Private HS in NOVA for the non-wealthy?
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Anonymous
| We are in Arlington and are very concerned about what high schools are going to look like my the time our eldest reaches 9th grade. We adore our middle school and aren't too concerned about middle. However, since the superintendent and his cronies don't seem to care about the looming HS seat crisis, I want to gather information so I can be prepared. I need to figure out if private HS is even an option. We aren't wealthy, but do just fine. Our eldest is a good student, solid As with some advanced instruction and extremely well behaved. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't even know where to start. |
Anonymous
| By 9th grade, Potomac becomes economically diverse so I would consider it. |
Anonymous
| Bishop O'Connell alsocan go to Gonzaga in Dc |
Anonymous
| Catholic school. But the public s are better. |
Anonymous
Do non-Catholics go to Bishop O'Connell? We don't have sons. |
Anonymous
Yes, a significant number of non-Catholics go to O'Connell. You could also look at Bishop Ireton in Alexandria - I know S. Arlington families who go there. If your child is currently doing fine in middle school then I don't think the capacity issues in high school will affect her that much as the real issues begin after 2020, and don't worry, something will be done by then. |
Anonymous
| Oops! I meant we adore our ES. The new MS should provide relief in MS after one year, but the HS situation won't be close to being resolved. |
Anonymous
| You could look into the new Basis school in McLean. |
Anonymous
| Do you both work? If one parent can drive the kids to and from school, that opens up more options, especially if you're willing to commute a little. There are plenty of good affordable privates within thirty minutes of your home. |
Anonymous
|
The more affordable options are going to be the Catholic schools, like Gonzaga (about 20k) or O'Connell (about 15K for non-catholics). Not cheap, but less than, say Potomac (around 37K).
The competition is getting fierce to get into a lot of these schools because a large number of Arlington residents feel the same way you do. The middle school teachers this year said they had an overwhelming number of reference letters to write - more than ever before - because a lot of kids are applying to privates from Arlington County. It's kind of sad, such a highly rated public school system, and parents are opting out because of the incompetence of the Superintendant/School Board. |
Anonymous
Why bother? Catholic schools like Ireton and O'Connell are really just Public schools for Catholics. Catholics have a long tradition of separate schools aimed at propagating the Faith and keeping the Catholic community together. They aren't particularly academically selective. Their faculty is less well-compensated than the public schools. Non-Catholics do attend, but they are a minority. |
Anonymous
Gonzaga is highly selective because so many Catholics prefer it and apply there. A huge number of legacies and siblings apply. Non-Catholics will be at the back of the Admission line. |
Anonymous
Because the APS SB is completely messing up right now and the HS situation is not going to be good! They are talking about alternative scheduling and burying their heads in the sand about the 2,775 seat shortage. |
Anonymous
Ppl pay 37k/year for the Potomac School?? Gulp. |
Anonymous
| There are some small schools like New School of Northern Virginia that have smaller enrollments, but would be on the cheaper side compared to Potomac, SSSAS, or Madeira. However schools like those do give FA. IDK if they would give it to a family from N. Arlington. |