Why would an athiest family choose Cathedral Schools? Don't understand.

[Anonymous]

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08/03/2009 22:55 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



We are relatively new to this area and now live in a close-in VA suburb with top-notch public schools. We also applied to two top private schools in DC, just to see what would happen. DC got waitlisted at both, with strong signals from one that he was at the top of the waitlist. Today we received a phone call from this school and apparently DC will be offered a space there as one current family is relocating to Europe for a job assignment, if we still want the space. Because it is so late, they need us to make a quick decision.

As our plan-B was our public elementary, so there is financial penalty if we choose to accept this offer, even if it's now August. We have pretty much decided to choose the private except for the following: this private school has religious affiliation while both of us are atheist, with one of us stronger than the other. We do respect other people's belief systems, whatever those are. We would be happy if DC grows up an atheist, but would not mind if he chooses otherwise. What are your suggestions? Public schools have no religious stuff and would be a safe choice for us. This private school does have religious affiliation, but from what we heard, is fairly relaxed about religion, e.g. doing chapel once a month etc.

We will make up our mind tomorrow, and honestly, what this board will say probably does not matter. What if you have any strong views, we still like to hear them. Thanks in advance.



08/03/2009 23:00 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



Go with your gut.



08/03/2009 23:04 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



Depends on what school it is, and the role of religion in the community.



08/03/2009 23:06 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



Anonymous wrote:
Depends on what school it is, and the role of religion in the community.

One of the top 3, or big 3, or whatever it is called on this board.



08/03/2009 23:09 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



you might want to search this website on the name of the private school, as many schools have been discussed in the past.

I am most familiar with the episcopal schools, although I don't have children at them, I do worship at a large episcopal church, have toured several, and have spoken to many parents. There is a spectrum, my ordering from most to least affiliated: from Christ in Rockville (daily chapel) WES in Bethesda, Grace in Kensington, Beauvoir in DC. A Beauvoir parent told me the kids had a holiday party with holiday ornaments, and she was disappointed in the lack of what she considered basic acknowledgement that the school was Christian, e.g., no grace before lunch. Just to give one example of a school in the shadow of the cathedral that doesn't have a particularly (according to this admittedly Christian parent) Christian orientation. However, atheists might find the school to be way too Christian, with the monthly chapel and annual Christmas pageant in the Cathedral. I have also heard that many of the Jewish children that attend Beauvoir do not continue on to St A/NCS but chose a less Christian location for grade 4 and beyond.

Catholic schools also have a very broad range of time spent on religious studies and degree of doctrine. Probably the school you're looking at isn't Catholic. . . .

Good luck





08/03/2009 23:09 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



I am 23:00. If you had a problem with the religious aspect, then why did you apply? I can't imagine it's too much of an issue if you went through that entire process. I guess I'm saying that I think you should take it.



08/03/2009 23:13 Subject: Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



Anonymous wrote:
I am 23:00. If you had a problem with the religious aspect, then why did you apply? I can't imagine it's too much of an issue if you went through that entire process. I guess I'm saying that I think you should take it.

Okay thanks.



08/03/2009 23:21 Subject: Re:Need help! Private or public?
Anonymous



Since you are presumably talking about the Cathedral schools you may as well go for it. The academics surely outweigh the religious aspects. And it seems like in order to choose to be an atheist you really should be exposed to formal religion so you can look at that part as an educational process. If over time you are uncomfortable with it you always have the option of gong back to public schoools. Of course if you don't take the spot I'm sure there are many others on this board desperate for it.

[Anonymous]

I attended a religious school for a faith other than that of my family, and now could be best classified as atheist but send my kids to a religious school. The school is excellent, and I found value in learning about the religious practices (though they were not mine) the history of religion, and the philosophies of faith. The experience fostered a respect for all belief systems. I knew quite well that what was being taught about religion at school was not what my family practiced.

[Anonymous]

If the school's significantly better than public and significantly cheaper than private, and the religion's values aren't at odds with your own, it's a sensible choice.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't everyone want the benefits without the sacrifice?

[Anonymous]

I think there might be two flavors of atheists -- the anti-religious and the non-religious. I'm in the non-religious group. I simply don't care about your religious beliefs. So I'd have no problem sending my children to a religious school for the education. I suppose someone in the anti-religion group might not be so tolerant.

[Anonymous]

Bravo 12:32

We are a Jewish family and sent our children to beauvoir and then onto the Cathedral schools. The previous poster that said Jewish families do not go on to NCS/STA is mistaken and I would love to see them somehow back that statement up -- there are all kinds of families that don't go from beauvoir to NCS/STA for all different reasons (some just plain old don't get in, some don't apply). Please don't make some massive sweeping generalization. In fact we have found more religious diversity (and more Jewish families) after Beauvoir. I suspected because no one "minds" the religious aspects as becoming an informed citizen of the world who learns about other religious practices is a value in today's society. But now I also realize that there is value -- the religious aspects are more about being a good person, and even a non practicing person (ie atheist) can subscribe to that. No one is brainwashing my kids to be an Epicopalian or even a Christian. But the schools are trying to instill values -- don't do drugs or drink and drive, do community service, show respect, recognize others rights to solemn moments, etc. The fact that my kids know all about other religions now (including eastern ones) is a huge huge plus that I never thought I would value.

Having said all that and having sat through many a Christmas chapel at Beauvoir, I could have done without the religion at Beauvoir. But not the life rules.

[Anonymous]

Since the responses on this board won't shape your decision, I would pray on it instead.