Has anyone been unhappy with Gonzaga?
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Anonymous
| We have a freshman this year. Coming from a Catholic school in Arlington. There have been a few frustrating things so far but, on balance, we are really enjoying it. Our DS loves it there, just absolutely loves it, so that's all that matters. I have found it to be a little 'cult-like' but not over the top, and I don't really see anything wrong with really loving where your child attends. That dedication by parents translates into a better school experience because of donations and volunteering. The parents have been wonderful, very welcoming and kind, pretty much the opposite of the all-girls school my DD attends. For the sporting events issue-I have attended multiple sports and many football games so far and truthfully, the only time I saw some bad behavior it was on opposing teams, and even that was rare. May mean nothing, but that was my observation. I know in the past there were other incidents. I have heard that some really like to party, I haven't had to deal with that yet. |
Anonymous
Rival schools call that a "White Out" whenever they play Gonzaga. |
Anonymous
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My son graduated last Spring and had a wondeful 4 yrs. Yes, there are lot of wealthy families, entitled boys but overall, my son was never affected. I will add though that the athletic programs are extremely competetive - *Gonzaga is where sports dreams go to die* is true - but i also view this as work hard and you will succeed. My son played on the purple rugby team and is now playing in college, though his experience was tense (the head rugby coach is a competent but a jerk).
As far as academics, your son can challenge himself or take an easier path. My son was placed in the fast math track that skipped Alegbra 2 and went straight to precalc freshman yr, taking Calc BC as a junior, mulitvariable Calc and Linerar Alegbra senior yr. I would say that this math track was his most favoriate Gonzaga experience and most the boys went onto Ivy League schools and very highly regarding Colleges. Your son can't sign up for AP classes; to be placed in AP classes, you must get a teacher recommendation and have high grade. His college counselor was amazing! His least favorite part of Gonzaga was the head rugby coach, and although he lives for rugby and wasn't a target by the head coach, he felt the discontent among with boys and parents. I didn't see any disrespect from the boys at matches or during the European / S. Amercan rugby tours, in fact, I witnessed enormous respect. You know the saying, you can't pick your family but you can pick your friends and my son chose his circle wisely. There's negative behavior at most high schools but it's a choice to engage or not. My son has said to me many times during his 1st yr at his university - Gonzaga is the best high school in the country (i'm sure it's not but in his mind, it very well is). God bleeds Purple 
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Anonymous
and it's a tradition. Gonzaga has many! |
Anonymous
My son was friends with boys all over the DMV and went to parties in Arlingotn, Bethesda, DC and Chevy Chase. I'm not understanding this comment. |
Anonymous
This.This. This. Ms. Murphy's social justice class changed my son. He experienced sadness and a broken system but arrived at the end with humility, more humble and a desire to make a difference as an adult in the large world in front of him. He walked the streets of DC to feed the homeless and assisted in the homeless shelter (in the basement of St. Als). How many boys get to witness daily this level of kindness from a community? I know this all starts in the home but young men can be deterred by so many factors but Gonzaga leveled up. |
Anonymous
Depends where you live. We live up the street. |
Anonymous
Ha that's like a 5 mile radius. |
Anonymous
You're so lucky. My son commuted from Alexandria. He never complained though; he loved driving to G his junior and senior yr. |
Anonymous
| Son absolutely loves it, he bleeds purple. As parents we like it fine, feels like a good choice for our kid since he loves it so much, but not always helpful with accommodations, some rigid grading, and commute is far - blessing and a curse. Kid is amazing with public transportation and is comfortable with a city campus, makes it hard as parents to get to events at the school from where we live. |
Anonymous
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The biggest question to ask and consider seriously is single sex vs. co-ed and where your son will thrive over four years.
I hated it; my brothers loved it. Same parents, house, etc. Above all that matters. |
Anonymous
I also know a kid who left GZ to go to a more traditional co-ed school. Whether the main push to leave was social, academic, financial, or a combo, I’m not sure. The family said that their son wanted a school with a bigger mix of students. Everyone thrives in different surroundings! |
Anonymous
Years ago, as part of a larger conversation I asked the Gonzaga Admissions Director when boys left Gonzaga what was the most common reason they gave. "Girls" he said, "They wanted to be in a co-ed environment or where a particular girl went to school." My son, who is a GZA grad, never quite bought into the intense enthusiasm that pervades the place. But would like his son to go there. |
Anonymous
Last year a Gonzaga boy was arrested with brass knuckles and a pellet gun on his way to a SJC football game. Every year the students vandalize other schools in the name of "school spirit" |
Anonymous
I've been to multiple lacrosse and football games, both home and away, over the past four years and have heard nothing about GZ students acting out and/or vandalizing host schools, nor have my sons mentioned anything, nor have we parents gotten communications from the school regarding behavior at sports events. I've attended double digit events in small stadiums where obnoxious behavior would've been noticed easily and I've personally seen nothing that would track with what you're saying. Not saying none of this happened, but I'm definitely leaning towards "you're making sh*t up" POV here. |