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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]While I'm not really in a position to compare PVI to GNZ (and I live in ARL), I will note that my son graduated from GNZ two years ago, and is now at UVA.  It is a special place - candidly, I never really "got" Catholic education, let alone single sex education, until he went there.  So fair warning, I'm a fanboy if you will, but I come by it honestly.

1. Academics were very solid.  Wide range of elective courses.  Solid writing instruction. He had to work pretty hard.  And he came out thinking for himself, and working with others well. 
2. What others say about lacrosse and other major stick-and-ball sports is true.  You have to be good to play varsity.  Sometimes really good.  That said, the no-cut sports (eg, XC, hockey, rugby) always suggested to me that they "get" the proper role of sports in the educational experience, and in some cases, they turn kids into pretty good athletes in sports they might not have otherwise tried.
3. Outside of sports, there are plenty of other well supported extracurriculars.  (My son was also heavily into tech/stage crew.)  And in an era where many Catholic schools can be very dogma-focused, GNZ had an excellent balance between the dogmatic and the social justice doctrine, which is after all part of our faith.  (I say this as a relatively conservative Catholic, and I also note that PVI, through its disabilities program, has an excellent reputation for this as well.)  
4. I/he really liked the urban aspect of it, much more than I expected.  Kids grow up and experience the joy of independence taking the metro to school. And, notwithstanding the increasing gentrification in the area, I think it reinforces the service-related elements of the experience.  Obviously FFX is not ARL in terms of access, but if you are close to or pass near a Metro in your morning commute, don't let it dissuade you.  
5. Regarding the single sex aspects , my son enjoyed it because he could be himself.  And I do believe that translated to a better educational experience -- there are fewer social barriers to trying things that he might not have in a coed environment, and the boys support each other regardless of the activity.  Also, though, I shouldn't have to say this, but I never witnessed any disrespectful behavior towards women or girls in his time there.  
6.  In a related vein, DO NOT underestimate or pooh-pooh the whole "brotherhood" concept that is often spoken of.  At least not in this town.  There are very strong bonds that are formed.  And I do not have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times older gentlemen around town have come up to my son and introduced themselves out-of-the-blue when he was wearing GNZ logo stuff.  He's too young to be "networking," but it's an added bonus I had not considered, that I will know will be there if he ever does need it.

Good luck.  Both PVI and GNZ are fine schools.  [/quote]

These statements are basically true...

But for PVI
1. Ditto
2. Ditto
3. Ditto except GZ kids often have to travel 30-1 hr for sports practice
4. True, just like some kids love a suburban school with sprawling grounds and practice on campus.
5. Mom's of some Visi/etc girls would disagree.. but boys are disrespectful sometimes everywhere. To say it never happens ever at GZ in your experience is either disingenuous or head in the sand. (which is a little typical of GZ)
6. GZ has strong bonds, it's has more alum due to being around longer and more students, but all schools have the same bonds but are a little less cultist about it. Besides kids went to grade school together and you don't just stop being friends because you went to GZ, or at least I would hope not, and if that is the case that might be a negative. [/quote]

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