Talk to me about Oakcrest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So we are not a Catholic family, we are Christian. Not particularly conservative in the political sense (we believe anybody should be able to love whomever they want regardless of gender, for example) but we are conservative in how we are raising our children: very little technology, no dating before 16, dressing modestly, etc— point is, we have traditional Christian values for our children, which is why we are even considering Catholic schools. However I have heard some unnerving things about Oakcrest and a lot of the teachers beliefs that they push on students. Our daughter is hopeful to go to the school for middle school if not high school, so we are just trying to gather information now before we actually apply in future years. I would really appreciate hearing from currently enrolled (or graduates from the last few years) about your opinion of the school. Positives, negatives, anything in between greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I don’t think it will work for you, even if you are conservative Christians. This is because, beyond Catholic, this is an Opus Dei school. More mainstream Catholics would be more accepting of (Evangelical) Christians in their school, but know your child may encounter questions; particularly around things like Communion, devotion to Virgin Mary, etc. Also, she could be viewed as a “hermana separada” which is a term loosely translated to “separated sister” and used to label Evangelical Christians as folks who strayed from the one true Church established by Jesus.
A big part of you choice is how your daughter/you will handle these differences in faith. For example, Catholics believe the Bible and Church Doctrine have equal weight and coexist. Christians rely solely on the Bible. Opus Dei additionally has books used from its founder, Jose Maria Escriba de Balaguer y Albas.
I think it’s important the level of involvement you’d like as it can be stifling on one end, but also quite virtues-led in the other.
A bit of my background- Went to private school but attended summer programs at Opus Dei as a child/teen. Used to be Catholic, now Evangelic Christian. I enjoy Opus Dei events when they focus on service but still cringe at other teachings.

Can you elaborate on which ones? I didn’t think the teaching varied markedly from Catholicism, but am ignorant on the matter

[Anonymous]

We considered this school for our daughter who ultimately wanted a coed school. Some
of the stuff I am reading is not lining up. The admissions staff were so warm and emphatic that they had things like daily mass but that was a personal choice, and not something that was mandatory-did not come across as overly religious or not supportive of candidates who are not Catholic. We left thinking this was a hidden gem of a school. Also their college placement was excellent so not getting all the complaints on that. As usual some
trolls seem to be commenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We considered this school for our daughter who ultimately wanted a coed school. Some
of the stuff I am reading is not lining up. The admissions staff were so warm and emphatic that they had things like daily mass but that was a personal choice, and not something that was mandatory-did not come across as overly religious or not supportive of candidates who are not Catholic. We left thinking this was a hidden gem of a school. Also their college placement was excellent so not getting all the complaints on that. As usual some
trolls seem to be commenting.

I had always thought that this school was full of crazies based on reading DCUM, but then one of my friends who is evangelical Christian sent her daughter here and then I met two other families who sent their daughters that are Catholic, but definitely very mainstream Catholic. I now think that reality doesn’t match DCUM in regards to Oakcrest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So we are not a Catholic family, we are Christian. Not particularly conservative in the political sense (we believe anybody should be able to love whomever they want regardless of gender, for example) but we are conservative in how we are raising our children: very little technology, no dating before 16, dressing modestly, etc— point is, we have traditional Christian values for our children, which is why we are even considering Catholic schools. However I have heard some unnerving things about Oakcrest and a lot of the teachers beliefs that they push on students. Our daughter is hopeful to go to the school for middle school if not high school, so we are just trying to gather information now before we actually apply in future years. I would really appreciate hearing from currently enrolled (or graduates from the last few years) about your opinion of the school. Positives, negatives, anything in between greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Negative the values at this school promote hate

[Anonymous]

We don’t have any students there, but certainly looked at the school, and did not find any issues that are often reported here. Which you have friends from two or three families there who are all very nice people. IMO, their DD are some of the nicest, most accomplished girls from out school.

[Anonymous]

Know of two very bright, sociable, and kind girls who go there and love it!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if your daughter is interested in STEM, look at the number of course offerings. It is very limited at Oakcrest and was one of the deciding factors for my DD to attend another school that had a more robust offering of STEM courses.

Definitely limited and check out also the most recent college acceptances. It is not top tier. We pulled out and went public

+1. Not top tiers and for non-Catholics they should be aware of the signing if the cross and the Hail Mary before every class. It’s also not good with SN issues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hi there. i'm trying to reach the former teacher who posted here.
my name is heidi: [e-mail]. is it possible to contact me?

