Long-time St. Agnes parent here. I would say that discussion is encouraged, but questioning the teacher is not. There are a number of outstanding teachers at St. Agnes in the lower, middle and upper grades who encourage intellectual curiosity and discovery (and the school itself does a good job of providing opportunities for differentiated learning and enrichment), but there are just as many "traditional" teachers who are in the sit/absorb/repeat mode. In the upper school in particular, there is a marked contrast between a couple of truly outstanding teachers (the kind you look back at as an adult and think "they were maybe the best teacher I ever had") and a couple who are very old-school "sit and listen" types. It's a very solid traditional 3-R's kind of education, prepares kids well for a wide range of high schools, and an incredibly close and supportive and generous community - but it's probably not right for free spirits who just need to do their own thing to learn.

*best

I found that you don't necessarily send your kids to St. Agnes for the academics but for the tight spiritual community. The academics seem to work beat for the introverted student who can be lectured at and absorb. I can't tell you how much I wish it was otherwise.

Can parents of enrolled students or parents of recent alumni comment? Went to an out of are catholic school 20+ years ago, and while academically strong, the style was sit, absorb and repeat. Very little in the way of discussion, and you would never question the teacher. Thrived when moved to an environment where intellectual curiosity, inquisitiveness was welcome and encouraged. Since it has been a very long time and I am assuming school specific, would appreciate the feedback.