Will Negative Press Impact Applications/Admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really like the Gonzaga “be kind” motif...

actually I think its a simplistic statement and should go a lot deeper than it does. its like paying lip service to concerned parents but not really reshaping expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm part of one of the communities in question, and very politically progressive. My view is that I'd rather stay and work to shape the culture myself than abandon it and let the problem continue. In my particular community, I see enough positive action to make me feel reasonably good about the future direction of things.

Pro Kavanagh press conferences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really like the Gonzaga “be kind” motif...

actually I think its a simplistic statement and should go a lot deeper than it does. its like paying lip service to concerned parents but not really reshaping expectations.

The "be kind" theme was set way before any of the Kavanaugh stuff was happening. Campus ministry had created a new program where in addition to the regular retreats that happen throughout the year, there is a team of students who spread this theme through various campus ministry events during community periods. These boys are getting constant reminders throughout the year about kindness, justice, and doing good. This is why I send my boy here.

[Anonymous]

I think this may have a general negative impact on all-boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

Also keep in mind that this activity happened (30+ years ago) off campus at various homes of parents, summer beach homes, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

Also keep in mind that this activity happened (30+ years ago) off campus at various homes of parents, summer beach homes, etc.

See thread on 2015 STA yearbook. See thread on recent anti-Semitic behavior at STA. You can bury your head in the sand but that won’t make it go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

Also keep in mind that this activity happened (30+ years ago) off campus at various homes of parents, summer beach homes, etc.

See thread on 2015 STA yearbook. See thread on recent anti-Semitic behavior at STA. You can bury your head in the sand but that won’t make it go away.

I guess applications will decrease at Yale too. Don't hold your breath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

Also keep in mind that this activity happened (30+ years ago) off campus at various homes of parents, summer beach homes, etc.

See thread on 2015 STA yearbook. See thread on recent anti-Semitic behavior at STA. You can bury your head in the sand but that won’t make it go away.

I guess applications will decrease at Yale too. Don't hold your breath.

I don’t expect applications will decrease at Yale or at STA/Prep/Landon, etc. I am realistic which is more than can be said for some parents who refuse to see what is right in front of them.

[Anonymous]

This controversy has solidified our desire to send our boys to all boys schools. Yes, raising respectful and kind boys starts at home and as my older son approaches the teenage years I can see that this may be a challenge at times. But, I’ll be damned if I’m going to send them into an educational system that labels them negatively just because of their sex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's hard for me to believe it won't have an impact. I went to a coed Jesuit high school (not metro DC area), and I have to say it's affected my support of the school. I've been getting calls about attending an upcoming fundraising event, and right now I just can't bring myself to financially support a Jesuit, Catholic institution. I suspect this is not an uncommon feeling, as based on the frequency of the calls I think attendance and support must be down overall.

You my friend are a loser. You are going to withhold your support from your Alma Mater because a man at another school may, MAY, have committed a crime 36 years ago? Let me say it again, you are a loser. Not because of the priests, not because Georgetown University owned slaves, not because of the criminals that have been ACCUSED, let alone convicted that actually went to your school but this is your reason?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new money / no morals folk don’t care. And sadly they exist in droves

Don't care about what exactly? A 40 year old potentially false accusation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

Also keep in mind that this activity happened (30+ years ago) off campus at various homes of parents, summer beach homes, etc.

+1, everyone is putting the blame on the schools when this happened due to the parents either supporting it, making it happen or ignoring it happening. The school has blame to what is done on campus, like the yearbook but this has nothing to do with the current kids or administrations of these schools. These things were happening everywhere all over the country, including public schools. I went to an MCPS public and these parties were happening there too.

[Anonymous]

I am a current public school parent with a kid who is in an entry year, and I have to admit that the recent events are making me think a lot about the environment question. We already had a lot of worries about the private school environment, and this isn't helping. It's not so much the events from so long ago, it's the sense that not a lot has changed. I don't think our reaction is entirely rational but it's there, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: I'm not muck raking. I'm sincerely wondering if it might be easier to be accepted at these schools this year and wondering if Landon had fewer applications after its bad press years ago. I'm sure there is a core constituent base and that Landon rebounded. But, was there a dip? If considering Holton or Prep or St. Albans, might my DD and/or DS have an easier chance applying this year? DD is also looking at Catholic girls schools.

Why would you put Holton in that group? I don't particularly like Holton, but one of its students being assaulted 35 years ago does not seem to have anything to do with the school overall. It's not like they created a culture that encouraged being assaulted then and for sure don't now.

[i]

I did not include Holton for ANY of the reasons you suggest. The school is fantastic, has a seemingly warm culture and is a victim in all of this. But, in my experience some idiots (young and adult) still view it (and the girls) as more "liberal" because it is not parochial.

Did you see the Holton yearbooks from 35 years ago? Oh, lord, they were no innocents.

If we're to judge GP for what they may have been like 35 years ago we also need to judge Holton too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a current public school parent with a kid who is in an entry year, and I have to admit that the recent events are making me think a lot about the environment question. We already had a lot of worries about the private school environment, and this isn't helping. It's not so much the events from so long ago, it's the sense that not a lot has changed. I don't think our reaction is entirely rational but it's there, for sure.

What's irrational is assuming this kind of stuff doesn't happen in public schools either.

Private schools are easy to blame because they stand out. But it's no different from any of the big public high schools around DC either.