I have zero connection to the school. |
+1! |
OP- we had friends move their kids to DJO from a public school. Kids found friends fairly quickly and enjoyed the sports/ clubs. Parents were happy with academics. In their words ‘there is something for everyone’ in terms of activities/academics.
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I'm a huge fan of Bishop O'Connell but I've only heard good things about BI and that BI is probably stronger academically. In your case, I'd probably stick to the closer choice, BI. |
DJO often takes students from k-8 parrochials that were rejected from PVI. Just a heads up. I have also heard of many kids having excellent experiences at DJO, in sports and academics. Very high performing students might find more rigorous class options at fcps or aps.
-Former local K-8 parrochial teacher |
You might look at Saint John Paul the Great. |
I have two who went from a local k-8 to O'Connell then both on to Stanford. Bishop O'Connell can support strong academics (and athletics). Another child benefited greatly from their Muller Center. |
Did your kids play college sports? |
Arlingtons 4th public |
And what year did your kids graduate? |
Public schools don't have religion classes, nor have mass. |
For what it's worth, NMSF recipients per school, 2024. O'Connell did well.
BISHOP IRETON: 1 BISHOP O'CONNELL H. S. 3 ST. JOHN PAUL THE GREAT CATHOLIC H. S. 2 ST. PAUL VI CATHOLIC H. S. 2 Last year's results, assuming I didn't screw up trolling through the data: BISHOP IRETON: 1 BISHOP O'CONNELL: 1 ST JOHN PAUL THE GREAT: 0 ST PAUL VI: 1 As always, cum grano salis. |
We live south of Old Town and have one child at DJO. He chose it over BI, as he preferred the bigger size, and his sport definitely was a factor in his decision. He didn’t know anyone going in and made friends quickly. He takes the bus from Old Town, and we really wouldn’t have considered it without the bus option. And he can’t take the bus home during his sport season so pick up becomes a daily factor in season. He’s very happy, but there are few kids from this area that go to DJO. His friends live in McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, and Arlington for the most part. It’s what he wanted and he enjoys it so we don’t regret it, but it does make logistics harder. |
I have a current Junior at O'Connell and our DS graduated two years ago and is now a second year in college. Hands down, the O'Connell administration is the best. They are smart and capable and all that but the thing I admire the most about the Head of School, Principal, Dean of Academics and Student Affairs, etc. is that they are genuinely kind, decent people. They are fair and positive and I feel they set the tone for the rest of the faculty and O'Connell community.
Another thing to share about O'Connell that may be true of other schools (although it is not of FCPS): O'Connell does not allow test re-takes. And O'Connell does have their students take both mid-term and final exams in every class. My nephew attended a public school where they do not have mid-terms and finals and he has told us that it was a significant disadvantage once he began college. He said he wished he had the practice of having to not only study for final exams but to manage the workload during finals week before he started at college. I am sure that O'Connell students dread taking final exams, but I feel it is yet another way the school prepares its students for what is ahead. |
This was NOT the case at our K-8 at all! |