Bishop O'Connell - what's it like?

[Anonymous]

Any insights on this school? DS applied to Gonzaga, St. Johns, Prep and Bishop O and a couple non-catholic. I don't know much about Bishop O, other than DS says it is an easy admit. How does it compare to say, St. Johns - also coed and large? How is the college placement? Is it really just a high school version of the local K-8s?

[Anonymous]

Same questions here....

[Anonymous]

DC received a letter offering an opportunity to apply for a scholarship based upon HSPT score, so we did. It has caused us to look twice now as well. We never toured or anything. Any feedback from BO'C families is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Not an O’Connell family but am familiar with it and know many kids there. We toured it. And went to a presentation that was given during the practice HSPT. Was on a much smaller scale than the open house. I was very impressed by what they offered. DS was offered a scholarship with his acceptance letter. He also got a scholarship from another school and ended up there instead. I think for kids that are driven and stay on the right path, the school would be fine. That said, many of the kids that we know there are your run of the mill high school kid. I really don’t mean that in a negative way. There are great kids there, and not so great kids. But that can be found anywhere. It really felt to DS like a public school with some Catholicism and uniforms. Knowing the experiences/behaviors of other kids and families that we know there, I’m glad I didn’t pay money for it, even with the scholarship. DS is in the right fit for him. I do think though that he would have been ok there but would have had to work harder to stay on the right path academically and socially. If you’re on the fence, apply, and then have the child shadow after acceptance. In terms of difficulty getting in, I can only speak for parish schools where it is 100% a safety and yes, they all get in. I have never heard of a diocese kid turned away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not an O’Connell family but am familiar with it and know many kids there. We toured it. And went to a presentation that was given during the practice HSPT. Was on a much smaller scale than the open house. I was very impressed by what they offered. DS was offered a scholarship with his acceptance letter. He also got a scholarship from another school and ended up there instead. I think for kids that are driven and stay on the right path, the school would be fine. That said, many of the kids that we know there are your run of the mill high school kid. I really don’t mean that in a negative way. There are great kids there, and not so great kids. But that can be found anywhere. It really felt to DS like a public school with some Catholicism and uniforms. Knowing the experiences/behaviors of other kids and families that we know there, I’m glad I didn’t pay money for it, even with the scholarship. DS is in the right fit for him. I do think though that he would have been ok there but would have had to work harder to stay on the right path academically and socially. If you’re on the fence, apply, and then have the child shadow after acceptance. In terms of difficulty getting in, I can only speak for parish schools where it is 100% a safety and yes, they all get in. I have never heard of a diocese kid turned away.

I think this is a good explanation. My nieces and nephews have gone there, and they have been happy with the school, but their local public schools are not great they felt they had to go private.

[Anonymous]

IMO, O'Connell is a school for kids who live in not great school districts who either can't afford or can't get into the better Catholic schools.

It's very similar to Good Counsel in MD. Not a great school, but it's better than Annandale or Falls Church HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any insights on this school? DS applied to Gonzaga, St. Johns, Prep and Bishop O and a couple non-catholic. I don't know much about Bishop O, other than DS says it is an easy admit. How does it compare to say, St. Johns - also coed and large? How is the college placement? Is it really just a high school version of the local K-8s?

My friend's child went there. He is at George Mason now. I would not pay for a high school just to go to George Mason. Seems like a giant waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Long time O'Connell family here. Regarding acceptances, the school has waiting lists now, and they will continue to grow with the move of Paul VI further west. While Parish feeder students usually have no problem getting in, acceptance is by no means a guarantee....especially if there is something in a student's file that raises a red flag. We've liked the teachers that our kids have had...they always were accessible and seemed to be in tune with our kid's specific needs. The school has a vibrant community and service to others is emphasized. Tons of clubs to get involved in and a great athletic program. The website has a list of colleges that students have been accepted to for the last few years. The guidance department was always very helpful for our kids.

[Anonymous]

How does it compare to bishop ireton?

[Anonymous]

There's something deeply depressing about a school founded by a religious order being dispassionately dissected by parents who care only about how easy it is to get in or how selective it is compared to other schools. Someone must be weeping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's something deeply depressing about a school founded by a religious order being dispassionately dissected by parents who care only about how easy it is to get in or how selective it is compared to other schools. Someone must be weeping.

Well, when money is involved, there must be a cost benefit analysis.

[Anonymous]

DD graduated from O’Connell last year and chose it over Langley. She loved her public school friends from Cooper but they were all crazy rich, beautiful, smart, competitive, etc. And DD realized it was just too much for her. So she went to O’Connell without knowing anyone. She made sports teams all 4 years, joined student government, formed nice relationships with teachers, had easy access to extra help, etc. (Most of these never would have happened for her at a big school). And all those things payed off when applying to colleges. Her guidance counselor really went to bat for at her first choice reach school. She’s currently at a top 40 college that I’m 100% certain she would not have gotten into had she gone to Langley. So for us, O’Connell was perfect. Of course, everyone is different.

[Anonymous]

What are co ed VA substitutes for Bishop O'Connell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD graduated from O’Connell last year and chose it over Langley. She loved her public school friends from Cooper but they were all crazy rich, beautiful, smart, competitive, etc. And DD realized it was just too much for her. So she went to O’Connell without knowing anyone. She made sports teams all 4 years, joined student government, formed nice relationships with teachers, had easy access to extra help, etc. (Most of these never would have happened for her at a big school). And all those things payed off when applying to colleges. Her guidance counselor really went to bat for at her first choice reach school. She’s currently at a top 40 college that I’m 100% certain she would not have gotten into had she gone to Langley. So for us, O’Connell was perfect. Of course, everyone is different.

How big are the graduating classes at O'Connell?

Langley has been shrinking and the graduating classes are getting closer to 450 now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are co ed VA substitutes for Bishop O'Connell?

O'Connell is co-ed.