We are at Ireton and not Catholic but it’s a great high school community with a range of students. Lots of sports, clubs and everything from students in academic support to taking lots of APs. Great drama and music programs too. Is it perfect? No, but definitely worth a look and I know they have kids transferring in

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We’re definitely hoping for something smaller than Alexandria City, but recognize that might be our only option. (I don’t think boarding is right for us.). Any advice as to whether it might be worth applying to either St Stephen’s or Ireton would be much appreciated! (Sounds like maybe the former is not worth it.)

The other diocesan schools are Bishop O’Connell in Arlington and St John Paul the Great in Dumfries. O’Connell is a bit bigger than Ireton and might have more room for your grades. JPG is a bit of a commute, but it’s a newer school and probably has room in the class. Really nice kids there.

I don’t know if Gonzaga takes transfers in the upper grades. That’s a boys school in DC. St John’s is another one to look at.

O'connell does not provide busses for students, but it is a short walk to the Orange Line Metro Station for student commuters. It would however be a very far drive from Alexandria.

Someone mentioned West Potomac High School in the Belle Haven section of Alexandria that is not part of the city itself. That’s a public high school administered by Fairfax County schools. If the private school search doesn’t work out, there are other pubic school options besides Alexandria City HS.

Those 2 Alexandria privates are done but not amazing. Neither are particularly hard to get into, and both likely have room, particularly to accommodate a move. Many Alexandria families go further afield for better privates, but those will be near impossible to get into after 9th. I’d call Bishop Ireton and st Stephens asap and also add O’Connell to your list.
Do you need to be in Alexandria city? If not, how about the portion of Alexandria that’s in Fairfax county and go to west Potomac? It can be a very good education and experience.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We’re definitely hoping for something smaller than Alexandria City, but recognize that might be our only option. (I don’t think boarding is right for us.). Any advice as to whether it might be worth applying to either St Stephen’s or Ireton would be much appreciated! (Sounds like maybe the former is not worth it.)

The other diocesan schools are Bishop O’Connell in Arlington and St John Paul the Great in Dumfries. O’Connell is a bit bigger than Ireton and might have more room for your grades. JPG is a bit of a commute, but it’s a newer school and probably has room in the class. Really nice kids there.

I don’t know if Gonzaga takes transfers in the upper grades. That’s a boys school in DC. St John’s is another one to look at.

This area is very transient, so students leave schools all the time. My ds is a current 10th grader at BI and I’d say you have a chance of getting in. Worth the phone call anyway. Applications are due 12/15, I believe.

BI accepts non-Catholics. Call admissions re: openings as soon as possible.

There are many HS students who travel to DC for school. Some schools have buses that pick up in Alexandria. Other are easily managed with metro and carpool.

Definitely call both BI and SSSAS. Remember too though that a lot of the high schools outside of Alexandria have busses and there's also the metro.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We’re definitely hoping for something smaller than Alexandria City, but recognize that might be our only option. (I don’t think boarding is right for us.). Any advice as to whether it might be worth applying to either St Stephen’s or Ireton would be much appreciated! (Sounds like maybe the former is not worth it.)

Inquire with both schools first about applying. Then decide whether or not to devote any effort into getting in.

OP here. We’re definitely hoping for something smaller than Alexandria City, but recognize that might be our only option. (I don’t think boarding is right for us.). Any advice as to whether it might be worth applying to either St Stephen’s or Ireton would be much appreciated! (Sounds like maybe the former is not worth it.)

Anonymous wrote:They would be entering 10 and 11. Yeah, those are the school options I saw (was hoping maybe I missed something). Discouraging about St Stephen’s. Would Ireton take non-Catholic transfers (and are they also over/full)?

You can also look into Episcopal HS, but it is boarding only; not sure if students can go home on the weekends. Episcopal is an excellent option so don't dismiss it outright.

If none of the privates work out, Alexandria City High School is now organized by subject academies. I'm not sure how transfers would work there, since 9th graders declare a focus.

They would be entering 10 and 11. Yeah, those are the school options I saw (was hoping maybe I missed something). Discouraging about St Stephen’s. Would Ireton take non-Catholic transfers (and are they also over/full)?

If you want them to go to high school in Alexandria, your options are Bishop Ireton (catholic), SSSAS (mentioned above) and Alexandria City High School.

Just to clarify, your kids would be joining 10th and 11th grades next year? Or they are currently 10th and 11th?

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School (SSSAS) typically takes a few new students in 10th and 11th every year, although I do know that the current 9th grade had a higher yield than expected and is larger than the school was aiming for, so spots for 10th for next year might be tighter than usual.

It’s an Episcopalian school and has no issue with students of any faith.

We’re moving to Alexandria and are looking at private school for our 10 and 11 graders for next fall. Anyone know what the odds are that schools will have openings? Doesn’t seem like there are a lot of schools in the area, but we’re pretty open (including to religious schools—but realize that might make transfer harder because of preferences for students of that faith). We’d really prefer not to take on a long commute (BTDT). Suggestions welcome!