Can you explain why you'd like to be in contact?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So we are not a Catholic family, we are Christian. Not particularly conservative in the political sense (we believe anybody should be able to love whomever they want regardless of gender, for example) but we are conservative in how we are raising our children: very little technology, no dating before 16, dressing modestly, etc— point is, we have traditional Christian values for our children, which is why we are even considering Catholic schools. However I have heard some unnerving things about Oakcrest and a lot of the teachers beliefs that they push on students. Our daughter is hopeful to go to the school for middle school if not high school, so we are just trying to gather information now before we actually apply in future years. I would really appreciate hearing from currently enrolled (or graduates from the last few years) about your opinion of the school. Positives, negatives, anything in between greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I don’t think it will work for you, even if you are conservative Christians. This is because, beyond Catholic, this is an Opus Dei school. More mainstream Catholics would be more accepting of (Evangelical) Christians in their school, but know your child may encounter questions; particularly around things like Communion, devotion to Virgin Mary, etc. Also, she could be viewed as a “hermana separada” which is a term loosely translated to “separated sister” and used to label Evangelical Christians as folks who strayed from the one true Church established by Jesus.
A big part of you choice is how your daughter/you will handle these differences in faith. For example, Catholics believe the Bible and Church Doctrine have equal weight and coexist. Christians rely solely on the Bible. Opus Dei additionally has books used from its founder, Jose Maria Escriba de Balaguer y Albas.
I think it’s important the level of involvement you’d like as it can be stifling on one end, but also quite virtues-led in the other.
A bit of my background- Went to private school but attended summer programs at Opus Dei as a child/teen. Used to be Catholic, now Evangelic Christian. I enjoy Opus Dei events when they focus on service but still cringe at other teachings.

Can you elaborate on which ones? I didn’t think the teaching varied markedly from Catholicism, but am ignorant on the matter

Mortification of the flesh. Read wiki on opus dei

[Anonymous]

My daughter is at another all girls Catholic HS in the DMV, but has a few friends who attend Oakcrest. These friends are some of the most respectful, engaging, and kind among all her friends. My daughter has very high aspirations for college, so she chose a HS which is considered more rigorous than Oakcrest and has stronger college matriculations, but she does wish her school had some of the aspects of Oakcrest...especially the daily mass. She complains that while her school is academically challenging and has excellent faculty, it is most certainly Catholic lite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So we are not a Catholic family, we are Christian. Not particularly conservative in the political sense (we believe anybody should be able to love whomever they want regardless of gender, for example) but we are conservative in how we are raising our children: very little technology, no dating before 16, dressing modestly, etc— point is, we have traditional Christian values for our children, which is why we are even considering Catholic schools. However I have heard some unnerving things about Oakcrest and a lot of the teachers beliefs that they push on students. Our daughter is hopeful to go to the school for middle school if not high school, so we are just trying to gather information now before we actually apply in future years. I would really appreciate hearing from currently enrolled (or graduates from the last few years) about your opinion of the school. Positives, negatives, anything in between greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I don’t think it will work for you, even if you are conservative Christians. This is because, beyond Catholic, this is an Opus Dei school. More mainstream Catholics would be more accepting of (Evangelical) Christians in their school, but know your child may encounter questions; particularly around things like Communion, devotion to Virgin Mary, etc. Also, she could be viewed as a “hermana separada” which is a term loosely translated to “separated sister” and used to label Evangelical Christians as folks who strayed from the one true Church established by Jesus.
A big part of you choice is how your daughter/you will handle these differences in faith. For example, Catholics believe the Bible and Church Doctrine have equal weight and coexist. Christians rely solely on the Bible. Opus Dei additionally has books used from its founder, Jose Maria Escriba de Balaguer y Albas.
I think it’s important the level of involvement you’d like as it can be stifling on one end, but also quite virtues-led in the other.
A bit of my background- Went to private school but attended summer programs at Opus Dei as a child/teen. Used to be Catholic, now Evangelic Christian. I enjoy Opus Dei events when they focus on service but still cringe at other teachings.

Can you elaborate on which ones? I didn’t think the teaching varied markedly from Catholicism, but am ignorant on the matter

Mortification of the flesh. Read wiki on opus dei

better yet, read dan brown! so ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:hi there. i'm trying to reach the former teacher who posted here.
my name is heidi: [e-mail]. is it possible to contact me?

Can you explain why you'd like to be in contact?

she's a journalist probably looking to do a hit piece.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:hi there. i'm trying to reach the former teacher who posted here.
my name is heidi: [e-mail]. is it possible to contact me?

Can you explain why you'd like to be in contact?

she's a journalist probably looking to do a hit piece.

Yup, interesting she used her personal email. This is who it is. Investigative reporter Heidi Przybyla. I wonder if something is up with Oakcrest.

https://www.heidiprzybyla.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if your daughter is interested in STEM, look at the number of course offerings. It is very limited at Oakcrest and was one of the deciding factors for my DD to attend another school that had a more robust offering of STEM courses.

Definitely limited and check out also the most recent college acceptances. It is not top tier. We pulled out and went public

+1. Not top tiers and for non-Catholics they should be aware of the signing if the cross and the Hail Mary before every class. It’s also not good with SN issues

It’s clearly Catholic so don’t go if you don’t want a Hail Mary before class. What’s next demanding taking down crucifixes in each class like Georgetown did. The main problem with the school is that they don’t screen families who aren’t aligned with their mission. Probably have a steep price to pay for that new building. I do have to say their uniforms are terrible. Red and green. Yuck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is at another all girls Catholic HS in the DMV, but has a few friends who attend Oakcrest. These friends are some of the most respectful, engaging, and kind among all her friends. My daughter has very high aspirations for college, so she chose a HS which is considered more rigorous than Oakcrest and has stronger college matriculations, but she does wish her school had some of the aspects of Oakcrest...especially the daily mass. She complains that while her school is academically challenging and has excellent faculty, it is most certainly Catholic lite.

Can you share which one and did your experiences match expectations?