How is Paul VI Academically?

[Anonymous]

I'm the original poster. Instead of continuing to debate this unrelated, esoteric debate about "private vs parochial", can people who have had experience with PVI please chime in with their thoughts about the school, particularly academically and the matriculation performance of its graduates?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

It used to not have a great academic or social reputation (many drugs), but I do not know about it currently. I think ideally you are looking for someone who has experienced both which will be hard to do. I think our local parochial blue ribbon elementary is horrible academically. The people who send their children there though think it's great, so they obviously they see something I don't or just have different priorities.

[Anonymous]

What did you like about the school btw? Which is your feeder high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the original poster. Instead of continuing to debate this unrelated, esoteric debate about "private vs parochial", can people who have had experience with PVI please chime in with their thoughts about the school, particularly academically and the matriculation performance of its graduates?

Thank you.

Hi OP! My child does not go to Paul VI but I know a few kids that go there. I was going to look at sending my son there so I asked a friend about their experience. The only reason we did not was because of location, we are in MD.

My friend has nothing but wonderful things to say about Paul VI. They have a special education program and her son has a "buddy" from that program and they do things together on the weekend and they have truly become friends.

Their sports programs are top notch - not sure your son is interested in sports.

My friends son got a full scholarship to college.

It really comes down to values when you choose a school.

I believe there are "slam and cram" school and then "well rounded schools". I am trying my hardest to avoid the "slam and cram" - these school slam the kids Freshman year coming through the door and cram as much into the next 4 years so their rating looks good to the next person willing to pay $30K. There is very little spiritual, emotional or physical development of the human in this school - more of an after though.

Well rounded schools have kids of many backgrounds and give each child the best opportunity for that child. Their major mission is spiritual, emotional and physical development of the child and academics are weaved thoughout the 4 years. I believe most private schools are well rounded. So if you have a NMF child and one with learning disabilities they can both go to the same school. This will clearly affect matriculation as you see it on a web site but each individual child matriculates to the school best for them. So your childs matriculation is none of my business and does not affect my childs ability to get into the college of his choice. Where in the "slam and cram" schools kids are pit against each other all vying for the few coveted spots and anything less than Ivy is just a pitty.

So if your mission is to have a well developed child who is academically challenged and is prepared for the college of his choice - I think Paul VI is an amazing school.

If your mission is to have your son matriculate to the best possible college in the nation, no holds barred, no matter how many friends he has to take down doing it, I don't think Paul VI is the place.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have 2 daughters, one is a senior at Bishop OConnell and one a junior at Langley. We're very satisfied with the academics at both schools. I'd equate O'C to PVI. Here's a difference btn these to and their highly rated public counterparts: At I see the data: naviance and parent chatter in the bleachers, all other things being equal, the Catholic school kid gets accepted to the Va colleges over the public school kid. Just something to throw in the balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, 11:22. (NP here)> But honestly, who really cares this much? I can tell you as a parochial school grad we never even really thought about you guys. (Seriously.) I think you care too much! Move on. . .

People who spend the money on privates care a lot. There is a huge difference between 31K and 5K. That difference plays out in a multitude of ways. I can tell you as a private school grad, we did not view parochial schools a private schools. They were places Catholics went if they couldn't afford the Catholic privates.

High school tuition in the Arlington Diocese is around the 12k range, not 5k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, 11:22. (NP here)> But honestly, who really cares this much? I can tell you as a parochial school grad we never even really thought about you guys. (Seriously.) I think you care too much! Move on. . .

People who spend the money on privates care a lot. There is a huge difference between 31K and 5K. That difference plays out in a multitude of ways. I can tell you as a private school grad, we did not view parochial schools a private schools. They were places Catholics went if they couldn't afford the Catholic privates.

High school tuition in the Arlington Diocese is around the 12k range, not 5k.

Lower schools are less than 10K about $6K give or take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, 11:22. (NP here)> But honestly, who really cares this much? I can tell you as a parochial school grad we never even really thought about you guys. (Seriously.) I think you care too much! Move on. . .

People who spend the money on privates care a lot. There is a huge difference between 31K and 5K. That difference plays out in a multitude of ways. I can tell you as a private school grad, we did not view parochial schools a private schools. They were places Catholics went if they couldn't afford the Catholic privates.

High school tuition in the Arlington Diocese is around the 12k range, not 5k.

Lower schools are less than 10K about $6K give or take.

Yes, agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in this area and am slightly familiar with it. As a Catholic who went to parochial school, some of my fellow classmates went on to PVI. I'd put it on the same level as O'Connell, b/c the two are similar: diocesan, co-ed schools. So, I think you'd have kids at almost all ends of the spectrum. One thing I like about PVI is what I think they call their Options Program (or somethign similarly named). It is a program for students with Down Syndrome and other mental challenges and I believe they share other non-academic activiites with the neurotypical students. I really like this mission and I think it is very kind and concordant with the Catholic character.

So, its a parochial school then ?

[Anonymous]

To the private poster who said the Catholic schools are not private because they're heavily subsidized is way off base. I'm sure that information is not based in fact. The church's financial contribution to the schools is shockingly low. But I'm sure you'll come up with another reason why the Catholics are not in your league. Too bad no one here cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, 11:22. (NP here)> But honestly, who really cares this much? I can tell you as a parochial school grad we never even really thought about you guys. (Seriously.) I think you care too much! Move on. . .

People who spend the money on privates care a lot. There is a huge difference between 31K and 5K. That difference plays out in a multitude of ways. I can tell you as a private school grad, we did not view parochial schools a private schools. They were places Catholics went if they couldn't afford the Catholic privates.

High school tuition in the Arlington Diocese is around the 12k range, not 5k.

Lower schools are less than 10K about $6K give or take.

Yes, agree.

Yes. Much more affordable private option.

[Anonymous]

We have had the experience of Independent Private, parish private and Independent Catholic Private. Our experience re: quality of Education from best to worst: Independent Catholic Private, parish private, Independent Private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in this area and am slightly familiar with it. As a Catholic who went to parochial school, some of my fellow classmates went on to PVI. I'd put it on the same level as O'Connell, b/c the two are similar: diocesan, co-ed schools. So, I think you'd have kids at almost all ends of the spectrum. One thing I like about PVI is what I think they call their Options Program (or somethign similarly named). It is a program for students with Down Syndrome and other mental challenges and I believe they share other non-academic activiites with the neurotypical students. I really like this mission and I think it is very kind and concordant with the Catholic character.

So, its a parochial school then ?

PVI is a diocesan school as it is supported by the diocese, not one specific parish.

Parish schools are typically 1-8 or K-8 and supported by one specific parish, sometimes shared by a grouping of a few parishes.

[Anonymous]

My DD attended there. They have just as much access to drugs. We struggled with her smoking pot her last two years. Teachers never contacted us about her grades which slipped throughout all 4 years. Honestly, I don't think it is any different than public school, other than they were uniforms and attend mass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD attended there. They have just as much access to drugs. We struggled with her smoking pot her last two years. Teachers never contacted us about her grades which slipped throughout all 4 years. Honestly, I don't think it is any different than public school, other than they were uniforms and attend mass.

I meant to say 'wear' above, not 'were'.