9th grade parents what do you like and not like about the school you selected

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is very helpful. Would you mind sharing if your family is Catholic? Trying to get a sense of how difficult it would be for a non-catholic student coming from public school to adjust/adapt to the community. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:9th grade at O'Connell:

1) small class sizes
2) sense of community
3) great communication with parents, the weekly newsletter is incredibly helpful
4) amazing school spirit
5) academic expectations compared to public middle school (daily quizzes in many subjects, hard grading expectations on writing, at least 1hr of homework per night)
6) away for the day with Yondr pouches is working well.

Don't like:

1) coming from public school kids are friendly but DC is finding it hard to break into pre-existing friend groups. (this will improve but it's tough with homecoming coming up that plans are being made by groups of kids from various parish K-8s so the truly new kids are struggling to find a place)
2) lunch prices are ridiculously expensive

PP and we are Catholic. Talking to families with older kids the friendship groups do break down over the course of the year as kids get involved in activities and meet other people, similar to public high schools Just that at this point a month into the school year that group from K-8 is a safety net for some of these kids. Like I said, my DC thinks people are really nice and is meeting people but it isn’t yet like DC had a friend group to call their own yet, make plans with on the weekend, etc. It takes time at a new school.

I saw another PP say her daughter is similarly caught in the sea of pre-existing groups. Wish we could introduce our students!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is very helpful. Would you mind sharing if your family is Catholic? Trying to get a sense of how difficult it would be for a non-catholic student coming from public school to adjust/adapt to the community. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:9th grade at O'Connell:

1) small class sizes
2) sense of community
3) great communication with parents, the weekly newsletter is incredibly helpful
4) amazing school spirit
5) academic expectations compared to public middle school (daily quizzes in many subjects, hard grading expectations on writing, at least 1hr of homework per night)
6) away for the day with Yondr pouches is working well.

Don't like:

1) coming from public school kids are friendly but DC is finding it hard to break into pre-existing friend groups. (this will improve but it's tough with homecoming coming up that plans are being made by groups of kids from various parish K-8s so the truly new kids are struggling to find a place)
2) lunch prices are ridiculously expensive

PP and we are Catholic. Talking to families with older kids the friendship groups do break down over the course of the year as kids get involved in activities and meet other people, similar to public high schools Just that at this point a month into the school year that group from K-8 is a safety net for some of these kids. Like I said, my DC thinks people are really nice and is meeting people but it isn’t yet like DC had a friend group to call their own yet, make plans with on the weekend, etc. It takes time at a new school.

I saw another PP say her daughter is similarly caught in the sea of pre-existing groups. Wish we could introduce our students!

This is common. At our school (Georgetown Visitation), those groups tend to breakdown around November-ish but honestly, those large groups of girls have already opened up their circles or formed new ones. My DD has had no problem making friends.

[Anonymous]

DeMatha

Like the structured and well-staffed academic support, emphasis on community and service, lots of clubs and activities beyond sports (many clubs meet during homeroom), variety of academic offerings, including strong music and STEM programs. Communication from school has been pretty good and there have been multiple DPO-organized events for parents to connect.

Don't like that some teachers are inconsistent about where they post assignments, the transportation was a bit hit or miss in the beginning of but sorted out now, major sports are harder to access.

About 1 to 1.5 of homework per night (mostly honors classes) plus about 30 minutes of reading. Could probably cut that down to an hour or less of he used his study hall time more effectively or visited academic support regularly.

Seems to be enjoying most his classes, wants to get involved in the school, has made a lot of friends, hates the commute.

[Anonymous]

SSSAS/middle
What we like:
Almost everything. Great teachers, small classes, everyone is so incredibly nice there. Lunch is included and I think that’s the only time my kid eats a full meal.

What we don't:
Seems to be 3+ hours of HW nightly, but we have two factors here. First, our public middle school had zero homework and almost zero challenge of any sort so that’s an adjustment. Second, I suspect kid is not making the best use of study hall and student/teacher time.

