Bishop Ireton - Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing this perspective. We are AA and Catholic, BI is a definite possibility for HS. Visiting the campus recently, there were a few little things I noticed that made me (as an adult who attended a majority white, independent H.S) question potentially problematic racial and socioeconomic dynamics at BI. My kids will experience those at any school for sure. so nothing you said was disqualifying -- I think your post was honest, balanced and helpful. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello! This forum has not been active for a long time but I have a daughter at BI and I'd like to share my thoughts.

The academics are rigorous but don't require students to do real critical thinking unless in AP/Independent Study classes. The worst department by far is the math department. Although they have all the materials and are well-funded there is not a single teacher of quality in all grade levels. However, the science department has the exact opposite problem--great teachers, insufficient materials. But they make do and the kids are well taught.
My D loves English and History and this is where Ireton's academics thrive! Great AP Lit, US History, etc. teachers who help kids do well on the AP Exam but also teach them necessary skills for life.

Getting into AP classes, however, is much harder than public school.The grade requirements are strict and a teacher can still deny a student from the class if they feel they may not be able to handle it. This difficulty makes it hard for students to challenge themselves and boost their GPAS (APs really help kids out when it comes to that)

APs are hard and MUCH harder than APs at TC.

The problem with BI, however, isn't the education. It's the community and the student body. There have been many incidents of drugs, fighting, racist remarks, etc. that make me shocked given that BI is a Catholic school. BI as a school is very conservative which is fine but many of the students are disrespectful to minorities. That creates a toxic atmosphere. My daughter has also become more anxious since attending BI and the workload is not good for her stress. Every teacher is extremely strict and she often gets homework from every class to finish in a night. Along with extracurriculars, it can be a nightmare. You can find good friends and mentors within the community, but please be cautious and pay attention to your child--they can easily be led astray and let their grades drop because they're with the wrong crowd.

If you are so underwhelmed, you should probably just send your kid to TC, Hayfield, MV or WestPo. It would open up more space for my kids and their peers.

I don’t understand the point of reviving a two year old thread for that...

[Anonymous]

The plans for the expansion look awesome.

[Anonymous]

It is not a well known DC Catholic, and I think that is because of location. It's mostly used by families who have bad public schools and want a better option, kind of like Good Counsel in MD.

[Anonymous]

The PP has absolutely zero idea what they're talking about. Catholic families know about it. We went to the Open House last weekend and saw plenty of kids from my daughter's Catholic K-8 school in Arlington as well as kids she plays in CYO from Alexandria, Vienna, Springfield & McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PP has absolutely zero idea what they're talking about. Catholic families know about it. We went to the Open House last weekend and saw plenty of kids from my daughter's Catholic K-8 school in Arlington as well as kids she plays in CYO from Alexandria, Vienna, Springfield & McLean.

+2 BI is well known in the NoVa area by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. It certainly is considered the best co-ed Catholic high school in the NoVa area. We do not have kids there but we know many kids who are there as students and they are happy. It is a good school to check out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP has absolutely zero idea what they're talking about. Catholic families know about it. We went to the Open House last weekend and saw plenty of kids from my daughter's Catholic K-8 school in Arlington as well as kids she plays in CYO from Alexandria, Vienna, Springfield & McLean.

+2 BI is well known in the NoVa area by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. It certainly is considered the best co-ed Catholic high school in the NoVa area. We do not have kids there but we know many kids who are there as students and they are happy. It is a good school to check out.

+3 This is a good, solid Catholic high school. Amazing girls lacrosse team. Performing arts (theatre) are very good as well. My kids go to NW DC private, but I have certainly heard of BI. Sort of a weird post.

[Anonymous]

We love BI. Great academics, kind community, great size and lots of opportunities. It’s location is great for us too. We’ve been so pleased. We aren’t at graduation level yet but our kids friends have gone on to great universities. You may want to bring your concerns to administration. The expansion is going to be great too. New cafeteria, library and all new stem classrooms. It’s exciting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PP has absolutely zero idea what they're talking about. Catholic families know about it. We went to the Open House last weekend and saw plenty of kids from my daughter's Catholic K-8 school in Arlington as well as kids she plays in CYO from Alexandria, Vienna, Springfield & McLean.

The open house last weekend was packed. We were impressed with the school based on this visit.

[Anonymous]

With Paul VI moving out to Loudon, I think a lot of families in Fairfax are going to look to BI. I do wonder if that will put pressure on admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With Paul VI moving out to Loudon, I think a lot of families in Fairfax are going to look to BI. I do wonder if that will put pressure on admissions.

No need to wonder unless someone has repealed supply and demand fundamentals.

Make Paul VI geographically more difficult and BI becomes more attractive. Unless BI adds students, more people will apply for the slots they have and admissions will become more competitive.

Good Counsel relocating to Olney was a boon for the school but it also helped St John's.

[Anonymous]

My DD shadowed and thought it was awful. Seemed like a large public to her. Crazy, disrespectful kids and uninspiring teachers. Hard Pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD shadowed and thought it was awful. Seemed like a large public to her. Crazy, disrespectful kids and uninspiring teachers. Hard Pass.

Where else did she shadow? Is she coming from private, public, or parochial? I am curious as I have a DD too and she felt this way about DJO!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD shadowed and thought it was awful. Seemed like a large public to her. Crazy, disrespectful kids and uninspiring teachers. Hard Pass.

Where else did she shadow? Is she coming from private, public, or parochial? I am curious as I have a DD too and she felt this way about DJO!

From private, non-catholic. Looked at one other Catholic and some independents. We've heard DJO is similar to BI.

[Anonymous]

I would like to hear honest perspectives and experiences from the parents of current students or recent grads. What do you think BI does well and what are the challenges?