Will Negative Press Impact Applications/Admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a current public school parent with a kid who is in an entry year, and I have to admit that the recent events are making me think a lot about the environment question. We already had a lot of worries about the private school environment, and this isn't helping. It's not so much the events from so long ago, it's the sense that not a lot has changed. I don't think our reaction is entirely rational but it's there, for sure.

What's irrational is assuming this kind of stuff doesn't happen in public schools either.

Private schools are easy to blame because they stand out. But it's no different from any of the big public high schools around DC either.

True, but I think the outrage is there because parents send kids to private schools for the culture and excellent academics. When one of those things don't pan out, you are going to hear about it. I have a kid at one of these single sex schools, and I have to agree that the culture at GP is not ideal in that many of those boys truly believe they are better than others. Whether is it reinforced by the school, I don't know. But the letter that was sent out seems to convey that message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard for me to believe it won't have an impact. I went to a coed Jesuit high school (not metro DC area), and I have to say it's affected my support of the school. I've been getting calls about attending an upcoming fundraising event, and right now I just can't bring myself to financially support a Jesuit, Catholic institution. I suspect this is not an uncommon feeling, as based on the frequency of the calls I think attendance and support must be down overall.

You my friend are a loser. You are going to withhold your support from your Alma Mater because a man at another school may, MAY, have committed a crime 36 years ago? Let me say it again, you are a loser. Not because of the priests, not because Georgetown University owned slaves, not because of the criminals that have been ACCUSED, let alone convicted that actually went to your school but this is your reason?

I think it’s safe to say that those of us who went to a catholic schools have had a lot of conflicted emotions and issues to work through over the last few years. I’m not that PP but I imagine this is just yet another blow to lead to even more discomfort about supporting these institutions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a current public school parent with a kid who is in an entry year, and I have to admit that the recent events are making me think a lot about the environment question. We already had a lot of worries about the private school environment, and this isn't helping. It's not so much the events from so long ago, it's the sense that not a lot has changed. I don't think our reaction is entirely rational but it's there, for sure.

What's irrational is assuming this kind of stuff doesn't happen in public schools either.

Private schools are easy to blame because they stand out. But it's no different from any of the big public high schools around DC either.

It’s had to justify paying 40,000 a year for a culture that’s “no different from any of the big public high schools”

[Anonymous]

I’ve decided not to apply my DD to Holton. It looks like a great school but I don’t like the deliberate association with Landon. I know no school is perfect. But the recent articles about a number of boys schools in this area makes me think there is an inherent problem with the culture at these schools that promotes a feeling of privilege and superiority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve decided not to apply my DD to Holton. It looks like a great school but I don’t like the deliberate association with Landon. I know no school is perfect. But the recent articles about a number of boys schools in this area makes me think there is an inherent problem with the culture at these schools that promotes a feeling of privilege and superiority.

The single sex schools all have deliberate associations:

Holton/Landon
Visitation/Gonzaga
Stone Ridge/Georgetown Prep
National Catherdral/St. Albans
Oakcrest/The Heights

[Anonymous]

Alcohol abuse and underage drinking is the primary issue. Schools can address this, however this stuff happens outside of the school environment

[Anonymous]

It’s made me lose any interest in boys schools for my sons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duke lacrosse, UVA Rolling Stone, etc. This is not that different. Those schools are doing just fine.

In both suits, the boys/young men were vindicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

It’s quite hard to believe that people would allow a school’s culture from almost 40 years ago to affect how they think about it now. But yes, people really are that irrational.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard for me to believe it won't have an impact. I went to a coed Jesuit high school (not metro DC area), and I have to say it's affected my support of the school. I've been getting calls about attending an upcoming fundraising event, and right now I just can't bring myself to financially support a Jesuit, Catholic institution. I suspect this is not an uncommon feeling, as based on the frequency of the calls I think attendance and support must be down overall.

You my friend are a loser. You are going to withhold your support from your Alma Mater because a man at another school may, MAY, have committed a crime 36 years ago? Let me say it again, you are a loser. Not because of the priests, not because Georgetown University owned slaves, not because of the criminals that have been ACCUSED, let alone convicted that actually went to your school but this is your reason?

I think it’s safe to say that those of us who went to a catholic schools have had a lot of conflicted emotions and issues to work through over the last few years. I’m not that PP but I imagine this is just yet another blow to lead to even more discomfort about supporting these institutions.

Speak for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: I'm not muck raking. I'm sincerely wondering if it might be easier to be accepted at these schools this year and wondering if Landon had fewer applications after its bad press years ago. I'm sure there is a core constituent base and that Landon rebounded. But, was there a dip? If considering Holton or Prep or St. Albans, might my DD and/or DS have an easier chance applying this year? DD is also looking at Catholic girls schools.

Why would you put Holton in that group? I don't particularly like Holton, but one of its students being assaulted 35 years ago does not seem to have anything to do with the school overall. It's not like they created a culture that encouraged being assaulted then and for sure don't now.

Come on now. You know the word allegedly belongs there. And if BK did do the things that he is accused of, I’m sure it’s not Georgetown Prep’s fault for creating that culture. Most of you were toddlers in the early 80’s. It was a very permissive time. My high school even had a smoking area. The 70’s/early 80’s were an overall permissive time period.

[Anonymous]

No, but the a$#$#$ Mercedes black SUV driver with the GP sticker on the back who leaned on his/her horn this morning because I didn't change lanes fast enough for their liking sure will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new money / no morals folk don’t care. And sadly they exist in droves

Old Money families have morals, but not new money. Gotcha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm part of one of the communities in question, and very politically progressive. My view is that I'd rather stay and work to shape the culture myself than abandon it and let the problem continue. In my particular community, I see enough positive action to make me feel reasonably good about the future direction of things.

Pro Kavanagh press conferences?

I am personally opposed to Kavanaugh's nomination, but I don't really have an issue with friends of Kavanaugh giving statements of support based on their own interactions with him, just as I assume that these parents don't have a problem with NCS posting pictures on its website of students holding signs in support of intersectional feminism (or of doing a sit-in over Parkland), or of a faculty member publishing in the Feminist Wire. My focus is on what's happening within the school environment itself, which I find very open-minded and inclusive, not what a few parents may do on their own free time in support of someone that they've known personally for decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a current public school parent with a kid who is in an entry year, and I have to admit that the recent events are making me think a lot about the environment question. We already had a lot of worries about the private school environment, and this isn't helping. It's not so much the events from so long ago, it's the sense that not a lot has changed. I don't think our reaction is entirely rational but it's there, for sure.

Of course it’s changed. This behavior was just as common in public schools 36 years ago as it was in private. This has to do with the party culture that was prevalent in 1982. Not a culture that is/was unique to private schools.