Choosing parochial for the money?

[Anonymous]

I had the same boy experience but I moved to a different Catholic school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a devout Catholic and I'm on DC Urban Moms daily, and I don't hate my fellow Catholics. I wouldn't agree that Catholic schools are held in low regard here. I think most of the comments are truthful analysis based on personal experiences. But it's easy for Catholics to believe they are being descriminated against because so often in the past, they were.

I think the problem is that, while some parochial schools are great and many are good, they can't really compare with the many top-notch privates or public schools in the area, so they end up attracting either folks who can't get into either, or who are driven mostly by Catholic beliefs.

Not buying that it's people who can't get in. We have no problem getting into the top notch privates. We do have major trouble affording top notch privates. I bet a lot are like us.

Net net it's the same. Parochial is your second, not first, choice.

Correct, but you were implying that the student body was lower quality. I don't buy that part.

I don't think PP was arguing that the student quality is lower, just that the teaching/academics are lower. Most people I know who send their kids to parochial schools would send their kids to independent if the cost were the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a devout Catholic and I'm on DC Urban Moms daily, and I don't hate my fellow Catholics. I wouldn't agree that Catholic schools are held in low regard here. I think most of the comments are truthful analysis based on personal experiences. But it's easy for Catholics to believe they are being descriminated against because so often in the past, they were.

I think the problem is that, while some parochial schools are great and many are good, they can't really compare with the many top-notch privates or public schools in the area, so they end up attracting either folks who can't get into either, or who are driven mostly by Catholic beliefs.

Not buying that it's people who can't get in. We have no problem getting into the top notch privates. We do have major trouble affording top notch privates. I bet a lot are like us.

Net net it's the same. Parochial is your second, not first, choice.

Correct, but you were implying that the student body was lower quality. I don't buy that part.

I don't think PP was arguing that the student quality is lower, just that the teaching/academics are lower. Most people I know who send their kids to parochial schools would send their kids to independent if the cost were the same.

Most the people I know wouldn't send their kids to independent schools even if it were less expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a devout Catholic and I'm on DC Urban Moms daily, and I don't hate my fellow Catholics. I wouldn't agree that Catholic schools are held in low regard here. I think most of the comments are truthful analysis based on personal experiences. But it's easy for Catholics to believe they are being descriminated against because so often in the past, they were.

I think the problem is that, while some parochial schools are great and many are good, they can't really compare with the many top-notch privates or public schools in the area, so they end up attracting either folks who can't get into either, or who are driven mostly by Catholic beliefs.

Not buying that it's people who can't get in. We have no problem getting into the top notch privates. We do have major trouble affording top notch privates. I bet a lot are like us.

Net net it's the same. Parochial is your second, not first, choice.

Correct, but you were implying that the student body was lower quality. I don't buy that part.

I don't think PP was arguing that the student quality is lower, just that the teaching/academics are lower. Most people I know who send their kids to parochial schools would send their kids to independent if the cost were the same.

Most the people I know wouldn't send their kids to independent schools even if it were less expensive.

That's for sure.

Maybe she's talking about the Protestants that send their kids to Catholic Schools because they like the price.

[Anonymous]

If you read these forums long you will read about children moving from private to public and being behind and vice versa. You will read about boys from Beauvoir being behind in math when they enter St. Albans. You can find a post about a child leaving almost any school in town and being behind. No two private schools cover all the same skills in the same grade. Our child learns quickly and doesn't need a $30,000. a year school for the elementary years. There are many wonderful public, private and Catholic schools in the DC area. There are good teachers and bad teachers at all of the schools.

[Anonymous]

Currently have dc in a Big 3, a K-8 Catholic and a MCPS elementary, which makes me an unusual parent. All 3 started in public. The kid in Big 3 insisted on applying there, and only there, after comparing her friends experiences at public HS options. She is very happy there. The classes are very challenging, but she enjoys that. Second child, was not doing well in public, and was very interested in sports. We are not Catholic, but we heard good things about our local Catholic. She was immediately accepted socially and became a sports standout. Grades improved. We love the ethos that all God's children are valuable, not just those bound for the Ivies. Also the school devotes more time to arts than public and doesn't waste a lot of time on standardize testing. She did well on SSAT and is applying both Catholic and Big 3 for HS. Youngest is at local elementary and loves it. He is outgoing and gets lots of positive feedback. Just took the Highly Gifted test, but says doesn't want to leave friends. all 3 are happy and we are happy. I am sure they will each find a good fit at a good college and enjoy that too.

