Will Negative Press Impact Applications/Admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

It’s quite hard to believe that people would allow a school’s culture from almost 40 years ago to affect how they think about it now. But yes, people really are that irrational.

So tell us: What year did the school's culture change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm part of one of the communities in question, and very politically progressive. My view is that I'd rather stay and work to shape the culture myself than abandon it and let the problem continue. In my particular community, I see enough positive action to make me feel reasonably good about the future direction of things.

Pro Kavanagh press conferences?

I am personally opposed to Kavanaugh's nomination, but I don't really have an issue with friends of Kavanaugh giving statements of support based on their own interactions with him, just as I assume that these parents don't have a problem with NCS posting pictures on its website of students holding signs in support of intersectional feminism (or of doing a sit-in over Parkland), or of a faculty member publishing in the Feminist Wire. My focus is on what's happening within the school environment itself, which I find very open-minded and inclusive, not what a few parents may do on their own free time in support of someone that they've known personally for decades.

I think you’re missing a big component of why people are upset. They feel that some of these very conservative views are coming into their school and affecting their community. What don’t you understand about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The actions of one or a few individuals at a local school in the news recently occurred 35-40 years ago. Does any reasonable person really think that those behaviors are still prevalent?

I have no connection to the school except we've been there a few times for children's practices or games. I would have no qualms considering the school for our sons if they were applying to high school and if we lived in the general area.

I think OP is muck raking. Isn't there enough intolerance and nastiness in the world already, OP? Do you really need to dive in, too?

It’s quite hard to believe that people would allow a school’s culture from almost 40 years ago to affect how they think about it now. But yes, people really are that irrational.

So tell us: What year did the school's culture change?

Are you really trying to imply that the culture hasn’t changed in 40 years? I would assume that Georgetown Prep’s culture started to change at around the same time as the overall party culture started diminishing which would be around the late 80’s. And yes, I realize partying still went on it just wasn’t as hedonistic.

[Anonymous]

I think the kind of parents who know the value of having a close knit alumni network that looks out for one another - as demonstrated in today's article on Kavanaugh in WaPo know that value of sending their children to these kinds of institutions and know the value of being associated with institutions that will groom and look after their own. They know they are the elite and intend to stay that way as long as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm part of one of the communities in question, and very politically progressive. My view is that I'd rather stay and work to shape the culture myself than abandon it and let the problem continue. In my particular community, I see enough positive action to make me feel reasonably good about the future direction of things.

Pro Kavanagh press conferences?

I am personally opposed to Kavanaugh's nomination, but I don't really have an issue with friends of Kavanaugh giving statements of support based on their own interactions with him, just as I assume that these parents don't have a problem with NCS posting pictures on its website of students holding signs in support of intersectional feminism (or of doing a sit-in over Parkland), or of a faculty member publishing in the Feminist Wire. My focus is on what's happening within the school environment itself, which I find very open-minded and inclusive, not what a few parents may do on their own free time in support of someone that they've known personally for decades.

I think you’re missing a big component of why people are upset. They feel that some of these very conservative views are coming into their school and affecting their community. What don’t you understand about that?

I don't follow what you mean by "these very conservative views are coming into their school". Are you saying that it's bothersome that 100% of the community isn't politically progressive? IIRC, there were some informal polls at Holton and NCS last year that had about 90% of the student body supporting Hillary - speaking as a Hillary supporter, I don't think it's a bad thing to have students exposed to at least a few students who represent the contrary viewpoint. I'm sure the percentage breakdown isn't quite that slanted among parents (or among students at Landon/STA), but having talked openly about politics with a lot of parents, I'm pretty comfortable in saying that the community likely leans left as a whole, even if not as much as GDS/SFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the kind of parents who know the value of having a close knit alumni network that looks out for one another - as demonstrated in today's article on Kavanaugh in WaPo know that value of sending their children to these kinds of institutions and know the value of being associated with institutions that will groom and look after their own. They know they are the elite and intend to stay that way as long as possible.

Give me a break. Kavanaugh got nominated because he went to (and excelled at) Yale law and is connected to the Federalist Society (a distinct minority at Yale), not because he went to Georgetown Prep. Similarly, Mark Judge lives in his parents' basement in his 50s because he didn't excel academically, despite going to Georgetown Prep. There is no secret Georgetown Prep cabal running this city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the kind of parents who know the value of having a close knit alumni network that looks out for one another - as demonstrated in today's article on Kavanaugh in WaPo know that value of sending their children to these kinds of institutions and know the value of being associated with institutions that will groom and look after their own. They know they are the elite and intend to stay that way as long as possible.

You people really place way too much into this “alumni network”. These are his high school friends who are defending him. They would do the same thing if they all went to public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the kind of parents who know the value of having a close knit alumni network that looks out for one another - as demonstrated in today's article on Kavanaugh in WaPo know that value of sending their children to these kinds of institutions and know the value of being associated with institutions that will groom and look after their own. They know they are the elite and intend to stay that way as long as possible.

As a public school parent who is on the fence about whether to apply to private school, this culture is a strong negative, not a positive. I don't want my kids to learn that protecting the bad behavior of classmates is more important.than doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, maybe we should cross Yale and Harvard off the list as they are overrepresented and maybe select some alumni of other law schools that distinguish themselves. UVA, Duke, Northwestern and Berkley all have top notch law schools and I am certain they also have alumni qualified enough for a SCOTUS appointment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duke lacrosse, UVA Rolling Stone, etc. This is not that different. Those schools are doing just fine.

