St Barts

[Anonymous]

Yes. He worked at MD for years. Yes, he very much brought the culture with him. Was not great for girls so we moved on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.

Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.

It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.

I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.

Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.

Oh brother. This sounds like any public school.



No

I would not say the school has a bro vibe at all. There is something for everyone. The after school chess club is one of the most well-attended clubs at the school. The art teacher is phenomenal and students get published and showcase their art at exhibitions every year. They also offer coding classes, taekwondo, and music classes. Students participate in the weekly masses and spring musical. My kids are confident public speakers because they began presenting to their classes in prek. Some teachers formed a girls enrichment club this year. I could go on. I am sorry the poster had a negative experience with the principal, but the accusations of a toxic bro culture are not grounded in reality. At all.

The moms at St. Bart's are totall a-holes, like they think they're so special because their kids go to what is, face it, a lower-tier private school. It doesn't have to be that way. But it is. Pathetic.

PP here. Chose St Barts because we are Catholic, the quality of teaching is excellent, and there are fantastic opportunities for my non-sporty, non-bro children. I grew up in this area and attended an “upper tier” private school, and knew I did not want that type of environment for my children. Thanks for playing, though!

[Anonymous]

OP again my son is struggling socially in public and wondering if this might be better fit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again my son is struggling socially in public and wondering if this might be better fit

I guess it depends on what you mean by "struggling socially". Is that he has trouble finding friends? Is he generally not well-received by his classmates? Has he had problems with specific other kids who have made his life difficult?

If you don't really understand the problem, then you are going to have a real problem coming up with a solution.

Generally speaking, smaller Catholic schools are "kinder, gentler" environments than public schools. At least the public schools I went to. The administration and teachers listen to parents more carefully. If concerns are genuine, then they usually address them.

Public school teachers worry about the direction given by the Principal and the dictates and demands of the School Administration. The concerns of parents are in third place AT BEST.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “bro” culture has not been our experience. We really like St. Bart’s. As another poster recommended, go tour and talk to current parents. It’s hard to know how much to weigh feedback one way or the other on an anonymous forum.

Especially here where one poster takes every opportunity to criticize the school and the headmaster. A parent and parishioner called her out on this some months ago in a post in which she identified herself. The critic crawled back into her hole.

It’s very unlikely that St Barts is “bro” heavy given it’s proximity to all boys Mater Dei, which is heavy into sports. If these parish schools are girl heavy —-and they frequently are—- then it’s Mater Dei that’s a major cause.

I’d dismiss the claims of this particular malcontent, if I were you. If you understand the landscape of the Catholic K8’s in Bethesda - Potomac, you can appreciate her claims are ridiculous. And driven by animus.

Isn't the prinipal from Mater Dei? It is within reason that he brought that vibe with him.

Oh brother. This sounds like any public school.



No

I would not say the school has a bro vibe at all. There is something for everyone. The after school chess club is one of the most well-attended clubs at the school. The art teacher is phenomenal and students get published and showcase their art at exhibitions every year. They also offer coding classes, taekwondo, and music classes. Students participate in the weekly masses and spring musical. My kids are confident public speakers because they began presenting to their classes in prek. Some teachers formed a girls enrichment club this year. I could go on. I am sorry the poster had a negative experience with the principal, but the accusations of a toxic bro culture are not grounded in reality. At all.

The moms at St. Bart's are totall a-holes, like they think they're so special because their kids go to what is, face it, a lower-tier private school. It doesn't have to be that way. But it is. Pathetic.

PP here. Chose St Barts because we are Catholic, the quality of teaching is excellent, and there are fantastic opportunities for my non-sporty, non-bro children. I grew up in this area and attended an “upper tier” private school, and knew I did not want that type of environment for my children. Thanks for playing, though!

Did you have to add that? You just proved the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. He worked at MD for years. Yes, he very much brought the culture with him. Was not great for girls so we moved on.

Not great period.

He’s horrible.