Bishop Ireton - Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new AD told the current basketball coach over the phone that he was being replaced. So he’s leaving the school. Lots of staff leaving this year. They are starting a new special education department next year, but don’t have enough staff for it and seem to think the special ed kids will just be included in general education classes with a peer buddy. The classroom teachers do not have special ed licenses and don’t know how this is going to work. They are not talking about a team teaching model.

The renovation resulted in very small classrooms with no room for teacher filing cabinets and other lab materials in many rooms. It’s going to take a while to adjust.

It’s very hard to hire good teachers with such a low starting salary.

The kids are nice and generally good kids.

This is inaccurate information. You should email the school to get the facts and plan a visit when they are back open. There are not a lot of teachers leaving. The special ed department is growing and amazing and working closely with classroom teachers. They have a new (this year) Director of Special Services who is doing amazing things to expand the program and meet needs. You are correct that some are in general Ed classes but that’s the model for some students (others have delayed requirements). It’s not Commonwealth Academy, it’s a different school with a different model.

The renovation has added fantastic science classrooms with plenty of space along with an entire floor that is the library and a huge cafeteria. Most new classrooms have an adjacent teacher space which houses filing cabinets and the such. The science rooms have prep areas next to the classrooms that are huge and were not part of the classrooms before. It’s a nice addition.

They’ve also added a scholars program that the incoming class will be a part of. Students, if interested, can pick a focus and will be required to finish certain coursework and capstone project to graduate with an additional designation.

You are correct that the kids are nice and good kids.

[Anonymous]

I personally can name six teachers right now that are leaving. I can also tell you that I know several teachers who don't have enough room in their classrooms for the student desks they need along with their own desks.

The special ed chair is very nice, but doesn't have anyone on staff who is certified in the academic areas in which the students will need support, and the current teachers are overwhelmed as it is. They want to offer candy to the kids to come for academic support? How about teaching the kids to go get help when they need it?

[Anonymous]

I am so impressed with the communication and distance learning efforts of BI. I came here to see if others were posting positives as well!

I was caught off guard by the post above. Who cares ablout filing cabinets. Judging from the turnover in the last 5 years, 6 teachers (is that even correct) is a low turnover, I think 2 are retirements, 1 is moving out of state.

I don’t know the special services director, but the admin is responsive and dedicated to our kids.

The basketball coach thing is interesting- our kids (one grad and one current) thrived in the coach’s math classes. He is a good and loved teacher. If this is what happened I would be worried about the new AD as I am sure the HOS, would not have approved that action.

I am a proud member of BI community, my college kid is thriving because of BI and distance learning has been a change, but teachers have been flexible and caring, while also figuring out how to do it. Bravo BI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new AD told the current basketball coach over the phone that he was being replaced. So he’s leaving the school. Lots of staff leaving this year. They are starting a new special education department next year, but don’t have enough staff for it and seem to think the special ed kids will just be included in general education classes with a peer buddy. The classroom teachers do not have special ed licenses and don’t know how this is going to work. They are not talking about a team teaching model.

The renovation resulted in very small classrooms with no room for teacher filing cabinets and other lab materials in many rooms. It’s going to take a while to adjust.

It’s very hard to hire good teachers with such a low starting salary.

The kids are nice and generally good kids.

This is inaccurate information. You should email the school to get the facts and plan a visit when they are back open. There are not a lot of teachers leaving. The special ed department is growing and amazing and working closely with classroom teachers. They have a new (this year) Director of Special Services who is doing amazing things to expand the program and meet needs. You are correct that some are in general Ed classes but that’s the model for some students (others have delayed requirements). It’s not Commonwealth Academy, it’s a different school with a different model.

The renovation has added fantastic science classrooms with plenty of space along with an entire floor that is the library and a huge cafeteria. Most new classrooms have an adjacent teacher space which houses filing cabinets and the such. The science rooms have prep areas next to the classrooms that are huge and were not part of the classrooms before. It’s a nice addition.

They’ve also added a scholars program that the incoming class will be a part of. Students, if interested, can pick a focus and will be required to finish certain coursework and capstone project to graduate with an additional designation.

You are correct that the kids are nice and good kids.

I'm sure that's true, but someone might want to chat with them about how fast they drive through the neighborhoods they need to park in all day because BI doesn't offer enough student parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so impressed with the communication and distance learning efforts of BI. I came here to see if others were posting positives as well!

I was caught off guard by the post above. Who cares ablout filing cabinets. Judging from the turnover in the last 5 years, 6 teachers (is that even correct) is a low turnover, I think 2 are retirements, 1 is moving out of state.

