Georgetown Visitation vs. Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Exactly. The diocese cannot and does not require that a child only apply to two schools. A child may apply to as many schools as s/he wants, including schools outside of the diocese. There is a fee for the test results to go to more than 2 diocesan schools. There also is an additional fee for a student to have test results to one pr two diocesan school/s and one non-diocesan school (for example, a student submitting applications only to St. John's and Bishop Ireton).

Just curious if you are coming from a parochial school or from a different school (independent, public, other religious affiliation)? The reason I ask is because I know at our school and all of my other friend's schools that are K-8 Catholic in MoCo that the kids are only permitted to apply to two schools under the archdiocesan umbrella (they will only send transcripts and recommendations to two schools) so we are definitely limited in where we can apply. I've never heard of someone being permitted to apply to more than two but maybe someone else has more info on this?

I did it for both my children and they were coming from a parochial school from VA. I doubt the rules are any different. They may only send to two for free under your umbrella. You just have to pay for the results of the test to be sent to the extra schools. The teachers usually do the recommendations and you just let them know what schools to send them to. Good luck

Here's the rule:

For schools that use the HSPT in the Archdiocese of Washington (I don't know what the rules are in Arlington)

You may send the scores to two schools only in ADW (this is where the two school restriction comes from- it isn't explicitly stated, but you'll never have a complete application without HSPT scores if the school uses the HSPT, so that's how it restricts). You cannot pay for more scores to be sent to schools in the ADW.

You MAY pay $25 extra to send scores to ONE school in the Baltimore Archdiocese and/or Archdiocese of Arlington.

You also may apply to any other schools to your liking that don't use the HSPT in any Archdiocese since you aren't restricted by the number of official score reports that will be sent.

So, as an example:

A young man could apply ONLY to Gonzaga and SJC within the Archdiocese of Washington. If they wanted to apply to Good Counsel as well (as all three use the HSPT) they would have to knock one off the list of GZ and SJC. They COULD however add GP to that list of the other two as they don't use the HSPT (and as many that don't take it as they want). They could also pay $25 to send score reports to Bishop Ireton in the Arlington Archdiocese and say, Spalding in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for a total of:

2 ADW schools that take the HSPT, (this is a hard stop restriction)
1 (but really as many as you want) ADW schools that do not use the HSPT,
and 1 other school in the two neighboring Dioceses (Arlington and Baltimore) with paying extra by the school choice cutoff date for the HSPT.

Thank you! I knew I wasn't crazy! Va must have a different rule but ADW in Md is very strict about this. No exceptions unless your child does not get into any school - then they are allowed to apply late to other schools.

Thanks for the explanation. We did not realize this when DS applied last year, but we were only interested in two schools in ADW plus GP. So there were no issues for us.

I just wonder why this rule is in place? What does it accomplish? I wouldn't have had a problem paying extra to have additional scores sent to other schools, but now that I realize it wasn't even an option, I question the reasoning.

[Anonymous]

I believe this year 8th graders are allowed to choose 3 schools. I predict this will lead to much higher wait list numbers are schools will have to figure out their yield from a larger pool. Top candidates could now be accepted at 3 of 3 schools instead of 2 of 2 (not including imdependant choices) which will require time to shake out. Schools that cannot risk too much over enrollment may limit acceptances and keep a larger wait list to go to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe this year 8th graders are allowed to choose 3 schools. I predict this will lead to much higher wait list numbers are schools will have to figure out their yield from a larger pool. Top candidates could now be accepted at 3 of 3 schools instead of 2 of 2 (not including imdependant choices) which will require time to shake out. Schools that cannot risk too much over enrollment may limit acceptances and keep a larger wait list to go to.

