Northern Virginia Catholic Schools

[Anonymous]

In my neck of the woods, St. Joseph’s and Academy of Christian Education are popular with Catholic families. St James in Falls Church is also beloved if it will be convenient to you; I gather that Oakcrest and The Heights are the Opis Dei schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how much emphasis you are putting on the “excellent academics” part of your search, but generally in this area, the more academic schools tend to not be the Catholic parish schools. You may want to give a little thought about where you want your kids for HS and move backwards from that. For girls Catholic, Stone Ridge (MD) and Georgetown Visitation (DC) are probably the strongest academically. There are coed Catholic HS in VA (Bishop O’Connell or PVI), but they are not generally considered as strong academically as the all girls mentioned above.

I would agree - don't forget about high school. If Catholic HS is the goal you may need to look in Montgomery County or DC for strong academics. Good Counsel, Gonzaga, The Heights, St. Anselm's Abbey School and Georgetown Prep and a few all-girls I don't follow generally stronger academics than Bishop Ireton, Bishop O'Connel and PVI.

[Anonymous]

Heard good things about Nativity School in Burke and from there high school at Seton in Manassas is possible.

[Anonymous]

Look for one that goes to mass at least 3x a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which k-8 parish schools have the best learning supports for child with dyslexia? Looking for a school that can accommodate an outside SLP coming into tutor the child during the school day twice a week. Do any of these schools have teachers are trained in Orton Gillingham reading strategies?

You are kidding right?

No Catholic school has this.

Seriously Public school only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how much emphasis you are putting on the “excellent academics” part of your search, but generally in this area, the more academic schools tend to not be the Catholic parish schools. You may want to give a little thought about where you want your kids for HS and move backwards from that. For girls Catholic, Stone Ridge (MD) and Georgetown Visitation (DC) are probably the strongest academically. There are coed Catholic HS in VA (Bishop O’Connell or PVI), but they are not generally considered as strong academically as the all girls mentioned above.

I would agree - don't forget about high school. If Catholic HS is the goal you may need to look in Montgomery County or DC for strong academics. Good Counsel, Gonzaga, The Heights, St. Anselm's Abbey School and Georgetown Prep and a few all-girls I don't follow generally stronger academics than Bishop Ireton, Bishop O'Connel and PVI.

You have personal experience about the academic rigor of all of these schools? 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure how much emphasis you are putting on the “excellent academics” part of your search, but generally in this area, the more academic schools tend to not be the Catholic parish schools. You may want to give a little thought about where you want your kids for HS and move backwards from that. For girls Catholic, Stone Ridge (MD) and Georgetown Visitation (DC) are probably the strongest academically. There are coed Catholic HS in VA (Bishop O’Connell or PVI), but they are not generally considered as strong academically as the all girls mentioned above.

I would agree - don't forget about high school. If Catholic HS is the goal you may need to look in Montgomery County or DC for strong academics. Good Counsel, Gonzaga, The Heights, St. Anselm's Abbey School and Georgetown Prep and a few all-girls I don't follow generally stronger academics than Bishop Ireton, Bishop O'Connel and PVI.

You have personal experience about the academic rigor of all of these schools? 🙄

I know right? Some ppl are such snobs. Because a school serves a variety of student rigor levels, the top students CAN’T be well served there?!?! Elitist snobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look for one that goes to mass at least 3x a week.

But do they publish the honor roll!?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.

Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.

Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!

OLGC and St Mark have 2 classes per grade. St Luke has one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.

Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!

There are lots that have 2 or even 3 so it would be helpful to know which area of NOVA you'll be living in to narrow it down.

[Anonymous]

OLGC has two classes per grade. My kids attended K-8 there some years ago but we know who the current principal is (she used to be the Religion teacher) and she is absolutely phenomenal. She surrounds herself with only the most caring skilled people so I have no doubt that the current teaching staff is excellent. OLGC was the ideal place for my three kids to grow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which k-8 parish schools have the best learning supports for child with dyslexia? Looking for a school that can accommodate an outside SLP coming into tutor the child during the school day twice a week. Do any of these schools have teachers are trained in Orton Gillingham reading strategies?

You are kidding right?

No Catholic school has this.

Seriously Public school only.

Our Lady of Victory in DC works with Orton Gillingham tutors that come into the school for tutoring. Parents pay extra for it, but they help set it up. They also have their own reading specialist/resource teachers that help all the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would figure out where exactly you are going to live. Most of the Arlington diocese Catholic schools are good. I would pick based on distance from your house. One thing to consider is that some have one class per grade and some have two classes per grade. Personally, two classes per grade was my preference, but YMMV. I have found all of the schools to be warm and not very cliquish.

Sorry for commenting on an older post! What schools (if you remember) offer two classes per grade? We’re possibly relocating there soon and have twins who we would prefer to be in separate classes. Thanks!

In Arlington, St Agnes has two; St Ann, one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OLGC has two classes per grade. My kids attended K-8 there some years ago but we know who the current principal is (she used to be the Religion teacher) and she is absolutely phenomenal. She surrounds herself with only the most caring skilled people so I have no doubt that the current teaching staff is excellent. OLGC was the ideal place for my three kids to grow.

This is great info! Thanks so much. Our kiddos are in an awesome and supportive Catholic elem now, so hoping we are able find something similar there.