St Patrick’s- has anyone heard yet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, so as a prospective nursery mom who in general doesn’t care much about the mean girls and always makes a friend or two in a crowd, because I’m nice and genuinely like people, in theory I should be ok...right? We’re pretty middle class for the independent school set. I just need to know that my kid will be ok. I have lots of my own friends already but want to make sure my child finds a group.

What is the 8th grade outplacement looking like this year?

So for me, I felt the same say. Plenty of friends, not looking for that from school. But I did want to volunteer. I did want to be involved, for my own experience as well as my child's.... That's the rub. It just gets really weird and uncomfortable when you want to do more than dropoff.

Were you blocked or excluded from volunteering?

Longtime St Patricks family. Yes it is hard to get homeroom parent in lower grades but in higher grades they are begging people and I mean begging. The lower school room parents though wield a lot of power as they control the trip volunteer sign up and there should be a rule that the homeroom parents need to abstain from going on all the Kennedy Center trips. Never in 10 years did I get on that trip ever. It was always the same people and it got old real quick. I also have no idea how those parents get chosen to be room parents. Then parents get annoyed and then years later when they need a homeroom parent you don't want to do it. Hmmm that is not the best. For other things anyone can volunteer and no one is blocked. I can't agree that you cannot volunteer for things like the auction, family fun day, gifts for good, teacher breakfasts. The school is always looking for people and you do not need to know anyone on these committees. Actually I could complain that in older years getting parents to do anything is a problem. I can recall no on signing up to bring food for parties and it was always the same people who would bring things in.

That doesn't sound pleasant, but if the biggest tangible outcome is that only a small group of the same parents gets to go with the kids to the Kennedy Center, isn't the easy solution to buy your own tickets for a show separately? I mean, this just strikes me as whining about the most petty thing . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family is at St. Patrick's and our experience has been amazing. We moved here from out of town when our DC was in lower school. I received the email over the summer about being a room parent and volunteered thinking it would be a good way to get to know people. I didn't know a soul at the school other than people we met during the admissions process, we're a very normal family and I was able to volunteer in that role (alongside another very normal mom). There was clearly no conspiracy to only open that to well-connected parents (and it was a great way to get to know people - it definitely helped with our integration). That perception feels disconnected from my personal experience.

There are many amazing families there from all walks of life and the school hosts many events to help build community (their parent diversity night was wonderful, vulnerable and inspiring) and the auction night is a lot of fun. Unlike other schools where we have been before, they put a ton of events in the auction that are open to everyone (pool parties, mom's night out, game nights, trivia nights, etc). Again, I'm not well connected, but I happily sign up for those, show up and am always warmly welcomed.

Mr. Barrett is a wonderful, wonderful leader. He knew all of our family's name from the very beginning, he is out there in carpool in rain and snow welcoming families and kids by name and he clearly hires his teachers carefully and believes in them and supports them. The chapel services are warm, age-appropriate and inspiring - couldn't be happier with the values and inclusion being taught there. We've now been there several years and wouldn't dream of applying out early to have our kid miss any time there.

You put it perfectly! We are a family in a similar situation and have felt so welcomed at St Patrick’s. All of the sign-up parties (which are open to the whole school)) are so fun - trivia night, moms night out, flower arranging classes, backyard olympics, there are a ton of ways to get to know people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is at St. Patrick's and our experience has been amazing. We moved here from out of town when our DC was in lower school. I received the email over the summer about being a room parent and volunteered thinking it would be a good way to get to know people. I didn't know a soul at the school other than people we met during the admissions process, we're a very normal family and I was able to volunteer in that role (alongside another very normal mom). There was clearly no conspiracy to only open that to well-connected parents (and it was a great way to get to know people - it definitely helped with our integration). That perception feels disconnected from my personal experience.

There are many amazing families there from all walks of life and the school hosts many events to help build community (their parent diversity night was wonderful, vulnerable and inspiring) and the auction night is a lot of fun. Unlike other schools where we have been before, they put a ton of events in the auction that are open to everyone (pool parties, mom's night out, game nights, trivia nights, etc). Again, I'm not well connected, but I happily sign up for those, show up and am always warmly welcomed.

Mr. Barrett is a wonderful, wonderful leader. He knew all of our family's name from the very beginning, he is out there in carpool in rain and snow welcoming families and kids by name and he clearly hires his teachers carefully and believes in them and supports them. The chapel services are warm, age-appropriate and inspiring - couldn't be happier with the values and inclusion being taught there. We've now been there several years and wouldn't dream of applying out early to have our kid miss any time there.

You put it perfectly! We are a family in a similar situation and have felt so welcomed at St Patrick’s. All of the sign-up parties (which are open to the whole school)) are so fun - trivia night, moms night out, flower arranging classes, backyard olympics, there are a ton of ways to get to know people.

