. And if this was so obvious, why on Earth wasn't the principal or pastor saying anything about it? New families coming in in the last two years were absolutely not told until this point. No, what we were told was that we could trust them with our kids. If it's so out in the open, why not disclose? And why renovate the Parish hall with the stated purpose of being needed for the school and students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any talk among the parish about removing the pastor in seeking better management?

Not being a parish family, it's hard to say, but loyalty to the parish priest and the principal (who was allegedly hired to prevent this exact situation) is strangely strong. Frank English has been at St. Bart's for two years, so there was knowledge of a possible closing as far back as that. They knew they needed more kids and more money. Instead, they lost kids and lost money, and never seemed to grasp the necessity of marketing or alumni in this type of situation.

It took giving this news to the school families for ANY action to be taken in terms of actually managing how the school is run regarding management, finances, and marketing. To their extreme credit, the *families* have worked HARD to try and meet the ADW's terms for staying open. The school community is incredibly strong, diverse, and accepting. It really is a very special place. But the pastor and the principal (and the admissions/marketing person) remain in place, though as invisible as possible. All Mr. English had to say to the families at Halloween was "I'm sorry." He then bowed out of the picture entirely.

We're a member of St Barts parish, but our kids dont' attend the school. Is the pastor really to blame here? My impression is he took a hands-off approach to the school.

[Anonymous]

The buck stops at the top. That would be him. Want to help, enroll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope they stay open. Our liberal Catholic family doesn't feel comfortable with other parish schools, so it fills a niche. We will go public or independent otherwise. There is also a significant population of students with learning differences (and a significant population without -- it's a true mix). I really feel like shutting down with less than a year notice to families with kids with learning differences especially is cruel and harmful to those kids.

It IS a unique and special place. The ADW warning seems to have been a wake-up call which, if the school stays open, will hopefully ensure it's managed better than it was to this point. We really hope it stays open. We're supposed to find out tomorrow and the kids are really anxious.

Other area parochial schools expect to be absorbing some of the St. Bart's kids for next year.

ADW closed a bunch of schools about 5 years ago [St. Ann's in Tenleytown was one of the schools]
ADW announced the closing just after the DCPS lottery closed and it was a cluster as families were left trying to find places. We are an ADW family and I would say that it is another example of how these decisions are made by people who are removed from the day to day and absolutely CLUELESS!

These decisions are years in the making. They involve many meetings and goals that need to be met. If the principal and pastor are not transparent with the community about it from the beginning then it can feel like a shock, but be real - as a parent you have to know your school is in trouble when classes get that small. Being in denial doesn’t excuse your own due diligence. St. Bart’s families will have ample notice to apply elsewhere if a decision is made in January. I think they are giving them every shot to pull the potential numbers up, while still allowing an exit strategy if it doesn’t work out.

That's nonsense. There is *not* ample time to apply elsewhere if a decision is made in January. Independent school admissions deadlines are OVER by this time. Middle school magnet applications were due months ago. There are many kids with learning differences at this school, and GT/LD kids as well. Not just any school is going to be a good fit. And, no, you don't know the school is in imminent trouble when the classes get that small. There are many schools with small classes, and they're not in trouble. A child's class with 15 kids or 17 kids does not seem "too small" compared to other private schools, especially if one is not "in the know" in the local Catholic school community. And if this was so obvious, why on Earth wasn't the principal or pastor saying anything about it? New families coming in in the last two years were absolutely not told until this point. No, what we were told was that we could trust them with our kids. If it's so out in the open, why not disclose? And why renovate the Parish hall with the stated purpose of being needed for the school and students?

One more thing on this, if they cared about the kids, they would at the very least set out a multi-year schedule for closure. They could say they were not taking new classes and closing at the end of 2021-2022 or 2020-2021, but would at least graduate their 7th and 6th grade classes, who otherwise are very much left in the lurch of switching in middle school if they intend to attend Catholic high schools, and it would also give the families with atypical learners time to find the right schools for their kids. Doing it this way puts children last. I really hope their sense of decency prevails and they make the right call here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any talk among the parish about removing the pastor in seeking better management?

Not being a parish family, it's hard to say, but loyalty to the parish priest and the principal (who was allegedly hired to prevent this exact situation) is strangely strong. Frank English has been at St. Bart's for two years, so there was knowledge of a possible closing as far back as that. They knew they needed more kids and more money. Instead, they lost kids and lost money, and never seemed to grasp the necessity of marketing or alumni in this type of situation.

It took giving this news to the school families for ANY action to be taken in terms of actually managing how the school is run regarding management, finances, and marketing. To their extreme credit, the *families* have worked HARD to try and meet the ADW's terms for staying open. The school community is incredibly strong, diverse, and accepting. It really is a very special place. But the pastor and the principal (and the admissions/marketing person) remain in place, though as invisible as possible. All Mr. English had to say to the families at Halloween was "I'm sorry." He then bowed out of the picture entirely.

We're a member of St Barts parish, but our kids dont' attend the school. Is the pastor really to blame here? My impression is he took a hands-off approach to the school.

It's hard to avoid concluding that. If you're at all interested in the school, happy to give you a parent's perspective if you post an email address.