Catholic Parish Schools: Bethesda/Ch Ch/DC/Potomac/Rockville and others

[Anonymous]

St. E's has a very nice community and a very hands-on principal. I can't speak to the teacher turnover but the kids seem to do well and go on to the comparable high schools that others go to.

[Anonymous]

deChantal is a fabulous school, administration and faculty, great eduction, great community.

[Anonymous]

We have been very happy at Blessed Sacrament. The community is warm and supportive and the teachers are equally wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are in Catholic school so here's what I hear on the ones you mention:

Mercy - can also be hard to get into because of lots of alums, very affluent parish, strong high school outplacement, I like their uniforms!

Little Flower - nice campus, great field, strongest clergy presence of all the schools, solid traditional instruction

Our Lady of Lourdes - more diverse than other Bethesda schools, more of a "city feel" to it's campus, one of the few with a 3 yo nursery program

St. Ann's - never hear much about them

St. Raphael's - newest school in area, only goes through grade 2-3 currently, spinoff from St. Elizabeth's

Holy Cross, Holy Redeemer, - don't know them

Our Lady of Victory - smaller than I thought, strong reputation,

Others areound are Holy Trinity (hard to get in and more expensive than others) and Annunciation (very small classes because of low enrollment)

Our lady of lourdes is a truly terrible school. The principal is TOTALLY out of her element, she doesn't know the first thing about education or about running a school. Her goal is to hire young, inexperienced teachers and then use them to bring money into the school. It's gross. It is a completely unCatholic environment. They attend mass once a week but there is not a catholic identity and the teachers and most of the families themselves are not practicing catholics. You would do better to send your kids to blessed sacrament where the principal and faculty are experienced and have a long history of providing a great education. Lourdes just cant give a student the same experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to work at Our Lady of Lourdes and think that the education that they offer is excellent. Every single one of the classroom teachers is an effective teacher. I have heard good things about the summer camp. I'm not a big fan of the PE teacher, too, but can say that he is very involved in the school and brings a lot of positive things to the table. A lot of teachers don't get the credit that they deserve for all of the work that they put into the school, it is basically all reserved for him. However, if you are looking for a great Catholic school with strong leadership and can stomach Catholic school politics, I suggest sending your child to Lourdes.

I couldn't stand working there. I dont' even understand how some of the people that work there are allowed to even be in a classroom. Anyone off the street can teach in a Catholic school, basically. You don't even need to have a college degree to teach or to be a vice principal or principal for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to work at Our Lady of Lourdes and think that the education that they offer is excellent. Every single one of the classroom teachers is an effective teacher. I have heard good things about the summer camp. I'm not a big fan of the PE teacher, too, but can say that he is very involved in the school and brings a lot of positive things to the table. A lot of teachers don't get the credit that they deserve for all of the work that they put into the school, it is basically all reserved for him. However, if you are looking for a great Catholic school with strong leadership and can stomach Catholic school politics, I suggest sending your child to Lourdes.

I couldn't stand working there. I dont' even understand how some of the people that work there are allowed to even be in a classroom. Anyone off the street can teach in a Catholic school, basically. You don't even need to have a college degree to teach or to be a vice principal or principal for that matter.

Hmmm . . . I'm reading the policies at http://www.adw.org/education/pdf/Policies_School_Final%2009.pdf and it says teachers need at least a BA and must be certified or gain certification within 3 years (which allows for part-time studies while working) What did you do there that you were allowed to be uncertified or did you not stay that long?

[Anonymous]

My children go to Mary of Nazareth. They are challenged! They have 30 to 1 hour worth of homework every night. Plus logging their reading. My son's teacher double checks the books to ensure he is really providing correct information. Greatest asset is their Resource Teacher, good school, great value, would love more follow through on discipline, a little too loving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Is the tuition for Primary Day School worth it? I can't believe that it is $17,000 for Kindergarten. It seems ridiculous.

Lots of other privates cost loads more, $27,000, for K and up. Primary Day supposedly has a good track record for getting graduates in to MD privates.

Can a student start at Primary Day and then get into a Catholic school for grades 3-8? What is the top Catholic elementary school in the area?

Blessed Sacrament or St. Bart's

Mercy, by far!! The facility is top notch, they are totally up to speed technologically, and the inclusion program is such a gift to ALL the students.

[Anonymous]

St. Jane de Chantal is a wonderful school. Blue ribbon winner, exceptionally good principal, many teachers are master's prepared and the administration must be doing something right because the best teachers seem to stay there forever. My DS loved it there and went on to Prep. DD is still there and just loves her school. She has needed a bit of support which the school has provided without question and in such a way that she does not feel she is "different". De Chantal has an excellent reputation among the Catholic high schools.

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for a diverse Catholic MS for my DS in MC. We are an AA family.

[Anonymous]

Our Lady of Lourdes is the most terrible place ever. So glad not to be there any longer. Terrible people, terrible principal, terrible vp. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our Lady of Lourdes is the most terrible place ever. So glad not to be there any longer. Terrible people, terrible principal, terrible vp. Ugh.

Any particular reason why Our Lady of Lourdes is terrible? Just was encouraged to apply there today by someone who thought it was wonderful....thanks!

[Anonymous]

All of that sounds like a disgruntled parent or past student. We have friends there who are quite happy. We are similarly happy at a different Bethesda parochial school.

Most of the area Catholic schools will be having Open House in the next 2 weeks as part of Catholic Schools Week. Your best bet is to visit any that you are interested in and see for yourself. What is a good fit for one family may not be for another.

[Anonymous]

I realize this thread spans many years, but would like to revive this conversation. How do Blessed Sacrament and St Ann's compare, for example? How about BS and Holy Cross?

Thanks for any updated information!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize this thread spans many years, but would like to revive this conversation. How do Blessed Sacrament and St Ann's compare, for example? How about BS and Holy Cross?

Thanks for any updated information!

BS vs. St. Ann's - night and day opposites in many ways
BS vs. Holy Cross - similiar academic standing but HC is less affluent (relatively speaking of course. (This is MoCo/NW!) location would have to be a deciding factor as they are not close.