I don’t know the special services director, but the admin is responsive and dedicated to our kids.

The basketball coach thing is interesting- our kids (one grad and one current) thrived in the coach’s math classes. He is a good and loved teacher. If this is what happened I would be worried about the new AD as I am sure the HOS, would not have approved that action.

I am a proud member of BI community, my college kid is thriving because of BI and distance learning has been a change, but teachers have been flexible and caring, while also figuring out how to do it. Bravo BI.

+1

The distance learning has been very well done, and the communication from the school is outstanding.


To the PP about kids driving fast: unfortunately every neighborhood near a high school says the same thing. We all need to tell the teens in our life to slow down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so impressed with the communication and distance learning efforts of BI. I came here to see if others were posting positives as well!

I was caught off guard by the post above. Who cares ablout filing cabinets. Judging from the turnover in the last 5 years, 6 teachers (is that even correct) is a low turnover, I think 2 are retirements, 1 is moving out of state.

I don’t know the special services director, but the admin is responsive and dedicated to our kids.

The basketball coach thing is interesting- our kids (one grad and one current) thrived in the coach’s math classes. He is a good and loved teacher. If this is what happened I would be worried about the new AD as I am sure the HOS, would not have approved that action.

I am a proud member of BI community, my college kid is thriving because of BI and distance learning has been a change, but teachers have been flexible and caring, while also figuring out how to do it. Bravo BI.

+1

The distance learning has been very well done, and the communication from the school is outstanding.


To the PP about kids driving fast: unfortunately every neighborhood near a high school says the same thing. We all need to tell the teens in our life to slow down.

Sure, but these teens are not in my life. Since they are in your school community, maybe you could have a word with them about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so impressed with the communication and distance learning efforts of BI. I came here to see if others were posting positives as well!

I was caught off guard by the post above. Who cares ablout filing cabinets. Judging from the turnover in the last 5 years, 6 teachers (is that even correct) is a low turnover, I think 2 are retirements, 1 is moving out of state.

I don’t know the special services director, but the admin is responsive and dedicated to our kids.

The basketball coach thing is interesting- our kids (one grad and one current) thrived in the coach’s math classes. He is a good and loved teacher. If this is what happened I would be worried about the new AD as I am sure the HOS, would not have approved that action.

I am a proud member of BI community, my college kid is thriving because of BI and distance learning has been a change, but teachers have been flexible and caring, while also figuring out how to do it. Bravo BI.

While we’re at it we will tell them to get off your lawn! Ha. You haven’t had any traffic from Ireton in 3+ weeks, you sound grumpy. Did you buy a house near a high school and expect that you would never have issues?!


+1

The distance learning has been very well done, and the communication from the school is outstanding.


To the PP about kids driving fast: unfortunately every neighborhood near a high school says the same thing. We all need to tell the teens in our life to slow down.

Sure, but these teens are not in my life. Since they are in your school community, maybe you could have a word with them about it.

[Anonymous]

Searching boards for info about BI football/athletics. Head coach just left and new guy has big reputation from Woodbridge. Emails to Mr. Bryant go unanswered. Any insights on athletics (boys)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Searching boards for info about BI football/athletics. Head coach just left and new guy has big reputation from Woodbridge. Emails to Mr. Bryant go unanswered. Any insights on athletics (boys)?

BI has never had a rep for good boys athletics.

[Anonymous]

We took a close look at Bishop Ireton last year and we were very impressed. We ultimately chose a different school, mainly for location, but I would not hesitate to recommend Ireton based on what I saw and the folks I spoke with who had children there.

[Anonymous]

Athletically, the good news is that BI is a member of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC), the best in the area and one of the best in the US.

The bad news is that BI isn't all that competitive in this super-strong league which is pretty much dominated by four or five schools; DeMatha, Gonzaga, Good Council, St Johns and recently Paul VI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Searching boards for info about BI football/athletics. Head coach just left and new guy has big reputation from Woodbridge. Emails to Mr. Bryant go unanswered. Any insights on athletics (boys)?

I thought the new football coach was formerly the assistant coach? Just email him.

[Anonymous]

How come so few graduates go on to top/prestigious colleges? Looking at where graduates are going next year is depressing…

[Anonymous]

How does Bishop Ireton compare to O’Connell, in terms of academics/college acceptances/social atmosphere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How come so few graduates go on to top/prestigious colleges? Looking at where graduates are going next year is depressing…

Because so few people think those Starbucks-employee factories are "prestigious" anymore.