Family culture at the Heights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

The Heights is a Catholic school. However, it is not officially affiliated with the archdiocese of Washington. I do not know the exact reason for this, but I can take a guess. The archdiocese of Washington requires all of its affiliated high schools to mandate that ALL students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine every year. The Heights school allows non-Catholic high schoolers to take philosophy classes instead of Catholic doctrine classes. The teacher likely prays privately for the students every day that they may someday be open to the teachings of Catholicism, but does not shove the teachings down their throats. He engages them in the spirit of inquiry.

The Heights used to be formally affiliated with the Archdiocese of Washington, but I have a strong hunch that the curriculum requirements for non-Catholic students started the fissure.

—- a former religion teacher at another Catholic high school

[Anonymous]

Do they teach real science at The Heights or Catholic science?

[Anonymous]

Why are people so rude?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they teach real science at The Heights or Catholic science?

https://heightsforum.org/series_title/science-education-initiative/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are seriously considering the Heights for our boys. We know a few families there, but not that many. We currently send our boys to a diocese school where there are some (not a ton) of well-to-do families that go to country clubs and fancy vacations. We definitely aren’t like that, we are a single income family and live a pretty modest lifestyle. Would we fit in there? Is it a school with tons of Uber wealthy families?

We are devout Catholics and very familiar with Opus Dei, please don’t feel the need to inform me of that.

The Heights is not a catholic school. It has not had that distinction for years. Don’t know why you made the comment about you being Catholic and Opus Dei thing.

From their website:

An integral part of The Heights School’s unique ethos is that its educational and formational activities are carried out with a Christian spirit and in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church. While The Heights is open to persons of all creeds, it asks the members of its community—students, parents, faculty, board, staff—to adhere to the tenets of morality taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, which it respects and venerates with loyalty.

In addition, The Heights faithfully teaches Catholic doctrine as promulgated by that same Magisterium, to all Catholic students, and to any students from other creeds interested in this formation.

The Christian aspects of the school (spiritual, doctrinal, and moral) are entrusted to Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. In fulfilling its role, Opus Dei provides chaplains for the school and oversees its program of classes in Catholic doctrine.

It is a preparatory school and their website says that. Again, it is not a Catholic school no matter how much you try to make it so.

Of course it's Catholic! We go there. Are you confused?

Not according to the ADW or the Pope. They are an independent school that teaches Catholic teachings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

They don’t do confirmation prep you have to do that with your parish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boys need positive male role models. I think that having a male faculty is great!

But no women at all?

They might feel out of place at the cigar parties?

True. Teachers do smoke in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

They don’t do confirmation prep you have to do that with your parish.

https://heights.edu/academics/the-middle-school/grade-8/

“ The first quarter of the course is devoted to Confirmation preparation because most of the eighth-grade students are to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their local parishes. This preparation takes in a great many of the truths of the Catholic faith but concentrates on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual and the Church. Study materials include A Brief Review for Confirmation published by The Daughters of Saint Paul, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and two chapters from The Life of Grace by Ignatius Press.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boys need positive male role models. I think that having a male faculty is great!

But no women at all?

They might feel out of place at the cigar parties?

True. Teachers do smoke in the classroom.

No way. Really????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

They don’t do confirmation prep you have to do that with your parish.

https://heights.edu/academics/the-middle-school/grade-8/

“ The first quarter of the course is devoted to Confirmation preparation because most of the eighth-grade students are to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their local parishes. This preparation takes in a great many of the truths of the Catholic faith but concentrates on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual and the Church. Study materials include A Brief Review for Confirmation published by The Daughters of Saint Paul, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and two chapters from The Life of Grace by Ignatius Press.”

I think that it’s honestly up to each parish whether they want to accept sacramental catechesis given by schools.

There really is no Archdiocesan affiliation anymore. Look at the Catholic Standard. You will see a paid ad. You will not see a featured profile in the spring of a recent high school grad from the Heights, but you will see a profile of a grad from every other Archdiocesan-affiliated school.

One point that most people don’t know about: the Archdiocese sends a priest to observe the teaching of every new high school religion teacher and “certifies” them. Not at the Heights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they teach real science at The Heights or Catholic science?

https://heightsforum.org/series_title/science-education-initiative/

Wow. It’s worse than I thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Officially, The Heights is not a Catholic school. However, the most religious of catholics families are typically Heights families.

As far as all male TEAHERS, not Faculty goes-- im shoked to see how people see this to be weird.

I recently graduated High School and have friends from all these local schools. From the time we were in middle school to now, they make comments about female teachers at their schools which are absolety vile. Ranting bout having intercourse with married women and making comments on their physical appearance is filthy.

Instead, by having an all male faculty they grow into respecting women by seeing how their teachers treat their wives.

Except at a boarding school, how would the students see how the men treat their wives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

They don’t do confirmation prep you have to do that with your parish.

https://heights.edu/academics/the-middle-school/grade-8/

“ The first quarter of the course is devoted to Confirmation preparation because most of the eighth-grade students are to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their local parishes. This preparation takes in a great many of the truths of the Catholic faith but concentrates on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the individual and the Church. Study materials include A Brief Review for Confirmation published by The Daughters of Saint Paul, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and two chapters from The Life of Grace by Ignatius Press.”

I think that it’s honestly up to each parish whether they want to accept sacramental catechesis given by schools.

There really is no Archdiocesan affiliation anymore. Look at the Catholic Standard. You will see a paid ad. You will not see a featured profile in the spring of a recent high school grad from the Heights, but you will see a profile of a grad from every other Archdiocesan-affiliated school.

One point that most people don’t know about: the Archdiocese sends a priest to observe the teaching of every new high school religion teacher and “certifies” them. Not at the Heights.

“The curriculum and teachers for the Catholic doctrine program are reviewed and approved by the Archdiocese of Washington.”

https://heights.edu/student-life/faith/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

Midwest classical school person here…you’ll be fine. Our school has a couple of The Heights grads as teachers. They are great. I am glad my boys have upright male role models at school and at home.

The socioeconomic issue is much smaller than the issue of anti-Catholic bias rearing its head in the thread. DCUM loves to hate Christians.

OP here- they really do, don’t they? Thank you for your thoughtful responses!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- It’s absolutely a Catholic school, but it’s not a diocese school, big difference. They have Catholic mass daily and prepare the boys for confirmation prep in 8th grade.

I mentioned Catholic and Opus Dei only because there are at least a dozen threads on this board that turn into people trying to ‘warn’ OPs about these two things. I’m well aware of that and prefer it, along with an all male staff.

The Heights is a Catholic school. However, it is not officially affiliated with the archdiocese of Washington. I do not know the exact reason for this, but I can take a guess. The archdiocese of Washington requires all of its affiliated high schools to mandate that ALL students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine every year. The Heights school allows non-Catholic high schoolers to take philosophy classes instead of Catholic doctrine classes. The teacher likely prays privately for the students every day that they may someday be open to the teachings of Catholicism, but does not shove the teachings down their throats. He engages them in the spirit of inquiry.

The Heights used to be formally affiliated with the Archdiocese of Washington, but I have a strong hunch that the curriculum requirements for non-Catholic students started the fissure.

—- a former religion teacher at another Catholic high school

It is affiliated with OPUS dei - how do you not know this?