Blessed Sacrament DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Non-Catholic privates are just not worth the money for me -- especially ones that are increasingly hostile to my faith. You can have your adultery, abortion, divorce, broken families, etc. or your one spoiled snowflake produced via IVF at 42 in between mom's business trips. I'll keep my backward ways and big stable families and modest suburban home, thanks.

This is a useful snippet to refer to if I ever feel bad for escaping this obnoxious, provincial, insular community.

+1
Yep. Poster sounded fairly normal right up until the end

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I really don't think that many people that consider themselves faithful Catholics -- which is to say registered in a parish, kids baptized, go mass most weeks (possibly with some lapses during busy / stressful periods), confession at least during Lent, just go "straight to the big three."

I mean some probably do, sure. But I think we are talking about like 5-10 people a year, spread across all three schools. In an area of millions of people.

Because I have only heard on one family that sent a son to STA (none to Sidwell), I have always thought that they were Catholics, who do aren't "from around these parts". More likely they are park of the Law Firm, K-Street, Political Class crowd and are from outside DC originally. And they are Catholic but not part of the area's long time Catholic group.

My parents briefly considered STA for me in high school then were satisfied Prep was comparable and preferred the Catholic education. They never would have even thought about Sidewall / GDS. The values are too different from our family's values and our church's values. I ended up in an Ivy anyways (no legacy, no sports, no connections), then Harvard for grad school.

For me, I would only do Catholic or public. Between excellent parochial schools like BS, St. Jane's, HR, Mercy, independents like Woods Academy, Heights, Mater Dei, Stoneridgre, etc. I am sure I can find a way to make sure my kids get a great education (and learn there is far more to life than that -- there is their immortal soul and God's plan for their great intellect). Plus if it's all totally about the academics, Blair or RM Magnet are probably more rigorous than even STA. And push comes to shove, even if the money and test scores for magnets aren't there, our home MoCo school plus CCD would be just fine. A bunch of kids go to top colleges from there every year, why not mine? That path is still open to kids from virtually all MoCo schools except maybe the most troubled... and most of those are consortium schools, so you can try for Blake, Einstein or Blair instead.

Non-Catholic privates are just not worth the money for me -- especially ones that are increasingly hostile to my faith. You can have your adultery, abortion, divorce, broken families, etc. or your one spoiled snowflake produced via IVF at 42 in between mom's business trips. I'll keep my backward ways and big stable families and modest suburban home, thanks.

I'm Catholic. This mean-spirited, bizarre rant of a post makes me embarrassed that you profess to be part of the Catholic community.

[Anonymous]

Stop the anti-Catholic rants people! If this was about Jewish people or a minority population people would be in an uproar with all the hate and gross generalizations. There is nothing wrong with being Catholic or sending your children to Catholic schools. There are hundreds, if not thousands of reasons why people do. Just because someone is Catholic and/or sends their kids to Catholic school does not lump them into some inaccurate and generalized stereotype. The is the 21st century and people can have many layers and unique qualities. All Jewish people are not alike, all minorities are not alike, and all Catholics are not alike. Open your mind and get educated before you spew hate and ignorance please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so wrong for a Catholic family to experience a Catholic school for part of their children's educational life? Why is it wrong, if you can't afford to pay $40K a year per child for PK-12th to save money and hold off paying the $40K+ until high school? Seems like the smart thing to do and perfectly acceptable to me? If you don't make enough money to afford $40K+ per child every year then why go into debt doing so? Any financial planner would tell you that is the wrong move. Hold off until high school or lower school or middle school, which ever is the most important to you. These schools are not all or nothing, lots of kids enter in later years.

If they are taking up a spot so they can save money to say join a country club, I would say that is wrong and says a lot about their priorities. It is especially wrong if they took a slot of someone that really wanted to attend because they are dedicated to attending Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so wrong for a Catholic family to experience a Catholic school for part of their children's educational life? Why is it wrong, if you can't afford to pay $40K a year per child for PK-12th to save money and hold off paying the $40K+ until high school? Seems like the smart thing to do and perfectly acceptable to me? If you don't make enough money to afford $40K+ per child every year then why go into debt doing so? Any financial planner would tell you that is the wrong move. Hold off until high school or lower school or middle school, which ever is the most important to you. These schools are not all or nothing, lots of kids enter in later years.

If they are taking up a spot so they can save money to say join a country club, I would say that is wrong and says a lot about their priorities. It is especially wrong if they took a slot of someone that really wanted to attend because they are dedicated to attending Catholic schools.

If they truly couldn't afford another private that is differnt than saying they can't afford it but actually just spending that money on a very expensive country club instead. I can't imagine any top privates would want families whose priorities were so backwards.

[Anonymous]

And to the hateful, mean spirited, and ignorant pp who suggested a family they know payed for a country club membership over a Big 3 education for their children, you should be ashamed of yourself. What kind of a person are you that you would write such hateful things about a family? I hope you don't pretend to be their friend? Besides maybe family, most people don't really know the exact particulars about another family's financials and why they make the choices they do. And besides, why do you care?

