No doubt St. Patrick's has a great reputation, historically. I think it has lost its way a bit in the past 5-7 years or so (with no help from the pandemic). I think the school started taking students it was not equipped to support, and so the school is now focusing the majority of its time, energy, and resources on supporting the lower students at the expense of challenging and pushing the higher students. During this period, the school has also lost a few teachers who were known for really challenging students academically and holding them to high expectations. The teachers remain pretty solid across the board, however, and the school graduates plenty of absolutely lovely, thoughtful kids.

Anonymous wrote:My kid graduated from St. Pats in 8th grade and now attends a big 3 school. They find their current school to be extremely easy in terms of math and English. Writes English papers 2 hours before class and always receives in the 94-97 range and takes the highest level math classes with no problems.

How many kids end up like your child. You think children who graduate from 8th are like yours?

My kid graduated from St. Pats in 8th grade and now attends a big 3 school. They find their current school to be extremely easy in terms of math and English. Writes English papers 2 hours before class and always receives in the 94-97 range and takes the highest level math classes with no problems.

This is interesting to me as a very long time DC parent who chose a different K-8 for its proximity to my house (Sheridan) At the time 15 years ago , St. Patrick’s was considered a standout school — probably tied for the most desired in the K-8/K-6 category:

There was TONS of St Pats traffic on this site, all of it very positive, with people angling to be competitive to get admitted. Peter somebody was the head back then, and there was a whole lot of discussion about a high school. Plus that enormous campaign that created that campus.

As someone who spends way too much time on DCUM, I did notice that nobody seems to talk about the school at all for the past several years. Like at all. My kids are in college now so I didn’t pay it much attention interesting to read the first several posts.

I always heard they have exceptional literacy, but now I wonder if it’s a recognition they received from a specific program or just something they claim themselves. If anybody knows🤷🏼‍♀️

I spoke with friends with children in the same grade at various local public’s and privates, and the St. Pat’s programming was at least a year behind in some cases. We ended up at another private.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Academics are not strong. Curriculum is behind DCPS.

Do you have more info about it? How do you know?

Former parent. I pulled my child after learning how far behind the curriculum was, and bringing concerns up to the administration that were completely blown off.

How did you figure it out about the curriculum? What school did you end up going? (If you want to share that last info)
Please let me know I have concerns about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Academics are not strong. Curriculum is behind DCPS.

Do you have more info about it? How do you know?

Former parent. I pulled my child after learning how far behind the curriculum was, and bringing concerns up to the administration that were completely blown off.

Anonymous wrote:Academics are not strong. Curriculum is behind DCPS.

Do you have more info about it? How do you know?

Academics are not strong. Curriculum is behind DCPS.

I’m a St. Pat’s parent, and I know they changed their math program to Illustrative Math. When I looked at the critiques of this program, it says it’s a program that allows kids to remain at the lowest level in the classroom and doesn’t provide any challenges for advanced students.

Anonymous wrote:What grade are you asking about?

Doesn’t matter! Give a full picture of the school.

I’ve taught several kids who transferred from St Patrick’s, and their math and writing skills were surprisingly weak, and many were below grade level expectations for dc privates and public schools (I’ve taught in both). However, they have been on or above grade level for reading.

What grade are you asking about?

We were wondering how good their Math and English programs are. We’re also curious if they grade students, and do they challenge advanced students?
Some people told us that they claim to challenge them but actually don’t.