Gonzaga neighborhood concern

[Anonymous]

My son graduated years ago, but his experience being in that neighborhood and working with the community made for a really strong college essay.

Also being in an urban setting forced him to learn how to navigate public transportation, which came in wherever he went.

Recommend this school highly.

[Anonymous]

A lot of older boys that drive often offer to give my son a ride home from practice. I was surprised how rides are offered to anyone that lives in the neighborhood whether they know the boys or not. It is a thing at Gonzaga.

[Anonymous]

OP, understand your concern but fwiw, I have lived and/or worked near Gonzaga for decades. In spite of the increased random crimes in DC, the neighborhood is far better than it used to be.

The kids travel in packs and I agree that they get to know the people they serve and vice versa.

[Anonymous]

I traverse this area almost daily and see packs of GZ boys happily going to and fro between the Union Station, First Street, K Street environs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS takes the train in from MD through Union Station. I was worried at first but he is never alone getting to school or after school due to the number of boys who travel back and forth to Union Station. If he has a late practice we have found a carpool system that works really well to pick up after dark. The community at Gonzaga is good at having meet and greets with other families and we are able to carpool at lot. So my son doesn't have to go to the station late evenings. The campus is secure. Talk to your son about being aware of surroundings. I feel my DS is learning vital life skills as well as top academics.

And there are so many middle and high schools along the red line that the trains have tons of kids on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That area is no more dangerous today than it was 20 years ago. It’s an urban school in a major city. It may not be for everyone. Crime will always be an issue. But, despite the general increase in crime (thank you, Charles Allen), it remains the case that the odds of something happening going to/from Union Station are incredibly low.

This is true but my H got caught in the middle of a gun fight in the 80's so not such a great argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We will find out today if we got in but I have a growing concern about this school with 4 shootings in the last month and 1 this week. I suspect other schools like SJC and DeMatha and Va Catholic schools may get more attendance because of this. Anyone else feel this way?

I'm an attorney who works in law enforcement in the building next door. The area is fine. I've never seen or heard any criminal activity, walk freely to within the block and within several blocks of the school with no issues. There are homeless people in the area but I'd feel perfectly fine sending my son (or even daughter) to any school at that location. The campus is also very secure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That area is no more dangerous today than it was 20 years ago. It’s an urban school in a major city. It may not be for everyone. Crime will always be an issue. But, despite the general increase in crime (thank you, Charles Allen), it remains the case that the odds of something happening going to/from Union Station are incredibly low.

This is true but my H got caught in the middle of a gun fight in the 80's so not such a great argument.

20 years ago is 2004, not 1984. But, more importantly, you are missing the point. The claim was that Gonzaga is currently a less desirable option because of recent events. The rebuttal was that Gonzaga should be just as desirable now as it was 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago. Your anecdote has nothing to do with either. But thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

I attended Gonzaga in the mid 90's and we tutored elementary school kids in the Sursum Corda housing projects behind the school (since redeveloped). We'd just walk there in groups after school.

An older dude from the projects told us that messing with us (Gonzaga students) was just about the dumbest thing anyone from the neighborhood could do as far as having police come down on them.

We had khakis, backpacks, and maybe $10 cash. It was pointless. Not to mention that we were tutoring elementary school kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended Gonzaga in the mid 90's and we tutored elementary school kids in the Sursum Corda housing projects behind the school (since redeveloped). We'd just walk there in groups after school.

An older dude from the projects told us that messing with us (Gonzaga students) was just about the dumbest thing anyone from the neighborhood could do as far as having police come down on them.

We had khakis, backpacks, and maybe $10 cash. It was pointless. Not to mention that we were tutoring elementary school kids there.

In the 90’s Members of Congress were not carjacked or assaulted in their apartment buildings. The rules have changed, unfortunately, whether folks want to admit it or not.

[Anonymous]

The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

different times indeed

[Anonymous]

Have a freshman who takes the Metro every day. He loves it. Riding the Metro grows independence and comfort getting around any city on public transportation. I have not given crime concerns any thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That area is no more dangerous today than it was 20 years ago. It’s an urban school in a major city. It may not be for everyone. Crime will always be an issue. But, despite the general increase in crime (thank you, Charles Allen), it remains the case that the odds of something happening going to/from Union Station are incredibly low.

This is true but my H got caught in the middle of a gun fight in the 80's so not such a great argument.

20 years ago is 2004, not 1984. But, more importantly, you are missing the point. The claim was that Gonzaga is currently a less desirable option because of recent events. The rebuttal was that Gonzaga should be just as desirable now as it was 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago. Your anecdote has nothing to do with either. But thanks for sharing.

Except it’s more like the 80’s now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

different times indeed

Actually during the DC riots in the 60’s it was closed.