OLGC's pastor, Father Matt Hillyard recently left to enter a treatment program. Anyone know what happened?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

I have kids at OLGC and genuinely am confused by this comment. In my experience it is not at all accurate.

I’m sure my horribly conservative friends there would say the same thing.

Anonymous wrote:It's horribly conservative and political.

I have kids at OLGC and genuinely am confused by this comment. In my experience it is not at all accurate.

My kids don't go to the school but have lots of friends who do.
It seems like a wonderful community, and I've heard great things about it, both pre- and post-Covid. Since it's Lent right now, I'd recommend going to one of their Friday fish fries - they're big draws for the school and broader parish community- to get a feel for the families!

This is super helpful! Thank you for the thoughtful and balanced approach: the great things (academics, community, clubs, teachers,etc) and the things that could be improved (Spanish and maybe some social) ! We are excited! We don’t live in Vienna which might be a little limiting socially but the surrounding Catholic schools (St Luke, St John, Our Lady of Hope, Siena Academy) were great but a little too small for us. We really want a 2 track school for our son.
Thank you again

I have two students at OLGC - one has been there eight and the other six. It is a great school. It did transition principals two years ago but the assistant principal took over and the transition was smooth.

The school has moved in recent years to serving the “middle of the pack” students to being more inclusive to kids who are both advanced and who have additional needs. There is an academic student center for students who need breaks or to take tests in a different setting. Math in middle school ranges from pre-alegebra to geometry. English and Reading divide students up by level so advanced students are in a class that may move more quickly or cover more.

There are resource teachers, including two reading specialists and a speech therapist. There is a counselor who is new this year and amazing. All students take Spanish, except some students needing extra resource help will do resource instead of Spanish. Other “specials” they take include Music, PE, Art, and Health & Wellness. Religion and Social Studies is also Required.

The school has seen very little turnover in staff -last year it only lost two people - both of whom were moving out of town. There are also afterschool clubs including Science (for various ages), Computer/Tech, Debate, Shakespeare Club, Yearbook, Honor Society, Chess, Dance/Music, and Botany. There are also numerous extracurricular sports offered including Track, Basketball, Volleyball and Tennis. The annual “February Frenzy” for 4th and 5th grade basketball is especially a big deal — it is amazing to see all the excitement of the school and how inclusive everyone is - cheering on not only the good players but routing for the kids who have never played. Last year it was amazing to watch as in the final game for the championship one team was beating the other by a lot so in the last few minutes the whole game shifted to the two teams and coaches trying to give the kid who had never made a shot a chance to make a basket. When he did at the end of the game, the response from the older kids watching was amazing.

Whoever said it is conservative and political is not correct. The school and attached church, while in the Diocese of Arlington, is an Oblate parish meaning it is run by the Oblates of St Francis De Sales order and its Priests all are Oblates and determined by the order not the diocese. The Oblates are not quite as progressive as the Jesuits but are still focused on individualism and, in the words of St. Francis De Sales, “be who you are and be that well.”

The biggest knock on the school is that its community feel has changed a bit post-COVID and there are a lot more “entitled” kids and parents who have entered the school. The class sizes are rather large too - anywhere from 27-30 kids a class.

Hope this helps

Going to try to give a fair and balanced review of OLGC:

- I do not at all agree with the above poster that it’s horribly conservative or political. Nobody talks about politics at all. And for example, I was surprised that my daughter got a really thorough sex ed/puberty seminar with the other girls (I believe this was 4th grade? May have been 5th) that was informative and accurate.

- Most of the teachers are AMAZING. I agree with the above poster that they really care. Some have gone above and beyond for us.

- A handful of the teachers are not amazing. I think this is a result of staffing challenges. For example, the Spanish teachers have either gotten fired or left voluntarily, mid year, for two years in a row. Out of the 15 or so teachers we have had, I would say 8 have been incredible, 3-4 have been fine, and 3-4 have been bad.

- I found it hard to break in socially as a parent who does not belong to Westwood. Just putting that out there. It can be very cliquey.

- There have been some struggles with upholding the learning support and accommodations that qualifying kids are provided. I think the school and leadership are really trying to improve this but it’s a work in progress.

- Incredible array of school activities and club options. Great after care program too.

Overall, we have been very happy.

It's horribly conservative and political.

Hi OP - both my kids attended OLGC K-8 and are now in high school. I still miss OLGC and its community! Such a warm, welcoming school with so many wonderful traditions. For example: currently, this weekend, is the OLGC House League Basketball tournament for the 4th and 5th graders. This league is for EVER level of player whether they have never played basketball before or whether they are already star players. My high school freshman will be working the scoreboard there as they bring back student alumni to help. It becomes like a reunion for the older kids and the younger kids attend all the games all weekend. Big excitement! It is one of so many events that brings the OLGC community together.

Academically, OLGC has served both my children so well. They had no issues transitioning to high school and are doing well there. In fact, their writing skills seem significantly beyond their high school peers. Math as well but not quite as much as with English and grammar abilities. OLGC has teachers that truly care. I know that sounds cliche' but it is the truth, and the kids certainly respond to such.
The academic environment is both challenging and also nurturing.

It is a small school so the school community is close but the school is not so small that there are not options for classes, events and activities. The school facility is lovely with a number of recent renovations.

So many years ago I attended elementary school in another state, in a very small town and I thrived in that close-knit, warm environment. I wanted the same for my kids and we definitely found it at OLGC.

We do public, but I have heard wonderful things from other families in Vienna who send their children there. You could try posting the question on Vienna moms facebook

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bumping this thread. We found out that we got into OLGC and are excited. Before we sign the contract, we just wanted to see if anyone else had any more feedback regarding the school (academics and community) that currently go there. We recently moved from out of state, so we feel a little bit like a fish out of water here in Northern Virginia.
Thank you!

My nieces went to OLGC from K to 4th and 5th grades. They and their parents loved the school and the community. They left only because they moved too far away. They felt the school was open, diverse, expose the children to different cultures, and welcoming to all.

This is helpful! Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:I am bumping this thread. We found out that we got into OLGC and are excited. Before we sign the contract, we just wanted to see if anyone else had any more feedback regarding the school (academics and community) that currently go there. We recently moved from out of state, so we feel a little bit like a fish out of water here in Northern Virginia.
Thank you!

My nieces went to OLGC from K to 4th and 5th grades. They and their parents loved the school and the community. They left only because they moved too far away. They felt the school was open, diverse, expose the children to different cultures, and welcoming to all.

I am bumping this thread. We found out that we got into OLGC and are excited. Before we sign the contract, we just wanted to see if anyone else had any more feedback regarding the school (academics and community) that currently go there. We recently moved from out of state, so we feel a little bit like a fish out of water here in Northern Virginia.
Thank you!

Bump

Applying for our DS for 1st grade! We are currently in a preschool that offers K.
We have not found out yet but in between OLGC, local public and another private.
We were very impressed with its open house!
What is your experience, the good and the bad?