How is your kid liking it?
Misses old friends from public, but really likes the school. Seems to know that the school is better — and better for them — even if they are sometimes reluctant to admit it.

[Anonymous]

Any other feedback re: DJO or Gonzaga?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any other feedback re: DJO or Gonzaga?

DS is a freshman at Gonzaga and we love it!

What we like:

1. The school spirit is amazing. Students, parents, and teachers all seem to love it and to be happy to be there. DS loves the football games.

2. There is a great sense of community and there are a lot of events and opportunities for parents and students to meet.

3. DS has found it easy to make friends and DH and I have liked the parents we’ve met. People generally are friendly and down to earth.

4. I love that it’s Jesuit and feel like the school is really teaching DS good values, including the value of community service and caring for others.

5. DS is taking honors classes and is challenged. He’s working harder than he ever has before, but also is much more engaged and interested than he ever was in middle school. He said he feels like his teachers really care about him learning.

6. The block schedule makes the workload more manageable. He averages about 1.5 hours of homework a night, but it varies a lot and he uses his study period pretty efficiently.

7. Taking the Metro and going into the city has made DS more independent.

What we don’t love:

Sports are really competitive, even for kids who are very good athletes. DS has played his sport at a high level for years and was recruited by another school, but is worried about making Gonzaga’s team. That said, there are a lot of opportunities for coaches to get to know kids before the tryout and there are a lot of no cut sports.

[Anonymous]

This is very helpful…thank you! Do you mind if I ask if your family is Catholic or not? Did your DS come from public school or a k-8? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any other feedback re: DJO or Gonzaga?

DS is a freshman at Gonzaga and we love it!

What we like:

1. The school spirit is amazing. Students, parents, and teachers all seem to love it and to be happy to be there. DS loves the football games.

2. There is a great sense of community and there are a lot of events and opportunities for parents and students to meet.

3. DS has found it easy to make friends and DH and I have liked the parents we’ve met. People generally are friendly and down to earth.

4. I love that it’s Jesuit and feel like the school is really teaching DS good values, including the value of community service and caring for others.

5. DS is taking honors classes and is challenged. He’s working harder than he ever has before, but also is much more engaged and interested than he ever was in middle school. He said he feels like his teachers really care about him learning.

6. The block schedule makes the workload more manageable. He averages about 1.5 hours of homework a night, but it varies a lot and he uses his study period pretty efficiently.

7. Taking the Metro and going into the city has made DS more independent.

What we don’t love:

Sports are really competitive, even for kids who are very good athletes. DS has played his sport at a high level for years and was recruited by another school, but is worried about making Gonzaga’s team. That said, there are a lot of opportunities for coaches to get to know kids before the tryout and there are a lot of no cut sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is very helpful…thank you! Do you mind if I ask if your family is Catholic or not? Did your DS come from public school or a k-8? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any other feedback re: DJO or Gonzaga?

DS is a freshman at Gonzaga and we love it!

What we like:

1. The school spirit is amazing. Students, parents, and teachers all seem to love it and to be happy to be there. DS loves the football games.

2. There is a great sense of community and there are a lot of events and opportunities for parents and students to meet.

3. DS has found it easy to make friends and DH and I have liked the parents we’ve met. People generally are friendly and down to earth.

4. I love that it’s Jesuit and feel like the school is really teaching DS good values, including the value of community service and caring for others.

5. DS is taking honors classes and is challenged. He’s working harder than he ever has before, but also is much more engaged and interested than he ever was in middle school. He said he feels like his teachers really care about him learning.

6. The block schedule makes the workload more manageable. He averages about 1.5 hours of homework a night, but it varies a lot and he uses his study period pretty efficiently.

7. Taking the Metro and going into the city has made DS more independent.

What we don’t love:

Sports are really competitive, even for kids who are very good athletes. DS has played his sport at a high level for years and was recruited by another school, but is worried about making Gonzaga’s team. That said, there are a lot of opportunities for coaches to get to know kids before the tryout and there are a lot of no cut sports.

