Anonymous
04/13/2026 22:39
Subject: St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
Anonymous wrote:I’m a current parent at St. Luke’s in McLean and have gotten to know a number of families at St. John the Beloved as well—both are strong communities, but they do feel a bit different.
St. Luke’s is a smaller, very close-knit school where kids are really known by teachers and families. There’s generally one class per grade, which creates a tight community but also means less anonymity/flexibility. Academically it’s solid and well-rounded (not hyper-competitive), and there’s been a growing focus on STEM and strengthening the enrollment/communications process. There's a growing list of clubs and leadership opportunities.
I think it really comes down to fit—if you’re looking for a smaller, very personal environment where families are highly engaged, St. Luke’s is a great option.
We’ve been happy at St. Luke’s, especially for the sense of community and how supported the kids feel.
This seems random and forced 2 years later…
Anonymous
04/13/2026 12:26
Subject: St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
Neighbor kids go to St Luke even though St John is closer/easier. I don't know why though.
Anonymous
04/13/2026 10:20
Subject: St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
I’m a current parent at St. Luke’s in McLean and have gotten to know a number of families at St. John the Beloved as well—both are strong communities, but they do feel a bit different.
St. Luke’s is a smaller, very close-knit school where kids are really known by teachers and families. There’s generally one class per grade, which creates a tight community but also means less anonymity/flexibility. Academically it’s solid and well-rounded (not hyper-competitive), and there’s been a growing focus on STEM and strengthening the enrollment/communications process. There's a growing list of clubs and leadership opportunities.
I think it really comes down to fit—if you’re looking for a smaller, very personal environment where families are highly engaged, St. Luke’s is a great option.
We’ve been happy at St. Luke’s, especially for the sense of community and how supported the kids feel.
St. Luke’s is a smaller, very close-knit school where kids are really known by teachers and families. There’s generally one class per grade, which creates a tight community but also means less anonymity/flexibility. Academically it’s solid and well-rounded (not hyper-competitive), and there’s been a growing focus on STEM and strengthening the enrollment/communications process. There's a growing list of clubs and leadership opportunities.
I think it really comes down to fit—if you’re looking for a smaller, very personal environment where families are highly engaged, St. Luke’s is a great option.
We’ve been happy at St. Luke’s, especially for the sense of community and how supported the kids feel.
Anonymous
09/17/2024 23:14
Subject: St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
Anonymous wrote:Disclaimer: My child doesn't attend any of these schools, but we have friends at all the schools you mentioned, and we have attended the open houses and toured the schools. How old are your kids since Oakcrest doesn't start until 6th grade, and the Heights doesn't start until 3rd.
My first piece of advice is to go to the Open Houses this Fall to meet the head of the school and the parents. You will get a good feel of the culture. If you don't feel like you found the fit for your family, there are also great Catholic schools nearby in Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, and DC (Holy Trinity). Of the ones you mentioned:
St. John's tends to attract more conservative Catholic families, who come from all over the Northern Virginia area, not just Mclean. There is no tuition benefit if you are a parishioner or not, so it is not your typical parish school. They focus on a Catholic Liberal Arts Education, and many of their alums end up at Oakcrest, the Heights. It seems like some of the younger grades tend to have 2 classes per grade.
St. Luke's is a traditional Catholic parochial school that follows the Diocese of Arlington curriculum. It's a one-track school with one class per grade. Families tend to be from Mclean and more "liberal" than St. John's.
Little Langley is a much bigger school and the most "liberal" of the 3 you mentioned. There is obviously no religion and there are "pride days", LGBQT groups, etc. There are about 3 classes per grade and they shuffle every year.
Again, take tours and go to the open houses. Meet the families at church. It really comes down to what you value as a family. As someone who has their child in a Catholic parochial school in the area right now, it's been night and day to see the transformation and growth compared to their previous school, which was not religious, and we can't imagine a better school for our family. There's a school for every family and child, so make sure you decide for your family and not based on what your friends are doing.
NP -
Can I ask what parochial school you are in? What was your previous school? Was it public or private?
