Any recent thoughts on Bishop Ireton?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

Idk about that, most of the girls basketball team is from Maryland I believe.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is between Alexandria and Maryland. It’s geographically close.

+1 There are lot of Maryland kids at all the Alexandria private schools. They generally live right across the WW bridge.

I was just saying 99% of the girls basketball team isn’t from Alexandria. 99% from Maryland would be more accurate to say.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

Idk about that, most of the girls basketball team is from Maryland I believe.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is between Alexandria and Maryland. It’s geographically close.

+1 There are lot of Maryland kids at all the Alexandria private schools. They generally live right across the WW bridge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

Idk about that, most of the girls basketball team is from Maryland I believe.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is between Alexandria and Maryland. It’s geographically close.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

Idk about that, most of the girls basketball team is from Maryland I believe.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

That may be true but now that PVI has moved to Loudoun, I think more kids from Springfield, Burke, Fairfax, parts of Annandale are going to apply since it's now the closest Catholic high school. It's also 20% non-Catholic so those kids are less likely to have gone to an Alexandria K-8.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

I meant because so many in the City of Alexandria choose private school--that wasn't about the quality of BI which is a good school.

I think it's almost like an Alexandria public HS because of the quality of schools in Alexandria.

When you look at their sports teams and home towns---99% are from Alexandria.

A few other Catholic HS draw from all over. The sports teams at my kids HS include kids from DC, MD and VA--and some pretty far reaching areas of MD and VA too. It leads to a much more diverse area, and lots of new relationships.

It's neither good, nor bad. Most of the kids at BI will live geographically close and most likely all knew one another prior.

Anonymous wrote:We went to the recent open house and were impressed, despite going into it with some reservations.

+1 DC really liked it. As a parent, I found the teachers engaging and smart.

We went to the recent open house and were impressed, despite going into it with some reservations.

Anonymous wrote:It's a perfectly fine school if you're Catholic & if you're not Catholic. My son came from St. Mary's in Old Town & ultimately decided on Gonzaga but did have a lot of interest in the school. BI offers scholarships for high placement on the HSPT.

It's high school so there will be an adjustment of homework, extracurriculars & sports. BI is a great alternative to public school & I really like the headmaster; her daughter is the swim team coach (my son's a swimmer).

Having repeatedly volunteered there, it appears the kids are tight/sweet/close-knit towards each other and the teacher sincerely cared. The compsci fundamentals aren't as strong as tjhsst, so there are catholics that opt for tj in high school. Rachel Carson may be better prep for that, but not as upscale financially.

It's a perfectly fine school if you're Catholic & if you're not Catholic. My son came from St. Mary's in Old Town & ultimately decided on Gonzaga but did have a lot of interest in the school. BI offers scholarships for high placement on the HSPT.

It's high school so there will be an adjustment of homework, extracurriculars & sports. BI is a great alternative to public school & I really like the headmaster; her daughter is the swim team coach (my son's a swimmer).

There are a few threads that compare BI & O'Connell (DJO)

We considered both.

I liked BI's focus on the arts, (when my son applied they sent a ticket to the school play, and the Diocese has honors music concerts there).

They do have a lot invested in inclusion.

My children have friends who go there and they have a pretty good handle on behavior. The kids we know went to Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria & St. Mary's.

It is a fairly traditional school with a lot of updates. Location and price were part of why we decided against it.

I will answer assuming best intentions and that like most other parents on this board you are honestly looking for information. DS opted for a different school but DD is looking at this school for next year and we came from an Alexandria Catholic K-8, so know many families there. Most would say it is a great fit for many kids because it is bigger than many other privates, but not quite as big as some of the other coed Catholic schools (or private).

Homework depends upon the student and previous schools workload. For some students it is an adjustment, but certainly manageable. They have a range of sports- some, like girls lacrosse, are nationally ranked but others you can walk on (like crew).

Big range in academics. They just finished an expansion a few years ago and improved their STEM offering. They also offer dual enrollment for college credit on HS.

I am sure there is a drug culture someone in the school. It would be naive to believe otherwise, but I haven’t heard anything about this personally.

I think one of the best things BI has going for it is the wide range of students and their interests. Kids will find a tribe here. IMO it offers the typical HS experience.

Good luck in your decision.

So, we our thinking of sending our teen to Bishop Ireton. What is everyone's thoughts? What is the school known for or infamous for?

For example, how is homework load? Bullying? Peer pressure? Drug culture?

Thanks!