Thanks for this input. I did check out the auction website and loved that there was something for everyone. When my child went for a play date, there were other parents there who had an applicant and a current student and I got a great vibe from them about the community at the school. I think I am just getting so nervous about everything I'm reading on DCUM and a few things moms at my current preschool are saying about St Patrick's (mainly that it is a place only for the super wealthy and connected). I've been able to connect with parents in a meaningful way at the current school and in diverse playgroups and kid activities, so hopefully things will be the same at St Patrick's. I am confident that my child will love the school, given his personality (easy going, friendly and pretty much loves all people), but have worried mostly about myself - because I know if parents don't click, playdates and forging friendships for the children can also be difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, so as a prospective nursery mom who in general doesn’t care much about the mean girls and always makes a friend or two in a crowd, because I’m nice and genuinely like people, in theory I should be ok...right? We’re pretty middle class for the independent school set. I just need to know that my kid will be ok. I have lots of my own friends already but want to make sure my child finds a group.

What is the 8th grade outplacement looking like this year?

So for me, I felt the same say. Plenty of friends, not looking for that from school. But I did want to volunteer. I did want to be involved, for my own experience as well as my child's.... That's the rub. It just gets really weird and uncomfortable when you want to do more than dropoff.

Were you blocked or excluded from volunteering?

Longtime St Patricks family. Yes it is hard to get homeroom parent in lower grades but in higher grades they are begging people and I mean begging. The lower school room parents though wield a lot of power as they control the trip volunteer sign up and there should be a rule that the homeroom parents need to abstain from going on all the Kennedy Center trips. Never in 10 years did I get on that trip ever. It was always the same people and it got old real quick. I also have no idea how those parents get chosen to be room parents. Then parents get annoyed and then years later when they need a homeroom parent you don't want to do it. Hmmm that is not the best. For other things anyone can volunteer and no one is blocked. I can't agree that you cannot volunteer for things like the auction, family fun day, gifts for good, teacher breakfasts. The school is always looking for people and you do not need to know anyone on these committees. Actually I could complain that in older years getting parents to do anything is a problem. I can recall no on signing up to bring food for parties and it was always the same people who would bring things in.

Does not sound like a healthy environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is at St. Patrick's and our experience has been amazing. We moved here from out of town when our DC was in lower school. I received the email over the summer about being a room parent and volunteered thinking it would be a good way to get to know people. I didn't know a soul at the school other than people we met during the admissions process, we're a very normal family and I was able to volunteer in that role (alongside another very normal mom). There was clearly no conspiracy to only open that to well-connected parents (and it was a great way to get to know people - it definitely helped with our integration). That perception feels disconnected from my personal experience.

There are many amazing families there from all walks of life and the school hosts many events to help build community (their parent diversity night was wonderful, vulnerable and inspiring) and the auction night is a lot of fun. Unlike other schools where we have been before, they put a ton of events in the auction that are open to everyone (pool parties, mom's night out, game nights, trivia nights, etc). Again, I'm not well connected, but I happily sign up for those, show up and am always warmly welcomed.

Mr. Barrett is a wonderful, wonderful leader. He knew all of our family's name from the very beginning, he is out there in carpool in rain and snow welcoming families and kids by name and he clearly hires his teachers carefully and believes in them and supports them. The chapel services are warm, age-appropriate and inspiring - couldn't be happier with the values and inclusion being taught there. We've now been there several years and wouldn't dream of applying out early to have our kid miss any time there.

You put it perfectly! We are a family in a similar situation and have felt so welcomed at St Patrick’s. All of the sign-up parties (which are open to the whole school)) are so fun - trivia night, moms night out, flower arranging classes, backyard olympics, there are a ton of ways to get to know people.

Thanks for this input. I did check out the auction website and loved that there was something for everyone. When my child went for a play date, there were other parents there who had an applicant and a current student and I got a great vibe from them about the community at the school. I think I am just getting so nervous about everything I'm reading on DCUM and a few things moms at my current preschool are saying about St Patrick's (mainly that it is a place only for the super wealthy and connected). I've been able to connect with parents in a meaningful way at the current school and in diverse playgroups and kid activities, so hopefully things will be the same at St Patrick's. I am confident that my child will love the school, given his personality (easy going, friendly and pretty much loves all people), but have worried mostly about myself - because I know if parents don't click, playdates and forging friendships for the children can also be difficult.

