Would a non-Catholic feel comfortable at Bishop Ireton?

[Anonymous]

We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

Non Roman Catholic here. The way you describe Georgetown doesn't seem right. I'm not sure Georgetown is any less a Jesuit institution than Liberty is an evangelical one. It's just that you're not as uncomfortable with Jesuit philosophy as you are with evangelical philosophy. This could be a situation where if you have to ask, then no you would not feel comfortable. I think it's a great idea to consider BI as long as they take non-Catholics, but only if you go in with an open mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

Would a non-Catholic feel comfortable? I guess it depends on how thick your skin is. If you are looking for offense, you will probably find it.

You and your kid would be a minority at Ireton. Being Catholic is more than going to Mass and accepting the teachings of the Church. There's a culture that goes along with it and in many cases, an ethnicity.

You would find that the kids and the parents are more Conservative than average.

You also misunderstand just how Catholic Georgetown is. Those crucifixes in the classroom aren't just decorations. It is run by priests and follows the Jesuit model. And 70%+ of its students are Catholic.

As at GU, Catholics do get preferential treatment in Admissions.

[Anonymous]

We know a neighbor who is not Catholic and is loving BI. However, the family went to Catholic middle school, too, so this isn't a new thing for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

If your view of Georgetown is any example, you seem to be confused.

Just go back to the basics. Starting with the fact that Catholic schools are not in existence to give non-Catholics an alternative to the public schools or more expensive private schools.

They exist to support the propagation of the Faith. The students these schools attract are overwhelmingly Catholic except in the inner cities where they serve minorities as part of the mission of the Church. It's likely that the Catholics they attract are practicing Catholics and not those that are "Catholic in Name Only". Parents send their kids to these schools because they want them surrounded by the Catholic culture.

They may offer admissions to non-Catholics when they have space available.

Ireton is a diocesan school which means it is led by the local Bishop similar to Bishop O'Connell and Good Counsel. Some other schools --- Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. John's are run by individual religious orders within the Catholic church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

If your view of Georgetown is any example, you seem to be confused.

Just go back to the basics. Starting with the fact that Catholic schools are not in existence to give non-Catholics an alternative to the public schools or more expensive private schools.

They exist to support the propagation of the Faith. The students these schools attract are overwhelmingly Catholic except in the inner cities where they serve minorities as part of the mission of the Church. It's likely that the Catholics they attract are practicing Catholics and not those that are "Catholic in Name Only". Parents send their kids to these schools because they want them surrounded by the Catholic culture.

They may offer admissions to non-Catholics when they have space available.

Ireton is a diocesan school which means it is led by the local Bishop similar to Bishop O'Connell and Good Counsel. Some other schools --- Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. John's are run by individual religious orders within the Catholic church.

GC is not diocesan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

If your view of Georgetown is any example, you seem to be confused.

Just go back to the basics. Starting with the fact that Catholic schools are not in existence to give non-Catholics an alternative to the public schools or more expensive private schools.

They exist to support the propagation of the Faith. The students these schools attract are overwhelmingly Catholic except in the inner cities where they serve minorities as part of the mission of the Church. It's likely that the Catholics they attract are practicing Catholics and not those that are "Catholic in Name Only". Parents send their kids to these schools because they want them surrounded by the Catholic culture.

They may offer admissions to non-Catholics when they have space available.

Ireton is a diocesan school which means it is led by the local Bishop similar to Bishop O'Connell and Good Counsel. Some other schools --- Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. John's are run by individual religious orders within the Catholic church.

OP, this ignorant poster keeps popping up saying that Catholic Schools are not for non-Catholics. There are spaces for non-Catholics in all Catholic Schools. In fact, here is the rates for Bishop Ireton. Note the increased fee at the bottom for non-catholics. http://www.bishopireton.org/page.aspx?pid=422

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

If your view of Georgetown is any example, you seem to be confused.

Just go back to the basics. Starting with the fact that Catholic schools are not in existence to give non-Catholics an alternative to the public schools or more expensive private schools.

They exist to support the propagation of the Faith. The students these schools attract are overwhelmingly Catholic except in the inner cities where they serve minorities as part of the mission of the Church. It's likely that the Catholics they attract are practicing Catholics and not those that are "Catholic in Name Only". Parents send their kids to these schools because they want them surrounded by the Catholic culture.

They may offer admissions to non-Catholics when they have space available.

Ireton is a diocesan school which means it is led by the local Bishop similar to Bishop O'Connell and Good Counsel. Some other schools --- Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. John's are run by individual religious orders within the Catholic church.

GC is not diocesan.

If so, then why is there a non-Catholic, more expensive rate listed for Bishop Ireton? http://www.bishopireton.org/page.aspx?pid=422

[Anonymous]

Diocesan high schools receive financial support from the diocese, which in turn receives support from parishioners in the diocese. If you are a registered parishioner, the assumption is that you are contributing to the collection basket, and therefore you are already supporting the high schools through your donations to the parish. If you're not Catholic, you're probably not making regular financial contributions to the church, and the tuition charged reflects that (and is closer to the real cost of delivering the education). It's not discriminatory; it's just an acknowledgement that parishioners already contribute to the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

If your view of Georgetown is any example, you seem to be confused.

Just go back to the basics. Starting with the fact that Catholic schools are not in existence to give non-Catholics an alternative to the public schools or more expensive private schools.

