st bernadette springield, va

[Anonymous]

any experience or input? thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Two of my DC's friends go to this school ... St. B's is a very traditional school with desks lined up in rows and a teacher "teaching" to children in uniforms that are expected to be very quiet. If a child talks in class then his/her name is written on the chalkboard, a second infraction in the same day gets an underline for that name, and a third infraction results in an "unhappy face" note sent home to parents. Gum chewing can be grounds for first an office visit, second a suspension, and third expulsion. I guess my choice of words is revealing my opinion on all this ... but if your child requires a LOT of structure, perhaps this is the place for you! The playground for the younger grades is small and uninspiring -- enclosed by chain link fence. Gym is fine.

The other observation I have on the school is that it takes its mission to teach Catholicism very seriously, which I say with no judgment at all even though it is not what I would choose for my own child. Chapel, prayers learned in latin from K, learning all the saints, all music instruction is for christian songs, and so on. VERY Catholic environment ... the school's web site openly discourages non-Catholics from attending (IMO) by noting that it is important that families provide consistency between what is taught at school and at home, including required Mass each Sunday.

There are many fine parish schools out there that balance good education with religious instruction/environment. IMO, this school offers good but not great instruction that could easily be obtained elsewhere, including the public schools in the district where this school is located. But if you seek a firm religious training ... this is the place for you!