It is totally normal to be nervous, but please don’t believe everything you read on an anonymous Internet forum. Go to the new parent reception and talk to people and see how they seem.
Some of the people commenting here, by their own admission, were at St P’s for 15 years but have been out for 5. That means they were there 20 years ago.Schools change a ton in 20 years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is at St. Patrick's and our experience has been amazing. We moved here from out of town when our DC was in lower school. I received the email over the summer about being a room parent and volunteered thinking it would be a good way to get to know people. I didn't know a soul at the school other than people we met during the admissions process, we're a very normal family and I was able to volunteer in that role (alongside another very normal mom). There was clearly no conspiracy to only open that to well-connected parents (and it was a great way to get to know people - it definitely helped with our integration). That perception feels disconnected from my personal experience.

There are many amazing families there from all walks of life and the school hosts many events to help build community (their parent diversity night was wonderful, vulnerable and inspiring) and the auction night is a lot of fun. Unlike other schools where we have been before, they put a ton of events in the auction that are open to everyone (pool parties, mom's night out, game nights, trivia nights, etc). Again, I'm not well connected, but I happily sign up for those, show up and am always warmly welcomed.

Mr. Barrett is a wonderful, wonderful leader. He knew all of our family's name from the very beginning, he is out there in carpool in rain and snow welcoming families and kids by name and he clearly hires his teachers carefully and believes in them and supports them. The chapel services are warm, age-appropriate and inspiring - couldn't be happier with the values and inclusion being taught there. We've now been there several years and wouldn't dream of applying out early to have our kid miss any time there.

You put it perfectly! We are a family in a similar situation and have felt so welcomed at St Patrick’s. All of the sign-up parties (which are open to the whole school)) are so fun - trivia night, moms night out, flower arranging classes, backyard olympics, there are a ton of ways to get to know people.

Thanks for this input. I did check out the auction website and loved that there was something for everyone. When my child went for a play date, there were other parents there who had an applicant and a current student and I got a great vibe from them about the community at the school. I think I am just getting so nervous about everything I'm reading on DCUM and a few things moms at my current preschool are saying about St Patrick's (mainly that it is a place only for the super wealthy and connected). I've been able to connect with parents in a meaningful way at the current school and in diverse playgroups and kid activities, so hopefully things will be the same at St Patrick's. I am confident that my child will love the school, given his personality (easy going, friendly and pretty much loves all people), but have worried mostly about myself - because I know if parents don't click, playdates and forging friendships for the children can also be difficult.

It is totally normal to be nervous, but please don’t believe everything you read on an anonymous Internet forum. Go to the new parent reception and talk to people and see how they seem.
Some of the people commenting here, by their own admission, were at St P’s for 15 years but have been out for 5. That means they were there 20 years ago.Schools change a ton in 20 years!

THANK YOU. Sometimes, I need to bring myself back down to earth. My child was accepted to a wonderful school, and there is a world of new experiences coming. It will all be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am current parent at St. Patrick’s and we absolutely love it. We are a completely normal family, not wealthy, just normal. Most of the school is pretty normal. Yes, there are some rich families, but you really can’t figure out who they are unless you are looking for them. It’s not in your face. The community is welcoming and parents really get along and include everyone in events.

St Patrick’s is a warm and kind School that is still academically challenging in age appropriate ways. My children are all different and they all love it! The kids are genuinely happy there. It’s one of the best decisions we made.

I was a parent at St. Patrick's for over 15 years until very recently. Saying the wealth isn't in your face is ridiculous. Actually, it's not the wealth in your face so much as the social climbing and exclusivity. Those young moms using St. P's as their entree to Chevy--and if you can't help them, well, don't bother. And let's hear how the placement for current 8th graders just went then determine for yourself how well they have been prepared for the next step.

There are some nice families but agree never heard of such mean mom behavior before in DC than I have heard about some of the Chevy crowd from St. Pats. If they had a bad outplacement year it wouldn’t surprise me because I have heard from multiple sources that one or two families have poisoned the well at a few schools with their mean mom behavior. Schools want kind communities.

100+

It's sad to hear that you felt that way. I'm sorry. We had/are having a very different experience.
From my perspective, there are about 10-20 families who go to Chevy out of a school of 500 students. That's a really small amount. The great, great majority of families don't go and are nice and friendly.

I think it has less to do with wealth and more to do with some of the mean moms at Chevy but that’s not just at St. Pats. You’ll hear the same thing about this crowd at Landon, Hollton and even a few at STA. Grown women telling others not to allow certain kids and families at their club because they don’t like their parents is poisonous to a community. I’ve never heard of any other club in this area doing such a thing.

Bo school is perfect, but I’ve heard it more about St. Pats than I have about Holton, Landon, etc.