Did you ever think that maybe they can't afford to pay for a Big 3 education for their children? Do you think a Big 3 education is the same cost as a country club membership?

Just to help you with the basic math, 14 years (PK-12) of Big 3 tuition is approximately $560,000 for one child, $1.12 Million for two, $1.68 Million for 3, and $2.24 Million for 4 (that's after tax money). A membership at the top tier country clubs you mentioned for 14 years (including the initiation fee) is approximately $190,000. So for the average two child family, that is a price difference of $930,000 - almost a million dollars in 14 years or a $66,428 per year price difference!

Bottom line, you clearly have something against this family and are trying to make an inaccurate comparison that a Big 3 tuition is the same as a country club membership. In actuality, a country club membership is a bargain financially compared to Big 3 tuition. Not to mention, there are plenty of parents who just can not afford a Big 3 education for their children and find alternatives or chose to limit the years they spend in one as a result. This does not make them bad people, this is life. Most people I know want the best education they can afford for their children. If this is a Big 3 for all 14 years, congratulations. If not, then they have to figure out what they want and what is best for their child. Whether that means, public or Catholic or a mixture of tracks then they do what they think is best. I know a lot of 2%ers (let alone the other 98%) who can't afford a Big 3 tuition (without help from family), but this does not mean they are destitute. They have enough money for a nice life, but can't manage $40k+ per child each and every year. You truly don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out they are not one and the same. Even if a family chooses to spend a select number of years at a Big 3, but not all, this is not the same financially nor does it make them bad people.

Please try checking your conscience and values (oh, and facts) before you post such ignorant and hateful things about people. It would do the world a lot of good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And to the hateful, mean spirited, and ignorant pp who suggested a family they know payed for a country club membership over a Big 3 education for their children, you should be ashamed of yourself. What kind of a person are you that you would write such hateful things about a family? I hope you don't pretend to be their friend? Besides maybe family, most people don't really know the exact particulars about another family's financials and why they make the choices they do. And besides, why do you care?

Did you ever think that maybe they can't afford to pay for a Big 3 education for their children? Do you think a Big 3 education is the same cost as a country club membership?

Just to help you with the basic math, 14 years (PK-12) of Big 3 tuition is approximately $560,000 for one child, $1.12 Million for two, $1.68 Million for 3, and $2.24 Million for 4 (that's after tax money). A membership at the top tier country clubs you mentioned for 14 years (including the initiation fee) is approximately $190,000. So for the average two child family, that is a price difference of $930,000 - almost a million dollars in 14 years or a $66,428 per year price difference!

Bottom line, you clearly have something against this family and are trying to make an inaccurate comparison that a Big 3 tuition is the same as a country club membership. In actuality, a country club membership is a bargain financially compared to Big 3 tuition. Not to mention, there are plenty of parents who just can not afford a Big 3 education for their children and find alternatives or chose to limit the years they spend in one as a result. This does not make them bad people, this is life. Most people I know want the best education they can afford for their children. If this is a Big 3 for all 14 years, congratulations. If not, then they have to figure out what they want and what is best for their child. Whether that means, public or Catholic or a mixture of tracks then they do what they think is best. I know a lot of 2%ers (let alone the other 98%) who can't afford a Big 3 tuition (without help from family), but this does not mean they are destitute. They have enough money for a nice life, but can't manage $40k+ per child each and every year. You truly don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out they are not one and the same. Even if a family chooses to spend a select number of years at a Big 3, but not all, this is not the same financially nor does it make them bad people.

Please try checking your conscience and values (oh, and facts) before you post such ignorant and hateful things about people. It would do the world a lot of good.

The poster asked a question saying what is wrong with this choice and she was given an answer that in certain situations she believes the priorities and wrong. Isn't that what we all do on there boards? Give our opinions.

[Anonymous]

If a child gets into BSS over another child, then they are more qualified (for whatever reason). If a family is trying to save money why wouldn't they send their kids to public and really save money? Doesn't make sense. If you are Catholic (not even mandatory), choose to send your kids to BSS, and participate/volunteer in the community what is the problem? I do not know of anyone who has attended BSS for only a year or two and then left unless they were unhappy. If a child comes to BSS mid-track, graduates, and moves on to a non-catholic high school there is no issue. In fact, the BSS community is proud of those students. Most graduates go to Catholic high schools like Visi, Gonzaga, SJC, Prep, SR, etc because they want to stay in the Catholic school system. That is their choice, but it is not mandatory and it certainly is not frowned upon if they venture out and go to an independent or public HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And to the hateful, mean spirited, and ignorant pp who suggested a family they know payed for a country club membership over a Big 3 education for their children, you should be ashamed of yourself. What kind of a person are you that you would write such hateful things about a family? I hope you don't pretend to be their friend? Besides maybe family, most people don't really know the exact particulars about another family's financials and why they make the choices they do. And besides, why do you care?

Did you ever think that maybe they can't afford to pay for a Big 3 education for their children? Do you think a Big 3 education is the same cost as a country club membership?

