Anonymous wrote:Both good schools. If you live outside the beltway go to GC. Inside the beltway go to SJC. Don’t subject your kid to a crazy commute everyday. Stop the madness, people.

100%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the Catholic schools in the area, these 2 were my least favorites. They felt like public school with just a little bit of religion. But I do understand that for those who want co-ed Catholic option, there are no alternatives. But really, the single sex Catholic schools in the area are much better.

My DS chose SJC for that very reason! After being in a small Catholic school since PK3, DS was looking forward to a bigger, more diverse environment and chose that over the all boys schools (which are also fantastic, just in different ways!). FWIW, we are a Catholic family and have found the amount of religion to be a good balance. Lots of opportunities to express one’s faith beyond the day-to-day religion classes, daily prayer, etc. I think it depends on personality, but DS is thriving at SJC.

I agree. No need to knock any schools. Everyone's needs are different. We don't have a child in Good Counsel but every family I know who has a kid there has no complaints about the school and students seem happy. I also know a lot of people are happy with SJC, though it wouldn't be my first choice. A few years ago I heard a parent at my kids' Catholic elementary sneer in disgust that one of the Catholic high schools (can't remember which) had an afterschool racial and social justice club. I thought that was great, but I guess some would find that too much like public school.

Both good schools. If you live outside the beltway go to GC. Inside the beltway go to SJC. Don’t subject your kid to a crazy commute everyday. Stop the madness, people.

Anonymous wrote:Of all the Catholic schools in the area, these 2 were my least favorites. They felt like public school with just a little bit of religion. But I do understand that for those who want co-ed Catholic option, there are no alternatives. But really, the single sex Catholic schools in the area are much better.

My DS chose SJC for that very reason! After being in a small Catholic school since PK3, DS was looking forward to a bigger, more diverse environment and chose that over the all boys schools (which are also fantastic, just in different ways!). FWIW, we are a Catholic family and have found the amount of religion to be a good balance. Lots of opportunities to express one’s faith beyond the day-to-day religion classes, daily prayer, etc. I think it depends on personality, but DS is thriving at SJC.

Of all the Catholic schools in the area, these 2 were my least favorites. They felt like public school with just a little bit of religion. But I do understand that for those who want co-ed Catholic option, there are no alternatives. But really, the single sex Catholic schools in the area are much better.

Last year Good Counsel had the cafeteria fired up and serving food, so plan accordingly

You can do both in the same day as long as you don't plan on having lots of involved conversations with teachers. Just prioritize the programs you're interested in and focus on those.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, that’s one way to determine who is truly interested and who is merely checking out Plan B.

Given how crowded both were last year—and how many applicants both schools had for limited seats—it’s a shame we don’t have a viable third option for co-Ed catholic high school.

This. Upper MoCo needs a school.

Honestly, that’s one way to determine who is truly interested and who is merely checking out Plan B.

Given how crowded both were last year—and how many applicants both schools had for limited seats—it’s a shame we don’t have a viable third option for co-Ed catholic high school.

The last 2 years, SJC’s open house was divided into 2 sessions. You could show up at 10am or at 12pm. The event started with a brief welcome speech and then families could break out to attend various musical performances, panels, or just wander and speak to teachers from different academic departments. Current parents were staggered throughout the campus to help answer questions and give directions. You could also choose to get a tour from a student guide who gave insight into daily life as an SJC student. I remember that the science teachers were doing experiments, which was a big hit with the kids! There were also tables set up in the cafeteria with representatives from different academic departments, programs and extracurricular activities where you could ask even more questions and get handouts with info.

I found that the SJC open houses had more than enough opportunities to ask questions and get familiar with the school. We were more focused on specific aspects of the school during DC’s visit as an 8th grader than as a 7th grader, so the 8th grade visit took longer. However, you can take as much or as little time as you want so hopefully you can make it to both SJC and GC on open house day.

No it’s not the same every year because I attended both open houses 3 years ago. New thing for them.

It’s that way every year. FWIW, SJC’s open house was just meh for us. Super crowded, difficult to get meaningful time with staff, admin or teachers. GC’s was equally as crowded but they put on a great show. Other perspective is GC offers other chances to get on campus, parents night, athletes night etc. SJC does not.

This is a little annoying bc we would both like to go to both of them. I guess we'll divide and conquer.