What are the Greater DC "Big 3" Catholic Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When this thread started in 2022, it was pointed out that it is in bad taste. That hasn't changed.

How so?

[Anonymous]

I don't get why people keep trying to inject schools like Holy Child, PVI, and SJC into the conversation. These schools are good but not great in terms of prestige and academics.

Someone else already said it, but the top schools in DC for Catholics are Prep, SR, GZ, and VISI. That's it.

Interestingly, Niche puts the top 10 at:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. GZ
5. GC
6. AHC
7. SJC
8. Bishop O'Connell
9. VISI
10. Oakcrest

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

VISI used to be much higher in the rankings, so something strange happened with Niche eliminated test scores as part of their ranking methodology. But the list should probably be adjusted as follows:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. VISI
5. GZ
6. The Heights
7. GC
8. SJC
9. AHC
10. HC

[Anonymous]

PP, no one is injecting anything into this two year old conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this thread started in 2022, it was pointed out that it is in bad taste. That hasn't changed.

How so?

Because the expressed missions of all these schools do not include achieving a level of prestige with rich people. Anyone engaging in this sort of discussion is losing sight of that amid the elitist atmosphere of other privates in DC. There isn’t a Catholic Big 3. Ask the Jesuits and the Christian Brothers what they think of you trying to make that happen.

And yes, I am a cradle Catholic and a native Washingtonian so I know how this all works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people keep trying to inject schools like Holy Child, PVI, and SJC into the conversation. These schools are good but not great in terms of prestige and academics.

Someone else already said it, but the top schools in DC for Catholics are Prep, SR, GZ, and VISI. That's it.

Interestingly, Niche puts the top 10 at:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. GZ
5. GC
6. AHC
7. SJC
8. Bishop O'Connell
9. VISI
10. Oakcrest

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

VISI used to be much higher in the rankings, so something strange happened with Niche eliminated test scores as part of their ranking methodology. But the list should probably be adjusted as follows:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. VISI
5. GZ
6. The Heights
7. GC
8. SJC
9. AHC
10. HC

What is the criteria for niche rankings?

[Anonymous]

Prep and Stone Ridge, opinions may differ for #3.

[Anonymous]

Agree that this is not how we should be looking at the Catholic schools. They are all great IMO. They have very different strengths and weaknesses but they all aim to develop a well-rounded and holistic young adult at the end of 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that this is not how we should be looking at the Catholic schools. They are all great IMO. They have very different strengths and weaknesses but they all aim to develop a well-rounded and holistic young adult at the end of 4 years.

You’re really gonna make a blanket statement like that? Some are certainly better than others.

[Anonymous]

Yes, i know families at BI, DJO, Gz, Prep, Heights, Visi, SJC, PVI and Oakcrest. My kids are at two of the schools listed, but I would be happy with any of these schools. Are there pros and cons to each, certainly.
But I am not a parent looking for prestige or an Ivy admission. I am not looking to join any inner circle of Catholics discussed on a different thread.
I want strong academics, good EC opportunities, emphasis on faith and community service, and a diverse but connected school community. I believe that can be found at any of these schools.

[Anonymous]

In this area, taking all things into account, the most prestigious Catholic schools are:

Boys: Prep/Gonzaga

Girls: SR/Visi

That isn't to say other schools aren't good or a better fit for your family. But those are the schools that most top Catholic students are choosing between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people keep trying to inject schools like Holy Child, PVI, and SJC into the conversation. These schools are good but not great in terms of prestige and academics.

Someone else already said it, but the top schools in DC for Catholics are Prep, SR, GZ, and VISI. That's it.

Interestingly, Niche puts the top 10 at:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. GZ
5. GC
6. AHC
7. SJC
8. Bishop O'Connell
9. VISI
10. Oakcrest

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

VISI used to be much higher in the rankings, so something strange happened with Niche eliminated test scores as part of their ranking methodology. But the list should probably be adjusted as follows:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. VISI
5. GZ
6. The Heights
7. GC
8. SJC
9. AHC
10. HC

Visi dropped because they used diversity as one measure of the overall rating. I don’t think this is fair but that is a factor on how all websites are ranking schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this area, taking all things into account, the most prestigious Catholic schools are:

Boys: Prep/Gonzaga

Girls: SR/Visi

That isn't to say other schools aren't good or a better fit for your family. But those are the schools that most top Catholic students are choosing between.

That is a social construct, of course, not an academic one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this thread started in 2022, it was pointed out that it is in bad taste. That hasn't changed.

How so?

Because the expressed missions of all these schools do not include achieving a level of prestige with rich people. Anyone engaging in this sort of discussion is losing sight of that amid the elitist atmosphere of other privates in DC. There isn’t a Catholic Big 3. Ask the Jesuits and the Christian Brothers what they think of you trying to make that happen.

And yes, I am a cradle Catholic and a native Washingtonian so I know how this all works.

This.

And please don’t embarrass yourself by citing Niche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that your selected top three are all boys schools. And for what it is worth, The Heights wouldn’t belong on that list.

Stone Ridge is a contender, and it is all girls.

But to be fair, that depends upon what the parents are looking for. I know parents who MOVED to this area precisely because of the Heights (which, yes, DS attended, so I know all of the ins and outs). But by all means continue your bigoted tirade

While the Heights may be a coveted school for a segment of Catholics in the DC area, it would not be considered a top 3 school in the area based on test scores and other factors. Not that it isn't a good school...just not as good as others that rank higher.

If we use Niche is a ranking system, the Big 3 for all private schools in DC area are GDS, Sidwell and NCS.

If we use it for Catholic schools, they are as the other poster outlined: St. Anselms, Prep, and Stone Ridge

FWIW, here are Niche's top 10 Catholic schools in DC area. Note The Heights is #8, so not bad, just not top 3.

1. St. Anselms
2. Prep
3. Stone Ridge
4. VISI
5. Gonzaga
6. Good Counsel
7. Oakcrest
8. The Heights
9. ACH
10. SJC

Can you provide your source? Niche is not reliable. Where are we finding average SAT scores and such for these schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people keep trying to inject schools like Holy Child, PVI, and SJC into the conversation. These schools are good but not great in terms of prestige and academics.

Someone else already said it, but the top schools in DC for Catholics are Prep, SR, GZ, and VISI. That's it.

Interestingly, Niche puts the top 10 at:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. GZ
5. GC
6. AHC
7. SJC
8. Bishop O'Connell
9. VISI
10. Oakcrest

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-catholic-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

VISI used to be much higher in the rankings, so something strange happened with Niche eliminated test scores as part of their ranking methodology. But the list should probably be adjusted as follows:

1. Prep
2. St. Anselms
3. SR
4. VISI
5. GZ
6. The Heights
7. GC
8. SJC
9. AHC
10. HC

You should take a look to the Insta page of SJC. You will see where they send the kids to College.