Tell me about The Heights....

[Anonymous]

Let’s Go Heights!

[Anonymous]

+1 Let's Go Heights!

[Anonymous]

Just checked out the podcast as well. Amazing stuff!

Here’s a link for others;

https://heightsforum.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And thus we see the truth about supporters of The Heights. They are just all about MAGA and anti-vax. Believe that came up on page 1 of this post. Love the posters who say it's full of liberal parents. If you think they are liberal, you are off the scale to the right.

Hey pp, I am a registered Democrat, worked and campaigned for democratic congressmen and senators my entire life. AND I have sons at The Heights.

We are majority conservative, but plenty of representation for liberal/libertarian parents!

And we were non-Catholic, non-maga conservative parents there. Great school!

[Anonymous]

It is one of LMM's better musicals, but I prefer Encanto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, all, I'm the poster who early in the thread said that despite being a "raging liberal" I wasn't going to cast aspersions on the Heights because "the beauty of this country" is different strokes for different folks.

Coming back to the thread 6 or 7 pages later, I have to re-think my position. What's up with all the hate and nastiness and the frothing at the mouth by so many posters who purport to be Heights' parents? It's not a good look, and it's not doing the reputation of your school any favors.

I’m also a liberal (conservatives H-not alt right, did not vote for Trump).

I pointed out that while my kids did have a great experience you will run into some parents like the one on here who thinks there are “thought police” and some kids will parrot their words. So it is something to take into account.

There is both an alum and a student posting. Their posts seem more on point.

But the loonie is also on point because that is what you will hear from parents.

Also the alum I assume’s 1st language is Spanish which is common at the Heights. Took Spanish 5 which is high level Literature class where all texts are read in Spanish and all papers written in Spanish.

Um, maybe half my class (the rest of whom took a different language) took Spanish 5 our senior year and took the AP. None of us, not a one, were originally Spanish speaking. You seriously think you have to be born speaking Spanish to take Spanish 5? I guess at the Heights maybe.

[Anonymous]

See quick answers below from a non-Catholic family (we are Protestant "Presbyterian")

Anonymous wrote:Seeking first-hand experience regarding any or all the following:

a) academic rigor/preparedness for college and beyond (do they push their students/what kinds of careers do graduating students gravitate to),

If your child has the academic rigor, The Heights has the classes and teachers and instruction for him. That being said, not all students are graduating and getting into Ivy League, not that most of the parents want that either... But if you have a brilliant son who has academic rigor, he can get into a great school by graduating from The Heights (or a host of any other schools in the area)

b)school culture (traditions, including religious, parent community involvement/opportunities to interact/meet/volunteer).

We love the school culture. We love the community. The boys love their fellow students and the feast days, etc.

c)For those of you who sent their sons from lower school- are parents active about setting up out-of school opportunities for mixing with girls (more in middle school and high school years) or is everyone pretty much on their own for that?

Some parents have actively pursued this... Although when this happens, it's mostly parent-led (usually mom-led) and often those are the boys who go... I think this is something that the girls pursue more than the boys (but I could be wrong)
I know they used to do some activities with Oakcrest, but what was happening was that the boys weren't into it as much as the girls, and so nothing official happens any more.

But my sons interact with girls from their previous schools; as well as from church; and the neighborhood.

d) How has your son grown/developed/ benefitted (or not) compared to traditional parochial school K-8 model...

Can't compare as we didn't attend a traditional parochial k-8 model

e) is it worth the cost in the lower school or are they just running outside all day? Is it better to save for middle school instead?

it was worth it to us

[Anonymous]

This school seems like a "best kept secret", the more I do my research on it. It doesn't get a ton of "street cred" on this board, mainly bc the loudest most obnoxious posters derail the conversation with fear-mongering about Opus Dei, many of whom know nothing really about the school. A boon for those who have an open mind and do their research-less applications to compete with for admission!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This school seems like a "best kept secret", the more I do my research on it. It doesn't get a ton of "street cred" on this board, mainly bc the loudest most obnoxious posters derail the conversation with fear-mongering about Opus Dei, many of whom know nothing really about the school. A boon for those who have an open mind and do their research-less applications to compete with for admission!

It’s no secret: The Heights is both academically excellent and ultra conservative.

[Anonymous]

I think it's funny (or sometimes sad) to read where the comments go in this thread.

From my perspective as a Heights parent...

The Heights does lean conservative. No, not every single parent is conservative, but I think it would be fair to say that the majority are conservative.

Our family is not Roman Catholic, but we are theologically and politically conservative, and my spouse and I feel that Trump is such an embarrassment, and a shameful representative. Honestly, I really disdain Trump. So I wouldn't like it if everyone assumed I was in love w/ Trump.

Yes, there are a few anti-COVID vax folks, but to each their own. We're vaccinated and so I don't really care if others are for the vax or against... I just don't like being told what to think. I don't like being judged for being vaccinated, and I don't judge others for choosing not to be vaccinated.

I'm just happy that the school never did a virtual year, which was a complete disaster for my daughter at Fairfax County Public Schools.

[Anonymous]

What’s the worry? Best to avoid boy/girl at that age (at any age).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love that you are asking so many questions! I highly recommend that you keep in touch with the Admissions office (Mr. Rich Moss), an amazing man and always happy to speak with prospective students. My parents regularly met with him & co. for a cup of coffee when we were in your family's position.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. We are considering The Heights for our son (middle school) and have been very impressed with the school.

The only nagging concern in the back of my mind is that it's an all-boys school. I know that all-boys / all-girls schools are a thing in the private school world, but I didn't attend private school as a child and don't know anyone who did, so it's all new to me. There was definitely some trial-and-error with meeting girls and having girlfriends back when I was in high school, and all of the girls I knew were from my high school -- not sure I would have even known many girls if not for going to school with them! I know things are different these days (for one, the connectivity of the internet has created a whole new way for kids to interact) but for a boy attending a demanding all-boy private school and then being involved in sports (again, on an all-boys team) there isn't much time left in the day for other activities.

I actually think all-boys / all-girls schools have many benefits when it comes to learning; I just assumed that most private schools had some sort of more formal relationships between boys/girls schools (social events, etc.) to mix them up a little bit.

I guess my main hesitation is not wanting to choose an all-boys school for my son if it's something that he'd resent later. Right now, he says he doesn't really care, but he's young of course. Was this a problem for boys at the school while you were there; a problem to the degree that classmates didn't want to be there?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if it’s a big enough concern to not send your student to an all-boys school if you value it for said reasons. Kids find a way and I’ve seen boys from this school hanging with a group of girls from another (not oakcrest). So kids find a way! I also think many families have girls and parents make an effort to have families mingle. But probably harder without any organized events. Healthier to do so in my opinion!