St. Pat's

[Anonymous]

Is it me or does St. Pat's seem to exclusively attract a certain kind of parent?

[Anonymous]

Your post has a bad "smell" like you are trying to start something. What is wrong that has you feeling so badly today?

[Anonymous]

I am not a st. Pat's parent, nor applicant. I'm not trying to stir something although you're right it will. (And I'm not feeling badly today -- just hopelessly curious) But I TRULY would like to understand a bit more. I understand the big 3 -- people are attracted, or not attracted for obvious reasons. I understand the "progressive" schools attract a certain kind of parent. Since St. Pat's doesn't fall into either of those categories, but is also a quite popular school, I'm wondering, what is it about the school?

[Anonymous]

It is simply a wonderful school. Newly accepted parent here friends who are current families. The last thing that St. Pats is is homogenous with a bunch of cookie cutter families. We don't need people like you inquiring. Go away!

[Anonymous]

Wait? You don't like people asking what's special about your school? I think the school would beg to differ. They would probably love to list the reasons why its special. Saying its, "simply a wonderful school" doesn't give any insight. And this sentence, "Newly accepted parent here friends who are current families," makes no sense at all.

[Anonymous]

We are a current family with several years in. It was our first choice school and we have never regretted it. I think maybe its just one of those things you either get or you don't. Its not about where your child will go to college. Its not about prestige or a name to impress strangers with on these boards. It is about a deep trust and respect for the mission, the head, the teachers, the families, the openness, the warmth, the academic thoughfulness, the care of each individual child that is exhibited in every interaction with the school. Its something our first child, who is extraordinarily emotionally perceptive, sensed at the first visit at only 4 years old. Its a sense that has deepened and grown for all of us over the years. My children are all exceptional people but in very different ways and, the school has meet each need. I have seen teachers and administrators go out of their way time and again to meet the needs of the students. The staff seems to see exactly who each child is and to nurtured and challenged that person. The thought and preparation that goes into the academic curriculum is astounding but not at all flashy. The newly revamped math program is a perfect example. The rationale behind why language starts later than many other schools is another. I deeply trust the intelligence, kindness and guidance of the head of school. I have no doubt that he is extremely well-regarded as an educator in Washington's circles of academia. I have heard grown men speak of him in glowing terms from when he was a teacher at St Alban's. And yet, he is so much more. I have seen him crouch down to address the concerns of a small nursery student in the middle of a hectic day and solemnly shake the hand of an intent 5th grader who has shared something of grave importance. He not only loves academics and teaching but also loves children for who they each are. By the end of the first week of school he knows each child by name. He directs the carpool line most days. I find that fact alone utterly astounding. I have every confidence that when it is my childrens' time to move to another school, St. Patrick's will ensure that each one is in the best place with the best fit for him/her. And, that, perhaps, is part of the allure. None of us know who our PKer or Kindergardener will be in 4 or 6 or 8 years. We can not. St Patrick's allows them the time and the room to find out for themsleves who they will be and then helps them move on when they are ready to the school that will work best for them. At St Patrick's, it is all about the child in the end.

[Anonymous]

Well that was a very nice response. Thank you. For all those attending, I truly hope most of the parents are not like you (and not so much like 12:06)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is simply a wonderful school. Newly accepted parent here friends who are current families. The last thing that St. Pats is is homogenous with a bunch of cookie cutter families. We don't need people like you inquiring. Go away!

Really???

[Anonymous]

We didn't even consider applying due to geography reasons, but 12:42 makes me wish we had. That is the nicest, and one of the most detailed and relevant, descriptions of any school I've seen on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is simply a wonderful school. Newly accepted parent here friends who are current families. The last thing that St. Pats is is homogenous with a bunch of cookie cutter families. We don't need people like you inquiring. Go away!

Yikes! My DD was accepted for pre-k and now I'm worried about running into this nut...Reason #1 gazillion I should avoid this website!

[Anonymous]

May I ask what the "newly revamped math program" is?
Lovely posting 12:42 - wish there were more people like you on this site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is simply a wonderful school. Newly accepted parent here friends who are current families. The last thing that St. Pats is is homogenous with a bunch of cookie cutter families. We don't need people like you inquiring. Go away!

Yikes! My DD was accepted for pre-k and now I'm worried about running into this nut...Reason #1 gazillion I should avoid this website!

12:06 here... I am not a nut. My sentence should have read, "Newly accepted parent here WITH friends who are current families. The OP said "certain types of families". WTH does that mean? That statement inandof itself is ignorant. The second poster was correct in her assumption about OP (which is why she felt the need to clarify her comment in a subsequent post). OP should have simply said, "What makes St. Pat's so special?" Well this "nut" (as you describe me) is very honored to have to choose between St. Pat's and Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a current family with several years in. It was our first choice school and we have never regretted it. I think maybe its just one of those things you either get or you don't. Its not about where your child will go to college. Its not about prestige or a name to impress strangers with on these boards. It is about a deep trust and respect for the mission, the head, the teachers, the families, the openness, the warmth, the academic thoughfulness, the care of each individual child that is exhibited in every interaction with the school. Its something our first child, who is extraordinarily emotionally perceptive, sensed at the first visit at only 4 years old. Its a sense that has deepened and grown for all of us over the years. My children are all exceptional people but in very different ways and, the school has meet each need. I have seen teachers and administrators go out of their way time and again to meet the needs of the students. The staff seems to see exactly who each child is and to nurtured and challenged that person. The thought and preparation that goes into the academic curriculum is astounding but not at all flashy. The newly revamped math program is a perfect example. The rationale behind why language starts later than many other schools is another. I deeply trust the intelligence, kindness and guidance of the head of school. I have no doubt that he is extremely well-regarded as an educator in Washington's circles of academia. I have heard grown men speak of him in glowing terms from when he was a teacher at St Alban's. And yet, he is so much more. I have seen him crouch down to address the concerns of a small nursery student in the middle of a hectic day and solemnly shake the hand of an intent 5th grader who has shared something of grave importance. He not only loves academics and teaching but also loves children for who they each are. By the end of the first week of school he knows each child by name. He directs the carpool line most days. I find that fact alone utterly astounding. I have every confidence that when it is my childrens' time to move to another school, St. Patrick's will ensure that each one is in the best place with the best fit for him/her. And, that, perhaps, is part of the allure. None of us know who our PKer or Kindergardener will be in 4 or 6 or 8 years. We can not. St Patrick's allows them the time and the room to find out for themsleves who they will be and then helps them move on when they are ready to the school that will work best for them. At St Patrick's, it is all about the child in the end.

12:06 here again. Very nice!!! I can't wait until the time that my own summary reads like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is simply a wonderful school. Newly accepted parent here friends who are current families. The last thing that St. Pats is is homogenous with a bunch of cookie cutter families. We don't need people like you inquiring. Go away!

Yikes! My DD was accepted for pre-k and now I'm worried about running into this nut...Reason #1 gazillion I should avoid this website!

12:06 here... I am not a nut. My sentence should have read, "Newly accepted parent here WITH friends who are current families. The OP said "certain types of families". WTH does that mean? That statement inandof itself is ignorant. The second poster was correct in her assumption about OP (which is why she felt the need to clarify her comment in a subsequent post). OP should have simply said, "What makes St. Pat's so special?" Well this "nut" (as you describe me) is very honored to have to choose between St. Pat's and Beauvoir.

I suspect the other posters think the "go away" part identifies you as a nut. Also the "we don't need people like you" part.

[Anonymous]

Yes, "people like you" who are different than those certain kinds of parents we all know who the OP is talking about.