It did update to three schools this year. This will definitely be very interesting. I think that they are doing it because of increased demand for the schools. I believe SJC had its largest freshman class (due to yield) ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both Visi and Stone Ridge are independent schools. Neither is an archdiocesan school. I believe the only archdiocesan high school in the area is Archbishop Carrolll. The rest are independent. Most of them are sponsored by religious orders, including both Visi and Stone Ridge. It's true that Visi uses the HSPT and SR does not, but that's a separate issue. Catholic high schools do have different "feels" depending on the sponsoring religious order and the families whose kids attend. The only way to get a sense of that is to visit.

Sorry, but Stone Ridge is an independent school; Visitation is not. It is an archdiocesan school. Applicants are allowed to apply up to three ADW schools and any number of independents they want.

[Anonymous]

The girls Visitation accepted this year from my DS's parochial school were really questionable. Two-thirds of them were from the very bottom of the class, yet just as many top students were wait listed or outright rejected. Every one of the accepted girls was a legacy, from a wealthy family, or both. The actually stronger students ended up mostly at Stone Ridge or St. Johns, both of which rejected several of the Visitation-bound girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Sorry, but Stone Ridge is an independent school; Visitation is not. It is an archdiocesan school. Applicants are allowed to apply up to three ADW schools and any number of independents they want.

"Archdiocesan. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Look, this is just not true. What it means for a school to be archdiocesan is that it is funded and administered through the archdiocese itself (or diocese if it's not an archdiocese, like Arlington). Most Catholic K-8 schools in the ADW are archdiocesan because they are run by Catholic parishes, which are part of the archdiocese. Most Catholic high schools (and some K-8 schools) in the ADW are independent, meaning that they are not run by the ADW but by a religious order or by a Catholic lay group. Stone Ridge and Visi are both sponsored by and run by orders of religious sisters, not the ADW. So they are independent.

Whether a school uses the HSPT or not is irrelevant to its status as archdiocesan or independent. Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep are both Jesuit. Gonzaga uses the HSPT, but Prep does not. Do you think that means that Gonzaga is archdiocesan and Prep is independent? Of course not. And Don Bosco Cristo Rey, which *is* archdiocesan, does not use the HSPT. All this information is readily available on the ADW website. Just look for the data book.

Independent is not the same as liberal, by the way. The Heights is independent, but it is definitely on the more conservative end of the Catholic spectrum. Other independent schools lean more liberal. Regardless, every school in the ADW that identifies itself as Catholic, whether independent or archdiocesan, is under the broad authority of the archbishop. That includes both Stone Ridge and Visi. If anyone wants to be entirely free of the Catholic church, they should probably not send their children to any school that calls itself Catholic, independent or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Sorry, but Stone Ridge is an independent school; Visitation is not. It is an archdiocesan school. Applicants are allowed to apply up to three ADW schools and any number of independents they want.

"Archdiocesan. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Look, this is just not true. What it means for a school to be archdiocesan is that it is funded and administered through the archdiocese itself (or diocese if it's not an archdiocese, like Arlington). Most Catholic K-8 schools in the ADW are archdiocesan because they are run by Catholic parishes, which are part of the archdiocese. Most Catholic high schools (and some K-8 schools) in the ADW are independent, meaning that they are not run by the ADW but by a religious order or by a Catholic lay group. Stone Ridge and Visi are both sponsored by and run by orders of religious sisters, not the ADW. So they are independent.

Whether a school uses the HSPT or not is irrelevant to its status as archdiocesan or independent. Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep are both Jesuit. Gonzaga uses the HSPT, but Prep does not. Do you think that means that Gonzaga is archdiocesan and Prep is independent? Of course not. And Don Bosco Cristo Rey, which *is* archdiocesan, does not use the HSPT. All this information is readily available on the ADW website. Just look for the data book.

Independent is not the same as liberal, by the way. The Heights is independent, but it is definitely on the more conservative end of the Catholic spectrum. Other independent schools lean more liberal. Regardless, every school in the ADW that identifies itself as Catholic, whether independent or archdiocesan, is under the broad authority of the archbishop. That includes both Stone Ridge and Visi. If anyone wants to be entirely free of the Catholic church, they should probably not send their children to any school that calls itself Catholic, independent or not.