[Anonymous]

how about in high school, as in St. Johns? vs. Wilson, Walls or DC Private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a devout Catholic and I'm on DC Urban Moms daily, and I don't hate my fellow Catholics. I wouldn't agree that Catholic schools are held in low regard here. I think most of the comments are truthful analysis based on personal experiences. But it's easy for Catholics to believe they are being descriminated against because so often in the past, they were.

I think the problem is that, while some parochial schools are great and many are good, they can't really compare with the many top-notch privates or public schools in the area, so they end up attracting either folks who can't get into either, or who are driven mostly by Catholic beliefs.

Not buying that it's people who can't get in. We have no problem getting into the top notch privates. We do have major trouble affording top notch privates. I bet a lot are like us.

Net net it's the same. Parochial is your second, not first, choice.

Correct, but you were implying that the student body was lower quality. I don't buy that part.

I don't think PP was arguing that the student quality is lower, just that the teaching/academics are lower. Most people I know who send their kids to parochial schools would send their kids to independent if the cost were the same.

Most the people I know wouldn't send their kids to independent schools even if it were less expensive.

That's for sure.

Maybe she's talking about the Protestants that send their kids to Catholic Schools because they like the price.

Protestants usually pay a higher rate since they are not parishioners of the Catholic church giving money to the Catholic Church. Usually there are three to four scales: 1) parishioner in good standing in that particular Catholic Church; 2) parishioner not in good standing but in that Catholic Church's parish; 3) parishioners in good standing in other parishes (but sometimes need letters confirming they are in good standing in their own parish); and 4) all others.

[Anonymous]

[/b]

Protestants usually pay a higher rate since they are not parishioners of the Catholic church giving money to the Catholic Church. Usually there are three to four scales: 1) parishioner in good standing in that particular Catholic Church; 2) parishioner not in good standing but in that Catholic Church's parish; 3) parishioners in good standing in other parishes (but sometimes need letters confirming they are in good standing in their own parish); and 4) all others.

That's true. But even at the higher "Non-Catholic" rate some see these Catholic schools as "bargains" and are willing to tolerate the Catholic teaching.

What they don't expect is a sometimes insular Catholic community of parents who understand why the children of the bargain-hunters and optimizers are there and are less "welcoming" than the non-Catholics had expected or would prefer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you read these forums long you will read about children moving from private to public and being behind and vice versa. You will read about boys from Beauvoir being behind in math when they enter St. Albans. You can find a post about a child leaving almost any school in town and being behind. No two private schools cover all the same skills in the same grade. Our child learns quickly and doesn't need a $30,000. a year school for the elementary years. There are many wonderful public, private and Catholic schools in the DC area. There are good teachers and bad teachers at all of the schools.

This! +1.

[Anonymous]

There are many good Catholic schools in this area that are actually many peoples' first choice. Op are you Catholic? If so you may actually really like a Catholic school and the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a devout Catholic and I'm on DC Urban Moms daily, and I don't hate my fellow Catholics. I wouldn't agree that Catholic schools are held in low regard here. I think most of the comments are truthful analysis based on personal experiences. But it's easy for Catholics to believe they are being descriminated against because so often in the past, they were.

I think the problem is that, while some parochial schools are great and many are good, they can't really compare with the many top-notch privates or public schools in the area, so they end up attracting either folks who can't get into either, or who are driven mostly by Catholic beliefs.

Not buying that it's people who can't get in. We have no problem getting into the top notch privates. We do have major trouble affording top notch privates. I bet a lot are like us.

Net net it's the same. Parochial is your second, not first, choice.

Correct, but you were implying that the student body was lower quality. I don't buy that part.

I don't think PP was arguing that the student quality is lower, just that the teaching/academics are lower. Most people I know who send their kids to parochial schools would send their kids to independent if the cost were the same.

Most the people I know wouldn't send their kids to independent schools even if it were less expensive.

That's for sure.

Maybe she's talking about the Protestants that send their kids to Catholic Schools because they like the price.

Protestants usually pay a higher rate since they are not parishioners of the Catholic church giving money to the Catholic Church. Usually there are three to four scales: 1) parishioner in good standing in that particular Catholic Church; 2) parishioner not in good standing but in that Catholic Church's parish; 3) parishioners in good standing in other parishes (but sometimes need letters confirming they are in good standing in their own parish); and 4) all others.

That is very interesting. We go to a parochial in the Arlington Diocese (and looked at others) and only have seen ones which have distinctions b/w 1) Catholics in the parish; 2) Catholics in other parishes who may not have a school; 3) non-Catholics. If you do belong to the parish, though, you are expected to give of your time, talent, and treasure. I have always assumed they would sort of "bump you down" to category #2 if you did not give enough [of your time, talent, and treasure.].