Just to help you with the basic math, 14 years (PK-12) of Big 3 tuition is approximately $560,000 for one child, $1.12 Million for two, $1.68 Million for 3, and $2.24 Million for 4 (that's after tax money). A membership at the top tier country clubs you mentioned for 14 years (including the initiation fee) is approximately $190,000. So for the average two child family, that is a price difference of $930,000 - almost a million dollars in 14 years or a $66,428 per year price difference!

Bottom line, you clearly have something against this family and are trying to make an inaccurate comparison that a Big 3 tuition is the same as a country club membership. In actuality, a country club membership is a bargain financially compared to Big 3 tuition. Not to mention, there are plenty of parents who just can not afford a Big 3 education for their children and find alternatives or chose to limit the years they spend in one as a result. This does not make them bad people, this is life. Most people I know want the best education they can afford for their children. If this is a Big 3 for all 14 years, congratulations. If not, then they have to figure out what they want and what is best for their child. Whether that means, public or Catholic or a mixture of tracks then they do what they think is best. I know a lot of 2%ers (let alone the other 98%) who can't afford a Big 3 tuition (without help from family), but this does not mean they are destitute. They have enough money for a nice life, but can't manage $40k+ per child each and every year. You truly don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out they are not one and the same. Even if a family chooses to spend a select number of years at a Big 3, but not all, this is not the same financially nor does it make them bad people.

Please try checking your conscience and values (oh, and facts) before you post such ignorant and hateful things about people. It would do the world a lot of good.

The poster asked a question saying what is wrong with this choice and she was given an answer that in certain situations she believes the priorities and wrong. Isn't that what we all do on there boards? Give our opinions.

Your math adds up correctly in that scenario but I could understand someone questioning for example of a family left a big three siting financial reasons for a few years and then ended up joining a county club - with hopes of then returning to the big three once it was paid off, than that would be different and I could see how some would think this was very questionable priorities. Everyone has a right to their opinions on these boards - as clearly demonstrated.

[Anonymous]

Honest question here. We are a black family and considering BS in a couple of years. We live in Silver Spring/Rosemary Hills. Our child is a very attractive, likeable, social toddler. Sadly, I've begun to see that this really matters. I SAH and DH is a lawyer.

We are not Catholic. We want a private school and really don't want to pay big 3 money. DH and I both attended a preppy SLAC and I think I get the culture of a place like BS. I'm not worried about other moms not wanting to be my friend. But, will my kid be ok?

[Anonymous]

PP. There are numerous minority children at BS. Please come and check the school out. We have been very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honest question here. We are a black family and considering BS in a couple of years. We live in Silver Spring/Rosemary Hills. Our child is a very attractive, likeable, social toddler. Sadly, I've begun to see that this really matters. I SAH and DH is a lawyer.

We are not Catholic. We want a private school and really don't want to pay big 3 money. DH and I both attended a preppy SLAC and I think I get the culture of a place like BS. I'm not worried about other moms not wanting to be my friend. But, will my kid be ok?

Your child will probably be fine.

But you should really do more homework to understand just who these Catholics really are and what their history has been (especially the Irish that are the dominant group). There are any number of books you can read. Your daughter will be surrounded by this sub-culture.

There's nothing wrong with it. It's just a little different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mater Dei and other dc Catholics pulled a bunch of spots at sta this year. Some them are gunning for the close.

Two or three kids out of MD and the other Catholics is a small drop in the bucket.

If the Catholics are not applying as claimed on this thread but those that do ALL pull STA there Might be something going on. If 5 kids apply one year and shoot 100 percent, how long will it be until 40 apply and shoot 60?

Surprising as it may be to you, the Catholics want to go to Gonzaga and Prep and these are their their first choices. They don't apply to STA, not because they won't get in, but because they aren't interested in going there.

Yeah, but they're not getting in. No way. Not after a parish school education.

The May issue of Our Parish Times is out. There are parish kids who got into STA and Sidwell. Who knows, more may have gotten in and decided to go Catholic for less. It is really fun to look through and see where the kids are going. As you can see the vast majority are continuing on to Catholic High Schools.

Yes we have friends whose sons got in from a parish school technically - but they also did weekend school on top of that. Weekend and special summer school classes and camps. The typical parish education is not enough.

Np. I have no dog in this fight but 12:51 pp sounds like she has an axe to grind. WTH. I can't imagine being so bitter that I would take cheap shots at ,Catholic school children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP. There are numerous minority children at BS. Please come and check the school out. We have been very happy there.

The fact that you think there are 'numerous' minority children there says something. USA Schools reports that it is 89% white, making it the whitest school in the District.

[Anonymous]

Just FYI - BSS is, for the most part, a neighborhood school and pulls the vast majority of it's students from Chevy Chase, DC and Chevy Chase, MD. These populations are majority white (as is most of upper NW, DC). The school has successfully been trying to increase it's diversity and that number has grown over the past few years.

And let's not kid ourselves the Big 3s are majority white as well. When they claim 25% diversity that equates to 75% white.