This. +100000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Sorry, but Stone Ridge is an independent school; Visitation is not. It is an archdiocesan school. Applicants are allowed to apply up to three ADW schools and any number of independents they want.

"Archdiocesan. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Look, this is just not true. What it means for a school to be archdiocesan is that it is funded and administered through the archdiocese itself (or diocese if it's not an archdiocese, like Arlington). Most Catholic K-8 schools in the ADW are archdiocesan because they are run by Catholic parishes, which are part of the archdiocese. Most Catholic high schools (and some K-8 schools) in the ADW are independent, meaning that they are not run by the ADW but by a religious order or by a Catholic lay group. Stone Ridge and Visi are both sponsored by and run by orders of religious sisters, not the ADW. So they are independent.

Whether a school uses the HSPT or not is irrelevant to its status as archdiocesan or independent. Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep are both Jesuit. Gonzaga uses the HSPT, but Prep does not. Do you think that means that Gonzaga is archdiocesan and Prep is independent? Of course not. And Don Bosco Cristo Rey, which *is* archdiocesan, does not use the HSPT. All this information is readily available on the ADW website. Just look for the data book.

Independent is not the same as liberal, by the way. The Heights is independent, but it is definitely on the more conservative end of the Catholic spectrum. Other independent schools lean more liberal. Regardless, every school in the ADW that identifies itself as Catholic, whether independent or archdiocesan, is under the broad authority of the archbishop. That includes both Stone Ridge and Visi. If anyone wants to be entirely free of the Catholic church, they should probably not send their children to any school that calls itself Catholic, independent or not.

Excellent clarification. Thank you. This should be pinned at top of forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Sorry, but Stone Ridge is an independent school; Visitation is not. It is an archdiocesan school. Applicants are allowed to apply up to three ADW schools and any number of independents they want.

"Archdiocesan. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Look, this is just not true. What it means for a school to be archdiocesan is that it is funded and administered through the archdiocese itself (or diocese if it's not an archdiocese, like Arlington). Most Catholic K-8 schools in the ADW are archdiocesan because they are run by Catholic parishes, which are part of the archdiocese. Most Catholic high schools (and some K-8 schools) in the ADW are independent, meaning that they are not run by the ADW but by a religious order or by a Catholic lay group. Stone Ridge and Visi are both sponsored by and run by orders of religious sisters, not the ADW. So they are independent.

Whether a school uses the HSPT or not is irrelevant to its status as archdiocesan or independent. Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep are both Jesuit. Gonzaga uses the HSPT, but Prep does not. Do you think that means that Gonzaga is archdiocesan and Prep is independent? Of course not. And Don Bosco Cristo Rey, which *is* archdiocesan, does not use the HSPT. All this information is readily available on the ADW website. Just look for the data book.

Independent is not the same as liberal, by the way. The Heights is independent, but it is definitely on the more conservative end of the Catholic spectrum. Other independent schools lean more liberal. Regardless, every school in the ADW that identifies itself as Catholic, whether independent or archdiocesan, is under the broad authority of the archbishop. That includes both Stone Ridge and Visi. If anyone wants to be entirely free of the Catholic church, they should probably not send their children to any school that calls itself Catholic, independent or not.

Excellent clarification. Thank you. This should be pinned at top of forum.

Yes, thank you, 16:56, for your time and efforts to correct and educate the 'archdiocesan' poster. The rest of us are benefiting, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The girls Visitation accepted this year from my DS's parochial school were really questionable. Two-thirds of them were from the very bottom of the class, yet just as many top students were wait listed or outright rejected. Every one of the accepted girls was a legacy, from a wealthy family, or both. The actually stronger students ended up mostly at Stone Ridge or St. Johns, both of which rejected several of the Visitation-bound girls.

