St. Mary's Open House (Alexandria)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's is a parochial school, not a private school, and it sounds like the emphasis on religion at the open house was a way to drive that home. My children go to SMS and we like the school community and feel the academics are on par with other local schools. I also like that the school uses Word Study and Empowering Writers, and have noticed a marked improvement in my children's writing due to these programs.

The children pray at the beginning of the day, before/after meals, and at the end of the day, and it does not take long. They have Mass every Friday (once a week), and they only walk to the church once a month.

There are 3 classes per grade except for the current Kindergarten class which has 4 classes. (Which I imagine will go down to 3 classes eventually due to attrition, as this was demonstrated with past "bubble classes".

I hope this additional information helps your family.

We were told that the students pray before and after every class, and that this can add up to 40-60 min of praying every day, including "classes that help you learn to pray better." (this was told to us by our 8th grade tour guide). He said there was a lot of praying and a huge focus on it.

I think you have to keep in mind that you were talking to an 8th grader who, I assume, switches classes and teachers multiple times per day. My first grader prays at the beginning of school, before/after lunch, and at the end of school. I think he also prays at the beginning of whatever special he has that day, i.e., art, music, etc. I imagine the class that "helps you learn to pray better" is religion class, which is daily beginning in K. Again if this too much for you, a parochial school may just not be a good fit for your family, which is obviously perfectly fine. Different strokes for different folks. I (a pretty nonreligious parent) see it, as I think I said up thread, as part of the package. It's part of what makes the school and the community what it is. It is not just a cheaper version of private school.

As for the other questions about SSSAS above, I know at least one of my kid's friends who got into SSSAS for K but chose SMS. For what reason, I do not know. It seems that maybe a few kids go on to high school at SSSAS based on the SSSAS stickers I see on some cars in the carpool line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St. Mary's is a parochial school, not a private school, and it sounds like the emphasis on religion at the open house was a way to drive that home. My children go to SMS and we like the school community and feel the academics are on par with other local schools. I also like that the school uses Word Study and Empowering Writers, and have noticed a marked improvement in my children's writing due to these programs.

The children pray at the beginning of the day, before/after meals, and at the end of the day, and it does not take long. They have Mass every Friday (once a week), and they only walk to the church once a month.

There are 3 classes per grade except for the current Kindergarten class which has 4 classes. (Which I imagine will go down to 3 classes eventually due to attrition, as this was demonstrated with past "bubble classes".

I hope this additional information helps your family.

We were told that the students pray before and after every class, and that this can add up to 40-60 min of praying every day, including "classes that help you learn to pray better." (this was told to us by our 8th grade tour guide). He said there was a lot of praying and a huge focus on it.

I think you have to keep in mind that you were talking to an 8th grader who, I assume, switches classes and teachers multiple times per day. My first grader prays at the beginning of school, before/after lunch, and at the end of school. I think he also prays at the beginning of whatever special he has that day, i.e., art, music, etc. I imagine the class that "helps you learn to pray better" is religion class, which is daily beginning in K. Again if this too much for you, a parochial school may just not be a good fit for your family, which is obviously perfectly fine. Different strokes for different folks. I (a pretty nonreligious parent) see it, as I think I said up thread, as part of the package. It's part of what makes the school and the community what it is. It is not just a cheaper version of private school.

As for the other questions about SSSAS above, I know at least one of my kid's friends who got into SSSAS for K but chose SMS. For what reason, I do not know. It seems that maybe a few kids go on to high school at SSSAS based on the SSSAS stickers I see on some cars in the carpool line.

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Agreed. Perhaps in the Junior High they pray more often than the main school building, but again, I cannot imagine it is that intrusive, and sounds like a way to refocus the students.

