Georgetown Prep - Questions

[Anonymous]

We would appreciate comments from current and former Prep parents, students, teachers, staff and/or others with experience with the school to share their opinions regarding: (1) Are the classes truly academically challenging? Meaning are the classes engaging? Are are there lots of discussions in class or are the teachers mainly lecturing? (2) Is the homework overwhelming and/or is it just busy work? (3) Are students fairly recommended for "Advanced Level" and "AP" classes? Are all the students really smart? (4) Do the boys and families from all socio-economic levels get along or are groups clearly divided? Do the boys/families socialize outside of school? (5) Do boys of other faiths fit in? (6) Do boys of average athetic abiltiy fit in or is the school a great place for the jocks of the school and other students are like the supporting cast of a show? (7) Are all families treated the same by the school? (8) What do you think are the major problems that need to be addressed (i.e., bullying, academics, social, etc)?

Based on previous postings, we are concerned that Prep's reputation for having a strong academic program may not be as strong as we think. I'm not saying it is not a good solid school... just wondering how academically challenging it is compare to other schools, including public high school magnet programs. I know it's impossible to know how truly academically challenging any school us until a child attends that school. Hard to judge based on an open house and a shadow visit. We would love to find a school that strongly challenges the students during class time and not overload them with homework in the guise that lots of homework equates strong academic program. Just hoping to gain some insight from voices of experience.

[Anonymous]

Bump...

[Anonymous]

Another prospective family interested in answers to these questions, especially 4 & 6! Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Anonymous]

Any Prep families out there - would really appreciate some insight ...

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Any Prep families out there - would really appreciate some insight ...[/quote]

Sure. But the totality of the OP's "ask" is so daunting ...

We had three boys graduate from GP and they attended over a 10 yer span, so we feel like we know the place and the people like the backs of our hands.

Non-athletes do fine at Prep. But those who are indifferent to athletics might not fit in. If you don't play, then you should cheer. Watching a GP game at GP will show you exactly what I am talking about.

Our sons, who were athletes, had good friends who were not. They shared other interests with these boys. Athletes aren't segregated from the rest of the students.

There are some non-Catholics at Prep. But if you subtract out some of the AA's and the Asian boarding students, the student body is overwhelming Catholic. A significant percentage of these are practicing Catholics, who attended Catholic grammar schools.

From and academic perspective, Prep has a range of students. Some exceptionally bright. Some not. The school caters to both.

Reading between the lines in your question set, my sense is that if your son is academically-oriented, non-athletic and not a Catholic, I just think there are schools that would "fit" better. He would just be swimming against the tide in too many areas.

I appreciate the thoroughness and energy of your questions, but that also gives me pause at recommending GP to you. The local Catholics that send their kids to GP aren't "partners" with the school in the education of the boys. The sense I always got GP and Landon are similar.)

GP is more like Gonzaga with a (shrinking) golf course.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Any Prep families out there - would really appreciate some insight ...[/quote]
My son went to Prep and graduated a few years ago. I will try to answer as best I can.
1) The classes are generally challenging and engaging. My son took a lot of AP and had math and science every year. I felt his workload was a lot but he did just fine with it. Some of his friends took less AP so the level of challenge varies. It is there if you want it. Some classes are traditional lecture, others more Socratic method - different teachers teach different ways. I felt the faculty were overall quite good. I did not have a problem with them and my son for the most part liked all of his teachers.
2) Homework is as expected for a quality HS. DS did about 2-3 hours per night on average. As time went on he found his groove and learned to get some done at school so that dwindled down to about an hour or two.
3) I was not aware of anyone wanting to do AP and not being allowed so I would say "yes". Most of the boys are bright and engaging. Some are super smart, some are average smart.
4) Diversity is there with mix of AA, Asian, Hispanic kids, most kids are upper middle/lower upper class (by DC standards - not US standards). There are some really rich kids there. I mean like Richie Rich rich. But the average boys outweigh those in numbers. There are lots of legacy. Boys find their niche (sports, band, etc) and form tight friendships that do carry over into after school. They hold dances with girls schools. Making friends with other parents was fine, not lifelong friendships but I had people to chat with at events and such. Its there if you make the effort.
5) Other faiths fit in - no problem. Plenty of non-catholics. No one pays attention to it
6) Athletics are important - won't lie to you but there's plenty of other opportunities. It is not a total jock school if that's what you are asking. Lots of clubs and lower visibility sports. Intramurals are fun - my son is a horrible athlete and he never had a problem fitting in. He wrestled and was terrible at it but he hustled and worked hard so he always made the team.
7) I would say they are - you will always find someone to complain but the few incidents that stick out in my mind the kid was in the wrong or the parents out of line (imagine that in DC!!)
8) Waiting to see what direction the headmaster takes them. To be honest, I was not totally impressed by him but giving him benefit of doubt to wait and see. In all honesty, the school is solid and offers challenge to boys who want it. I think Prep may be resting on their laurels a bit and I am concerned if this headmaster can raise the bar.