They exist to support the propagation of the Faith. The students these schools attract are overwhelmingly Catholic except in the inner cities where they serve minorities as part of the mission of the Church. It's likely that the Catholics they attract are practicing Catholics and not those that are "Catholic in Name Only". Parents send their kids to these schools because they want them surrounded by the Catholic culture.

They may offer admissions to non-Catholics when they have space available.

Ireton is a diocesan school which means it is led by the local Bishop similar to Bishop O'Connell and Good Counsel. Some other schools --- Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. John's are run by individual religious orders within the Catholic church.

GC is not diocesan.

If so, then why is there a non-Catholic, more expensive rate listed for Bishop Ireton? http://www.bishopireton.org/page.aspx?pid=422

Just because there is a tuition price list that shows there is a price for non-Catholics doesn't mean there are a significant number of non-Catholics at the school. It would seem the price is a disincentive. Why would someone pay a premium to go to a school whose purpose is the education of students of another faith?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

If your view of Georgetown is any example, you seem to be confused.

Just go back to the basics. Starting with the fact that Catholic schools are not in existence to give non-Catholics an alternative to the public schools or more expensive private schools.

They exist to support the propagation of the Faith. The students these schools attract are overwhelmingly Catholic except in the inner cities where they serve minorities as part of the mission of the Church. It's likely that the Catholics they attract are practicing Catholics and not those that are "Catholic in Name Only". Parents send their kids to these schools because they want them surrounded by the Catholic culture.

They may offer admissions to non-Catholics when they have space available.

Ireton is a diocesan school which means it is led by the local Bishop similar to Bishop O'Connell and Good Counsel. Some other schools --- Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga and St. John's are run by individual religious orders within the Catholic church.

GC is not diocesan.

If so, then why is there a non-Catholic, more expensive rate listed for Bishop Ireton? http://www.bishopireton.org/page.aspx?pid=422

Same reason Montgomery Department of Recreation charges more money for out of county residents.

[Anonymous]

OP here. It would be great to hear from families that actually have kids at Bishop Ireton (as opposed to people who don't know anything about the school but just have strong opinions on Catholicism and Catholic schools).

I'm a Georgetown grad, and the school's Jesuit identity had zero impact on the classroom environment or the social environment; while I had many Catholic friends, some more religious than others, the fact that I was not Catholic felt like a complete non-issue for me. I'd be quite happy for my kids to go to a Catholic school that was welcoming to families of all faiths and not focused on proselytizing, and I know many such schools exist. What I am trying to find out is whether Bishop Ireton is one of them.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Regarding Georgetown, rest assured that many Catholics believe that Georgetown has lost its way as a Catholic university. The student population is less than 50% Catholic.

Regarding Bishop Ireton, note that the Archdiocese of Arlington is considerably more conservative than the Archdiocese of Washington. I would guess that many Catholics from DC and MD would be uncomfortable in Bishop Ireton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

Would a non-Catholic feel comfortable? I guess it depends on how thick your skin is. If you are looking for offense, you will probably find it.

You and your kid would be a minority at Ireton. Being Catholic is more than going to Mass and accepting the teachings of the Church. There's a culture that goes along with it and in many cases, an ethnicity.

You would find that the kids and the parents are more Conservative than average.

You also misunderstand just how Catholic Georgetown is. Those crucifixes in the classroom aren't just decorations. It is run by priests and follows the Jesuit model. And 70%+ of its students are Catholic.
.

You are mistaken, PP. As of 2009, only 41% of Georgetown undergrads self-identified as Catholics. The student body is majority non-Catholic, and the graduate schools skew even more heavily towards non-catholics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're not religious: we celebrate Xmas & Easter with trees, candy canes, presents, baskets, jelly beans, bunnies, etc. Kids have had no religious education at all, and in general we have no interest in sending them to a religious school. But we live in Alexandria, and want to give all local high school options serious consideration. Bishop Ireton is close to us, and several teachers have recommended that we consider it for HS.

Would a kid with no Catholic (or religious) background feel out of place at Ireton? Do non-Catholics fare less well in admissions? Would the kids be bombarded with anti-abortion messages (which would drive their liberal parents batty)? In other words, is Ireton a good high school that happens to be Catholic, the way Georgetown is a good university that happens to be Catholic? Or is Ireton Catholic in the same way Liberty University is Evangelical Christian?

thanks!

Would a non-Catholic feel comfortable? I guess it depends on how thick your skin is. If you are looking for offense, you will probably find it.

You and your kid would be a minority at Ireton. Being Catholic is more than going to Mass and accepting the teachings of the Church. There's a culture that goes along with it and in many cases, an ethnicity.

You would find that the kids and the parents are more Conservative than average.

You also misunderstand just how Catholic Georgetown is. Those crucifixes in the classroom aren't just decorations. It is run by priests and follows the Jesuit model. And 70%+ of its students are Catholic.
.

You are mistaken, PP. As of 2009, only 41% of Georgetown undergrads self-identified as Catholics. The student body is majority non-Catholic, and the graduate schools skew even more heavily towards non-catholics.

If you are using Georgetown University as your basis for understanding Catholic high schools you are seriously misleading yourself.

Georgetown U., even among Jesuit colleges, is an anomaly. A complete outlier. More typical of Jesuit colleges are BC, Holy Cross, St Joes and Loyola of Baltimore.

You will find that the DC area Catholic high schools --- with the exception of a few in the District --- are very heavily Catholic, many of whom do not share the enlightened views of the undergraduates at Georgetown. This open, welcoming, diverse school you are looking for doesn't exist in DC.