The test scores may be impressive, but remember that in this area, people don't always start in pre-k or K and stay until 8th grade. Also, schools that are open to welcoming a whole family, regardless of who has an IQ of 130 or 90, meet the mission of the Diocese. Schools that have students who are all high achievers could be a result of strong teaching but it could also be a school that picks only strong students (or who ask students with learning disabilities to leave).

I think Blessed Sacrament has a great reputation and their parish is great (used to live near there) but a shadow day or talking with a current family could help you make a decision.

One other thing to consider is whether your preferred school has a preschool program, and whether that works for your family. It didn't work for ours because it isn't all-day, but they may prioritize the existing preschool students in forming Kindergarten classes.

Anonymous wrote:Wow! Catholic families apply to multiple (3-4!) parochial K-8 Catholic schools? Does your parish not have a school? Or are you worried you won’t get in as a parishioner?

We are a Catholic family, but only applied to our parish school. Hence my question.

We were applying for middle school and applied to 4. These schools can be tough to get into, we ended up getting in at our parish school but only after a round or two of offers had gone out and those people declined. It’s tough out there for all privates in this environment

Anonymous wrote:Wow! Catholic families apply to multiple (3-4!) parochial K-8 Catholic schools? Does your parish not have a school? Or are you worried you won’t get in as a parishioner?

We are a Catholic family, but only applied to our parish school. Hence my question.

At ours there have always been more applicants than kindergarten slots. Parishioners have almost always been able to get in, but the school administrators were clear that wasn’t a guarantee and we certainly weren’t chancing it.

Wow! Catholic families apply to multiple (3-4!) parochial K-8 Catholic schools? Does your parish not have a school? Or are you worried you won’t get in as a parishioner?

We are a Catholic family, but only applied to our parish school. Hence my question.

to OP: good job on seeing what is out there! The curriculum at all the parochial schools will be similar. The differences will be in size, extracurricular offerings, amount of tech use and general vibe. Teachers of course are a huge part but they come and go so a problem today could be resolved by the time your dear child gets there. Goes both ways: a legend could retire and newby replacement take a year or two get get up to speed. That is at any school though.

Honestly, as mother to several spanning grammar, high school and college, if I were starting over... I'd look at extent of tech use in classrooms (less is more in this regard), phonics based teaching and general happiness vibe. It will all work out wherever you land.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d be concerned about a school with really low test scores, but I wouldn’t make test scores my main criterion for selecting a school. I’m not even sure what our school’s test scores are, but I like that it’s extremely low-tech and has a great community. I have some low-level concerns about them not offering geometry in the eighth grade, but that’s something we’ll deal with 7-8 years from now.

Thanks for this! Are you speaking about Blessed Sacrament? If not, would you mind sharing which school your kids attend?

A different school in Alexandria. I'm a little circumspect about naming it specifically online, but just do a search and you'll find it

On any of these Alexandria schools (or other Diocese of Arlington schools), I'd recommend that you get your applications in now because the deadlines are soon. And then go get personal tours to signal your interest and learn more. Also it would be very smart to apply to several schools, especially since at least some families may have submitted applications a few months ago. We applied to three schools, and considered doing a fourth but decided to hold back because the application fee was quite high and we didn't see that school as a particularly good fit for our family's priorities. We got into two, and withdrew our application for the third as soon as our first choice came through.

I think basically any of the parochial schools around here are great, and it's mostly just a question of what the best match for your family's priorities is.

Anonymous wrote:Impressed with their test scores?

LOL

Helpful comments. Doing our best, this is our first child we are new to this.

Anonymous wrote:I’d be concerned about a school with really low test scores, but I wouldn’t make test scores my main criterion for selecting a school. I’m not even sure what our school’s test scores are, but I like that it’s extremely low-tech and has a great community. I have some low-level concerns about them not offering geometry in the eighth grade, but that’s something we’ll deal with 7-8 years from now.

Thanks for this! Are you speaking about Blessed Sacrament? If not, would you mind sharing which school your kids attend?

We have friends there and they like it. The classes are big though-bigger than the other Alexandria parochials. I guess that is because they have one per grade?

I’d be concerned about a school with really low test scores, but I wouldn’t make test scores my main criterion for selecting a school. I’m not even sure what our school’s test scores are, but I like that it’s extremely low-tech and has a great community. I have some low-level concerns about them not offering geometry in the eighth grade, but that’s something we’ll deal with 7-8 years from now.

Impressed with their test scores?

LOL

Yes we are parishioners

Are you parishioners? It is hard to get in there if you are not.

Does anyone have direct experience with blessed Sacrament in Alexandria? Considering sending our kids there. Went to an open house today and was very impressed with their test scores. Would love to hear from current parents, both positives and negatives. Please only helpful comments and input- it’s a really difficult decision where to send your kid and we are all doing the best we can. Just trying to get all of the facts.