I guess you make a good point. It’s no secret that some of the parents at Landon, Holton, and STA bring this behavior with them. Wish it were not the case because it gives St. Pats a bad reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family is at St. Patrick's and our experience has been amazing. We moved here from out of town when our DC was in lower school. I received the email over the summer about being a room parent and volunteered thinking it would be a good way to get to know people. I didn't know a soul at the school other than people we met during the admissions process, we're a very normal family and I was able to volunteer in that role (alongside another very normal mom). There was clearly no conspiracy to only open that to well-connected parents (and it was a great way to get to know people - it definitely helped with our integration). That perception feels disconnected from my personal experience.

There are many amazing families there from all walks of life and the school hosts many events to help build community (their parent diversity night was wonderful, vulnerable and inspiring) and the auction night is a lot of fun. Unlike other schools where we have been before, they put a ton of events in the auction that are open to everyone (pool parties, mom's night out, game nights, trivia nights, etc). Again, I'm not well connected, but I happily sign up for those, show up and am always warmly welcomed.

Mr. Barrett is a wonderful, wonderful leader. He knew all of our family's name from the very beginning, he is out there in carpool in rain and snow welcoming families and kids by name and he clearly hires his teachers carefully and believes in them and supports them. The chapel services are warm, age-appropriate and inspiring - couldn't be happier with the values and inclusion being taught there. We've now been there several years and wouldn't dream of applying out early to have our kid miss any time there.

You put it perfectly! We are a family in a similar situation and have felt so welcomed at St Patrick’s. All of the sign-up parties (which are open to the whole school)) are so fun - trivia night, moms night out, flower arranging classes, backyard olympics, there are a ton of ways to get to know people.

Thanks for this input. I did check out the auction website and loved that there was something for everyone. When my child went for a play date, there were other parents there who had an applicant and a current student and I got a great vibe from them about the community at the school. I think I am just getting so nervous about everything I'm reading on DCUM and a few things moms at my current preschool are saying about St Patrick's (mainly that it is a place only for the super wealthy and connected). I've been able to connect with parents in a meaningful way at the current school and in diverse playgroups and kid activities, so hopefully things will be the same at St Patrick's. I am confident that my child will love the school, given his personality (easy going, friendly and pretty much loves all people), but have worried mostly about myself - because I know if parents don't click, playdates and forging friendships for the children can also be difficult.

It is totally normal to be nervous, but please don’t believe everything you read on an anonymous Internet forum. Go to the new parent reception and talk to people and see how they seem.
Some of the people commenting here, by their own admission, were at St P’s for 15 years but have been out for 5. That means they were there 20 years ago.Schools change a ton in 20 years!

Um, no, using your example, if their last child left 5 years ago, then that means they were there 5 years ago. Maybe they started 20 years ago, but have had much more recent experience. I was a parent there for over 15 years. I don't want to out myself, but it was recently that our last child finished there. We saw the school through what in some ways was transformative and in some ways stayed very much the same. Those who love it have never felt the wrath of the HOS for questioning. For one of my DC's, St. Pats was not a good fit. But we were pretty much held prisoner there as DC's early outplacement was not supported and on top it we were then treated by pariahs for the rest of our many years there. Toe the line and you'll be just fine. And to the social point, I happen to be a CC member and even I will tell you that there is definitely social climbing in a pretty ugly way. But it's quite avoidable and many other lovely families and children to get to know and enjoy.

[Anonymous]

The 6th graders that are applying out did very well. The 8th graders not so much; I think 40 of the 8th grade class is happy. Very, very few 1st choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 6th graders that are applying out did very well. The 8th graders not so much; I think 40 of the 8th grade class is happy. Very, very few 1st choices.

Where are 6th graders going?

[Anonymous]

8th matters the most. I have heard zero. Usually if it is a great year then the families have insta and Facebook posts. I think most parents who did not apply out don’t want to directly ask but everyone is curious. Also is PB retiring? If he retires the. Who is taking over. That is also a big topic. If he is staying would be great if school sent out a note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 6th graders that are applying out did very well. The 8th graders not so much; I think 40 of the 8th grade class is happy. Very, very few 1st choices.

What does this mean? There aren't even 40 kids in the grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 6th graders that are applying out did very well. The 8th graders not so much; I think 40 of the 8th grade class is happy. Very, very few 1st choices.

40%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 6th graders that are applying out did very well. The 8th graders not so much; I think 40 of the 8th grade class is happy. Very, very few 1st choices.

What does this mean? There aren't even 40 kids in the grade.

40%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 6th graders that are applying out did very well. The 8th graders not so much; I think 40 of the 8th grade class is happy. Very, very few 1st choices.

40%

I have heard mean moms have poisoned the well at a few schools. Heard it from several people. Moms telling friends not to bring other parents and their KIDS to their country club and their social club even as guests while others stood idly by and did nothing. Beyond cruel.