Catholic School for Non-Catholic/Non-Christian Families

[Anonymous]

Some of ya'll don't really understand that Christianity seeks to convert people. That includes Catholics, Protestants and other sects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools will be fine. Don’t fall for the anti catholic bias. Catholics are not evangelical and don’t seek to convert people. They will respect your family. Yes they will be exposed to religion but that is the pillar of western society and does not hurt to know about from a cultural, historical or literary point of view it can provide rich context.

I guess it depends on what you mean by “doing fine”.

I don’t think a young person can go through a high school experience surrounded by a peer that is composed of 90% people of one religion and one sub-culture and not be affected by it. It won’t necessarily be bad for them. But it will change them and in ways the family might not consider when they are attracted by that comparatively low tuition.

Being part of a very small minority in a sea of people who are uniformly different is difficult situation for some.

I don't think any of the Catholic high schools are 90% Catholic. And there is not the kind of uniformity or singular subculture among Catholics that you seem to expect.

Gonzaga student body is close to it.

And are you aware that the student body and alumni group are also called “The Eye Street Irish”? Why do you think that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of ya'll don't really understand that Christianity seeks to convert people. That includes Catholics, Protestants and other sects.

No, this is not true of Catholic schools. Catholics are taught to teach by living example, not proselytism. Pope Francis has said that proselytism is nonsense. The Catholic Church in Ad gentes strictly forbids forcing anyone to embrace the Faith, or alluring or enticing people to convert by other means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools will be fine. Don’t fall for the anti catholic bias. Catholics are not evangelical and don’t seek to convert people. They will respect your family. Yes they will be exposed to religion but that is the pillar of western society and does not hurt to know about from a cultural, historical or literary point of view it can provide rich context.

I guess it depends on what you mean by “doing fine”.

I don’t think a young person can go through a high school experience surrounded by a peer that is composed of 90% people of one religion and one sub-culture and not be affected by it. It won’t necessarily be bad for them. But it will change them and in ways the family might not consider when they are attracted by that comparatively low tuition.

Being part of a very small minority in a sea of people who are uniformly different is difficult situation for some.

I don't think any of the Catholic high schools are 90% Catholic. And there is not the kind of uniformity or singular subculture among Catholics that you seem to expect.

Gonzaga student body is close to it.

And are you aware that the student body and alumni group are also called “The Eye Street Irish”? Why do you think that is.

Then don't choose Gonzaga if this Catholic school has too many Catholic students for your comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have slowly come to the conclusion that we cannot in good conscience send our kids to public for middle school. We are in Arlington and standards, especially behavioral standards have deteriorated. Disciplinary problems are rampant. Kids take pictures of other kids while using the bathroom and admin does nothing about it. Drug deals happen in school and students come to class high. I’m looking for a school that focuses strictly on academics and discipline. Unfortunately we cannot afford the expensive private secular schools for our three kids and someone suggested looking at catholic schools. The problem? We aren’t even Christian. We are Muslims of Arab origin. While we am more on the liberal side (don’t cover my hair etc) we still are practicing. Would my kids even be able to get into catholic school and if they can would they be welcome? We share a lot of things with Christians when it comes to faith but obviously do not believe that Jesus is the son of God. How much are particular religious beliefs emphasized in school? No issue with that of course but it might not be the right fit and my kids would stick out. Alternatively are there secular private schools that emphasize traditional methods of instruction and are also welcoming to minorities? Thank you so much.

Secular is better for minorities

And unless you believe in their doctrine and lack of science and math not sure this is righ5 place

Lack of science and math? I'm guessing you are not actually familiar with a Catholic school education.

I think PP has Catholic confused with some other religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic schools will be fine. Don’t fall for the anti catholic bias. Catholics are not evangelical and don’t seek to convert people. They will respect your family. Yes they will be exposed to religion but that is the pillar of western society and does not hurt to know about from a cultural, historical or literary point of view it can provide rich context.

I guess it depends on what you mean by “doing fine”.

I don’t think a young person can go through a high school experience surrounded by a peer that is composed of 90% people of one religion and one sub-culture and not be affected by it. It won’t necessarily be bad for them. But it will change them and in ways the family might not consider when they are attracted by that comparatively low tuition.

Being part of a very small minority in a sea of people who are uniformly different is difficult situation for some.

I don't think any of the Catholic high schools are 90% Catholic. And there is not the kind of uniformity or singular subculture among Catholics that you seem to expect.

Gonzaga student body is close to it.

And are you aware that the student body and alumni group are also called “The Eye Street Irish”? Why do you think that is.

Then don't choose Gonzaga if this Catholic school has too many Catholic students for your comfort.

I wonder if the PP understands the difference between the Catholic schools. They serve different communities in different ways. The difference between Georgetown Prep and O’Connell is huge as it would be between Visi and Seton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask what Arlington middle school your kids would go to? I’m asking because what you are describing has not been our kids’ experiences in APS at all.

They don't go to middle school yet. They are in elementary school. I'm concerned about lowered academic standards (especially when it comes to writing) and disciplinary issues. I may be wrong so feel free to convince me otherwise!

