[quote=Anonymous]From the Post a few weeks ago: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/numbers-that-private-schools-fear/2011/06/26/AG2oyBmH_blog.html.[/quote]

from the article: "That is a key figure for me, since I calculate the college-level test participation rate I use to rank schools by dividing the number of AP, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) exams given at a school by the number of students graduating that year."

This author uses a different statistic than we would when looking at a school. We are interested in private, Catholic high schools. We are confident that our children will be eligible for honors/AP classes so our question is not how many students in the school take AP exams but rather how well do the students do on the AP exams. This in turn tells us about how well the school prepares students for the exams.

The author's figure is interesting and useful as it would tell us something about the student body as a whole. We are interested in a well-rounded, diverse student body. Some students are indeed "good at everything" but some students have gifts in one area (artists, writers, scientists, etc). We want our children to appreciate the gifts of a wide range of students who don't necessarily take AP exams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga is a decent school. Literally every kid who applies gets in. If you want a better value for the buck, apply to Prep or STA as they are more selective, better in athletics and academics.

FWIW, I know a boy who was rejected (I don't have any sons there). Really good athlete but not great grades. Went to a diocesan high school.

Same poster again. Didn't read the rest of the post. Gonzaga is way less expensive than Prep and a few thousand less than St. Anselms, so hard to say Prep and St. Anselms are a "better value for the buck." They may be more selective, but I can't imagine anyone saying St. Anselms has better athletics than Gonzaga. It is too small to field teams in some sports, and it generally does not attract serious athletes. For some, of course, that is a plus (it gives serious students who want to play sports more casually a better chance to participate). St. Anselms has really impressive academics but can be a difficult commute. If your friends look through this forum, OP, they will find a lot of differing views about how good the academics are (or aren't) at Prep.

If your friends are serious about a Catholic education, and particularly if they lean more orthodox, have them give Oakcrest and the Heights a look.

Anonymous wrote:Gonzaga is a decent school. Literally every kid who applies gets in. If you want a better value for the buck, apply to Prep or STA as they are more selective, better in athletics and academics.

FWIW, I know a boy who was rejected (I don't have any sons there). Really good athlete but not great grades. Went to a diocesan high school.

From the Post a few weeks ago: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/numbers-that-private-schools-fear/2011/06/26/AG2oyBmH_blog.html

St. Anselm's is mentioned near the end.

two quick notes, not to be a nit nat

first, Visitation isn't run by the Sisters of Mercy. it's run by the Visitation order.

another earlier post suggested "STA or GP for boys." around here, people normally use "STA" to refer to St. Albans, which isn't Catholic (it's Episcopalian). maybe the poster meant St. Anselm's Abbey, which is run by the Benedictines...

Anonymous wrote:Where will they live, and can they afford independent schools?

Most likely in Montgomery County; Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, etc.

They can afford private schools if that is what you mean. They want the Catholic school combined with rigorous academics.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[quote=Anonymous]Georgetown Visitation for girls and Gonzaga for boys for the most well rounded experience. [/quote]

In other words, not academically rigorous. And there is nothing wrong with that. They have a niche to fill xndvthey do it well.

But OP asked for recommendations based on academics so STA or GP for boys; SR for girls. Check them out for yourself and talk to current families snd some with recent grads.

PP, why is the Heights "unranked"?

Gonzaga is a decent school. Literally every kid who applies gets in. If you want a better value for the buck, apply to Prep or STA as they are more selective, better in athletics and academics.

Georgetown Visitation for girls and Gonzaga for boys for the most well rounded experience.

I would look at SAT/ACT scores, AP scores, Nationsl Merit info and college ACCEPTANCE data (and try to account for legacy/sports affect in them).

I don' know about boys' school since we have girls but Stone Ridge was our choice. My mother-in-law went to Visitation and was more than a little upset with our choice but we just didn't get a good feel about the academics at Visitation. It might be "harder" to get into but that is not because of it's rigorous academic requirements.

We have found that Stone Ridge offers a very rigorous academic program that is followed by a significant portion of the girls. We also think they do a fine job of helping the girls manage the workload. Next year they will be dropping mid-term exams in favor giving the teachers more time to teach. This should be an interesting experience in general but I think it will really help in the AP classes. You don't often hear of a school forging a new path on generally accepted practices and I aplaud the upper school admin for trying this out.

You are forgetting Oakcrest.

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

I have friends that are moving to the DC area and have a mix of girls and boys that are approaching high school age. It is very important for them to send their children to excellent Catholic schools. What would be your top 5 boys and and girls Catholic schools for years 9-12? Please rank strictly on academics.

Thanks!

There's a a large Catholic population in DC that supports a large number and wide variety of Catholic high schools.

I doubt they'll be only looking at academics when they show up here.

There aren't 5 top academic boys and girls Catholic high schools in DC. There's a couple. Tell your friends to bring their checkbook.
By reputation

Boys:
St Anselm's Abbey
Georgetown Prep (Jesuit)
Gonzaga (Jesuit)

The rest (in no particular order)
Good Counsel
St Johns (LaSallian)
De Matha
O'Connell
Ireton

Unranked Places like The Heights

Girls
Visitation (Sisters of Mercy)
Stone Ridge

Than
Holy Child
Holy Cross

Where will they live, and can they afford independent schools?

Hello,

I have friends that are moving to the DC area and have a mix of girls and boys that are approaching high school age. It is very important for them to send their children to excellent Catholic schools. What would be your top 5 boys and and girls Catholic schools for years 9-12? Please rank strictly on academics.

Thanks!