St. Mary's/St. Louis--Alexandria

[Anonymous]

We have applied to both schools for kindergarten. Can anyone comment on the differences or perceived differences between these schools? I'd be interested in hearing anything that current families would care to share about your experience at either school. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I have heard St. Louis is more conservative. We have a child enrolled in preschool there.

[Anonymous]

Really? NP here. I always thought St. Mary's was the most conservative in the diocese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really? NP here. I always thought St. Mary's was the most conservative in the diocese.

+1

[Anonymous]

Very happy at St. Mary's. Great community. Wonderful teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very happy at St. Mary's. Great community. Wonderful teachers.

Agreed. Can't say enough good things about the teachers our kids have had so far (older child is in mid elementary).

[Anonymous]

Thanks! This is helpful.

Anyone out there w/experience at St. Louis?

[Anonymous]

St. Marys is very very conservative. Principal is mediocre; parents are invested and care; teachers are kind. WIth over 800 kids in its aging building, it is the largest school by far in the diocese, and there is much to be desired in the crowding, class size, and recess facility. This may well be principal's last year; we have a new pastor who runs things very differently than the old pastor.

We have many friends who go to St Louis. It is a less wealthy, more diverse, more open community. Of course, it is smaller and many families are outside of the Belle Haven/Army-Navy CC demo that plagues St Marys. I hear wonderful things about the St Louis principal and pastor.

[Anonymous]

PP, that reminds me how much I miss Father Kleinman!

[Anonymous]

The biggest difference is that St. Mary's has 3 classes per grade and St. Louis has 2 classes per grade. Each has 25 students per class. Both are great schools with friendly families, a supportive Pastor and would serve your family well. We have friends at both schools (in a variety of grades) and all are happy. We are at St. Mary and have had a great experience (and do not belong to ANCC nor BHCC) and my children are thriving academically and spiritually.

Dismiss the PP who posts on every single thread about "over 800 kids in an aging building" and "overcrowding". They have posted this in every single thread in regards to St. Mary's in the past several years -- it is a bit much, don't you think? So, take those comments with a grain of salt, as I have yet to see anyone corroborate these claims. If anything it seems to be an outdated comment.

[Anonymous]

Our oldest is in preschool at St. Louis now and will be starting Kindergarten next fall. So far we have been very happy. It seems like a warm community and I look forward to being a part of it.

[Anonymous]

WHat's outdated? The fact that there are 800 kids at the school? No, this still true. And the reason I post it is because between my 4 kids we've been at the school for a long time and my biggest wish is that they'd put a halt to the growth. 800 kids is too big for a K-8 school. Yes we stay...yes we make it wirk. It is optimal?? Definitely not. Have you been to Friday mass in the gym? Like, fire-hazard crowded. And getting 800 kids thru lunch means someone has to eat at 10:40. Again, not optimal. That's why I reference it. Because it is ongoing. Not sure what's to "corroborate".

[Anonymous]

*work

[Anonymous]

St. Mary's has 760 students; St. Louis has 515.

[Anonymous]

No one eats lunch at St. Mary's at 10:40am! The earliest lunch is 11:15am and the latest lunch is 12:30pm-all appropriate for lunch imo. Much better than my local public which does have a 10:30am lunch AND a 11:40am lunch!