I’m the poster you are responding to. With the caveat that middle school tends to be the worst school experience for many kids, my kid who recently completed middle school had a positive experience. DC made a lot of new friends, was challenged academically, grew emotionally, and did very well. He’s had several lengthy writing assignments and I’ve seen his writing evolve and improve over the last three years. I do think some of this depends on the kid and the support they receive at home—my kid is strong academically and very driven and as a result may have avoided some of the problems you referenced (because a school experience may depend on the crowd a kid runs with). I also appreciate that Arlington is a diverse place with several different middle schools, and so my kid’s experience might have been different if they went to a different school (though, to be honest, I don’t think so based on what I know of my kid).

Have you spoken with parents of kids at your future middle school? That may provide more accurate information than this forum. (The same is true for any Catholic schools you might be considering—I would suggest speaking to some parents directly about their experiences).

OP here. Thanks! This makes me less worried. Do you mind sharing which middle school your child is in? Also was your child in general ed or honors classes? My understanding is that the experience is vastly different depending on which classes your kid takes. I have one child who is gifted so no doubt she will be able to handle the rigorous honors classes. But worried about my other child ending up in general ed.

Williamsburg Middle School. At the time, the only intensified (honors) classes available were in math, so by default all other classes were general education (this is changing starting next year, so I can’t speak to what it will be like in the future).

Regarding your other post, DC read multiple novels; kids were required to leave their cell phones in their lockers during the day (so no access to phones); no standards based grading—to the contrary, kids that DC hung out with all tried to get As; quizzes etc were graded (I will confess DC did not have a lot of homework).

WMS is a joke when it comes to learning to write and anything related to grammar. You could barely find a kid who doesn’t have straight A’s the grading is such a joke. My kid is not a genius. Maybe smart but not exceptional. Zero homework. Straight A’s. Zero challenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of ya'll don't really understand that Christianity seeks to convert people. That includes Catholics, Protestants and other sects.

Catholicism is a branch of Christianity just like Protestantism. So no conversion necessary. Anyway, people are not as religious as they claim.

[Anonymous]

Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

First, why are you so focused on Gonzaga? It may not be a good fit for, OP, but there are plenty of schools that would be.

Second, are you seriously playing this drunken Irish trope in 2023?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

First, why are you so focused on Gonzaga? It may not be a good fit for, OP, but there are plenty of schools that would be.

Second, are you seriously playing this drunken Irish trope in 2023?

Google “Irish American culture alcohol”

In 2023, I guess avoiding hurting someone’s feeling trumps the facts. At least for some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

First, why are you so focused on Gonzaga? It may not be a good fit for, OP, but there are plenty of schools that would be.

Second, are you seriously playing this drunken Irish trope in 2023?

Google “Irish American culture alcohol”

In 2023, I guess avoiding hurting someone’s feeling trumps the facts. At least for some.

Bigotry is more than hurting feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

First, why are you so focused on Gonzaga? It may not be a good fit for, OP, but there are plenty of schools that would be.

Second, are you seriously playing this drunken Irish trope in 2023?

Google “Irish American culture alcohol”

In 2023, I guess avoiding hurting someone’s feeling trumps the facts. At least for some.

Bigotry is more than hurting feelings.

I guess googling to read the NIH and other academic papers on this subject was too much work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

First, why are you so focused on Gonzaga? It may not be a good fit for, OP, but there are plenty of schools that would be.

Second, are you seriously playing this drunken Irish trope in 2023?

Google “Irish American culture alcohol”

In 2023, I guess avoiding hurting someone’s feeling trumps the facts. At least for some.

Bigotry is more than hurting feelings.

I guess googling to read the NIH and other academic papers on this subject was too much work.

What subject?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Attempts at conversion would seem to be the least of what the OP ought to be concerned about.

The Catholic boys at Gonzaga are a homogeneous crowd. Many are connected to the school, went to the same set of middle schools and have similar family backgrounds.

No one is going to be overtly unkind to a classmate who comes from a different religion and culture.

But then boys of high school age hang around and are friends with others they have something in common with. The more things they have in common, including background and interests, the better.

So how would a Muslim boy, who is from a newly-arrived family, fare in this environment? It’s possible he would find himself socially isolated after finding few with whom he has much in common.

Consider the case of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is part of many Catholic cultures, especially the Irish, and the boys bring this with them to high school.

Seems like a strange choice for the OP. It’s not the public schools and it is cheaper than the secular privates, but there are plenty of thorns on this particular rose bush.

First, why are you so focused on Gonzaga? It may not be a good fit for, OP, but there are plenty of schools that would be.

Second, are you seriously playing this drunken Irish trope in 2023?

Google “Irish American culture alcohol”

In 2023, I guess avoiding hurting someone’s feeling trumps the facts. At least for some.

Bigotry is more than hurting feelings.

I guess googling to read the NIH and other academic papers on this subject was too much work.

You don't even see the layers of assumptions in what you are saying.