Well at both those schools it was proven those things never happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: I'm not muck raking. I'm sincerely wondering if it might be easier to be accepted at these schools this year and wondering if Landon had fewer applications after its bad press years ago. I'm sure there is a core constituent base and that Landon rebounded. But, was there a dip? If considering Holton or Prep or St. Albans, might my DD and/or DS have an easier chance applying this year? DD is also looking at Catholic girls schools.

Yes, there was a dip. The descriptions of Prep - and particularly the new headmaster’s letter to the school really changed my opinion. If you are or strive to be elitist, it’s s great school academically. As for us, we’ll look more closely at St. John’s and Gonzaga, which does not seem to have the same issues as St. Alban’s, Prep, and Landon (formerly).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be surprised if applications to all DC privates don't fall.

Yes the party culture of DC private schools in the 1989's should make us all rethink private schools.

Well, we're talking about people applying to the schools, right? Not people who are already enrolled? All the stories over the past how many weeks make private schools, to the outsider, look pretty bad. (I'm sure everyone with a child already in one of the schools though will slough it all off). If I was an admissions person at any DC private though, I would be worried.

If you're applying, you already are interested in a private education. If your theory is right, and a few change their minds, there are still plenty of others who will apply. It's not like they have openings. And your hypothesis depends on everyone thinking public schools have none of the same past behavior and therefore must be a better alternative. Which is false.

I think you're underestimating the damage that has been done to the image of private schools.

Correction: some single sex private schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's hard for me to believe it won't have an impact. I went to a coed Jesuit high school (not metro DC area), and I have to say it's affected my support of the school. I've been getting calls about attending an upcoming fundraising event, and right now I just can't bring myself to financially support a Jesuit, Catholic institution. I suspect this is not an uncommon feeling, as based on the frequency of the calls I think attendance and support must be down overall.

So you aren't supporting your non-DC coed Jesuit high school because of what happened in the 80s at Georgetown Prep? You know that sounds ridiculous right?

That is like saying you won't send a kid to a Big Ten school because of what happened at Penn State. Zero logic.

The letter written by the current head of Georgetown Prep was a big turnoff, actually, with the talk of being elite. If that’s the current attitude of the order, that’s an issue for me.

Loved the letter from the headmaster at Gonzaga:



Dear Parents and Guardians,

During orientation at the beginning of this academic year, Mr. Jim Kilroy, Dean of Students, introduced the students to a simple theme that he and his office will be continually reinforcing throughout this school year: A Gonzaga student is kind.

Given recent news events that have divided our nation and that hit particularly close to home for many in our community, that theme of kindness has taken on even more meaning and relevance. The recent news events fall on the heels of other scandals and social challenges that already had many of us feeling raw and exposed.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, we are all concerned about the state of the world our children are growing up in. Our students, your sons, are not immune to this sentiment. Across the country, drug and alcohol abuse among teens remains prevalent, and, tragically, teen suicide rates are rising because of stress, bullying, and unreasonable expectations for perfection in a very imperfect world.

Although we cannot, and should not, shelter your sons from the world around them, our goal is to offer a safe, kind environment where open discussions are encouraged, differing viewpoints are welcome, and a community of support exists to help students confront and answer difficult questions.

However, nourishing your sons’ mental, social, and emotional health is not a task we can accomplish alone. We need your help. This year, we will endeavor to educate your sons about racial and social injustice, we will develop programs that foster unity, and we will talk about informed consent and treating women with the respect and dignity that Christ demands of us. We will create space for dialogue so that your sons leave Gonzaga confident in their own unique gifts and respectful and inclusive of all people they encounter. We strongly encourage you to talk about and reinforce these same messages at home.

All of this is to say that there seems like no better time to focus on cura personalis, or care for the whole person. A united front at school and at home will yield the most positive results. To that end, we are offering two programs for parents this October that we sincerely hope you will attend. Details are as follows:

Now even more impressed with Gonzaga. Wow! And this does stand in stark contrast to Prep’s letter about owning their elitist, privileged legacy.

Good we have choice here in the DMV!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the kind of parents who know the value of having a close knit alumni network that looks out for one another - as demonstrated in today's article on Kavanaugh in WaPo know that value of sending their children to these kinds of institutions and know the value of being associated with institutions that will groom and look after their own. They know they are the elite and intend to stay that way as long as possible.

You people really place way too much into this “alumni network”. These are his high school friends who are defending him. They would do the same thing if they all went to public school.

Based on my experience in public school, then and now, it's every person for themselves. You went there because you lived within its boundaries.

When our own boys went to one of the two local Jesuit high schools, I was surprised by how they all seemed to stick together including the alumni. It was different from the shark-tank of cliques I experienced at one of the top US public high schools in a NJ town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve decided not to apply my DD to Holton. It looks like a great school but I don’t like the deliberate association with Landon. I know no school is perfect. But the recent articles about a number of boys schools in this area makes me think there is an inherent problem with the culture at these schools that promotes a feeling of privilege and superiority.

The single sex schools all have deliberate associations:

Holton/Landon
Visitation/Gonzaga
Stone Ridge/Georgetown Prep
National Catherdral/St. Albans
Oakcrest/The Heights

Well, at least the Stone Ridge girls have been significantly branching out in their associations for years. They invite to their parties kind, humble, respectful young men from other schools.