Anonymous
09/17/2024 21:01
Subject: St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
Disclaimer: My child doesn't attend any of these schools, but we have friends at all the schools you mentioned, and we have attended the open houses and toured the schools. How old are your kids since Oakcrest doesn't start until 6th grade, and the Heights doesn't start until 3rd.
My first piece of advice is to go to the Open Houses this Fall to meet the head of the school and the parents. You will get a good feel of the culture. If you don't feel like you found the fit for your family, there are also great Catholic schools nearby in Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, and DC (Holy Trinity). Of the ones you mentioned:
St. John's tends to attract more conservative Catholic families, who come from all over the Northern Virginia area, not just Mclean. There is no tuition benefit if you are a parishioner or not, so it is not your typical parish school. They focus on a Catholic Liberal Arts Education, and many of their alums end up at Oakcrest, the Heights. It seems like some of the younger grades tend to have 2 classes per grade.
St. Luke's is a traditional Catholic parochial school that follows the Diocese of Arlington curriculum. It's a one-track school with one class per grade. Families tend to be from Mclean and more "liberal" than St. John's.
Little Langley is a much bigger school and the most "liberal" of the 3 you mentioned. There is obviously no religion and there are "pride days", LGBQT groups, etc. There are about 3 classes per grade and they shuffle every year.
Again, take tours and go to the open houses. Meet the families at church. It really comes down to what you value as a family. As someone who has their child in a Catholic parochial school in the area right now, it's been night and day to see the transformation and growth compared to their previous school, which was not religious, and we can't imagine a better school for our family. There's a school for every family and child, so make sure you decide for your family and not based on what your friends are doing.
My first piece of advice is to go to the Open Houses this Fall to meet the head of the school and the parents. You will get a good feel of the culture. If you don't feel like you found the fit for your family, there are also great Catholic schools nearby in Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, and DC (Holy Trinity). Of the ones you mentioned:
St. John's tends to attract more conservative Catholic families, who come from all over the Northern Virginia area, not just Mclean. There is no tuition benefit if you are a parishioner or not, so it is not your typical parish school. They focus on a Catholic Liberal Arts Education, and many of their alums end up at Oakcrest, the Heights. It seems like some of the younger grades tend to have 2 classes per grade.
St. Luke's is a traditional Catholic parochial school that follows the Diocese of Arlington curriculum. It's a one-track school with one class per grade. Families tend to be from Mclean and more "liberal" than St. John's.
Little Langley is a much bigger school and the most "liberal" of the 3 you mentioned. There is obviously no religion and there are "pride days", LGBQT groups, etc. There are about 3 classes per grade and they shuffle every year.
Again, take tours and go to the open houses. Meet the families at church. It really comes down to what you value as a family. As someone who has their child in a Catholic parochial school in the area right now, it's been night and day to see the transformation and growth compared to their previous school, which was not religious, and we can't imagine a better school for our family. There's a school for every family and child, so make sure you decide for your family and not based on what your friends are doing.
Anonymous
09/16/2024 22:38
Subject: Re:St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
In terms of academic philosophy, St John's is the opposite of Little Langley.
It is very traditional, both in terms of educational approach and the Catholicism. St Luke a Catholic school with Catholic teaching enmeshed in the curriculum, but that parish and the school are less conservative politically than St John.
It is very traditional, both in terms of educational approach and the Catholicism. St Luke a Catholic school with Catholic teaching enmeshed in the curriculum, but that parish and the school are less conservative politically than St John.
Anonymous
09/16/2024 22:26
Subject: St. Johns the Beloved or St. Luke's in McLean
I'm looking for feedback on these schools. St. John's in particular looks very rigorous - are there kids with a range of academic strengths and abilities? Are the schools very strict or are they nurturing with younger children? Is the parent body extremely conservative politically or are there parents across the political spectrum? For people with experience or knowledge of both, what are the pros/cons of each school as compared to each other? And how do they compare to a school like Langley? How do they compare to schools like the Heights and Oakcrest?