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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I visited this school for an open house. It was a tale of two schools (or maybe I felt this way because we had 2 tour guides who were very different in presentation). From one tour guide, I got the sense that the academics are really strong, and the students are pushed to be leaders. Very outgoing, affable, a light in her eyes, fire in her belly). The  other was well- spoken and friendly as well but not as driven. There are different kinds of students in every school, of course, but my big hang up is that a decent proportion seemed more debutant-esque (come from families with $$$ will marry well and may or may not pursue careers). I can’t imagine paying this much for a school that seemingly doesn’t  have a strong sense of  wanting their girls to succeed in professional domains, as leaders, just as much as having the option to raise families. I feel both should be pushed equally, (maybe they are but I really am unsure. I didn’t get a clear sense of this). I also feel the school does not have a really strong “voice” and culture that ALL/ the majority of families buy into and respect. This is evident from the “burn book” type website that’s out there. I feel like there is a definite “finishing school vibe” and many wealthy non- Catholics feel this would be a very good fit for their daughters. I truly don’t know why the school accepts them or why people who do not share in the same belief system think that Catholic values and beliefs should change because it doesn’t jive with their own personal belief system. Of course all should be welcome, but realize the school isn’t changing for you. This leads young women feeling oppressed vs. supported, hence all the “bad press”. Just my 2 cents. If anyone has had first-hand experience can weigh in on if the girls are pushed to pursue careers and leadership positions, that would be really appreciated…[/quote]

Former Oakcrest mom -the academics may be “strong” in your view, but college placements are not top-tier-and a lot of that might have to do with the dual message that Catholic motherhood is a perfectly acceptable option.  But if you want your daughter to go Ivy or an equivalent, this is not the school for you. It is in many ways a finishing school for wives of the Heights men. And that is OK if you come from a Catholic family of means. In my family (not of “means”) we make sure all women are educated well and can be fully and well employed because you never know when divorce or tragedy may hit.  That means a good BA or BS in an employable field and one in which you can regain entry should there be a divorce or financial disaster.  That is not the way of many Heights and Oakcrest families who value early Catholic marriage and many children.  Alas, we do not have the luxury of family money, so Oakcrest was a bad fit. And do NOT go if you are not even cafeteria Catholic -that is absurd. There are many other private Catholic and non-Catholic options in the VA/DC area.  Nova/FCPS has some of the best publics in the United States.  We took our daughter out of Oakcrest and she went to Langley public and is a much better person for the experience. Oakcrest and The Heights fit the need for only a particular type of Catholic family. It simply doesn’t work for Catholic-lite or non-Catholics but, please, OP, do your homework first. This is not a decision to be taken lightly … I don’t care how mature or wise you think your daughter is.  This is an adult decision needing lots of research and footwork. You can’t delegate this decision to your young child while complimenting her maturity and decision making. She’s still a child! YOU are the discerning adult! In fact, when we toured Oakcrest we heard the comment over and over “after all, this is the education that you, the parents, selected for here”.  That is the attitude there. It really doesn’t give a fig what your mature daughter thinks or believes. They are going to TELL her what to think and you have to be prepared for that. And yes there is daily mass. And pro-life marches. And a Hail Mary before the start of every class  when ch is an embarrassing non-starter for the few non-Catholics. If your child is not Catholic, they will not feel uncomfortable. Why would you want this?[/quote]

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