If he would prefer O’Connell and the AP courses over the IB diploma program at Marshall, it ought to be an easy decision.

As a FCPS parent of 9/11 graders. I wish we would have done Catholic, and we aren't Catholic. Huge mistake on my part.

Both of my kids have had some wonderful teachers, but the amount of teachers that don't care or support is awful.

I will say some are the best ever, but some are the worst ever and there is no discipline, vaping, everything.

No brainer; stay at private esp if he likes the vibe. There’s no contest.

Anonymous wrote:I can’t think of any good things. Stay at private

Oy vey PP. You people are exhausting.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think his college prospects from Marshall would be better than from Catholic school?

+1

I've seen that the Catholic high schools offer pretty substantial scholarships for students who score high on the Catholic high school admission exam. Maybe set that up as an incentive for him to work really hard on exam preparation? Have him pick up a summer job to help pay for some of the difference? If he has some financial skin in the game maybe he'll work harder at school as a result (not saying he's not a diligent student now, of course).

Op- if you can afford it, send him to O’Connell.

I can’t think of any good things. Stay at private

I think it's important for him to understand that privates take money that you'd rather put towards his college education.

Is it that his k-8 Catholic school friends are also going to O’Connell? Marshall is a good school but no amount of listing its good qualities is going to address your kid’s feelings. You need to acknowledge his disappointment but let him know that the $$ needs to go to college savings (per your OP).

There are probably more elective options in public. He probably know many of his classmates from his neighborhood. There will certainly be more clubs and extra-curricular activities.

Why do you think his college prospects from Marshall would be better than from Catholic school?

Has he picked up on your fear of the "large FCPS high schools"? Why did you take him to an O'Connell basketball game as a 7th grader?

Can he do a tour at Marshall to see some of the things for himself? It's less common than private schools, but public school admins will also give tours.

I have a 7th grader at a Catholic k-8. He moved from FCPS during covid. We have been discussing high school and have always assumed he’d go to Marshall. He is set on going to O’Connell.

He went to an O’Connell basketball game and now he is hooked-- loved the environment, students, etc. He has friends going to both schools, so no issue there. We took him to a Marshall game, and he knows college prospects may be better coming from FCPS. What am I missing? Give me all the good things Marshall has to offer.

I understand we did this to ourselves and it’s not surprising he wants to continue with the Catholic track. However, we would rather save the money for college.