This is the real matter. Parents need to look closely when picking a a potential school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girls Visitation accepted this year from my DS's parochial school were really questionable. Two-thirds of them were from the very bottom of the class, yet just as many top students were wait listed or outright rejected. Every one of the accepted girls was a legacy, from a wealthy family, or both. The actually stronger students ended up mostly at Stone Ridge or St. Johns, both of which rejected several of the Visitation-bound girls.

This is the real matter. Parents need to look closely when picking a a potential school.

How can any one person know all of these facts. Sounds like PP's DD was likely rejected from GV and ended up at SJC, her third choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Sorry, but Stone Ridge is an independent school; Visitation is not. It is an archdiocesan school. Applicants are allowed to apply up to three ADW schools and any number of independents they want.

"Archdiocesan. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Look, this is just not true. What it means for a school to be archdiocesan is that it is funded and administered through the archdiocese itself (or diocese if it's not an archdiocese, like Arlington). Most Catholic K-8 schools in the ADW are archdiocesan because they are run by Catholic parishes, which are part of the archdiocese. Most Catholic high schools (and some K-8 schools) in the ADW are independent, meaning that they are not run by the ADW but by a religious order or by a Catholic lay group. Stone Ridge and Visi are both sponsored by and run by orders of religious sisters, not the ADW. So they are independent.

Whether a school uses the HSPT or not is irrelevant to its status as archdiocesan or independent. Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep are both Jesuit. Gonzaga uses the HSPT, but Prep does not. Do you think that means that Gonzaga is archdiocesan and Prep is independent? Of course not. And Don Bosco Cristo Rey, which *is* archdiocesan, does not use the HSPT. All this information is readily available on the ADW website. Just look for the data book.

Independent is not the same as liberal, by the way. The Heights is independent, but it is definitely on the more conservative end of the Catholic spectrum. Other independent schools lean more liberal. Regardless, every school in the ADW that identifies itself as Catholic, whether independent or archdiocesan, is under the broad authority of the archbishop. That includes both Stone Ridge and Visi. If anyone wants to be entirely free of the Catholic church, they should probably not send their children to any school that calls itself Catholic, independent or not.

I think what that poster may have been trying to say is that the archdiocese limits the number of applicant's schools for some schools and not for others. The ones that are "independent" from the rule obviously aren't independent from the authority of the Catholic Church. No one would argue that. And you are right about Gonzaga and Prep both being Jesuit....however the question is why are you allowed to apply to Prep and not count it towards your three schools? Because it is not under the archdiocesan rule. Gonzaga is. Same with SR and Visi. I don't know why but sounds like maybe you might know?

[Anonymous]

I don't know why some Catholic schools use the HSPT while others do not. (I am a parent, not an employee of the ADW or a Catholic high school.) It is definitely true that students can send HSPT scores to just two schools. But to the best of my knowledge, that is not an archdiocesan rule. Schools presumably choose whichever admissions test they want. (The ADW website puts it that way.) I seriously doubt that the ADW is telling Visi they have to use the HSPT while Stone Ridge can use something else. Why would they do that? The schools that choose the HSPT system must think it's better for their admissions processes. I don't know the history behind the "only two schools" rule, but I can see reasons for it. I just think the PP is using it to criticize Visi for no particularly good reason. I don't have a child at either Stone Ridge or Visi, by the way. So far as I can tell, both are excellent schools with much to offer the girls who attend them.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, three schools now, it seems.

[Anonymous]

One last clarification.

It may be an ADW rule that schools that use the HSPT stick with the application limitations. But it is clearly not an ADW rule that Catholic schools, whether independent or archdiocesan, use the HSPT. For the independent schools, it must the schools themselves that are making the choice to use the HSPT in admissions. I'm sure they have reasons for that. I guess my main point is that it's not true that the archdiocese somehow controls Visi in a way that it doesn't control Stone Ridge. The earlier poster made it seems as this was some big difference between the schools beyond the test used for admission. The schools are different, but that's not why.