Overall, my son got a great education. He got a super-sized scholarship to Duke. He made great friends, enjoyed HS immensely and has a lot of love for his school. One thing that is really nice are the service projects where all the boys participate. It is a really well run program. These boys are tight forever - they network and help each other out over the long haul. Coming out of Prep is like joining the Catholic Mafia according to my DH. Hope that helps. We are NOT Catholic, or legacy. We are upper middle class by DC standards. We did not get any financial aid but have HHI>350K so didn't expect it or apply for it. I tried to be honest.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP above.

The boys get along very well. In fact, they forge extremely strong friendships that are long lasting. But there's an insularity to the school. They typically don't socialize with other boys from other schools. It's a very tight knit community and these friendships last throughout their lives.

I've been to many GP weddings and there's always a picture taken of the groom and the GP alums who are at the wedding. There's alway 10 or 20 in the group even in some locations far from DC.

The parents are a different story. You'll see parent groups formed associated with the sports teams. especially lacrosse and football. Tailgating, large groups at local bars after games and house parties are frequent. But outside of that, there's not so much interaction between parents. Much of that is unnecessary because many of these people have known each other for years, went to high school together, belong to the same parishes, and may even be related.

My greatest issue with Prep is being gradually addressed over time. It was the inordinate power of the faculty and the long tenure of some of the faculty, who I thought were just coasting.

[Anonymous]

Being a DC native, but not a GP graduate, GP has always been a solid school. Decent academics, great in certain sports. But what strikes me most is that, unlike almost every other private in the area, GP does not seem to have improved dramatically over the last few decades. GP is still a good school, but not a great one. I find that surprising given the huge growth in the DC area, in terms of population and wealth. M County has boomed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Being a DC native, but not a GP graduate, GP has always been a solid school. Decent academics, great in certain sports. But what strikes me most is that, unlike almost every other private in the area, GP does not seem to have improved dramatically over the last few decades. GP is still a good school, but not a great one. I find that surprising given the huge growth in the DC area, in terms of population and wealth. M County has boomed.

I think you have suggested this in other threads on GP and I have never really understood your point.

What is this greater GP you are suggesting. Bigger? More academically prestigious? What's the model? Should GP try a Catholic version of Choate or Hotchkiss?

Does GP pursue the Georgetown University model and strive to be more highly selective, have better academics and be less Catholic?

They have spent a King's ransom on facilities which many of the alums think was way, way overdone.

My sense in talking to Prep alums whose boys went to GP with our boys is that they aren't looking for any change --- or marked improvement --- whatsover. They want the school to be what it has always been and to serve the population it has for at least the last 50 years.

It's interesting to me to see the anxious parents on here who are not natives try and understand GP and where it fits versus the other private schools. Its quite a struggle for them because they appear to be looking at what seem to me to be superficial things. With the benefit of hindsight and with all those tuition bills paid for, I think what they ought to be looking at is the totality of the experience.