The PP poster said it best, "it is not a cheaper version of a private school." It is not an independent private school, but a school for a Catholic parish. Families send their children to St. Mary's because it is a Catholic school. Same goes for Blessed Sacrament, St. Rita, St. Louis, and Queen of Apostles in Alexandria - all are Catholic, parish schools. While each school has a different feel, they are all using the same curriculum (listed on the Diocese of Arlington website), but use different resources to achieve those goals. I have found the instruction to be great thus far, appreciate the focus over the past 2-3 years on differentiated instruction, and are overall pleased with the school.

I also like that Spanish is taught 3x per week in the lower grades and that there is an instructional aide in every classroom from Kindergarten - 2nd grade, and in 3rd-5th there is a shared aide for each grade.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has attended SMS for three years and is in the 2nd grade. I also have two step-children who have attended a highly-regarded, sought-after Fairfax County Public School (elementary level; one is now in middle school) for the past several years. Based on my personal experience and observation, the SMS curriculum is substantially more academically rigorous than FCPS. I would also say that the SMS curriculum instills more personal discipline in the students -- there is no grade inflation and students are held to a high standard of personal responsibility, which I really appreciate.

Yes, it is a Catholic school and the children do pray and learn about God throughout the curriculum. Does this take up 60 minutes of each day? Definitely not. Is religion taught at the expense of academic subjects? No way. Is it dogmatic? Personally, I don't believe so. We are formerly-lapsed, probably more on the side of "Cafeteria" practicing Catholics, and I have to say that I love the school and feel that we fit into the community.

I recommend the school and believe that a very solid education can be earned at SMS, alongside the Catholic sacraments and a good "life" foundation.

[Anonymous]

We have friends who have a child at SSSA and we have a child at SMS, both in 1st grade. Both children are on the same learning path and have similar homework, along with the art, music, spanish and PE. This family is applying, once again, to SMS with hopes of getting in, but they're not Catholic. As another poster stated, there is a high standard of personal responsiblity, and bullying is not tolerated.

Also being a more liberal Catholic, and admittedly a *cafeteria* Catholic, I find the structure, prayer, Mass sort of comforting.

[Anonymous]

We did the tour a week or so ago, and found this thread to be very informative and helpful, especially the last few comments. We found the school to be very well organized, and the classes we saw were all very engaged, focused, and disciplined. It was very different from other Catholics we've looked at which seemed a little chaotic. We also like that there is a cafeteria for hot lunches, and lots of extra curricular opportunities and after care opportunities that aren't offered at other local parochial schools.

We are a Catholic family (DC is baptized), but we are not members of the St. Mary's parish. What are the odds of getting accepted for a K spot? Slim? None? Just curious if there are any current parents of Kindergarteners who are out-of-parish (and without a sibling at the school)?

It was intimidating to see SO many people at the open house. The gymnasium was almost standing room only!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did the tour a week or so ago, and found this thread to be very informative and helpful, especially the last few comments. We found the school to be very well organized, and the classes we saw were all very engaged, focused, and disciplined. It was very different from other Catholics we've looked at which seemed a little chaotic. We also like that there is a cafeteria for hot lunches, and lots of extra curricular opportunities and after care opportunities that aren't offered at other local parochial schools.

We are a Catholic family (DC is baptized), but we are not members of the St. Mary's parish. What are the odds of getting accepted for a K spot? Slim? None? Just curious if there are any current parents of Kindergarteners who are out-of-parish (and without a sibling at the school)?

It was intimidating to see SO many people at the open house. The gymnasium was almost standing room only!

Have you submitted your application yet? We were out of parish (but Catholic and in a parish without a school) 2 years ago. We went to the open house, went straight home, filled out the app, included the paperwork, and had everything postmarked and mailed at the post office the same day. DS got in. I have no idea if I really needed to be so obsessive about submitting the application, but we knew it was our first choice and that admission can be really tight. A lot will probably depend on whether they take 3 or 4 classes. They took 4 two years ago and this year (you'll see some parents on this thread are unhappy about that trend). That obviously greatly increases your chances.