We’re Catholic, but DS did not attend a Catholic k-8.

[Anonymous]

Helpful thread. Do you all have any opinion about Dominion Christian School (Herndon, VA) you can share? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:9th grade at O'Connell:

1) small class sizes
2) sense of community
3) great communication with parents, the weekly newsletter is incredibly helpful
4) amazing school spirit
5) academic expectations compared to public middle school (daily quizzes in many subjects, hard grading expectations on writing, at least 1hr of homework per night)
6) away for the day with Yondr pouches is working well.

Don't like:

1) coming from public school kids are friendly but DC is finding it hard to break into pre-existing friend groups. (this will improve but it's tough with homecoming coming up that plans are being made by groups of kids from various parish K-8s so the truly new kids are struggling to find a place)
2) lunch prices are ridiculously expensive

DD is a freshman at DJO and is the only one from her middle school to go there. Sports definitely helped with making friends and breaking through the pre-existing friend groups, but the overnight retreat and other activities helped as well. DD said the DJO was the best place for her and she couldn't have asked for a better first month of high school.

We are non-Catholic and I had been concerned about that for DD. We've had no issues so far and has given us plenty of opportunities to discuss what we believe vs what the teachers are saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9th grade at O'Connell:

1) small class sizes
2) sense of community
3) great communication with parents, the weekly newsletter is incredibly helpful
4) amazing school spirit
5) academic expectations compared to public middle school (daily quizzes in many subjects, hard grading expectations on writing, at least 1hr of homework per night)
6) away for the day with Yondr pouches is working well.

Don't like:

1) coming from public school kids are friendly but DC is finding it hard to break into pre-existing friend groups. (this will improve but it's tough with homecoming coming up that plans are being made by groups of kids from various parish K-8s so the truly new kids are struggling to find a place)
2) lunch prices are ridiculously expensive

DD is a freshman at DJO and is the only one from her middle school to go there. Sports definitely helped with making friends and breaking through the pre-existing friend groups, but the overnight retreat and other activities helped as well. DD said the DJO was the best place for her and she couldn't have asked for a better first month of high school.

We are non-Catholic and I had been concerned about that for DD. We've had no issues so far and has given us plenty of opportunities to discuss what we believe vs what the teachers are saying.

I’m the PP and it’s been almost a month since I originally responded. As expected sports plus clubs really getting going has been good for breaking up some of those early clusters. My DD is far more positive about forming friendships than she was earlier in the school year.

[Anonymous]

Someone give me an assessment of Bishop Ireton (please!)

[Anonymous]

Interested in info about Potomac if anyone would like to share!

[Anonymous]

Dominion seems to be more like a co-op than a real school. Potentially severe conflicts of interest issues could be of concern, and that shows up in some of the extremely negative reviews posted on other web forums. Some people may find co-op style suit their needs, but others may not. High level of caution is rightly suggested in considering this school as an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9th grade at O'Connell:

1) small class sizes
2) sense of community
3) great communication with parents, the weekly newsletter is incredibly helpful
4) amazing school spirit
5) academic expectations compared to public middle school (daily quizzes in many subjects, hard grading expectations on writing, at least 1hr of homework per night)
6) away for the day with Yondr pouches is working well.

Don't like:

1) coming from public school kids are friendly but DC is finding it hard to break into pre-existing friend groups. (this will improve but it's tough with homecoming coming up that plans are being made by groups of kids from various parish K-8s so the truly new kids are struggling to find a place)
2) lunch prices are ridiculously expensive

My daughter is in the same place social-wise at DJO. She needs to figure out how to bridge the gap between lunch table friends and friends outside of school. But no progress so far.

These posts make me so sad. Parents at these schools please encourage your daughtes and sons to be more inclusive especially of new kids.